East Houston News

Despite the hardships facing hardworking Texans, tax revenue is being diverted away from police, firefighters, roads and teachers and into the pockets of Austin lobbyists, according to a Texas House representative.

That’s because local governments are permitted to spend taxpayer money on Austin lobbyists who allegedly advocate for prohibiting property tax reform as well as other causes, argues Rep. Mayes Middleton (R–Wallisville).

“Taxpayer-funded lobbyists have opposed property tax relief, election integrity, disclosures of what bonds truly cost taxpayers, the constitutional ban on a state income tax, and they even opposed the bill to fund and protect our teacher’s retirement pensions,” Middleton said. 

According to Ballotpedia, taxpayer-funded lobbying is when a city, county or school district pays lobbying firms or associations for various political causes, which could potentially affect homeowners who are locally levied.

“Taxpayers are forced to pay for lobbyists that lobby against their best interests,” Middleton told the East Houston News. “Taxpayer-funded lobbying is a modern practice and a bad one.”

Up to $41 million per year is spent by local governments on Austin lobbyists, even though more than 91% of Texan voters oppose the practice, according to data from Middleton’s office.

“Sadly, taxpayer-funded lobbyists have fought to hide the practice from taxpayers, leaving many unaware of the practice,” Middleton said in an interview. 

Middleton and Sen. Bob Hall (R-Edgewood) filed bills this week that, if enacted, will ban cities, counties and school districts from hiring lobbyists with taxpayer revenue to advocate against laws that could potentially benefit homeowners statewide. Middleton filed HB 749 in the state House while Hall filed SB 234.

“I filed a similar bill last session and Sen. Hall carried the bill in the Senate where it easily passed there," Middleton said. "However, the bill was ultimately defeated on the House floor accompanied by a round of applause from taxpayer-funded Austin lobbyists packed into the lower chamber’s gallery. I have redoubled my efforts this session and the very first bill I filed was the ban on taxpayer-funded lobbying.”

Provisions of the lobbying bill include that local governments are not prevented from hiring an individual or organization to monitor legislation in the interest of keeping local officials educated and informed, that only public money is prohibited from lobbying purposes, and that the bill encourages local officials to communicate directly with their state representatives and senators.