This series evaluates five recommendations designed to create a more accountable, transparent budget process. The reforms include: strengthening the current spending limit; returning surplus revenues to taxpayers; ensuring dedicated funds are used only for their original purpose; providing greater detail to the state budget; and, posting agencies checkbooks online for public review.
Governments Lobbying Government: City of Houston
Every year, local governments in Texas spend millions upon millions to influence state-level policymaking. These advocacy campaigns are funded with tax dollars and often employ external lobbyists (i.e. registered lobbyists), internal lobbyists (i.e. intergovernmental relations personnel), and pro-government associations (i.e. Texas Municipal League, Texas Association of Counties, Texas Association of School Boards, etc.). One local...