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Texas Democrats criticize hiring of lobbyists« Thread Starte

Daily newsbrief journal for February 2007, also see http://www.usdemocrats.com/brief for a global 100-page perpetual brief and follow twitter @usdemocrats


Texas Democrats criticize hiring of lobbyists« Thread Starte

Postby admin » Sat Jan 28, 2012 11:00 am

Texas Democrats criticize hiring of lobbyists« Thread Started on Feb 4, 2007, 2:42am » --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Democrats criticize hiring of lobbyistsTHE ASSOCIATED PRESSWASHINGTON - Texas Democrats called the Texas Department of Transportation's hiring of Washington lobbyists a waste of taxpayer money, while the agency defended its strategy for trying to secure gas tax funds.The department said it has contracted several lobbyists at a cost of about $1 million for 13 months starting in December.Spokesman Randall Dillard said the lobbyists are helping the state's effort to bring back more of the gasoline taxes paid by Texas drivers into the federal Highway Trust Fund. Texas gets back 92 cents for each dollar it submits, while some other states get a more favorable return."Our position is, until we receive all the gas tax funds that Texans send to Washington, we are going to need to have every voice we can get to help us," Dillard said.The agency said it hasn't hidden its lobbying, but Democrats said they didn't learn about the contracts until the lobbyists started making the rounds on Capitol Hill last week.Dillard said the agency is spending just over $1 million on a deal with Rodman Co. The subcontractors are Garry Mauro, a Democratic former Texas land commissioner; lobbying firm ViaNovo, Chad Bradley & Associates; and the Federalist Group.Democrats in Washington said they were elected to represent the state's interests. "I like Garry Mauro, but I don't need Garry Mauro to talk to me about Texas transportation issues," said U.S. Rep. Gene Green, D-Houston.State Rep. Jim Dunnam, D-Waco, said he's written a letter to Ric Williamson, Texas Transportation Commission chairman, asking for copies of all documents involving the Federalist Group and other lobbyists hired by the Transportation Department.It's the second time in recent months that the state's lobbying activities have been scrutinized.Last month, Gov. Rick Perry canceled $1.3 million in state contracts with private lobbying firms that represented Texas before Congress.read at source> http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/state/16615194.htm
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