The Texas Ethics Commission on Thursday voted to end a long-running investigation into one of the state’s most influential conservative groups.
Texas Ethics Commission
Posted in
Politics
Analysis: In Texas, Lawmakers Regulate Their Own Regulators
The Texas Ethics Commission regulates legislators. Legislators control the commission’s laws and budget. It’s a complicated relationship.
Posted in
Politics
Texas Senator Calls State Ethics Commission “Arrogant” and “Haughty”
“If you are untouchable, we’ve got a problem,” Sen. Brian Birdwell told the chairman of the commission, which is charged with making sure public officials and campaigns obey state ethics and elections laws.
Posted in
Energy
Analysis: “Smitty,” a Texas Lobbyist for the Small Fry, Hanging It Up
Tom “Smitty” Smith, a colorful lobbyist and liberal activist who turned Public Citizen Texas into a strong voice on environmental, utility, consumer and ethics issues, is hanging up his spurs after 31 years.
Posted in
Politics
Ethics Commissioner Says He Won’t Heed Patrick’s Call to Resign
A member of the Texas Ethics Commission is rejecting what he says was an effort by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to get him to resign.
Posted in
Politics
Analysis: Texas Might Let Political Radio Ads Run Disclaimer-Free, But Feds Won’t
The state of Texas might not be requiring sponsorship disclosures on political radio ads right now, but the Federal Communications Commission is.
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Politics
Analysis: Unaccountably Free Political Speech, for a Few Weeks in Texas
A regulatory wrinkle could strip an important piece of information from the political radio ads you hear in Texas between now and Election Day: Who’s paying for the commercials?
Posted inState Government
Texas Ethics Commission Chases “Campaign in a Box” Spending
Commissioners are trying to open so-called “campaign in a box” disclosures, where candidates report their spending on consultants — but not on the specific campaign services those consultants are providing.
Posted inState Government
Analysis: Hiding Texas Campaign Spending Details, Legally
The state is trying to regulate what some have called the “campaign in a box,” when a candidate reports writing one big check to a consultant, who then handles all of the campaign spending off the books.
Posted in
Politics
Analysis: The Long and Winding Road to the Texas Ethics Commission
It’s harder to appoint people to the Texas Ethics Commission than to other agencies. The politics are difficult. But it’s also easy to just let it slide — and let commissioners serve for years after their terms end.
