Texas lawmakers once again failed to ban taxpayer-funded lobbying, despite state taxpayers footing a $94.5 million bill for 2025.

Texas lawmakers once again failed to ban taxpayer-funded lobbying, despite state taxpayers footing a $94.5 million bill for 2025.
According to records from Transparency USA and OpenSecrets, Harris County has spent at least $3.3 million lobbying since 2023.
State Rep. Brent Money says State Affairs Committee Chair Ken King won’t give the legislation a hearing.
State Reps. Andy Hopper and Brent Money attempted to force votes on E-Verify and a taxpayer-funded lobbying ban, but were shut down by Speaker Dustin Burrows.
7 Republicans joined Democrats in amending the legislation to allow taxpayer-funded lobbying organizations to continue hiring full-time lobbyists.
Tony Tinderholt pointed out that TASB previously included DEI in its mission statement and accused the organization of using taxpayer money to promote left-leaning policies in Texas schools.
Many employees of the Texas Association of School Boards are earning more than the governor of Texas.
The Senate State Affairs Committee heard testimony for a proposed ban on the practice, which has passed the Senate three times previously.
Democrat State Rep. Mary Gonzalez is the executive director of the School Board Members for Latino Equity, which is reportedly funded with taxpayer dollars from the Texas Association of School Boards.
Ending the practice is one of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s top priorities for the 89th legislative session.