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Senate committee advances ban on taxpayer-funded lobbying by local governments
Summary
The Senate Committee on State Affairs reported Senate Bill 12 favorably after testimony for and against a measure that would bar political subdivisions from using public funds to hire registered lobbyists. Supporters said the change restores taxpayers’ control over public dollars; opponents said it would silence local governments and rural areas.
The Senate Committee on State Affairs voted 10-0 to report Senate Bill 12 to the full Senate after a hearing on whether local governments should be allowed to spend public dollars to hire registered lobbyists.
Senator Lois Middleton, the bill’s author, told the committee the measure would prohibit municipalities, counties, school districts and other political subdivisions from paying contract lobbyists with public funds. "Local government should not be using your tax dollars to hire lobbyists in Austin that then lobby against you," Middleton said.
Proponents described a growing industry of taxpayer-funded…
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