Taxpayer-funded lobbying is a common practice in which “[local] governmental entities spend public money to hire registered lobbyists to advocate for and against specific legislative proposals. These progovernment advocacy efforts are routinely at odds with private citizens’ liberties and finances” (Quintero & Welton, 2023, p. 2). It is estimated that political subdivisions spent as much as $75 million contracting with lobbyists to advocate for larger budgets, more taxing authority, and greater regulatory control Quintero & Welton, 2023, p. 1) Several members of the 89th Texas Legislature have made it a top priority to end the practice of taxpayer funded lobbying this year.
Sam Westrop’s Testimony Before the Texas House Committee on Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans’ Affairs | Sharia Finance in Texas
The Sharia Finance Industry in Texas Testimony of Sam Westrop Senior Fellow, Defeating Islamist Radicalization Texas Public Policy Foundation Chairman Hefner, Vice Chairman Lopez, and members of the Committee, Thank you for the opportunity to testify before you today. My name is Sam Westrop. I am the director of Islamist Watch at the Middle East...