Posted on 06/09/2025 10:53:40 AM PDT by JeepersFreepers
Despite years of calls from Texas voters to end the use of taxpayer dollars for lobbying, legislation to ban the practice died in committee this session, leaving Texans footing a multi-million-dollar lobbying bill.
For years, both Democrat and Republican voters have called on elected officials to outlaw the use of tax dollars for lobbying. This issue was even a legislative priority this session for the Republican Party of Texas.
Despite a Republican-controlled House and Senate creating ideal conditions for change, five pieces of legislation aimed at ending this practice ultimately died in the House State Affairs Committee, chaired by State Rep. Ken King (R–Canadian).
Meanwhile, taxpayer-funded lobbying expenditures continue to reach high levels.
By the end of the year, taxpayers are set to be billed for up to $94.5 million on lobbyists. Though this marks a slight decrease compared to the $98.6 million spent by local governments in 2023, both figures are markedly higher than the $75 million spent on lobbyists in 2021.
This uptick is even more dramatic when noting that in 2017, taxpayer-funded lobbying amounted to $41 million. Unlike the average increase in taxpayer-funded lobbying over time, bipartisan support against such practices has remained roughly constant within that timeframe.
Polling data from 2019 and 2021 shows that the majority of Texans—Republican and Democrat—support a ban on taxpayer-funded lobbying.
Conservative opposition to the practice was clearly voiced this session. In August 2023, State Rep. Briscoe Cain (R–Deer Park) posted that “Texas is going to ban taxpayer funded lobbying in 2025,” to which State Rep. Dustin Burrows (R–Lubbock), who was later elected speaker of the House, replied, “Show me voting aye.”
A myriad of bills were introduced to ban this practice, including: Senate Bill 19, Senate Bill 2330, House Bill 309, House Bill 571, and House Bill 4525.
SB 19 moved the furthest, passing the Senate and being referred to the House State Affairs Committee.
State Rep. Brent Money (R–Greenville) told Texas Scorecard that King, who chaired the committee, outright refused to consider the proposal.
Like similar legislation filed this session, SB 19 joins a long line of anti-taxpayer-funded lobbying legislation that died in years past stretching back to 1997.
The Texas GOP, meanwhile, has made its opposition towards taxpayer-funded lobbying explicit in its platform since 2018.
The Republican-controlled Texas Senate has passed legislation banning taxpayer-funded lobbying for each of the last four legislative sessions, only for it to die in the House.
The fate of taxpayer-funded lobbying appears to hinge on House Republicans. As related expenditures remain high, fiscal responsibility advocates continue to press lawmakers to end the practice.
Texas taxpayers continue to be forced to fund the lobbyists working against their interests.
Banning the practice has been part of the Republican platform since 2018. Politicians from both parties benefit from the practice as many later become lobbyists themselves. They also benefit from lobbyist money while in office.
I am sure it is a source of kickbacks.
The only thing more disgusting and unethical than a Texas Democrat is a Texas Republican. Do you prefere for your whore to be a street walker? Or a high class call girl?
The only thing more disgusting and unethical than a Texas Democrat is a Texas Republican. Do you prefere for your whore to be a street walker? Or a high class call girl?
You put it very nicely. I’m FORCED to vote Republican but I have left blank spaces and will continue to do so until these rats are defeated by those who will work for the taxpayers interest and not be compromised by the corrupt lobby complex or other corrupt entities.
The classic is the Republican who just won reelection, and then colluded with the Democrats and a handful of Republicans to become the speaker. So typical.
“”The only thing more disgusting and unethical than a Texas Democrat is a Texas Republican.””
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Could not agree more.
There are 300 breweries and 130 distilleries that ARE making the drug, alcohol, right here in the good `ol Lone Star State.
If Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick is suddenly sooo concerned about the safety of “the children” why is alcohol legal in Texas?
Where has he been the past five years?
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It will be “too bad” if Abbott can’t find sympathy for 53,000 workers he is fixing to destroy by outlawing legal THC products in Texas.
Not to mention $8,000,000,000.00 in direct tax revenue, PLUS the secondary and tertiary rollovers of payroll revenue injected into the Texas economy.
AND giving the drug cartels a HUGE boost in potential sales.
All because Dan wants a “git tough on (no longer a) crime” by re-criminilize THC.
AND giving the drug cartels a HUGE boost in potential sales.
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Dan is running off at the mouth about “saving children” from this evil.
If he was serious he would ban all 7-11s from selling candy (sugar) and booze (alcohol).
Close all liquor stores throughout the state.
Crappy fast food? Ultra-processed flavored fat? Gone.
By-By Micky D’s, Burger King etc, your kids are going to drive you NUTS.
You get the picture.
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I say remove all the little fav spots and booze in restaurants (kids might sneak a drink, ya know...), corner beer/wine/liqueur stores, grocery stores and gas stations that line the gated communities that THEY go to.
Lets see just how many of the above mentioned consequences THEY start howling about.
Is there an election coming I don’t know about?
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And then there is this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6M53XLBd54Y
Dan and Greg are gonna look silly.
Oh what the heck, they are gonna look dumb as bricks by going backwards under the STATES Act to re-criminalize legal THC products.
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oops.
“by going backwards under the STATES Act to re-criminalize legal THC products.”
Should have been “a STATES Act,” not “the STATES act.”
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The classic is the Republican who just won reelection, and then colluded with the Democrats and a handful of Republicans to become the speaker. So typical.
It certainly is.......we’ve got to get people and fund them to get these idiot DE-publicans out of politics. This Speaker (?) is on top of the list!!!!!
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