Legislator Tries Again To Ban Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying

[#TexasPolitics365] 

Texas State Representative Mayes Middleton (R - Wallisville) introduced legislation to end taxpayer-funded lobbying during the last session of the Texas Legislature and is filing a new bill to do so this week. 

Though that reform effort passed the state Senate during the last session, it fell short in the state House. 

Things have changed since then, however, and this reform is now poised for enactment in 2021, reports Forbes Magazine, which says it could be the catalyst for other states to adopt similar legislation.

About the bill, Middleton wrote on Facebook:

"Our tax money is being spent on Austin lobbyists to advocate against the taxpayer and basic good governance.  Most Taxpayers have no idea that their local school boards, city councils, and county commissioners courts are using taxpayer money to hire Austin lobbyists, who then lobby against property tax reform and for higher taxes."

Middleton said the bill (link opens .pdf) that he is has filed this legislative session is "a lot more simple" than the previous text. 

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