Tag Archives: Texas Ethics Commission

Keller gets slammed by Ethics Commission

Posted on May 1, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Wow. The Texas Ethics Commission has levied a record $100,000 fine against Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Presiding Judge Sharon Keller for failing to make full financial disclosures in 2007 and 2008. […] The commission in an order made public … Continue reading →

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Disclose, please

Posted on April 22, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

This is a step in the right direction, but it’s not enough by itself. The U.S. Supreme Court opened the door for corporations to pour money into influencing Texas elections, but the state ethics commission today is taking up a … Continue reading →

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What to do with all that leftover campaign cash?

Posted on January 15, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Trib explores the question of what happens to the money after a candidate drops out or an incumbent retires. Let’s say you’re a donor to a candidate or an elected official who quits a race mid-campaign or chooses … Continue reading →

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Chron raises questions about Al Hoang’s residency and campaign finance reports

Posted on December 24, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The main question I have is why is this story just being published now, on Christmas Eve, and not before either of the elections? Houston City Councilman-elect Al Hoang and his wife claimed homestead exemptions on two separate homes, according … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Improving campaign finance disclosure

Posted on December 17, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

This is a step in the right direction. The [Texas Ethics Commission] adopted new rules last week that, beginning this summer, will require anyone running for office to use 19 defined subject categories to describe any goods, services or other … Continue reading →

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Has the TEC grown some teeth?

Posted on November 21, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Well, no. But they do seem to be levying bigger fines, so maybe their gums are a little harder. By every measure, the agency is issuing more — and larger — fines, the records show. “There’s been a shift to … Continue reading →

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Eversole running for re-election

Posted on October 31, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Surprise! Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Jerry Eversole announced on Friday that he will run for re-election, potentially pitting him against a term-limited Houston city councilwoman and, perhaps, his own tarnished reputation. Eversole, 66, who was hit with a $75,000 … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Correction!

Posted on October 17, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Now that everyone has had a chance to look over everyone else’s campaign finance reports, a number of candidates have made some corrections to their reports. Former City Attorney Gene Locke and City Controller Annise Parker received money from donors … Continue reading →

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Ethics complaint filed against Bradford

Posted on October 10, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve received word via email that an ethics complaint has been filed against At Large #4 candidate C.O. Bradford, alleging violations in his October campaign finance report. The sender included a PDF of the complaint, but I’m not posting it … Continue reading →

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TPJ files complaint with Ethics Commission against Craddick

Posted on October 6, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Texans for Public Justice has filed a complaint with the Texas Ethics Commission against former Speaker Tom Craddick, alleging that he obfuscated campaign donations made to several Democratic supporters of his prior to the 2008 primaries. From their press release … Continue reading →

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Eversole sets a record

Posted on July 16, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

You da man, Jerry! Give credit to Jerry Eversole: When he broke the rules, he did it in a big way. The fine levied against the Harris County commissioner this month is the highest in the history of the Texas … Continue reading →

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Eversole gets slapped by Ethics Commission

Posted on July 7, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

County Commissioner Jerry Eversole gets hit with a $75,000 fine by the Texas Ethics Commission for failure to accurately report expenses on his campaign finance reports. Eversole said he signed what is known as an “order and agreed resolution” so … Continue reading →

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More on Perry’s vetoes

Posted on June 20, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Governor Perry’s veto of SB2468, the “revolving door” restrictions bill for Harris County, has puzzled its sponsor. In his veto message, Perry said he rejected the ethics bill, authored by Sen. Mario Gallegos, because it addressed lobbying matters and related … Continue reading →

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Burnam makes his case in the papers

Posted on May 3, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

State Rep. Lon Burnam writes an op-ed about his resolution to impeach Judge Sharon Keller. Last week, a group of 24 national experts on judicial ethics issued a statement that Judge Keller has consistently demonstrated a lack of impartiality in … Continue reading →

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Senators versus TCEQ

Posted on April 28, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

If there were a competition for the most toothless (least toothful?) state regulatory agency, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) would surely be a contender for the title, most likely along with the Texas Ethics Commission. It’s gotten bad … Continue reading →

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House hearing set on Keller impeachment resolution

Posted on April 23, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Mark your calendars for Monday, April 27, for that’s when HR480, the resolution filed by State Rep. Lon Burnam back in February that called for the House to begin the impeachment process against Judge Sharon Keller, gets a hearing. From … Continue reading →

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Ethics and finance bills to get their turn

Posted on April 13, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

One never really expects bills relating to ethics and campaign finance reform to make it through the process, but it’s still a good idea to keep an eye on them. In the last session, for example, at least 105 bills … Continue reading →

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TPJ files complaints against Keller

Posted on April 1, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

To no one’s surprise, in the wake of the Morning News story about Judge Sharon Keller’s lack of financial disclosure as required by law, Texans for Public Justice has filed complaints against her. From their press release (PDF): TPJ’s complaints … Continue reading →

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What else have you not told us, Sharon?

Posted on March 31, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

As we know, Sharon Keller, the Presiding Judge of the Court of Criminal Appeals, has asked that the state pick up her legal fees in defense of the charges against her on grounds that paying for her own attorney would … Continue reading →

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Lobby money

Posted on January 26, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

My first reaction upon reading this story about lobbyist spending on food and drink and entertainment for elected officials and their staff is the old chestnut about how government should be run like a business. People who say that, especially … Continue reading →

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