Smith County Loses Appeal Regarding Release of Closed Session Videos

TYLER — The Smith County Commissioner’s Court has been denied an appeal of Visiting Judge Jack Carter’s decision to allow the release of closed session videos. KETK reports the Twelfth Court of Appeals issued the latest ruling on the videos of three sessions. They were released April 24 after the State Attorney General’s Office granted a “Grassroots America – We The People” open records request. In the videos, commissioners discuss buying traffic cameras, which was deemed a violation of the Texas Open Meetings Act. The sessions led to the resignation of County Judge Joel Baker, who also paid a $200 fine in a plea deal.