A freshman lawmaker has filed ethics legislation to increase transparency in local government.
On Thursday, State Rep. Mayes Middleton (R–Wallisville) filed House Bill 1473. If passed, the bill would increase disclosure of business relationships with local elected officials.
“Before I ran for office, I sought to increase transparency and accountability of local government in Chambers County. I now am seeking to do so for all Texas counties and all Texas local government. Elected office needs to be about public service, not self-service,” Middleton said in a statement.
The bill expands reporting requirements for local government officials (and their family members) and their relationships with potential contractors. The intent is to stop unethical contracting agreements, in which corrupt local officials profit off of unfair contracting practices.
“Texans are fed-up with politicians profiting from their elected positions because of toothless ethics laws with massive loopholes,” he added.
