Lobbying | The Texas Tribune

<!DOCTYPE html>     <html class="no-js">  <head><script type="text/javascript" src="https://web-static.archive.org/_static/js/bundle-playback.js?v=7YQSqjSh" charset="utf-8"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web-static.archive.org/_static/js/wombat.js?v=txqj7nKC" charset="utf-8"></script> <script>window.RufflePlayer=window.RufflePlayer||{};window.RufflePlayer.config={"autoplay":"on","unmuteOverlay":"hidden"};</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web-static.archive.org/_static/js/ruffle/ruffle.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> __wm.init("https://web.archive.org/web"); __wm.wombat("http://www.texastribune.org:80/politics/lobbying/","20150329060051","https://web.archive.org/","web","https://web-static.archive.org/_static/", "1427608851"); </script> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://web-static.archive.org/_static/css/banner-styles.css?v=p7PEIJWi" /> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://web-static.archive.org/_static/css/iconochive.css?v=3PDvdIFv" />  <title>Lobbying | The Texas Tribune</title> <link rel="shortcut icon" type="image/x-icon" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150329060051im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/common/images/favicon.ico"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0"> <meta charset="utf-8"><script type="text/javascript">window.NREUM||(NREUM={}),__nr_require=function(e,n,t){function r(t){if(!n[t]){var o=n[t]={exports:{}};e[t][0].call(o.exports,function(n){var o=e[t][1][n];return r(o?o:n)},o,o.exports)}return n[t].exports}if("function"==typeof __nr_require)return __nr_require;for(var o=0;o<t.length;o++)r(t[o]);return r}({QJf3ax:[function(e,n){function t(e){function n(n,t,a){e&&e(n,t,a),a||(a={});for(var u=c(n),f=u.length,s=i(a,o,r),p=0;f>p;p++)u[p].apply(s,t);return s}function a(e,n){f[e]=c(e).concat(n)}function c(e){return f[e]||[]}function u(){return t(n)}var f={};return{on:a,emit:n,create:u,listeners:c,_events:f}}function r(){return{}}var o="nr@context",i=e("gos");n.exports=t()},{gos:"7eSDFh"}],ee:[function(e,n){n.exports=e("QJf3ax")},{}],3:[function(e,n){function t(e){return function(){r(e,[(new Date).getTime()].concat(i(arguments)))}}var r=e("handle"),o=e(1),i=e(2);"undefined"==typeof window.newrelic&&(newrelic=window.NREUM);var a=["setPageViewName","addPageAction","setCustomAttribute","finished","addToTrace","inlineHit","noticeError"];o(a,function(e,n){window.NREUM[n]=t("api-"+n)}),n.exports=window.NREUM},{1:12,2:13,handle:"D5DuLP"}],"7eSDFh":[function(e,n){function t(e,n,t){if(r.call(e,n))return e[n];var o=t();if(Object.defineProperty&&Object.keys)try{return Object.defineProperty(e,n,{value:o,writable:!0,enumerable:!1}),o}catch(i){}return e[n]=o,o}var r=Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty;n.exports=t},{}],gos:[function(e,n){n.exports=e("7eSDFh")},{}],handle:[function(e,n){n.exports=e("D5DuLP")},{}],D5DuLP:[function(e,n){function t(e,n,t){return r.listeners(e).length?r.emit(e,n,t):(o[e]||(o[e]=[]),void o[e].push(n))}var r=e("ee").create(),o={};n.exports=t,t.ee=r,r.q=o},{ee:"QJf3ax"}],id:[function(e,n){n.exports=e("XL7HBI")},{}],XL7HBI:[function(e,n){function t(e){var n=typeof e;return!e||"object"!==n&&"function"!==n?-1:e===window?0:i(e,o,function(){return r++})}var r=1,o="nr@id",i=e("gos");n.exports=t},{gos:"7eSDFh"}],G9z0Bl:[function(e,n){function t(){var e=d.info=NREUM.info,n=f.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];if(e&&e.licenseKey&&e.applicationID&&n){c(p,function(n,t){n in e||(e[n]=t)});var t="https"===s.split(":")[0]||e.sslForHttp;d.proto=t?"https://":"http://",a("mark",["onload",i()]);var r=f.createElement("script");r.src=d.proto+e.agent,n.parentNode.insertBefore(r,n)}}function r(){"complete"===f.readyState&&o()}function o(){a("mark",["domContent",i()])}function i(){return(new Date).getTime()}var a=e("handle"),c=e(1),u=(e(2),window),f=u.document,s=(""+location).split("?")[0],p={beacon:"bam.nr-data.net",errorBeacon:"bam.nr-data.net",agent:"js-agent.newrelic.com/nr-632.min.js"},d=n.exports={offset:i(),origin:s,features:{}};f.addEventListener?(f.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",o,!1),u.addEventListener("load",t,!1)):(f.attachEvent("onreadystatechange",r),u.attachEvent("onload",t)),a("mark",["firstbyte",i()])},{1:12,2:3,handle:"D5DuLP"}],loader:[function(e,n){n.exports=e("G9z0Bl")},{}],12:[function(e,n){function t(e,n){var t=[],o="",i=0;for(o in e)r.call(e,o)&&(t[i]=n(o,e[o]),i+=1);return t}var r=Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty;n.exports=t},{}],13:[function(e,n){function t(e,n,t){n||(n=0),"undefined"==typeof t&&(t=e?e.length:0);for(var r=-1,o=t-n||0,i=Array(0>o?0:o);++r<o;)i[r]=e[n+r];return i}n.exports=t},{}]},{},["G9z0Bl"]);</script><script type="text/javascript">window.NREUM||(NREUM={});NREUM.info={"beacon":"bam.nr-data.net","queueTime":0,"licenseKey":"8636ab2091","agent":"js-agent.newrelic.com/nr-632.min.js","transactionName":"ZwZWZ0NWD0VRAE1YCV5MckZfVBVfXw0WRRJvEFFQRV4OWG8VUFQRQ01CWlRAEgxjBlpFD18NcFZFVghaZgpcRg==","applicationID":"452513","errorBeacon":"bam.nr-data.net","applicationTime":1761}</script> <meta name="author" content="The Texas Tribune"/> <meta name="copyright" content="漏 The Texas Tribune"/> <meta name="language" content="EN"/> <meta name="audience" content="All"/> <meta name="publisher" content="The Texas Tribune"/> <meta name="distribution" content="global"/> <meta name="robots" content="index,follow"/> <meta name="siteinfo" content="http://www.texastribune.org/robots.txt"/> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150329060051im_/http://static.texastribune.org/common/images/apple-touch-icon.png"/> <meta name="google-site-verification" content="2RECdeH7aeA9-RQoGzkfTpP5i_3Qz4rtBIR-CdCtvus"/> <meta name="google-site-verification" content="3EMut9KLnb_7fohrI_bDaR4py76QIWAt4uPidjagbzI"/> <meta name="p:domain_verify" content="1a464e3e99298d39e0cdaaeeb2c10dfd"/> <meta name="y_key" content="36169ff9ee60f3ab"/> <meta name="msvalidate.01" content="DB22C31255557D1E219990CA92192CBB"/> <meta name="medium" content="news"/> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150329060051im_/http://static.texastribune.org/common/images/apple-touch-icon.png"/> <meta name="apple-mobile-web-app-capable" content="yes"/> <meta name="apple-touch-fullscreen" content="yes"/> <meta property="fb:app_id" content="154122474650943"> <meta property="og:site_name" content="The Texas Tribune"/> <meta property="og:url" content="https://web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/politics/lobbying/"/> <meta property="twitter:url" content="http://www.texastribune.org/politics/lobbying/"/>  <script type="text/javascript" src="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051js_/http://use.typekit.com/brb4jmm.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript">try{Typekit.load();}catch(e){}</script> <link href="https://plus.google.com/116406259333166116089/" rel="publisher"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/politics/lobbying/"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150329060051cs_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/COMPRESSED/css/2c1c9bbe6a0c.css" type="text/css"/>  <script> (function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){ (i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o), m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m) })(window,document,'script','//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js','ga'); ga('create', 'UA-9827490-1', 'texastribune.org'); ga('require', 'displayfeatures'); ga('send', 'pageview'); </script> <script>// var tt = tt || {}; tt.debug = false; tt.media_url = 'https://web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/common/'; tt.facebook = {appId: '154122474650943'}; // Doubleclick integration tt.ads = { // targeting: {}, // addTarget: function(key, value) { if (typeof key === 'undefined'){ // get all attrs return tt.ads.targeting; } else { // set attr tt.ads.targeting[key] = value; } } }; </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051js_/http://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1.7.2/jquery.min.js"></script> <script>window.jQuery || document.write('<script src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/common/vendor/jquery/1.7.2/jquery.min.js"><\/script>')</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051js_/http://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jqueryui/1.8.18/jquery-ui.min.js"></script> <script>window.jQuery.ui || document.write('<script src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/common/vendor/jqueryui/jquery-ui-1.8.18.min.js"><\/script>')</script> <script src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150329060051js_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/common/vendor/modernizr/modernizr.min.js"></script> </head> <body class="sections responsive"> <script type="text/javascript"> var _qevents = _qevents || []; (function() { var elem = document.createElement('script'); elem.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/https://secure" : "https://web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://edge") + ".quantserve.com/quant.js"; elem.async = true; elem.type = "text/javascript"; var scpt = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; scpt.parentNode.insertBefore(elem, scpt); })(); </script> <script type="text/javascript">var _sf_startpt=(new Date()).getTime()</script> <div class="wrapper-r"> <div id="site_roofline" style="position:relative;"> <div class="hide-for-mobile large_ad_container"> <div class="ad adunit tablet standard" data-dimensions="728x90" data-adunit="TexasTribune_Site_Roofline1_ATF_Leaderboard_728x90"> </div> <div class="ad adunit tablet standard" data-dimensions="728x90" data-adunit="TexasTribune_Site_Roofline2_ATF_Leaderboard_728x90"> </div> <div class="ad adunit tablet standard" data-dimensions="728x90" data-adunit="TexasTribune_Site_Roofline3_ATF_Leaderboard_728x90"> </div> <div class="ad adunit tablet standard" data-dimensions="728x90" data-adunit="TexasTribune_Site_Roofline4_ATF_Leaderboard_728x90"> </div> </div> <div class="mobile-only"> <div class="ad adunit mobile" data-dimensions="300x100" data-adunit="_TexasTribune_Site_Roofline1_ATF_Leaderboard_300x100"> </div> <div class="ad adunit mobile" data-dimensions="300x100" data-adunit="_TexasTribune_Site_Roofline2_ATF_Leaderboard_300x100"> </div> <div class="ad adunit mobile" data-dimensions="300x100" data-adunit="_TexasTribune_Site_Roofline3_ATF_Leaderboard_300x100"> </div> <div class="ad adunit mobile" data-dimensions="300x100" data-adunit="_TexasTribune_Site_Roofline4_ATF_Leaderboard_300x100"> </div> </div> </div> <div id="greeting"> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/accounts/register/" title="Register for your free Texas Tribune account">Register</a> </li> <li class="last"> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/accounts/login/?next=">Login</a> <script> (function(){ var allScripts = document.getElementsByTagName('script'), currentScript = allScripts[allScripts.length - 1], node = currentScript; while (node = node.previousSibling) { if (node.nodeName == "A"){ node.href += document.location.pathname; break; } }; })(); </script> </li> </ul> </div> <header id="site_header"> <nav class="navbar primary"> <ul> <li class="hide-for-mobile navbar-search"> <form method="get" action="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/search/"> <input id="site_search_q" name="q" type="text" value="" placeholder="Search..."> <button type="submit" aria-label="Submit"><i class="icon-search"></i></button> </form> </li> <li class="active hide-for-mobile dropdown-toggle"> <a class="dropdown-toggle" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/"> Front Page </a> <div class="mega-dropdown grid" id="sections"> <div class="cell w-3 tab_nav_cell"> <ul id="sidemenu" class="tab-nav"> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/economy/" data-section="economy"> Economy </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/education/" data-section="education"> Education </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/energy-and-environment/" data-section="energy-and-environment"> Energy & Environment</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/government/" data-section="government"> Government </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/health-and-human-services/" data-section="health-and-human-services"> Health & Human Services </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/law-and-order/" data-section="law-and-order"> Law & Order </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/people/" data-section="people"> People </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/politics/" data-section="politics"> Politics </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/race-and-immigration/" data-section="race-and-immigration"> Race & Immigration </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/transportation/" data-section="transportation"> Transportation </a></li> </ul> </div> <div id="sections-tab-container" class="cell w-9 tab_container" data-content-resource="/esi/components/megadropdown/"> <div style="padding: 1em; font-family: 'LeagueGothicRegular'; font-size:2.1em; color: #999; ">Loading...</div> </div> </div> </li> <li class="hide-for-mobile"> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/library/data/"> Data </a> </li> <li class="hide-for-mobile"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://txlege.texastribune.org/" title="84th Lege Session landing page"> 84th Lege </a> </li> <li class="hide-for-mobile"> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/"> Directory </a> </li> <li class="hide-for-mobile"> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/events/"> Events </a> </li> <li class="hide-for-mobile dropdown-toggle"> <a class="multimedia" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/multimedia/"> Multimedia </a> <ul class="dropdown"> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/livestream/">Livestream</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="hide-for-mobile dropdown-toggle"> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/subscribe/"> Subscriptions </a> <ul class="dropdown"> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/the-brief/">The Brief</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-weekly/">Texas Weekly</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/plus/edu/">Trib+Edu</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/plus/health/">Trib+Health</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/plus/water/">Trib+Water</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="hide-for-mobile"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://www.tribtalk.org/"> TribTalk </a> </li> <li class="hide-for-mobile"> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/tribinvestigates/" title="Trib Investigates"> Investigations </a> </li> <li class="hide-for-mobile"> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2016/" title="2016 Presidential Elections"> 2016 </a> </li> <li class="mobile-only active dropdown-toggle"> <a href="#"> Menu<i class="icon-caret-down"></i> </a> <ul class="mobile-dropdown"> <li> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/">Front Page</a> </li> <li> <a class="data" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/library/data/">Data</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://txlege.texastribune.org/" title="84th Lege Session landing page"> 84th Lege </a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/">Directory</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/events/">Events</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/multimedia/">Multimedia</a> </li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/livestream/">Livestream</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/the-brief/">The Brief</a></li> <li> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-weekly/">Texas Weekly</a> </li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/plus/edu/">Trib+Edu</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/plus/health/">Trib+Health</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/plus/water/">Trib+Water</a></li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://www.tribtalk.org/">TribTalk</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/tribinvestigates/" title="Trib Investigates"> Investigations </a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2016/" title="2016 Presidential Elections"> 2016 </a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="mobile-only dropdown-toggle"> <a href="#"> Sections<i class="icon-caret-down"></i> </a> <ul class="mobile-dropdown"> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/economy/" data-section="economy"> Economy </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/education/" data-section="education"> Education </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/energy-and-environment/" data-section="energy-and-environment"> Energy & Environment</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/government/" data-section="government"> Government </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/health-and-human-services/" data-section="health-and-human-services"> Health & Human Services </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/law-and-order/" data-section="law-and-order"> Law & Order </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/people/" data-section="people"> People </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/politics/" data-section="politics"> Politics </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/race-and-immigration/" data-section="race-and-immigration"> Race & Immigration </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/transportation/" data-section="transportation"> Transportation </a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="mobile-only dropdown-toggle"> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/search/"><i class="icon-search"></i></a> <div class="mobile-dropdown mobile-search"> <form method="get" action="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/search/"> <input name="q" type="text" value="" placeholder="SEARCH"> <button type="search" alt="Do Search"> <i class="icon-search"></i> </button> </form> </div> </li> <li class="mobile-only active" id="mobi_join"> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/join/"> Support Us </a> </li> </ul> </nav> <div class="ad last"> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/join/" title="Contribute Today" style="display: block; padding-top: .5em"> <div style="background:url(//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/membership/TT-supportus-flag.png) no-repeat; width: 120px; height:60px; background-size: 120px 60px;"></div> </a> </div> <div class="below_nav"> <h1 id="logo"><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150329060051im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/common/images/logo.png" width="453" height="50" alt="The Texas Tribune"></a></h1> <time datetime="2015-03-29T01:00:49.888193">Sunday, March 29, 2015</time> </div> </header> </div> <div class="wrapper content-wrapper"> <div id="site_content" class="content index"> <header class="alt_header"><h1><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/politics/">POLITICS</a>: <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/politics/lobbying/">Lobbying</a></h1></header> <section class="topstory grid"> <article class=""> <div class="media large"> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/26/ethics-bills-draw-ire-conservative-activists-lawye/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/CruzSullivan744CMS_jpg_474x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Ted Cruz, left, then a U.S. Senate candidate, speaks with Michael Quinn Sullivan of Empower Texas at the state Republican convention on June 7, 2012."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/CruzSullivan744CMS_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Ted Cruz, left, then a U.S. Senate candidate, speaks with Michael Quinn Sullivan of Empower Texas at the state Republican convention on June 7, 2012." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Ted Cruz, left, then a U.S. Senate candidate, speaks with Michael Quinn Sullivan of Empower Texas at the state Republican convention on June 7, 2012.</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/26/ethics-bills-draw-ire-conservative-activists-lawye/">Ethics Reform Proposals Raise Ire of Lawyers for Conservative Activists</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/patrick-svitek/">Patrick Svitek</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 26 Mar 2015 07:37:16 -0500" title="2015-03-26 07:37"> March 26, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/26/ethics-bills-draw-ire-conservative-activists-lawye/comments/"><span class="value">6</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p><span>Lawyers for some of the state's most active conservative groups expressed vocal opposition Wednesday to a series of ethics reform proposals. The bills came up at a meeting of the Texas House State Affairs Committee. </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/26/ethics-bills-draw-ire-conservative-activists-lawye/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </div> </article> </section> <div class="grid"> <div class="cell w-8 main_column"> <div class="hide-for-medium-down"> <article class=" item_1"> <div class="media medium"> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/24/clancy-ethics-commission-should-stop-enforcing-law/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/10/IMG_9736_jpg_231x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/10/IMG_9736_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Todd Wiseman</cite> </div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/24/clancy-ethics-commission-should-stop-enforcing-law/">Clancy: Ethics Commission Should Stop Enforcing Law</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 24 Mar 2015 20:02:26 -0500" title="2015-03-24 20:02"> March 24, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/24/clancy-ethics-commission-should-stop-enforcing-law/comments/"><span class="value">10</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>The Texas Ethics Commission can't do its job if compliance is "wholly voluntary," says one member who thinks the commission should stop all enforcement activities in response to a judge's recent dismissal of its ruling against conservative activist Michael Quinn Sullivan. <span><br/></span></span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/24/clancy-ethics-commission-should-stop-enforcing-law/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> <article class=" item_2"> <div class="media medium"> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/23/analysis-sales-tax-cut-if-anybody-wants-it/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Capsized8_jpg_231x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Capsized8_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Todd Wiseman</cite> </div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/23/analysis-sales-tax-cut-if-anybody-wants-it/">Analysis: A Sales Tax Cut, If Anybody Wants It</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 23 Mar 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-03-23 06:00"> March 23, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/23/analysis-sales-tax-cut-if-anybody-wants-it/comments/"><span class="value">2</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p>A little-noticed bill filed on deadline by the chairman of the House's tax-writing committee could hold the session's biggest tax cut, but only if the House and Senate decide to cut taxes on sales instead of property.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/23/analysis-sales-tax-cut-if-anybody-wants-it/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> <article class=" item_3"> <div class="media medium"> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/19/analysis-tax-cut-wont-save-taxpayers-dime/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/24/PropertyTax-DollarSigns_jpg_231x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/24/PropertyTax-DollarSigns_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo illustration by: Todd Wiseman</cite> </div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/19/analysis-tax-cut-wont-save-taxpayers-dime/">Analysis: Killing a Tax Without Changing Taxpayers' Bills</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 19 Mar 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-03-19 06:00"> March 19, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/19/analysis-tax-cut-wont-save-taxpayers-dime/comments/"><span class="value">14</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p>Senate legislation that cuts property and business margins taxes also includes a clause that would outlaw taxes on real estate transactions. Texas has no such tax.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/19/analysis-tax-cut-wont-save-taxpayers-dime/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="show-for-medium-down"> <article class=" responsive-secondary"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/24/clancy-ethics-commission-should-stop-enforcing-law/">Clancy: Ethics Commission Should Stop Enforcing Law</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 24 Mar 2015 20:02:26 -0500" title="2015-03-24 20:02"> March 24, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/24/clancy-ethics-commission-should-stop-enforcing-law/comments/"><span class="value">10</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/24/clancy-ethics-commission-should-stop-enforcing-law/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/10/IMG_9736_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/10/IMG_9736_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Todd Wiseman</cite> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>The Texas Ethics Commission can't do its job if compliance is "wholly voluntary," says one member who thinks the commission should stop all enforcement activities in response to a judge's recent dismissal of its ruling against conservative activist Michael Quinn Sullivan. <span><br/></span></span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/24/clancy-ethics-commission-should-stop-enforcing-law/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=" responsive-secondary"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/23/analysis-sales-tax-cut-if-anybody-wants-it/">Analysis: A Sales Tax Cut, If Anybody Wants It</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 23 Mar 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-03-23 06:00"> March 23, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/23/analysis-sales-tax-cut-if-anybody-wants-it/comments/"><span class="value">2</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/23/analysis-sales-tax-cut-if-anybody-wants-it/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Capsized8_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Capsized8_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Todd Wiseman</cite> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>A little-noticed bill filed on deadline by the chairman of the House's tax-writing committee could hold the session's biggest tax cut, but only if the House and Senate decide to cut taxes on sales instead of property.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/23/analysis-sales-tax-cut-if-anybody-wants-it/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=" responsive-secondary"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/19/analysis-tax-cut-wont-save-taxpayers-dime/">Analysis: Killing a Tax Without Changing Taxpayers' Bills</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 19 Mar 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-03-19 06:00"> March 19, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/19/analysis-tax-cut-wont-save-taxpayers-dime/comments/"><span class="value">14</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/19/analysis-tax-cut-wont-save-taxpayers-dime/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/24/PropertyTax-DollarSigns_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/24/PropertyTax-DollarSigns_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo illustration by: Todd Wiseman</cite> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>Senate legislation that cuts property and business margins taxes also includes a clause that would outlaw taxes on real estate transactions. Texas has no such tax.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/19/analysis-tax-cut-wont-save-taxpayers-dime/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-6 gap hide-for-medium-down left_rail"> <section class="folder"> <div class="tab data"> <hgroup> <h1>Featured Data</h1> <h2> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2011/03/15/texas-lobbying-directory-details-spending-clients/">Texas Lobbying Directory Details Spending, Clients</a> </h2> <ul class="meta separator short"><li class="byline"> by Matt Stiles and Chris Chang </li><li><time datetime="Tue, 15 Mar 2011 05:00:00 -0500" title="2011-03-15 05:00"> March 15, 2011 </time></li></ul> </hgroup> <div class="content"> <div class="media sidebar" <a href="/2011/03/15/texas-lobbying-directory-details-spending-clients/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/LobbySpendingApp_Art_jpg_300x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/LobbySpendingApp_Art_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo illustration by: Marjorie Cotera/Todd Wiseman</cite> </div> </div> <ul class="actions simple"> <li> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/library/data/"><span>+</span> More Data</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <aside class="ad_container sidebar_block"> <div class="sponsor_image_holder"> <div class="ad adunit tablet standard" data-dimensions="300x250" data-adunit="TexasTribune_Content_Home_BTF_LeftRail1_TTRectangle_300x250"> </div> </div> </aside> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/18/costco-joins-wal-mart-kroger-liquor-fight/">Costco Joins Wal-Mart, Kroger in Liquor Push</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ryan-mccrimmon/">Ryan McCrimmon</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 18 Mar 2015 16:41:07 -0500" title="2015-03-18 16:41"> March 18, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/18/costco-joins-wal-mart-kroger-liquor-fight/comments/"><span class="value">6</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/18/costco-joins-wal-mart-kroger-liquor-fight/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/06/Liquors-4_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/06/Liquors-4_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>Wholesale giant Costco has joined Wal-Mart, Kroger and other retailers in the fight to <span>loosen restrictions</span><span> on the state liquor market and </span>let public corporations sell hard alcohol in Texas.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/18/costco-joins-wal-mart-kroger-liquor-fight/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/16/analysis-when-disclosure-no-disclosure-all/">Analysis: When a Disclosure Report Doesn't Do Much Disclosing</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 16 Mar 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-03-16 06:00"> March 16, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/16/analysis-when-disclosure-no-disclosure-all/comments/"><span class="value">6</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/16/analysis-when-disclosure-no-disclosure-all/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/10/IMG_9756_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/10/IMG_9756_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Todd Wiseman</cite> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>State law requires lobbyists to report what they spend on legislators and other state officials. <span>But the loopholes are big: L</span>ess than 5 percent of the lobby's reported spending on food and beverage names the eaters and the drinkers.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/16/analysis-when-disclosure-no-disclosure-all/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/11/analysis-grassroots-push-business-tax-repeal/">Analysis: A Distinctive Push for Business Tax Repeal</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 11 Mar 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-03-11 06:00"> March 11, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/11/analysis-grassroots-push-business-tax-repeal/comments/"><span class="value">7</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/11/analysis-grassroots-push-business-tax-repeal/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/PropertyTax_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Some officeholders have raised the idea of replacing Texas' property tax with a larger sales tax. But that could create some new fiscal challenges."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/PropertyTax_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Some officeholders have raised the idea of replacing Texas' property tax with a larger sales tax. But that could create some new fiscal challenges." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo illustration by: Todd Wiseman</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Some officeholders have raised the idea of replacing Texas' property tax with a larger sales tax. But that could create some new fiscal challenges.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>As lawmakers debate what kinds of tax cuts they like best, and voters point at property taxes as their favorite, a national conservative group is starting a grassroots campaign to promote repeal of the state's business margins tax. </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/11/analysis-grassroots-push-business-tax-repeal/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/09/film-groups-want-separate-funding-video-games/">Film Groups Want Separate Funding for Video Games</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ryan-mccrimmon/">Ryan McCrimmon</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 9 Mar 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-03-09 06:00"> March 9, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/09/film-groups-want-separate-funding-video-games/comments/"><span class="value">2</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/09/film-groups-want-separate-funding-video-games/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/10/03/TxTrib-VideoGame-007_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Naveen Nattam (l) Sean Riley (r) play games during their lunch break at Twisted Pixel, a video game company in Austin. Texas is second in the nation for video game industry employment and promoting further growth with incentives and training."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/10/03/TxTrib-VideoGame-007_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Naveen Nattam (l) Sean Riley (r) play games during their lunch break at Twisted Pixel, a video game company in Austin. Texas is second in the nation for video game industry employment and promoting further growth with incentives and training." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Callie Richmond</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Naveen Nattam (l) Sean Riley (r) play games during their lunch break at Twisted Pixel, a video game company in Austin. Texas is second in the nation for video game industry employment and promoting further growth with incentives and training.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>Texas film heavyweights are asking lawmakers to create a separate funding strategy for video game incentives instead of continuing shared funding with film and television incentives. The video game lobby isn't ready for a split.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/09/film-groups-want-separate-funding-video-games/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-6 hide-for-medium-down mid_rail"> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2014/12/05/analysis-after-elections-fundraising-quickens/">Analysis: After Election, Fundraising Quickens</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a></li><li><time datetime="Fri, 5 Dec 2014 06:00:00 -0600" title="2014-12-05 06:00"> Dec. 5, 2014 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2014/12/05/analysis-after-elections-fundraising-quickens/comments/"><span class="value">3</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2014/12/05/analysis-after-elections-fundraising-quickens/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/08/14/CampaignFinance-PavedWithMoney_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/08/14/CampaignFinance-PavedWithMoney_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo illustration by: Todd Wiseman / Antony Vance Clicks</cite> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>The general election is over, but a pending pre-session deadline spurs a biennial fundraising spurt from state officeholders.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2014/12/05/analysis-after-elections-fundraising-quickens/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2014/09/29/davis-accuses-abbott-cover-grant-fund/">Davis Accuses Abbott of Grant Fund "Cover-Up"</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jay-root/">Jay Root</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 29 Sep 2014 13:42:57 -0500" title="2014-09-29 13:42"> Sept. 29, 2014 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2014/09/29/davis-accuses-abbott-cover-grant-fund/comments/"><span class="value">29</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2014/09/29/davis-accuses-abbott-cover-grant-fund/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/01/16/Davis-Abbott_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/01/16/Davis-Abbott_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Laura Buckman / Bob Daemmrich</cite> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>State Sen. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/wendy-davis/">Wendy Davis</a>, the Democratic candidate for governor, says Attorney General <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/greg-abbott/">Greg Abbott</a>, her Republican opponent, intentionally used the power of his office to hide misspending in the troubled Texas Enterprise Fund.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2014/09/29/davis-accuses-abbott-cover-grant-fund/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2014/09/29/getting-legislative-permission-to-do-business/">Analysis: Getting State's Permission to Do Business</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 29 Sep 2014 06:00:00 -0500" title="2014-09-29 06:00"> Sept. 29, 2014 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2014/09/29/getting-legislative-permission-to-do-business/comments/"><span class="value">7</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2014/09/29/getting-legislative-permission-to-do-business/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/03/17/Tesla-Model-S_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="A Tesla Model S. The California-based electric automaker had considered Texas for its $5 billion lithium-ion battery factory. The company is also hoping to sell cars in Texas but does not have required franchise dealerships, as state law requires."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/03/17/Tesla-Model-S_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="A Tesla Model S. The California-based electric automaker had considered Texas for its $5 billion lithium-ion battery factory. The company is also hoping to sell cars in Texas but does not have required franchise dealerships, as state law requires." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Tesla Motors</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">A Tesla Model S. The California-based electric automaker had considered Texas for its $5 billion lithium-ion battery factory. The company is also hoping to sell cars in Texas but does not have required franchise dealerships, as state law requires.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>When lawmakers are not working on all of the things you hear about — budgets, education, immigration and so on — they are often refereeing fights between businesses. And some of next year's battles are already shaping up.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2014/09/29/getting-legislative-permission-to-do-business/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2014/09/27/freewheeling-spending-austin-triggers-blowback/">Criticism Follows Reports on Incentive Programs</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jay-root/">Jay Root</a> and <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a></li><li><time datetime="Sat, 27 Sep 2014 06:00:00 -0500" title="2014-09-27 06:00"> Sept. 27, 2014 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2014/09/27/freewheeling-spending-austin-triggers-blowback/comments/"><span class="value">30</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2014/09/27/freewheeling-spending-austin-triggers-blowback/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/PerryAndCombs_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/PerryAndCombs_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo illustration by: Bob Daemmrich / Todd Wiseman</cite> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>In Texas, reports of loose oversight over hundreds of millions of dollars in economic development funds, cancer research grants and plain old tax money are fueling pointed criticism from both the left and the right.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2014/09/27/freewheeling-spending-austin-triggers-blowback/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2014/09/20/liveblog-open-government-texas-tribune-festival/">Liveblog: Open Government at The Texas Tribune Festival</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ayan-mittra/">Ayan Mittra</a></li><li><time datetime="Sat, 20 Sep 2014 08:00:00 -0500" title="2014-09-20 08:00"> Sept. 20, 2014 </time></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2014/09/20/liveblog-open-government-texas-tribune-festival/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/09/18/TTF14-liveblog-opengovernment_png_150x1000_q100.png" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/09/18/TTF14-liveblog-opengovernment_png_800x1000_q100.png" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>graphic by: Emily Albracht</cite> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>We're liveblogging the sessions from the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/festival/2013/home/" target="_self">2014 Texas Tribune Festival</a>'s <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/festival/2014/tracks/open-government/" target="_blank">Open Government track</a>. The sessions include panels on disclosures by legislators, open records in Texas, transparency and the Texas budget, and the issue of donor privacy.</p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2014/09/20/liveblog-open-government-texas-tribune-festival/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2014/09/20/liveblog-energy-texas-tribune-festival/">Liveblog: Energy at The Texas Tribune Festival</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ayan-mittra/">Ayan Mittra</a></li><li><time datetime="Sat, 20 Sep 2014 08:00:00 -0500" title="2014-09-20 08:00"> Sept. 20, 2014 </time></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2014/09/20/liveblog-energy-texas-tribune-festival/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/09/18/TTF14-liveblog-energy_png_150x1000_q100.png" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/09/18/TTF14-liveblog-energy_png_800x1000_q100.png" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>graphic by: Emily Albracht</cite> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>We're liveblogging the sessions from t</span>he <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/festival/2013/home/" target="_self">2014 Texas Tribune Festival</a><span>'s </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/festival/2014/tracks/energy/" target="_blank">Energy track</a><span>. The sessions include panels on the state's power grid, the potential impact of energy reform in Mexico on Texas, the debate over hydraulic fracturing and a deeper look at the state's drilling boom.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2014/09/20/liveblog-energy-texas-tribune-festival/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-6 show-for-medium-down"> <ul class="mobile_headlines"> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/18/costco-joins-wal-mart-kroger-liquor-fight/">Costco Joins Wal-Mart, Kroger in Liquor Push</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/16/analysis-when-disclosure-no-disclosure-all/">Analysis: When a Disclosure Report Doesn't Do Much Disclosing</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/11/analysis-grassroots-push-business-tax-repeal/">Analysis: A Distinctive Push for Business Tax Repeal</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/09/film-groups-want-separate-funding-video-games/">Film Groups Want Separate Funding for Video Games</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/19/analysis-taking-lobbyists-money-ignoring-their-cal/">Analysis: Taking Lobbyists' Money, Ignoring Their Calls</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/18/new-coalition-takes-liquor-license-fight-capitol/">Kindred Spirits: Wal-Mart, Kroger Align in Booze Bid</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/02/analysis-splitting-tabs-and-hiding-names/">Analysis: Disclosure Rules Let Lobbyists Split Tabs and Hide Names</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/28/analysis-sending-message-intentional-or-not/">Analysis: Lawmakers Send an Ethics Message, Intentional or Not</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/27/analysis-its-not-bribery-unless-they-say-its-bribe/">Analysis: It's Not Bribery Unless They Say It's Bribery</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/26/analysis-legislators-expenses-and-schmoozing-linke/">Analysis: Legislators' Traveling Expenses and Schmoozing, Linked</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2014/12/05/analysis-after-elections-fundraising-quickens/">Analysis: After Election, Fundraising Quickens</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2014/09/29/davis-accuses-abbott-cover-grant-fund/">Davis Accuses Abbott of Grant Fund "Cover-Up"</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2014/09/29/getting-legislative-permission-to-do-business/">Analysis: Getting State's Permission to Do Business</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2014/09/27/freewheeling-spending-austin-triggers-blowback/">Criticism Follows Reports on Incentive Programs</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2014/09/20/liveblog-open-government-texas-tribune-festival/">Liveblog: Open Government at The Texas Tribune Festival</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2014/09/20/liveblog-energy-texas-tribune-festival/">Liveblog: Energy at The Texas Tribune Festival</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class=" cell w-4 hide-for-medium-down"> <aside id="" class="featurebox "> <header class="featurebox-header"> <h1><span>Trib</span>pedia</h1> </header> <div class="featurebox-content "> <ul> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/lobbying/">Lobbying</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/texans-for-lawsuit-reform/">Texans For Lawsuit Reform</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/texas-association-of-business/">Texas Association Of Business</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/texas-association-of-counties/">Texas Association Of Counties</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/texas-association-of-realtors/">Texas Association Of Realtors</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/texas-border-coalition/">Texas Border Coalition</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/texas-border-sheriffs-coalition/">Texas Border Sheriffs Coalition</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/texas-municipal-league/">Texas Municipal League</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/texas-taxpayers-and-research-association/">Texas Taxpayers And Research Association</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/texas-trial-lawyers-association/">Texas Trial Lawyers Association</a></li> </ul> </div> <footer class="clearfix featurebox-footer"> <a target="_blank" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/"> <span>+</span> View All </a> </footer> </aside> <aside class="ad_container sidebar_block"> <div class="sponsor_image_holder"> <div class="ad adunit tablet standard" data-dimensions="300x250" data-adunit="TexasTribune_Content_Home_BTF_RightRail1_TTRectangle_300x250"> </div> </div> </aside> <section class="folder"> <div class="tab video"> <hgroup> <h1>Featured Video</h1> <h2><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2011/10/20/video-texas-tribune-insider--october-20-2011/">Weekend Insider: Super PAC Influence, Wind Power Challenges</a></h2> <ul class="meta separator short"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/justin-dehn/">Justin Dehn</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:00:00 -0500" title="2011-10-20 15:00"> Oct. 20, 2011 </time></li></ul> </hgroup> <div class="content"> <div class="media sidebar" <a href="/2011/10/20/video-texas-tribune-insider--october-20-2011/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/videos/2_jpg_300x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/videos/2_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> </div> <ul class="actions simple"> <li> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/multimedia/"><span>+</span> More Videos</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/19/analysis-taking-lobbyists-money-ignoring-their-cal/">Analysis: Taking Lobbyists' Money, Ignoring Their Calls</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 19 Feb 2015 06:00:00 -0600" title="2015-02-19 06:00"> Feb. 19, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/19/analysis-taking-lobbyists-money-ignoring-their-cal/comments/"><span class="value">19</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/19/analysis-taking-lobbyists-money-ignoring-their-cal/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/13/GW1A7872Burton_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="New Texas Sen. Konni Burton, c, stands with other incoming Senators during the swearing-in ceremony at the Texas Capitol Jan. 13, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/13/GW1A7872Burton_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="New Texas Sen. Konni Burton, c, stands with other incoming Senators during the swearing-in ceremony at the Texas Capitol Jan. 13, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">New Texas Sen. Konni Burton, c, stands with other incoming Senators during the swearing-in ceremony at the Texas Capitol Jan. 13, 2015.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>A new senator doesn't think taxpayer-supported governments should hire lobbyists to talk to other government officials and won't let those lobbyists come to her office. But she took their contributions during her 2014 campaign. </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/19/analysis-taking-lobbyists-money-ignoring-their-cal/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/18/new-coalition-takes-liquor-license-fight-capitol/">Kindred Spirits: Wal-Mart, Kroger Align in Booze Bid</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ryan-mccrimmon/">Ryan McCrimmon</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 18 Feb 2015 14:51:11 -0600" title="2015-02-18 14:51"> Feb. 18, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/18/new-coalition-takes-liquor-license-fight-capitol/comments/"><span class="value">5</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/18/new-coalition-takes-liquor-license-fight-capitol/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/06/Liquors-2_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/06/Liquors-2_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Thomas Hawk</cite> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>Wal-Mart is ginning up a full-bore liquor war and bringing it to the Capitol. Last week it sued the state for the right to sell spirits, and Wednesday it joined Kroger in forming a new nonprofit to promote freedom in the booze marketplace. </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/18/new-coalition-takes-liquor-license-fight-capitol/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/02/analysis-splitting-tabs-and-hiding-names/">Analysis: Disclosure Rules Let Lobbyists Split Tabs and Hide Names</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 2 Feb 2015 06:00:00 -0600" title="2015-02-02 06:00"> Feb. 2, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/02/analysis-splitting-tabs-and-hiding-names/comments/"><span class="value">7</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/02/analysis-splitting-tabs-and-hiding-names/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/04/25/capitolbuilding9_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/04/25/capitolbuilding9_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Anneke Paterson</cite> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>Lobbyists are required to report everything they spend on government officials, including expensive meals at fancy restaurants. But state disclosure laws allow lobbyists to split the bills to avoid naming whom they've wined and dined.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/02/analysis-splitting-tabs-and-hiding-names/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/28/analysis-sending-message-intentional-or-not/">Analysis: Lawmakers Send an Ethics Message, Intentional or Not</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 28 Jan 2015 16:12:45 -0600" title="2015-01-28 16:12"> Jan. 28, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/28/analysis-sending-message-intentional-or-not/comments/"><span class="value">16</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/28/analysis-sending-message-intentional-or-not/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/04/25/capitolbuilding5_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/04/25/capitolbuilding5_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Anneke Paterson</cite> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>Some of the Legislature's early actions indicate some ambivalence about the agencies and people who enforce state ethics laws. </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/28/analysis-sending-message-intentional-or-not/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/27/analysis-its-not-bribery-unless-they-say-its-bribe/">Analysis: It's Not Bribery Unless They Say It's Bribery</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 27 Jan 2015 06:00:00 -0600" title="2015-01-27 06:00"> Jan. 27, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/27/analysis-its-not-bribery-unless-they-say-its-bribe/comments/"><span class="value">15</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/27/analysis-its-not-bribery-unless-they-say-its-bribe/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/TxTrib_Capitol_MS_3_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Texas Capitol"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/TxTrib_Capitol_MS_3_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Texas Capitol" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Muliadi Soenaryo</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Texas Capitol</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>It's a bribe when a lobbyist gives a public official something of value in exchange for a decision or a vote or some other official act. But there's an exception in Texas law that might surprise you.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/27/analysis-its-not-bribery-unless-they-say-its-bribe/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/26/analysis-legislators-expenses-and-schmoozing-linke/">Analysis: Legislators' Traveling Expenses and Schmoozing, Linked</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 26 Jan 2015 06:00:00 -0600" title="2015-01-26 06:00"> Jan. 26, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/26/analysis-legislators-expenses-and-schmoozing-linke/comments/"><span class="value">10</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/26/analysis-legislators-expenses-and-schmoozing-linke/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/TexasCapitol_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/TexasCapitol_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>The session stipends for legislators are set to rise, and because of a loophole in Texas law, that would mean lobbyists could spend more on legislators without saying whom they are wining and dining.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/26/analysis-legislators-expenses-and-schmoozing-linke/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <ul class="actions simple"> <li> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/politics/lobbying/all/" title=""><span>+</span> More News</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="wrapper-r"> <footer id="site_footer" class="wrapper-r"> <div class="hide-for-medium-down"> </div> <div id="footer" class="grid"> <dl id="staff_writers" class="cell w-3"> <dt>Writers</dt> <div class="cell w-6"> <dd> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/becca-aaronson/">Becca Aaronson</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/julian-aguilar/">Juli谩n Aguilar</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/christine-ayala/">Christine Ayala</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/bobby-blanchard/">Bobby Blanchard</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/annie-daniel/">Annie Daniel</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/justin-dehn/">Justin Dehn</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/rodney-gibbs/">Rodney Gibbs</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/eva-hershaw/">Eva Hershaw</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/john-jordan/">John Jordan</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/terri-langford/">Terri Langford</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/abby-livingston/">Abby Livingston</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/corrie-maclaggan/">Corrie MacLaggan</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ryan-mccrimmon/">Ryan McCrimmon</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jolie-mccullough/">Jolie McCullough</a> </dd> </div> <div class="cell w-6"> <dd> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ayan-mittra/">Ayan Mittra</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ryan-murphy/">Ryan Murphy</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/david-muto/">David Muto</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/david-pasztor/">David Pasztor</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/emily-ramshaw/">Emily Ramshaw</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/rocha-alana/">Alana Rocha</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jay-root/">Jay Root</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/neena-satija/">Neena Satija</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/evan-smith/">Evan Smith</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/">Morgan Smith</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/patrick-svitek/">Patrick Svitek</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/alexa-ura/">Alexa Ura</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/edgar-walters/">Edgar Walters</a> </dd> </div> </dl> <div id="footer_topics" class="cell w-3"> <h6>Sections</h6> <ul> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/economy/" data-section="economy"> Economy </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/education/" data-section="education"> Education </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/energy-and-environment/" data-section="energy-and-environment"> Energy & Environment</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/government/" data-section="government"> Government </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/health-and-human-services/" data-section="health-and-human-services"> Health & Human Services </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/law-and-order/" data-section="law-and-order"> Law & Order </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/people/" data-section="people"> People </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/politics/" data-section="politics"> Politics </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/race-and-immigration/" data-section="race-and-immigration"> Race & Immigration </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/transportation/" data-section="transportation"> Transportation </a></li> </ul> </div> <dl id="offsite_outlets" class="cell w-3"> <dt>TT Social Media</dt> <dd> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://facebook.com/texastribune" title="Facebook" class="external"><span class="favicon facebook"></span>Facebook</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://twitter.com/texastribune" title="Twitter" class="external"><span class="favicon twitter"></span>Twitter</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://youtube.com/user/thetexastribune" title="YouTube" class="external"><span class="favicon youtube"></span>YouTube</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://instagram.com/texas_tribune" title="Instagram" class="external"><span class="favicon instagram"></span>Instagram</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://www.linkedin.com/company/texas-tribune" title="LinkedIn" class="external"><span class="favicon linkedin"></span>LinkedIn</a> </dd> <dd class="hidden"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/https://plus.google.com/116406259333166116089" class="external" rel="publisher">Google+</a> </dd> </dl> <ul id="footer_nav" class="cell w-3"> <li>© 2015 The Texas Tribune</li> <li> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/about/" title="About Us">About Us</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/support-us/donors-and-members/" title="Who Funds Us?">Who Funds Us?</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/terms-of-service/" title="Terms of Service">Terms of Service</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/ethics/" title="Code of Ethics">Code of Ethics</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/privacy/" title="Privacy Policy">Privacy Policy</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#dbb2b5aaaeb2a9b2bea89bafbea3baa8afa9b2b9aeb5bef5b4a9bc" title="Contact Us">Contact Us</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/corrections/" title="Corrections">Corrections</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/feeds/" title="Feeds">Feeds</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/mobile/" title="Mobile">Mobile</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/advertise/" class="advertise">Advertise</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/signup/" title="Newsletter Signup">Newsletter Signup</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150329060051/http://www.texastribune.org/donate/" title="Donate" class="donate">Donate</a> </li> </ul> </div> </footer> </div> <div class="hide-for-medium-down"> <div class="ad adunit tablet standard" data-dimensions="1x1" data-adunit="TexasTribune_Content_StoryPage_Invisible_1x1"> </div> </div> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150329060051js_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/COMPRESSED/js/38cc1e8308b2.js"></script> <script> tt.ads.addTarget("secSlug", "politics/lobbying/"); try { tt.ads.addTarget("is_member", "no"); tt.ads.addTarget("logged_in", "no"); var tt = tt || {}; tt.username = ''; } catch(e) {} </script> <script type="text/javascript"> window._tpm = window._tpm || []; window._tpm['paywallID'] = '36783210'; window._tpm['trackPageview'] = true; </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051js_/http://code.tinypass.com/tpl/d1/tpm.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//web.archive.org/web/20150329060051js_/http://s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=ra-53beb39e1b9725fb"></script>  <script type="text/javascript"> _qevents.push( { qacct:"p-f74d4O38hiiiM"} ); </script> <noscript> <div style="display: none;"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150329060051im_/http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-f74d4O38hiiiM.gif" height="1" width="1" alt="Quantcast"/> </div> </noscript>  <script type="text/javascript"> var _sf_async_config={}; /** CONFIGURATION START **/ _sf_async_config.uid = 14324; _sf_async_config.domain = 'texastribune.org'; if (window.tt && tt.currentPage) { if (tt.currentPage.sections) { _sf_async_config.sections = tt.currentPage.sections.join(','); } if (tt.currentPage.authors) { _sf_async_config.authors = tt.currentPage.authors.join(','); } else if (tt.currentPage.authorsText) { _sf_async_config.authors = tt.currentPage.authorsText; } } /** CONFIGURATION END **/ (function(){ function loadChartbeat() { window._sf_endpt=(new Date()).getTime(); var e = document.createElement('script'); e.setAttribute('language', 'javascript'); e.setAttribute('type', 'text/javascript'); e.setAttribute('src', (('https:' == document.location.protocol) ? 'https://web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/https://a248.e.akamai.net/chartbeat.download.akamai.com/102508/' : 'https://web.archive.org/web/20150329060051/http://static.chartbeat.com/') + 'js/chartbeat.js'); document.body.appendChild(e); } var oldonload = window.onload; window.onload = (typeof window.onload != 'function') ? loadChartbeat : function() { oldonload(); loadChartbeat(); }; })(); </script> <script> (function() { jQuery.scrollDepth(); })(); </script> <script type="text/javascript"> /* <![CDATA[ */ (function(){try{var s,a,i,j,r,c,l=document.getElementsByTagName("a"),t=document.createElement("textarea");for(i=0;l.length-i;i++){try{a=l[i].getAttribute("href");if(a&&a.indexOf("/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection") > -1 && (a.length > 28)){s='';j=27+ 1 + a.indexOf("/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection");if (a.length > j) {r=parseInt(a.substr(j,2),16);for(j+=2;a.length>j&&a.substr(j,1)!='X';j+=2){c=parseInt(a.substr(j,2),16)^r;s+=String.fromCharCode(c);}j+=1;s+=a.substr(j,a.length-j);}t.innerHTML=s.replace(/</g,"<").replace(/>/g,">");l[i].setAttribute("href","mailto:"+t.value);}}catch(e){}}}catch(e){}})(); /* ]]> */ </script> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

Lobbying | The Texas Tribune