Ethics commission report traces the money trail for Brown, Gent Mar 3, 2008
But campaign finance statistics released by the Texas Ethics Commission reveal that both campaigns received a majority of their funding from PACs and ideological organizations. During the most recent reporting period, 93 percent of Gent's donations - 48,788 - originated from PACs and organizations, while 61 percent of Brown's contributions - 88,949 - met the same criteria. (Terrell Tribune, TX)
Weber outspends District 29 rivals Mar 1, 2008
According to the Texas Ethics Commission s finance report listings, State House District 29 candidate Randy Weber outspent his rivals in the month leading up to the March 4 primaries. Weber s expenditures totaled $32,677 and contributions $17,810 from Jan. 25 to Feb. 23. (Pearland Journal, TX)
Edwards, Williams deal with ethics complaints Feb 27, 2008
A pair of complaints to the Texas Ethics Commission have been filed against two Montgomery County officials seeking re-election in the March 4 Republican Primary. However, the two public officials say the complaints have little, if any, merit. (Woodlands Villager, TX)
Public needs to monitor our public officials Jan 31, 2008
Many of the complaints filed with the Texas Ethics Commission may be the result of innocent mistakes or lack of understanding of the laws ... The Texas Ethics Commission was created in 1991 and is charged with administering and enforcing laws in the Government Code. (Conroe Courier, TX)
More than $41 million raised in Texas politics in 2007 Jan 28, 2008
A Houston Chronicle analysis of reports filed with the Texas Ethics Commission found that Houston home builder Bob Perry topped the list of individual donors in Texas. He gave more than $1 million to Texas candidates and political action committees last year, mostly on the Republican side. (KSLA.com, LA)
Olivo behind Reynolds in campaign funding Jan 26, 2008
Records from the Texas Ethics Commission show she raised 18,373. 50 in the fourth quarter of 2007, while attorney Ron Reynolds of Missouri City, her Democratic challenger, drew 28,322. (Rosenberg Herald-Coaster, TX)
Martin seeks Pct. 3 constable post Jan 22, 2008
He was behind a formal complaint, written to the Texas Ethics Committee, alleging Cook has failed for several years to file proper paperwork regarding his campaign finances. (Cook said he used the county's formal mail system to get the forms to the elections administrator's office, even if they never arrived there. (Rosenberg Herald-Coaster, TX)
Emmett urges ethics reform Jan 21, 2008
"We must have a commitment to a process that allows all businesses, small and large, to have full access to county work. Open, transparent government is a necessity, so the public will have confidence." To accomplish this, he said he has already begun a process to make county government "open and transparent" by beginning discussions with the Texas Ethics Commission, county officials and others to develop improvements in public disclosure requirements. The crowd included Houston Mayor Bill... (The Citizen - online, TX)
Report raises questions about judge' mileage costs Jan 20, 2008
The Texas Ethics Commission has interpreted the law to ban appellate judges from using campaign donations to pay the costs of commuting between the judge's home city and the city where the court is located. Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. (KSLA.com, LA)
Justice Medina may face ethics inquiry Jan 19, 2008
The Texas Ethics Commission has interpreted the law to ban an appellate judge from using campaign donations to pay the costs of commuting between the judge's home city and the city where the court sits. Medina, appointed to the high court by Gov. Rick Perry in November 2004, paid himself between $1,000 and $3,000 most months in 2005, 2006 and the first half of 2007. (Houston Chronicle)
Fund-raising race Jan 18, 2008
Tryon Lewis collected $65,000 more since July than the combined collections of his three fellow Republican opponents for the party s nomination, and his campaign contributions have come mostly within the district, according to reports filed with the Texas Ethics Commission released this week ... 49; Texans for John Cornyn, $1,000; Texas Ethics Commission, $6,400; Texas House, $280; Texas House, $280; Town ry, $60. (Odessa American, TX)
Gent ahead of Brown in campaign cash Jan 18, 2008
The Jan. 15 filing report from the Texas Ethics Commission listed Gent with 68,395 in political contributions. He has spent 7,049. (Terrell Tribune, TX)
Ethics Top State Of County Jan 17, 2008
The county judge said he plans to appoint a citizens task force, and this week is sending letters to the Texas attorney general's office and the office of the Texas Ethics commission. "Come in and tell us what can we do better, what laws need to be changed," he said. (Click2Houston, TX)
Pct. 3 constable faces campaign report questions Jan 3, 2008
The Fort Bend County Precinct 3 constable has been accused of failing to file various campaign finance reports from 2004 to this year, and is facing a formal complaint before the Texas Ethics Commission ... Campaign finance rules for county races in Texas are enforced by the Texas Ethics Commission, which only investigates matters brought to it in a sworn complaint ... A representative of the Texas Ethics Commission on Nov. 8 wrote a letter to Cook, in which she explains the commission will be... (Rosenberg Herald-Coaster, TX)
Activist: State's campaign finance oversight out-of-focus Dec 20, 2007
John Cobarruvias claims the Texas Ethics Commission is not earning its keep. The Texas Ethics Commission was set up to help promote confidence in government, but one man thinks taxpayers aren t getting their money s worth ... And wondering whether the Texas Ethics Commission does anything at all. (KHOU.com, TX)
Electric Companies Spend Millions On Lobbyists Nov 15, 2007
The Texas Ethics Commission only requires a company report a range of what it spent on lobbyists. That's why we listed the minimum and maximum amounts. (Click2Houston, TX)
More of this story Nov 10, 2007
We have talked to the Texas Ethics Committee, the Federal Elections Committee, the IRS and experts in law and finance, and we don't believe that any of these charges are accurate. Filling Gillen's position is the next big question for the party. (Rosenberg Herald-Coaster, TX)
TWDC gives $142,500 in election support Nov 1, 2007
Tim Sorrells, deputy general counsel for the Texas Ethics Commission, said state law does not limit the amount of money donated by corporations to political committees as long as those committees "support a measure election" rather than a candidate. Susan Vreeland-Wendt, spokeswoman for the developer, said the company has been providing funds throughout the governance process as residents indicated they want "freedom from annexation by the cities of Houston and Conroe, freedom to determine their... (Conroe Courier, TX)
Bond backers take in more money Oct 31, 2007
Previously, reports were counted as having complied with the deadline if they were postmarked as of the deadline day, according to Tim Sorrells, deputy general counsel for the Texas Ethics Commission ... The Texas Ethics Commission would be responsible for receiving complaints or concerns about the reports, according to elections office officials ... Green said he is planning to file a complaint with the Texas Ethics Commission later this week because a treasurer report and finance report was... (McKinney Courier-Gazette, TX)
Regents donated to Perry Oct 23, 2007
Two of the three newly appointed UT System regents donated more than $200,000 to Gov. Rick Perry's campaign group prior to their appointment, according to Texas Ethics Commission campaign finance reports. Perry announced replacements for three of four expired positions on the UT System Board of Regents late Friday afternoon. (The Daily Texan, TX)
Complaints filed against 2 Splendora ISD trustees Oct 22, 2007
Splendora ISD administrative assistant Deitra Inkster interpreted the inquiry as a request for semi-annual campaign finance reports, according to Inkster's affidavit before the Texas Ethics Commission. "However, none of the SISD board members had been required to file the semi-annual reports, so they did not exist," Inkster's affidavit states. (Conroe Courier, TX)
Dozens of Texas legislators fail to detail campaign credit card expenses Aug 13, 2007
In the past year, the Texas Ethics Commission has fined only three legislators for failing to properly disclose credit card expenses charged to their campaigns, the newspaper reported. Because the ethics commission audits candidates only when it gets a sworn complaint, most lawmakers have gotten a pass on how they report their credit card spending, the Chronicle found. (KHOU.com, TX)
Claims of Wal-Mart campaign contributions were misrepresented Aug 10, 2007
Save Our Community would be required by the Texas Ethics Commission to file a treasurer s report with the Mesquite city secretary s office after raising 500 and would be required to file campaign finance reports Oct. 8 and Oct. 29. Contact Brian Porter at or comment on this story at www. (McKinney Courier-Gazette, TX)
KFOX Update: Viewers React To Constable's Illegal Parking Aug 10, 2007
Barrera spent three hours on the phone Thursday, trying to report Melendez to a number of agencies, including the Texas Ethics Commission. We showed the complaints of KFOX viewers to El Paso Police Chief Richard Wiles, who said under state law, marked emergency vehicles are exempt from parking restrictions, since these vehicles need to go anywhere in times of emergency. (KFOXTV.com, TX)
Watchdog Group Files Complaints Against State Supreme Court Justice Jul 25, 2007
Texas Watch filed separate complaints to the Texas Ethics Commission, the State Commission on Judicial Conduct and the Travis County public integrity unit. More Stories. (KWTX.com, TX)
Rives campaign Jul 19, 2007
Rives, an Ector County Independent School District trustee, reported $22,550 in political campaign contributions to the Texas Ethics Commission on Monday, the final day to file a semiannual report. Rives maintains he isnt sure hell officially challenge for the District 81 state representative office, currently held by Buddy West, an eight-term Republican incumbent. (Odessa American, TX)
Perry Makes Fundraising Dash After Legislative Session Jul 17, 2007
He and other statewide elected officials and legislators had to file their campaign funding reports by Monday with the Texas Ethics Commission. Republican US Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison reported to federal election officials that she has raised $2 million from April through June. (KWTX.com, TX)
Grand jury no-bills Rinehart Jul 13, 2007
Montgomery County District Attorney Michael McDougal asked the Attorney General's Office last summer to investigate the alleged campaign finance violations after the Texas Ethics Commission ruled Rinehart had violated the Election Code in April 2006. The original TEC complaint was filed by East County resident Rusty Ireland in October 2005. (Conroe Courier, TX)
Wheels turned too slowly in Rinehart case Jul 13, 2007
The ordeal started in October 2005, when East County resident Rusty Ireland filed a complaint with the Texas Ethics Commission alleging Rinehart knowingly accepted campaign contributions from corporations, which is prohibited by law. However, the process moved too slowly after that. (Conroe Courier, TX)
Rives eyes a run at state office Jul 11, 2007
Rives filed a campaign treasurer appointment form with the Texas Ethics Commission on May 1. The one-page 10-section document names Jane Hext as his treasurer and lists the state representative District 81 seat as the targeted office. (Odessa American, TX)
Blairs 'not scared' of TEC political fine Jul 2, 2007
Sign up Now for News Updates Email. Monday 02 July, 2007. (Conroe Courier, TX)
Cheney, Prince win runoff election; questions raised over voter bribery Jun 23, 2007
He said he had checked with the Texas Ethics Commission as far as what procedure he needed to follow to set up at any Frisco Online event ... Tim Sorrels of the Texas Ethics Commission said the commission has no jurisdiction. (McKinney Courier-Gazette, TX)
Hillary Creates Her Own DRUDGE REPORT? Jun 15, 2007
Records filed at the Texas Ethics Commission showed the law firm, Houston-based Bracewell ani, may have received up to $170000 from Citgo since 2005. is there any wonder what side rudy is on. (The Drudge Report)
Are you cheating on watering ban? Jun 1, 2007
Actually, having observed the Texas legislative session this year, my new favorite oxymoron is Texas Ethics Commission. What a circus. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Two more seek to oust Craddick May 23, 2007
Brian McCall, R-Plano, filed paperwork for speaker candidacies with the Texas Ethics Commission. Hill became the second member of Craddick's leadership team to move against him. (Houston Chronicle)
Ethics group investigates CISD trustee May 18, 2007
Woodlands resident Joe Merrill filed the complaint with the TEC against Bruce Tough for failing to timely file his July 2005, January 2006, July 2006 and January 2007 campaign finance reports. Tough denied any wrongdoing and said he has provided evidence supporting his claim to the TEC within the agency's required response time of 10 days. (Conroe Courier, TX)
Interesting times appear ahead for League City May 18, 2007
Last month, he was accused of failing to file bi-annual campaign finance reports in a complaint that was filed with the Texas Ethics Commission. Nelson said he was encouraged by the number of voters who turned out on his behalf, adding that if he wins on June 16, he will work to slow home growth, attract new businesses to League City and provide additional services for senior citizens. (The Citizen - online, TX)
Hebert fined for campaign violation May 16, 2007
Richmond Democratic Party activist Susan Bankston nevertheless filed a sworn complaint against Hebert, a Republican, with the Texas Ethics Commission, outlining the payments to Hebert's wife. That complaint was sealed to the public, but on April 30 Hebert agreed to sign an order with the ethics commission in which he acknowledges he violated Texas Election Code section 253. (Rosenberg Herald-Coaster, TX)
TEC clears college district of election improprieties May 11, 2007
The complaint by Blanton, a former candidate for the district's board of trustees, originated from a postcard college district officials mailed to voters before a bond and trustee election was cancelled last May. According to Blanton's complaint, which names 17 district officials and trustees, the postcard misrepresented the truth about student enrollment figures and the district's tax rate. (Conroe Courier, TX)
City candidates spar in 2nd forum Apr 25, 2007
Texas Ethics Commission records indicate that Marlin Atlantis/Boerne Partners, Ltd., who are developing Esperanza, have hired two lobbyists to work for them in Austin. With regards to this particular proposed water control and improvement district, what do you think is in the best interests of Boerne's citizens. (Boerne Star, TX)
Ethics charge said dismissed Apr 20, 2007
"They signed this code of fair campaign practices just like I did, but they're not doing that." Texas Ethics Commission officials had not returned phone calls for additional information at press time. dburke@hcnonline. (The Citizen - online, TX)
Rinehart case still unresolved Mar 27, 2007
For almost 10 months, the Texas Attorney General's Office has been investigating allegations against Precinct 4 Commissioner Ed Rinehart based on a complaint filed with the Texas Ethics Commission by East County resident Rusty Ireland in October 2005. In April 2006, the TEC ruled that Rinehart had violated the Election Code. (Conroe Courier, TX)
Giuliani Firm Has Tangential Chavez Ties Mar 16, 2007
Records with the Texas Ethics Commission show that Shannon H. Ratliff II, an attorney with Bracewell ani of Houston, has been registered to lobby the state legislature for Citgo since April 2005. But David McCollum, a spokesman for Citgo, said the company has had a lobbying contract with the law firm since the mid-1990s, when it was named Bracewell rson. (CBS News)
Giuliani Tied To Lobbyists For Chavez Company Mar 15, 2007
If this weren't a political year, this would get no attention at all (Tampa Bay Online, FL -- News)
Unleash Your Inner Campaign Monitor Mar 7, 2007
Report it to the Texas Ethics Commission ... CONTACTS City s Chief Sign Inspector: (210) 207-8289 Texas Ethics Commission: (800) 325-8506 The Current. (San Antonio Current, TX)
UTILITY COMPANIES LEAN HEAVILY ON LOBBYISTS IN LEGISLATIVE SESSION Jan 31, 2007
The Texas Ethics Commission requires that lobbying contracts be reported only in broad ranges, not precise figures. Two energy companies could break the $1 million mark in lobbying this year: American Electric Power and CenterPoint Energy, which delivers power but doesn't generate it. (Tyler Morning Telegraph, TX)
LEO BERMAN NAMED CHAIR OF COMMITTEE Jan 27, 2007
The committee has jurisdiction over elections, changes to the Elections Code and campaign finance, and oversees the Office of the Secretary of State and Texas Ethics Commission. "I am very privileged to be a part of the leadership of the Texas House of Representatives," Berman said. (Tyler Morning Telegraph, TX)
Liquor Wholesalers Pump Money Into Legislative Fight Jan 25, 2007
Documents filed with the Texas Ethics Commission show Gov. Rick Perry and House Speaker Tom Craddick received $100,000. Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst received $75,000 from officers of the wholesalers and their political committees. (KWTX.com, TX)
LIQUOR FIGHT LEADS TO $1.7M DONATIONS FOR STATE OFFICIALS Jan 25, 2007
Gov. Rick Perry and House Speaker Tom Craddick received $100,000 each, while Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst received $75,000 from officers of the wholesalers and their political committees, according to Texas Ethics Commission filings released last week. Twenty-three state senators received $20,000 donations, while three other influential senators received $40,000 each. (Tyler Morning Telegraph, TX)
Perrys Campaign Releases Latest Fundraising Report Jan 17, 2007
State political candidates were required to file campaign finance reports Tuesday with the Texas Ethics Commission. The reports of unsuccessful Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Bell and independent Carole Keeton Strayhorn were not immediately available Tuesday. (KWTX.com, TX)
Suit fuels debate on tax-funded lobbyists Jan 14, 2007
EDINBURG The cities of McAllen, Edinburg, South Padre Island and Harlingen pay lobbyists thousands of taxpayers dollars to schmooze and influence legislators in Austin, according to the Texas Ethics Commissions list of registered lobbyists. forks out bucks for their own private lobbyist, too, and Rio Grande Valley counties belong to dues-collecting associations that advocate for them. (McAllen Monitor, TX)
