Summary

A coalition of citizen advocacy groups are calling for Ethics reform in Texas politics. Support is also broad for a clarification of the requirement that political contributions be described with the amount of the donation as well as the method of payment.

Background

National political scandals, including those involving Tom Delay and State PAC limits, have brought clean government and ethics reform to the forefront of media attention. Various parties have used this opportunity to call for statutory change at the state level.

One such coalition is Make Democracy Work. Their platform can be seen here, and calls for the legislature to:
• Place a $100,000 Aggregate Limit on Individual Contributions;
• Close the Revolving Door between the Legislature and the Lobby;
• Keep Judges Independent by Appointment and Retention Elections;
• Record All Non-Ceremonial Legislative Votes; and,
• Create an Independent Redistricting Commission.

The Texas Ethics Commission's refusal to require the value of a gift to be reported merited National attention.

Political Context

Organizations promoting the Making Democracy Work reform plan include Common Cause Texas, Gray Panthers of Texas, League of Women Voters of Texas, Public Citizen Texas, Texans for Public Justice, the True Courage Action Network, and the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission.

Gov. Rick Perry has stated he will support clarifying the requirement that the amount of political contributions be disclosed.