Without intervention from House Speaker Dustin Burrows and Gov. Greg Abbott, sources in the Texas Capitol say a ban on taxpayer-funded lobbying is again going to die in the Texas House.
Repeatedly designated as a top issue by the Republican Party of Texas, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and Gov. Greg Abbott, legislation prohibiting government entities from using tax dollars to lobby the legislature has been repeatedly killed in the House. It has passed the Senate a half-dozen times, including three times this year—during the regular session and now both special sessions.
By the end of the year, taxpayers will be billed $94.5 million by local governments for lobbyists. In most cases, those lobbyists were opposing conservative reforms that protect taxpayers. In 2017, taxpayer-funded lobbying amounted to $41 million.
Thwarting the effort this year has been State Rep. Ken King (R–Canadian), who was appointed by Burrows to helm the House Committee on State Affairs. Knowing King’s opposition to the reform, Burrows has continued to direct the legislation to King’s committee.
More than 70 members of the House have signed on as coauthors to legislation banning taxpayer-funded lobbying. Polling data has consistently shown that a majority of Texans across party lines support such a ban.
King has not responded to a request for comment; this article will be updated when he does.
🚨 The Texas House is dragging its feet on legislation to BAN the unethical practice of taxpayer-funded lobbying this second special session.
Call your representative TODAY and demand they support House Bill 186 and Senate Bill 13 pic.twitter.com/4VwtHO0M7K
— Texans for Fiscal Responsibility (@Texas_Taxpayers) August 27, 2025
