The Texas Ethics Commission could undergo major changes in the next legislative session. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports on why some think the state should scrap the commission and start over from scratch.
Texas Ethics Commission
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Texas Gets a D+ in Public Integrity Study
Texas has scored a 68 out of 100, placing 27th in a national state integrity study. The state got high marks for auditing and for monitoring pension funds, but not as high for accountability of the governor and legislators.
Posted in
State Government
Billionaire’s PAC Admits Contribution Error, Seeks Refunds
The political action committee of Dallas billionaire waste magnate Harold Simmons is asking 18 lawmakers to return about $65,000 in contributions after admitting that an oversight led to illegal campaign contributions.
Posted in
Politics
Campaign Roundup: The Week’s Political News
Four of the state’s top officeholders each raised more than $1 million during the second half of 2011. Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, who is running for the U.S. Senate, raised $1.5 million for his federal campaign account during the fourth quarter alone.
Posted inState Government
Billing Both Legislature and Campaign? Prove It.
In politics, one man’s mistake is another’s opportunity. Now that state Rep. Joe Driver, R-Garland, has been sentenced for “double dipping,” opposition researchers in this primary season are scrambling for other examples.
Posted inState Government
News App: Our Most Comprehensive Campaign Finance Database Yet
Using information provided by the Texas Ethics Commission, we have built a new interface for accessing campaign contributions and expenditures dating back to 2000 — our most comprehensive campaign finance database yet.
Posted in
State Government
Campaign Chatter
Rep. Joe Driver and Travis County prosecutors come to terms on his legislative expense accounts.
Posted in
Guides
Texplainer: Can Perry Use State Campaign Dollars in His Presidential Run?
Texans for Rick Perry, his state campaign committee, listed $2.1 million in cash on hand at the end of June, according to its most recent filing. But Perry can’t touch it for his just-launched presidential campaign.
Posted inState Government
News App: Search 2011 Donors to Texas Candidates, PACs
In mid-July, candidates and PACs filed reports with the Texas Ethics Commission detailing each individual donation they received from Jan. 1 to June 30, 2011. Use our latest data application to search through those itemized contributions.
Posted in
State Government
On the Records: 2011’s Top Political Donors
The 15 largest donors to Texas politicians and PACs gave a total of $4.7 million in the first six months of 2011, according to a Texas Tribune analysis of Texas Ethics Commission filings. The biggest beneficiary of their largesse: the Texans for Lawsuit Reform Political Action Committee.
