The Texas Public Policy Foundation is taking its message on local government lobbying to every corner in the Lone Star State.
Earlier this week, the Foundation launched an aggressive statewide radio campaign educating Texans on the insidious practice of spending taxpayer money to lobby for more taxpayer money. The campaign comes on the heels of a new poll showing almost 9 in 10 Texans oppose using tax dollars to fund Austin lobbyists.
When made aware of the issue, Texans are almost universally against the practice. Some object to the tens of millions spent each year on contract lobbyists. Others balk at the idea that third parties, who most often live out of town, are at the Capitol representing their interests instead of their local elected officials. Still others take umbrage with the fact that the statehouse is flooded with pro-government lobbyists who drown out the voice of everyday Texans.
The combination of these factors helps explain why most Texans are so strongly against using public money to hire professional lobbyists. It’s time to end the practice.