Vaccine Distribution Communications (Texas Department of State Health Services)
It is a clone of this request.
| Tracking # |
A06042021.0450001 |
| Multi Request | Vaccine Distribution Communications |
| Submitted | March 16, 2021 |
| Est. Completion | None |
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Communications
From: Megan Fletcher
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, I hereby request the following records:
A copy of all communications between employees and administrators at the University of Texas System and the Texas Department of State Health Services concerning COVID-19 vaccine distribution and shipments since November 2020.
The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.
In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Megan Fletcher
From: Texas Department of State Health Services
Ms. Fletcher,
This is to acknowledge receipt of your open records request. I also need you to clarify your request. I need you to provide email addresses for the University of Texas system employees/administrators. I also need you to identify the DSHS employees emails you would like searched. I have included a copy of the DSHS organizational chart for your convenience.
If you have not responded in writing within sixty-one (61) days from the date of this email, your request will be considered automatically withdrawn. Tex. Gov't Code §552.222(d).
Sincerely,
Amanda Brown
DSHS Open Records Program Specialist
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~WRD000
From: Megan Fletcher
Hello Ms. Brown,
Here are the relevant email addresses of UT administration/employees:
jzerwas@utsystem.edu
dlakey@utsystem.edu
athomas@utsystem.edu
lcarruth@utsystem.edu
mmeeks@utsystem.edu
president@utexas.edu
Here are the relevant DSHS employees:
Imelda Garcia
John Hellerstedt
David Gruber
Manda Hall
Stephen Pont
Jennifer Sims
Thank you!
Best,
Megan Fletcher
From: Texas Department of State Health Services
Ms. Fletcher,
Please see the attached cost estimate for your request below. Based on your search terms, there are approximately 423 search results.
Because the estimated cost exceeds $100, DSHS requires a deposit of 100% of the estimated cost prior to beginning work. The deposit should be received within ten (10) business days from the date of this letter or the request may be withdrawn by operation of law.
If you would like to discuss ways to lower this estimate or modify your request, please contact DSHS in writing within 10-business days from the date of this letter stating that a) you would like to modify your request; or alternatively b) you accept the charges and will send payment; or c) you are sending a complaint regarding the charges to the attorney general.
Please note payment of the deposit does not guarantee that you will receive the documents you seek, as DSHS may still raise exceptions to disclosure and send the documents to the Attorney General for ruling.
Thank you,
Amanda Brown
DSHS Open Records
Program Specialist IV
Open Records Department | Legal Services Division
4900 North Lamar | Mail Code 1100
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~WRD2574
From: Megan Fletcher
To Whom It May Concern:
Please find enclosed a check for $144.00 to satisfy the fee associated with the attached public records request.
Thank you.
DSHS
Cash Receipts Branch MC 2003
Department of State Health Services
P.O. Box 149347
Austin, TX 78714
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Texas Public Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 16, 2021. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Texas Public Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 16, 2021. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Texas Public Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 16, 2021. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Texas Department of State Health Services
Our colleagues at HHSC Open Records closed this request due to the deadline passing before payment was received. Would you like to reopen/resubmit the request?
++++++++++++++++++++++++
Chris Van Deusen
Director of Media Relations
Texas Dept. of State Health Services
(w) 512-776-7119
From: Megan Fletcher
Hi Chris,
Yes! I would like to reopen this request. The system we use for records requests sent a paper check to your organization. Because of a mistake on my part, the amount requested was sent in two checks to the agency. Can we either use those checks for the resubmitted request or void them so that my organization isn't charged double?
Thank you,
Megan Fletcher
From: Texas Department of State Health Services
Yes, we should still be able to use the funds sent.
++++++++++++++++++++++++
Chris Van Deusen
Director of Media Relations
Texas Dept. of State Health Services
(w) 512-776-7119
From: Megan Fletcher
Great! Thank you so much. Please let me know if there's anything else you need from me.
Best,
Megan Fletcher
From: Texas Department of State Health Services
Megan,
Would you agree to our withholding discretionary information without seeking a ruling from the Office of the Attorney General (in this case, information confidential as part of the deliberative process, draft documents and security passcodes)?
Also, I’ve attached a 10-day brief submitted earlier this week to the AG’s office.
++++++++++++++++++++++++
Chris Van Deusen
Director of Media Relations
Texas Dept. of State Health Services
(w) 512-776-7119
From: Megan Fletcher
Chris,
My apologies, I did not receive the usual email notification for this. Yes, we can withhold that information without a ruling from the AG. Thank you for the update!
Thanks again,
Megan Fletcher
The Texas Observer
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Texas Public Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 16, 2021. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #A06042021.0450001.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Texas Public Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 16, 2021. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #A06042021.0450001.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Texas Public Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 16, 2021. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #A06042021.0450001.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Texas Public Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 16, 2021. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #A06042021.0450001.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Texas Public Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 16, 2021. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #A06042021.0450001.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Texas Public Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 16, 2021. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #A06042021.0450001.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Texas Public Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 16, 2021. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #A06042021.0450001.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Texas Public Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 16, 2021. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #A06042021.0450001.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Texas Department of State Health Services
It looks like this agency uploaded responsive documents to a portal or link sharing site. Our team is working on moving them over, so please check back soon.
Megan,
The documents responsive to this request are available at the link below. As agreed, some of the documents were redacted for discretionary information. This will complete your request.
++++++++++++++++++++++
Chris Van Deusen
Director of Media Relations
Texas Dept. of State Health Services
512-776-7119
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