March 15, 2019      4:07 PM

Sen. Bettencourt takes different approach on lobbyists hired by local governments

Unlike the House Freedom Caucus-supported “ban on taxpayer funded lobbyists,” Bettencourt says he is focused on transparency through additional reporting requirements

Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, offered up his kinder, gentler version of “taxpayer-funded lobbying” legislation this week – increased transparency rather than an outright ban – during a Senate State Affairs Committee hearing that also covered lawmaker ethics, human trafficking and an actuarial fix to the teacher’s pension fund.

Freshman Rep. Mayes Middleton, R-Wallisville, filed the perennial ban of “taxpayer-funded lobbyists,” House Bill 281, that amended a section of code that applied to county representation.

The language is broadened to include all local jurisdictions, including mobility authorities and transit systems.

By Kimberly Reeves

Copyright March 15, 2019, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved