It should stop. Using tax dollars to fund lobbyists is wasteful, needless, and violates basic principles of limited government.
That’s potentially $98 million – up from $75 million two years ago – that could go to improve local infrastructure, protect the public, or provide tax relief. Instead, it goes to fat cat lobbyists hundreds of miles away with connections inside the pink building. Many lobbyists are former politicians who have turned their tenure into lucrative careers taking their old friends out to lunch.
The mayors and members of city councils and school boards who approve these profligate expenditures feebly argue that hiring lobbyists is necessary to get the attention of their state representatives. It’s not. Legislators routinely communicate with officials in their districts. The idea that state policymakers would ignore calls coming in from elected officials in their districts is nonsense.
Some say prohibiting local government from hiring lobbyists violates free speech. But governments don’t have rights; they have powers. Regardless, local governments can employ government relations staff. Most don’t because those employees would then be subject to the same accountability and transparency measures as other government employees, and that would defeat the purpose. All the more reason to outlaw it.
Texans agree. According to a WPA Intelligence poll in January, more than 80% say tax dollars should not fund lobbyists. It’s hard to get 80% of Texans to agree on much, so this should be a sign to policymakers that eliminating this taxpayer-funded boondoggle is a win-win.
Brian Phillips
Chief Communications Officer
