Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Who's on First? Attorney General's office represents both sides in TxDOT open records case.

Trial set on 'secret contract.'

September 26, 2006

Central Texas Digest
Austin American-Statesman
Copyright 2006

A trial will begin Oct. 10, just four weeks before Election Day, on an arcane open records dispute that has had a featured role in this year's gubernatorial race.

Travis County District Judge Lora Livingston will decide whether the Texas Department of Transportation must release sections of a contract with toll road builder Cintra-Zachry that the company says contains trade secrets.

Opponents of Gov. Rick Perry, particularly Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn, have criticized him about the "secret contract" and demanded its release.

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott ruled in May 2005 that the provisions must be made public, but the company and the Transportation Department sued several weeks later to overturn his decision.

© 2006 Austin American-Statesman: www. statesman.com

For background on this story click HERE.


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