Candidates are racing to raise money before an end-of-the-month deadline, the better to prove the strength of their campaigns for 2014 in reports that come out July 15.
Texas Ethics Commission
Posted in
Criminal Justice
A Simple Story Made Complicated by Politics
District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg’s story was primarily about a public fall from grace. When Gov. Rick Perry stripped funding from the public integrity unit she runs, it also became a story about a political power grab.
Posted in
State Government
Some Lawmakers Make Sure to Look Out for No. 1
Call it the self-preservation society. When push comes to shove, some members of the Texas Legislature are adamant that their elective offices should come with some special protections.
Posted in
Bidness As Usual
Video: Session of Transparency Fell Short
When it came to passing major ethics reforms that would have increased transparency for elected officials, the 83rd Legislature didn’t make much headway. Lawmakers, it seems, didn’t have the appetite for increased public disclosure.
Posted in
Bidness As Usual
Lawmaker Transparency Bills Got Little Traction
Lawmakers talked a big game about improving transparency this session, but when push came to shove, they did next to nothing to advance it.
Posted in
Politics
Liveblog: What’s Left for the 83rd Legislature
The clock is ticking for lawmakers hard at work to pass prize bills in the final days of the 83rd legislative session. Here’s a look at what’s still outstanding. Check back often: We’ll update this story as deals are brokered or broken.
Posted in
Bidness As Usual
Ethics Commission Bill Forces Tough Votes
UPDATED: Facing a laundry list of record votes, lawmakers tacked on several amendments to an Ethics Commission reform bill on Monday that would strengthen the disclosure rules that govern them and their contributors.
Posted in
Bidness As Usual
For Lawmakers, Ethics Reform is Complicated
It’s easier, it seems, for lawmakers to regulate others than to regulate themselves. Ethics and transparency legislation has had a bumpy ride in the current legislative session.
Posted in
Politics
TribLive: A Conversation About Ethics in the Lege
Full video of Ross Ramsey’s 5/16 TribLive conversation about ethics in the Texas Legislature with former Assistant Travis County District Attorney Mindy Montford, campaign finance lawyer Randall “Buck” Wood, state Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, and former state Rep. Ismael “Kino” Flores, D-Palmview.
Posted in
Bidness As Usual
Irony Abounds in Debate Over Ethics Proposals
In this session’s ethics battles, watchdogs say there’s more contradiction than conviction.
