Okay, let's see. Someone comes to the Governor's office --- Nope, he'd have to bring the money off Capitol grounds.
Okay, the Merck lobbyist comes to the campaign headquarters with a $5000 check for the likely incumbent - who does have 4 opponents. He mentions that the State will be buying a lot of Merck's new vaccine for the Medicaid and Vaccines for Children (including CHIP, the uninsured and Native Americans), by federal law.
Here's one Texas county's note on what vaccines the State plans pay for.
Then, the Merck rep mentions that privately insured families are having a much harder time affording the vaccine, since the insurance companies won't pay until the vaccine is mandatory.
Is it really surprising that there would be interest in discussing the costs to the State in the increased vaccines due to a mandate vs. voluntarily taking the vaccine that's offered for free to Medicaid and uninsured kids?
Or in helping the insured families?
The Governor did what he's supposed to do - he acted as the head of the Executive Branch. From what I've read, he could have just sent a note over to the DSHS. Instead, he made sure more people heard about the mandate and the opt out clause.
Oh yes the "opt out clause". Parents can "opt out". Of course there will be a list of all the parents who "opt out". I'm sure CPS will have it.