When tour groups go to the Texas Capitol, spaces can be reserved for their vehicles to unload and load passengers. Yet well-connected lobbyists, including the wife of a committee chairman, are now allegedly exploiting a loophole in that process, allowing them to keep reserved parking just feet from the Capitol.
And, therefore, a parking space that no one else can use.
A Capitol staff source told Texas Scorecard about the loophole some lobbyists were exploiting, which was confirmed during a visit to the Capitol.
On the west side of the Capitol, closest to the chambers of the Texas House, metered street parking is at a premium due to construction and renovation. The parking is controlled by the State Preservation Board and enforced with a “WILL TOW” order from the Texas Department of Public Safety.
In recent weeks, SPB signs have gone up, designating specific spaces as being reserved for lobbyists. Two sets of state-owned parking spaces are marked as “Reserved Parking for TTLA,” referring to the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, a lobby group that assists Democrats.
Another space is reserved for “S. Brown,” referring to lobbyist Sabrina Brown. She works for various clients, including the Dallas County Hospital and AT&T. Her husband, lobbyist Jay Brown, also has reserved a space. His clients include “Las Vegas Sands Corporation,” which operates casinos in China (not Las Vegas), as well as the “Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District” taxing entity.
Lobbyist Mindy Elmer has reportedly been granted one of these reserved spaces also. Her husband is State Rep. Charlie Geren (R-Fort Worth), who chairs the House Administration Committee. Geren is also a member of the State Preservation Board’s governing board.
In the past, the reserved parking system was for one-off situations, like school groups or special-needs visitors. This year, Austin-based lobbyists have allegedly been allowed to sign up for rolling days—creating reserved spaces for themselves with towing enforced by DPS.
“It’s a special system for a special class of Texans,” said one lobbyist, who asked not to be named. “They take up spaces that could be used by tourists or taxpayers coming to the Capitol.”
Nothing on the SPD’s reservation form limits the number of days the spaces can be reserved. The cost is $15 per day.
“It is reasonable to get the concept of one-off reserving to accommodate an event or special purpose, but repeated custom parking for lobbyists is entirely ridiculous,” said another regular Capitol visitor.
