Phelan signs pledge to ban taxpayer-funded lobbying

Supporters of a ban on the funding of lobbyists working on behalf of cities and counties are confident legislation will pass in the upcoming Texas legislative session.

Fifty members of the House, including the apparent new Speaker Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont), have signed a pledge in support of the ban on what is described as taxpayer-funded professional lobbying.

An attempt to introduce similar legislation failed in the last session, with the bill that did pass so "watered down" that even its author voted against it, according to Shelby Williams, a Plano City council member and a leading critic of the use of tax money to pay for lobbyists.

Plano City Council Member Shelby Williams wants elected officials to sign a pledge to end taxpayer-funded lobbying. | Facebook

Local cities and counties hire lobbyists to push their particular agendas, but if elected officials want to make their point they should pick up the phone or travel to Austin to speak to legislators and other powerbrokers directly, Williams argues.

A legislative fight in 2019 over limiting the ability to increase property taxes without putting the issue to voters added to Williams' concerns over the use of lobbyists.

The bill, Senate Bill 2, which passed, means most taxing units, including cities and counties, need voter approval to increase their property tax by more than 3.5% from the previous level of 8%.

"There was an army of lobbyists telling legislators that they simply had to allow the property tax increase of 8% or otherwise there will be municipal Armageddon," Williams told the Collin Times. "Most thinking people could recognize that was not true."

Williams further argues that homeowners have no choice over whether they pay taxes, and that, therefore, those collecting may be using money to lobby against the interests of taxpayers.

"Money collected from taxpayers should not be used against the them," Williams added.

Williams said the support of Phelan will "help the effort," but a bill will have to pass both chambers in the next session, which starts January.

"I think we have enough, and it not just those who have signed the pledge," Williams said.

In tandem with a ban on taxpayer-funded lobbying, Williams believes it should become easier for both citizens and local representatives to register their support or opposition to bills.

Many are unable or cannot afford to travel to the Capitol to register in person, which is the current rule, the council member said. The pledge makes an allowance for this situation.

People should be able to register their position at the local district office of a representative, and over time, do so online if all safety and security concerns can be met, Williams said.

Opponents of a ban, including representatives of municipal and other local government bodies, argue that the use of lobbyists is one of the only effective ways their voice can be heard in the Texas Capitol.