Grassroots Republicans know it as one of the most pernicious examples of big government in the State of Texas, and ending the practice is a top priority of the state party.
The issue? Taxpayer-funded lobbying.
It’s already generally forbidden for officials to use taxpayer resources to support a candidate’s campaign—and for obvious reason. Most people frown upon officials abusing resources under their purview for political purposes.
Yet current law allows local officials to use tax dollars to hire lobbyists to fight against taxpayers in Austin. And despite overwhelming support by Texas Republicans to get rid of the practice, one Republican candidate is actively campaigning for it.
“I am against the ban on taxpayer-funded lobbying,” Glenn Rogers told a crowd of voters at the State House District 60 forum in Granbury last week.
“You heard that right,” he said to gasps.
Rogers, a rancher and veterinarian, is one of four candidates running for the open seat vacated by incumbent State Rep. Mike Lang (R–Granbury).
Rogers is claiming to be a conservative on the campaign trail, but his stances on constitutional carry and a variety of issues are leaving voters with more questions than answers.
“I’m very much a Republican, but I also have a brain,” said Rogers at the same forum.
“So he’s against constitutional carry and approves of taxpayer-funded lobbying. Does he sound like a Republican to you?” asks local activist Nate Criswell in a compilation video of Rogers’ remarks.
Running against Rogers in the Republican Primary are Kelly SoRelle, a Democrat activist; Chris Perricone, the mayor of Mineral Wells; and Jon Francis, a small businessman and longtime conservative activist.
Texans for Fiscal Responsibility has endorsed Jon Francis, who is campaigning against taxpayer-funded lobbying.
Early voting begins on February 18 and runs through February 28 for the election to be concluded on Tuesday, March 3.
