Giving Texas governors the power to edit proposed regulations under a veil of secrecy — as Gov. Greg Abbott is vying to do — could provide new opportunities for campaign finance shenanigans.
Texas Ethics Commission
Posted in
Politics
Appeals court revives Empower Texans lawsuit seeking to gut the Texas Ethics Commission
The case had been dismissed by a Travis County judge, but an appeals court on Friday overturned that dismissal.
Posted inState Government
In new disclosure, Texas AG Ken Paxton says he received $84,000 in gifts for his legal defense in 2017
Attorney General Ken Paxton, who has been fighting securities fraud charges for most of his first term, received money from family friends and other personal connections for his legal defense, according to a newly released financial disclosure statement.
Posted in
Politics
Texas lawmaker didn’t file a campaign finance report for two years. Why didn’t the state make him?
State Rep. Ron Reynolds, D-Missouri City, went almost two years without filing any campaign or personal financial reports, racking up more than $50,000 in fines. He still hasn’t paid anything and it’s unclear whether any state agency has the power to make him.
Posted in
Politics
Regulators fine Texas ag chief Sid Miller for sloppy accounting
The Texas Ethics Commission fined Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller a total of $2,750 to resolve two complaints accusing him of improper campaign accounting.
Posted in
Politics
Legislature approves bill requiring disclosure of government contracts
Politicians who make money off government contracts will have to disclose the work under a bill that got final approval in the Legislature Sunday.
Posted in
Politics
Texas House approves online posting of politicians’ personal financial statements
The Texas House preliminarily approved the requirement that the personal financial statements of state politicians and bureaucrats be posted online.
Posted in
Energy
By wading into energy policy, did Texas GOP chair break ethics law?
Texas GOP chairman Tom Mechler, an Amarillo oilman, insists that he wasn’t lobbying when he asked the state to intervene in his clients’ dispute with a pipeline giant.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
FBI, IRS agents raid state Sen. Carlos Uresti’s law offices
FBI and IRS agents raided the law offices of Texas Sen. Carlos Uresti on Thursday morning, confiscating documents and other items.
Posted in
Politics
Analysis: A lavish benefit for Texas lawmakers could get even bigger
Regulators are deciding how much lobby wining and dining Texas lawmakers can accept without revealing their names. Hint: It’s a lot.
