Campaign Finance Reform. A commentary.

[johncoby2]

Last week a bill was filed to limit campaign contributions by a single individual to $100,000 per year, more than double a years salary for most Texans. As outrageous as this limit is, many would not be surprised there is opposition to this bill by those who have benefited from the unregulated contributions.

Texas is one of a handful of states that have no limits on the amount an individual can contribute to a candidate running for State office. Unlike the federal level where citizens can contribute up to $2000, here in Texas there is no limit, giving the opportunity to donate millions of dollars to candidates. These unlimited contributions can, and has, lead to abuse in our State and the common citizen without a voice in the Capitol

There is no better example of this abuse than the contributions by the homebuilding industry. Many believe, and rightfully so, the building industry is the source of the campaign contribution problem here in Texas.

In a report released by Campaigns for People a nonprofit organization working to reduce the influence of special interests at the Texas Capitol, the homebuilding industry and their associated Political Action Committees donated over $9 million dollars to candidates in just a 3 year period. During this period the homebuilders contributed at least $1 million to the states leadership, Governor Perry, Lt Governor Dewhurst, and Speaker of the House Craddick. And they contributed $230,000 to the 16 members of the committees that reviewed and overwhelmingly approved House Bill 730.

House bill 730 created a one sided 9 member Commission to oversee the homebuilding industry. This Commission is not only stacked with homebuilder friendly Commissioners, it was designed and written by the homebuilding industry and provides ample protection for the builders. During this timeframe, Bob Perry of Perry Homes, donated $7 million of the total $9 million from the homebuilders. Not surprisingly, Governor Rick Perry appointed Houstonian John Krugh to the Commission. John Krugh is Senior Vice President and Corporate Counsel of Bob Perry Homes.

Because of the uncontrolled contributions by the homebuilding industry and Bob Perry, the Commission is perceived to be nothing more than a State sponsored protection agency for the homebuilding industry leaving the common citizen with little if any protection for their new home purchase.

Cleanup Texas politics has championed a number of bills to address the unlimited contributions in Texas and the perceived influence this money can buy. HB2937 filed by San Antonio Representative Mike Villareal and Austin Representative Mark Strama would limit individual contributions to $100,000. This is still an absurd amount to contribute, but there are many in the Capitol who would actually oppose the passage of this bill.

According to Fred Lewis, spokesman for Campaigns for People, only 69 individuals in Texas contributed over $100,000. From this it is clear, the laws in Texas regulating campaign contributions are protecting the few and neglecting the many.

Texas has a slogan “No Place but Texas”. No Place but Texas can a builder donate $7 million to state officials, get a Commission created to oversee his own industry, have his Senior Vice-President and Corporate Council appointed to the Commission, and then claim money has no influence in politics.

Yep. No place but Texas.

[acmejack]

1. $100K is still a joke1

I'm afraid it is so corrupt here we don't have a chance. The Bushistas had a head start here.