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February 18, 2022

Title: Harris County Commissioner Court Under Fire
Topic: Pay-to-Play Politics

Discussed by James Quintero
with Texas Public Policy Foundation (www.TexasPolicy.com)

Is a pay-to-play scheme underway in Harris County?

James Quintero is the Policy Director at Government for the People, an initiative of the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Today he discusses recent Houston Chronicle article entitled: “Pay-to-Play in Harris County”. According to the paper’s latest exposé, Harris County Commissioners are raking in campaign cash from “executives at companies awarded no-bid contracts by those commissioners.” The article even puts forward some eye-opening data to support its proposition.

Click here to read on this issue from James Quintero and the Texas Public Policy Foundation.

Click here to read the article from the Houston Chronicle.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

The by-line of the Houston Chronicle reads: “Harris County commissioners hide where most of their campaign cash comes from.” Is this misleading? Should the by-line read “contributions” instead of “cash”?

Political Action Committees (PACs) often contribute to candidates and/or elected officials. Non-profits, through their PAC’s, make political contributions as well. Is this ethical? James says: “We do not have a system of maximum transparency and it probably leads to a lot of unintended consequences or perhaps some of those consequences are intended.”

Are there any restrictions on contractors contributing to a County Commissioner who may or may not vote on contracts or give them a contract? James explains that it varies from county to county, using Harris County and Dallas County as examples.

Has the Texas Legislature attempted to change/discontinue “no-bid-contracts”? Terry and James will continue with this thought in the next segment.

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Title: Part 2 of 2 - Harris County Commissioner Court Under Fire
Topic: Pay-to-Play Politics

Discussed by James Quintero
with Texas Public Policy Foundation (www.TexasPolicy.com)

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Did Abbott give out millions of no-bid contracts during the COVID pandemic?

Did the Houston Chronicle article pin-point actual criminal activity by Harris County Commissioners? James reads a quote from the article: “Experts said the timing of some donations and no-bid contract awards suggest political contributions influence the decisions of commissioners.”

What does Texas law state concerning when political contributions can be made and accepted?

What is the solution to this ever-growing problem? James offers some solutions, saying: “This is a county-wide issue that deserves maximum transparency... Let’s find a way to do better.”

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February 27, 2014

Title: Lobbyists, Non-Profits, Money, and the LINK Letter
Topic: Pay-to-Play Politics

Discussed by State Representative Gary Elkins
with Elected Officials

Part 1 of 2

Gary Elkins first knocked on my door in January of 1994. Back then, I was just stepping into the political scene. Very few people were Republicans and even fewer people actually admitted it.

But people were beginning to see the light and realize we needed a change in Texas if our great state was to survive.

20 years later, Gary is still my friend. We don’t agree on everything. We probably never will. What does he think of the LINK Letter? Does he think I’m a “sell-out”?

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Title: Part 2 of 2
Topic: Pay-to-Play Politics

Discussed by State Representative Gary Elkins
with Elected Officials

Gary says that lobbyists have the real power and influence. They will hound and hound and offer money and free gifts; they organize fundraisers and even sponsor your kid’s t-ball team.

Why don’t people see these activities as wrong and immoral?

Also, pro-life organizations such as Texas Right to Life will give politicians a big, fat “F” if they vote against any pro-life bill, no matter the circumstance. Is this fair? Shouldn’t we be looking at the big picture?

Pro-life issues are very important, probably the most important to me. But there are others issues that are high priority, like border security, repealing ObamaCare, and lowering taxes. Those issues matter, too.


HOST’S NOTE: What issues are important to you? Do you have a suggestion for a guest for the What’s UP Radio Program? Is there a topic you would like for us to discuss more often? Click on the “Contact Us” link at www.TerryLowry.com and tell us!

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