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Oct 6, 2008 3:35 pm US/Central
Lax State Laws Allow Cozy Lobbyist-Lawmaker Ties
AUSTIN (AP) ―
Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick is in business with a lobbyist but can't say who. Fellow Rep. Sid Miller finally disclosed his lobbyist dealings, but only after someone complained.
They are among the Texas legislators whose day jobs intersect with state government interests. Watchdog groups says such arrangements create too-common conflicts of interest that should at least be fully disclosed, if not barred outright.
Craddick is a Midland Republican who wields tremendous influence in state government. He revealed in recent disclosure filings that he and a registered lobbyist have common business interests.
The law requires that Craddick list the company involved -- in this case development company Centro Caswell, LLC. But Craddick isn't required to name the lobbyist. Spokeswoman Alexis DeLee said Craddick doesn't know who it is.
Miller, a Stephenville Republican, has ownership in a political and commercial phone bank company that was co-founded by A-list lobbyist and consultant Todd Smith.
Miller and Smith's business relationship isn't illegal but he's supposed to disclose it -- and didn't. Miller corrected his disclosure forms on September 25th. That was the day after a supporter of his Democratic opponent signed a complaint filed with the Texas Ethics Commission. Miller called it an oversight.
Craig Holman of the liberal watchdog group Public Citizen called the failure to provide details of lawmaker-lobbyists deals "almost pathetic."
An Austin grand jury slammed the state's weak disclosure rules in 2006. In a rare public report, the panel complained it couldn't get to the bottom of corruption allegations because of toothless Texas ethics laws.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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