ashleywp

By Kelley Shannon Austin Bureau, Dallas Morning News [email protected] Originally published 08 February 2013 AUSTIN — Dozens of new lawmakers, voter frustration with government and conflict-of-interest questions at a cancer-fighting agency could make conditions ripe for changes in Texas ethics laws this year. Ethics watchdogs and legislators who want to limit lobbying by former lawmakers and expand financial disclosures for public officials acknowledge it won’t be easy, but they hope conditions have changed enough that lawmakers will be willing to crack down on themselves and other state officials. “The biggest obstacle is going to be legislators’ fear of people knowing too [...]

By Laylan Copelin American-Statesman Staff Originally published Friday, Feb. 8, 2013 State Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, has asked Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg to intervene in Davis’ attempt to obtain records from a foundation supporting the state’s troubled cancer agency. Davis filed a civil complaint Friday, asking Lehmberg to determine that the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas Foundation is a government body subject to the state’s Public Information Act. Davis wrote that the foundation has refused to release records, claiming it is not a government body. Foundation officials responded that they have been cooperating with Davis. “We [...]

By Asher Price American-Statesman Staff Originally published Friday, Feb. 8, 2013 A state senator whose district includes the Highland Lakes filed legislation Friday that would require the state auditor to review the books and operations of the Lower Colorado River Authority. State Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, has frequently warred with the nonprofit, quasi-state utility, which sells water and electricity used in the homes of more than a million Central Texans. Recently, Fraser threatened the LCRA with stiffer legislative oversight after its board considered easing restrictions on water releases from the Highland Lakes to benefit downriver farmers. The river authority later [...]

By MIKE NORMAN [email protected] Originally posted Thursday, Feb. 07, 2013 There was irony all over the place just outside the Senate Chamber in Austin Thursday as some top state leaders announced proposed legislation to force greater transparency in Texas local government finances. The Legislature is not always the most transparent government body, nor are many of its members averse to hiding what they don’t want known. Take this from House Budget Committee Chairman Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie: “When we write the budget each session, we require transparency and access to information,” a news release about the announcement quoted Pitts as saying. Pitts [...]