Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying Ban Is Topic Of Two Bills

[#TexasPolitics365] 

James Quintero of the Texas Public Policy Foundation speaks to the North Austin Republican Club, Jan. 22

Two bills before the legislature would ban taxpayer-funded lobbying by communities and organizations throughout Texas.

James Quintero, Policy Director for the Texas Public Policy Foundation, says cities, counties, school districts, and special districts spent approximately $41 million of taxpayers' dollars on outside firms and individuals to lobby the statehouse in 2017.

Houston alone will spend $1 million, and Austin will spend upwards of $700,000 this year, he said.

Speaking to the North Austin Republican Club this week, Quintero called it, "a dubious system that's drowning out the voice of the average person." And, he said, it almost always means "lobbying for a big government agenda."

That has two pieces of legislation, Senate Bill 234 (sponsored by Senator Bob Hall of Edgewood) and House Bill 749 (sponsored by Mayes Middleton of Wallisville) on the foundation's radar.

Both bills would require lobbyists to register, meaning they could not receive public funds. Membership organizations would also no longer be allowed to use paid lobbyists.

Quintero admits that if taxpayer-funded lobbying is banned, municipalities could simply use in-house lobbyists, who would already be on the city or county payroll. 

But, he said, that wouldn't be a bad thing, necessarily. "They would be more accountable, and have better transparency," he said.

And with cities and counties no longer relying on paid lobbyists, Quintero believes it would make elected officials more involved in the legislative process in Austin.

"Getting rid of that contract lobbyist will get those mayors to pick up their phones and talk with their elected officials," he said.

He stresses that both bills that are currently  before the legislature will still allow elected officials to come to the Capitol and testify on legislation, and even be reimbursed for the trip, a concern raised by some elected officials.

In the last legislative session, a similar bill, 

HB 29, lost in a House vote, 58-85. 

Quintero said that while the bill had ambiguities and loopholes, the experience  wasn't all bad. "At least got it debated, publicly. We enter the debate this time a little better prepared. And we have an educated public now who really understands the issue."

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