What's going on in the Hallways of "The Peoples House" in Austin Texas ?

DPS balks at releasing House videos, cites safety

09:18 AM CDT on Tuesday, September 13, 2005
By ROBERT T. GARRETT / The Dallas Morning News

AUSTIN – Attorney General Greg Abbott's office says the Department of Public Safety must release security camera videos taken during the House's fierce debates over school vouchers last May.
DPS says disclosure of the tapes could jeopardize security at the Capitol. It filed a lawsuit this month to block their disclosure.
The Texas Observer, a biweekly publication that says it "promotes democratic participation and open government," requested the tapes.
Jake Bernstein, executive editor of the Observer, used the state's open records act to seek videos of a hallway behind the House chamber.
He asked for tapes recorded between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. on May 23 – the day the House narrowly rejected legislation that would have allowed some students to transfer to private schools at state expense.
Mr. Bernstein said Monday he hoped to verify or refute reports that wavering House members "were pulled off the floor to meet with" Dr. James Leininger, a San Antonio businessman and major GOP donor who has strongly advocated vouchers.
On May 23, The Dallas Morning News reported that Dr. Leininger had met with House members at the Capitol on the night before the voucher issue was debated, urging a "yes" vote.
Tela Mange, a DPS spokeswoman, said release of the videos would give away "placement of cameras" and other confidential aspects of Capitol security.
"We have a problem with that," she said.
E-mail rtgarrett@dallasnews.com
source: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/texassouthwest/legislature/stories/DN-dps_13tex.ART.State.Edition1.e6cb21f.html