TAC Flak whips us into line : Lone Star Times

TAC Flak whips us into line

by David Benzion · 03/31/2006 11:18 am

Like corporate welfare, the issue of taxpayer-funded lobbying brings together odd couplings of of Left and Right:

A coalition of groups Thursday proposed a statewide ban on government bodies hiring contract lobbyists to pressure the state or federal governments.

[snip]

The groups proposing the ban on lobbyists hired by city, county, school district and state governments were the conservative Americans for Prosperity, the more liberal Public Citizen and the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas, CLEAT, a statewide organization of police officers.

The groups said government entities use taxpayer money to pay for lobbyists who sometimes try to pass legislation that is not in the taxpayer’s interests, such as opposing lower caps on annual increases in property appraisals.

Peggy Venable, the Texas director of Americans for Prosperity, said that includes groups that lobby for local governments. Her group is suing the Texas Association of Counties over its lobby activities.

Venable said local government lobbyists most of the time push for legislation that will grow the size of government.

[Hat-tip: Houston Chronicle]

Naturally, TAC disapproves:

Counties association spokeswoman Elna Christopher said Venable wants just anti-government lobbyists influencing public policy.

"If Ms. Venable had her extremist way, there would be no government services," she said.

Oooo Elna, I love it when you talk rough!

You can learn more about the Texas chapter of Americans for Prosperity here.

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Comments

5 Responses to “TAC Flak whips us into line”

Unfair Tax on March 31st, 2006 at 12:15 pm

The $8 MILLION was audited by the state now that indicates honesty.

No wonder perry, dewhurst and the rest can’t get anything done they are too busy keeping appraisal caps in place and increasing their own pension by 25%. Sure hope Dan don’t turn to the dark side of lying and stealing from the taxpayers.

I won’t be voting for any incumbents this time be they rhinos or demonos.
neocon on March 31st, 2006 at 12:56 pm

It’s about time! I wonder what CLOUT has to say about this.
neocon on March 31st, 2006 at 6:48 pm

I cannot believe more people are commenting on this! These groups are operating daily to implement laws that are detrimental to taxpayers! Come on, Guys! They are using our tax dollars to raise our taxes! Do’h!
Bunkerman on April 2nd, 2006 at 4:12 pm

From where I stand, here in Austin, you can’t throw a dead cat without hitting a project that has not been bought by my hard earned dollars because the city/state lobbied with my hard earned dollars to build something with my hard earned dollars that was the result of a study (paid for by me) that indicated that it would result in the re election of (place name here). Just one illustration is a Foot bridge that happens to be built to withstand 140,000 tons per sixty foot span (we are getting fatter I guess) and ends at the exact angle needed to meet the elevation on the light rail right of way that we keep voting down, right next to the old power plant which “a study” has said will make a great light rail/shopping station just down the street from the light rail station that was built to show how we needed light rail (which we voted down three times) all this was done with my money used against me. Crap. Don’t get me started.
mgrace on April 3rd, 2006 at 3:15 pm

I am so fed up with with my tax dollars being spent every way but the way I want. Have you seen how much we’re spending which is just the tip of the iceberg I suspect - $52,607,000 per year! I like what that organization, Texas Chapter Americans For Prosperity is doing and I wish there ought to be more groups like it out there. I called their office and found out that Dan Patrick is speaking at an event they are having on April 21st in Austin. They also have some speakers that are going to talk about taxpayer funded lobbying.