Now that he doesn’t have to lie to his constituents and pretend to be a conservative, a disgraced out-going member of the House Republican leadership has joined the board of a far-left think tank that advocates for ObamaCare and Planned Parenthood funding.

State Rep. Jim Keffer (R-Eastland) announced that he has joined the board of the Center for Public Policy Priorities, a liberal organization whose stated 2017 policy goals include “Reject a tighter state spending cap” and “Prevent harmful tax cuts.”

CPPP also wants to keep giving in-state tuition to illegal aliens, while supporting the imposition of a state income tax. While a legislator, Keffer proposed levying a “wage tax” on Texans, and was also an early promoter of the disastrous “gross margins tax” on business. In 2007, Keffer voted to levy a “granny tax” on nursing home residents.

During his tenure, Keffer developed a record as one of the most liberal members of the Texas House Republican caucus and was a key ally of House Speaker Joe Straus.

Rather than face certain defeat in the March GOP primary from challenger Mike Lang, Keffer opted to retire. Lang easily defeated Keffer’s hand-picked successor.

As pointed out by Austin blogger Adam Cahn, Keffer announced his decision to join a left-wing organization’s board on “National Coming Out Day.”

In response to questions, Keffer attacked the conservative Texas Public Policy Foundation as “off the rails” and said he wanted to join a “legitimate think tank.”

CPPP is headed by Ann Beeson, who before she came to the organization was the head of US Programs for George Soros’s Open Society Foundations. Other CPPP staff include the former national communications strategist for the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign and a social media manager for Whole Women’s Health, an Austin abortion clinic.

Michael Quinn Sullivan

Michael Quinn Sullivan is the publisher of Texas Scorecard. He is a native Texan, a graduate of Texas A&M, and an Eagle Scout. Previously, he has worked as a newspaper reporter, magazine contributor, Capitol Hill staffer, and think tank vice president. Michael and his wife have three adult children, a son-in-law, and a dog. Michael is the author of three books, including "Reflections on Life and Liberty."

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