Estimated Time to Read: 4 minutes
As the Texas Legislature gears up for its upcoming session, the battle to end taxpayer-funded lobbying has once again emerged as a central issue. Advocates for the ban argue that using taxpayer dollars to fund lobbying efforts against taxpayer interests undermines the public trust and misappropriates public funds. This session, several lawmakers have introduced bills to tackle this controversial practice head-on, supported by a strong mandate from the Republican Party of Texas, which has listed it as one of its eight legislative priorities.
Key Legislative Efforts
Senate Bill 239 and Companion House Bills
At the forefront of this effort is Senate Bill 239 (SB 239), filed by State Senator Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston). Middleton’s bill seeks to outright prohibit taxpayer-funded lobbying. Complementing his effort are companion bills in the Texas House—House Bills 309, 1189, and 1294—authored by State Representatives Terri Leo-Wilson (R-Galveston), Ellen Troxclair (R-Lakeway), and Jared Patterson (R-Frisco).
Middleton emphasized the urgency of this legislation, stating:
“For too long, taxpayers’ and parents’ own tax dollars have been used to lobby against them in Austin…Nearly $70 million per year is spent on taxpayer-funded lobbying. We don’t need an Austin lobbyist middleman between state and local elected officials. Now is the time to end this unethical practice of taxpayer dollars being used to lobby against taxpayers.”
Source: Statement from State Sen. Mayes Middleton on Filing of SB 239
Additional Legislative Efforts
Other lawmakers have joined the fight with their proposals. State Reps. Briscoe Cain (R-Deer Park) and Matt Shaheen (R-Plano) introduced House Bills 571 and 671, which add unique dimensions to the debate. These bills not only prohibit the hiring of lobbyists using public funds but also extend the ban to include payments to state associations that employ or contract lobbyists. Notably, these bills make allowances for legitimate activities such as legislative tracking and informational outreach to lawmakers, ensuring transparency without undermining governance.
Incoming State Rep. Hillary Hickland (R-HD 55) introduced House Bill 1313 which prohibits school districts from using public funds for specific lobbying activities. It restricts school districts from hiring lobbyists or paying nonprofit associations or organizations that hire lobbyists to advocate in front of the legislative branch. Additionally, school district employees are barred from using public funds or resources to directly communicate with legislators or their staff to influence legislation. The bill provides taxpayers and residents of a school district the right to seek injunctive relief and recover attorney’s fees and costs for actions brought under these provisions.
Why It Matters: The Case Against Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying
Taxpayer-funded lobbying involves local governments and public entities using public funds to hire lobbyists who often advocate for policies contrary to the interests of the very taxpayers funding them. Critics argue that this practice creates a conflict of interest and serves as a backdoor mechanism for well-funded entities to influence policy in ways that may not align with constituents’ desires.
- Public Mistrust: Taxpayer dollars are meant to serve public interests, not private lobbying agendas.
- Resource Misallocation: Local governments and associations spend millions on lobbying efforts that could be better utilized for public services.
- Conflicted Priorities: These lobbyists often oppose initiatives such as property tax reform, school choice, and election integrity.
Republican Party Priority
The Republican Party of Texas has made banning taxpayer-funded lobbying a legislative priority. The party’s platform explicitly supports measures to prohibit all forms of taxpayer-funded lobbying, including payments to associations that engage in lobbying activities. This aligns with the broader conservative ethos of limiting government spending and ensuring taxpayer dollars are used efficiently and ethically.
Challenges to Reform
Despite broad conservative support, efforts to ban taxpayer-funded lobbying have faced significant hurdles in past legislative sessions. Opposition from local governments and interest groups has proven formidable. Critics argue that local governments rely on lobbyists to effectively represent their interests at the state level. However, proponents of the ban counter that these relationships often obscure transparency and create unnecessary layers between elected officials and their constituents.
An intriguing twist this session is the role of House Speaker Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont), who joint-authored similar legislation during his tenure as just a state representative, allowing the bill to pass through the House State Affairs Committee, which he chaired, at the time.
Conclusion
The renewed push to end taxpayer-funded lobbying represents a critical juncture for Texas policymakers. Proponents argue that this legislation will restore integrity to the legislative process by ensuring that taxpayer dollars are not used to undermine taxpayer interests. With an array of bills on the table and strong support from key legislators and conservative organizations, the upcoming session could prove pivotal in addressing this long-standing issue.
As the debate unfolds, one thing is clear: Texans are watching closely, eager to see whether their lawmakers will take meaningful action to end what many view as an unethical misuse of public funds.
Texas Policy Research relies on the support of generous donors across Texas.
If you found this information helpful, please consider supporting our efforts! Thank you!
