Ethics Commission to Debate Fundraising Opinion
This is one in a series of occasional stories about ethics and transparency in the part-time Texas Legislature.
The Texas Ethics Commission’s board convenes Thursday to choose new leadership for 2013 — a year when the agency is facing legislative scrutiny and a likelihood of reform.
But before that happens, its commissioners will review an ethics opinion they did not agree on two months ago, over the role the state’s elected officials can play in nonprofit organizations.
Attorneys at the Ethics Commission, a depository for financial, campaign and lobby filings that also advises legislators on how to interpret state ...
Comments (5)
Karen Spivey-Cummings via Texas Tribune on Facebook
No.
Pun Nio via Texas Tribune on Facebook
No, they are voted on to govern, not fun non profits that they benefit from by money, and create to further their interest and agenda.
Rick Archer via Texas Tribune on Facebook
No. The Texas Ethics Commission is an oxymoron.
Daniel Perez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
No!
Jim Vance
I'll add +1 for "No" with respect to the potential "pay to play" reward system. If any pastor, preacher, priest or monsignor wishes to run for political office they should take a full leave of absence from having any involvement with their church or parish from that point onward, and if elected that leave of absence should extend through the duration of active involvement in the office. Anyone elected to full-time office, local or statewide, would thus remain on leave until leaving office. Anyone elected to a part-time office (like the Lege) would be required to take leave during the periods when the Legislature is in regular or special session.
As to the rewards points, if those which are accrued on campaign business from a credit card which is strictly associated with the campaign and not personal, those points must be used in a campaign-related manner (including auction for repayment of any campaign debt) or donated to a legitimate charity.