AUSTIN, TX -- Public interest organizations today praised the General Services Commission for their adoption of a new sign that provides key information to citizens to assist them in requesting public information. The new sign, part of a new requirement from legislation adopted last year, advises the public on their rights to obtain government information, a government entity's responsibilities to provide it, and the procedures to obtain it.

"The sign adopted today by the General Services Commission is a how-to guide for citizens to obtain information kept by a governmental body," said Rob Schneider, senior staff attorney with Consumers Union's Southwest Regional Office. "It reinforces the idea that the public has the right to review most government records and lists the responsibilities of governments in providing information."

The sign must be posted in a prominent place by every governmental body in the state - cities, school districts, and state agencies alike - and must be on at least legal-size paper.

"We hope governments will go beyond the minimum requirements of the law and make the sign larger or even give copies to citizens," said Suzy Woodford, Executive Director of Common Cause Texas. "We believe the sign can serve as an educational tool to help citizens exercise their fundamental right to keep an eye on their government by reviewing government documents."

"Openness in government is key to assuring accountability and trust," added Schneider. "The public information act provides fundamental rights to assure that trust. We believe the sign that will be posted by every government body in Texas will reinforce the ideal that government exists to serve the public."

Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports, is an independent, nonprofit testing and information organization, serving only the consumer. We are a comprehensive source of unbiased advice about products and services, personal finance, health nutrition, and other consumer concerns. Since 1936, our mission has been to test products, inform the public, and protect consumers.