Charitable Donations With Political Benefits
This is one in a series of occasional stories about ethics and transparency in the part-time Texas Legislature.
It is legal during legislative sessions for state officeholders to raise money for their favorite charities from the same people who are prohibited from donating to their political campaigns in that same time period.
The charities are perfectly worthwhile — causes that range from heartwarming to life-changing. And prominent people lend their names to such causes all the time. There is, of course, nothing wrong with raising money for the charities, and no campaign laws are being broken.
But the juxtaposition is thorny ...
Comments (6)
John Johnson
What do you call horse sh*t wrapped up in a pretty package with bow on top???
Lori Trammell via Texas Tribune on Facebook
So what are you saying....office holders should not support charities? Or not use their positions to educate? I like to see which causes my elected officials are involved in. Can tell me a lot about them. I can make my own decision about what to support. Which causes are you wanting banned from legislator involvement or scrutiny?
Roberta Dillania de Geldofinez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Lol, Straus hit the nail on the head! And let's see how many mission statements get a little wordsmithing afterwards.
Jim Vance
@John Johnson -- "What do you call horse sh*t wrapped up in a pretty package with bow on top???"
A Legislative gift basket of goody favors.
Gray Patricia
I am uncomfortable with members soliciting money for their charities particularly during the session. An equally awkward situation arises when a lobbyist approaches the member saying that the foundation associated with the business [s]he represents is going to contribute xx thousand dollars in Texas, and they are asking "selected" members for suggestions as to where that money should be given. Every member knows of worthy organizations in the district they represent. Should they refuse to participate, especially in these times when money is tight and every contribution counts--especially when the money can come without restrictions (i. e. can go to operations which many foundations won't support). What would you do?
Anya Khan
Charities are not to blame when tricksters use them in a legal way. What is sad is that fewer personnel donations are going to be given in 2013 due to changes in tax laws. Small donations are no longer tax exempt.