| It's plain to see that our state is broke, literally and figuratively. The Republicans broke it, what with their relentless obsession to cut spending, slash revenue, and shove right-wing ideology into any corner of government left standing.
Time to party!
That's right. Next month, the Republicans are holding a real humdinger of an event where you can dump money into the Texas Republican Party's coffers and get in good with the powers that be. Though it's illegal for individual officeholders to raise money during session, political parties and PACs face no such restriction.
From Wayne Slater:
...the Texas Republican Party is throwing a fundraiser next month featuring the state's big three GOP leaders - Gov. Rick Perry, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and House Speaker Joe Straus and "many of our statewide elected officials and state legislators." It's a chance for lobbyists and anybody else with interests before the state to spend some quality time with influential policy makers, who will benefit from the fundraising the next time they seek office.
For $25,000, you get dinner for ten, access to a private VIP reception before dinner and photos with the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker. For $15,000, the same deal for six. $1,000 will get you dinner, but none of the trimmings. The event is set for March 9.
Got that, lobbyists and special interests? You know how Rick Perry plays. Give him some cash, and you might get your pet agenda items looked on with favor. This would be an especially good opportunity for recalcitrant KBH-supporters to try and beg their way back into the fold, lest their issues and concerns hit sine die with nary a hearing or vote.
What price Texas? Evidently $25,000.
Slater continues:
Not to be left out, Texans for Lawsuit Reform is sponsoring "Girls Night Out" the next day for all women legislators, legislative spouses and female staffers. "Join us for good times galore: Manicures, pedicures, chair massages and more," says the invitation for the evening to be held at the Four Seasons in Austin. Among lobby groups, TLR is one of the biggest spenders of campaign contributions. The group advocates curbing lawsuits against business.
That's right, ladies! Join the group that plows millions of dollars into primarily Republican campaign war chests, making sure not only that citizens can't get their day in court, but also that you can't exercise as much reproductive freedom as women elsewhere in this country.
I wonder if there's an RSVP list for this, or if I can just round up every out-of-work trial lawyer, pro bono attorney, and Legal Aid employee and take them down to 98 San Jacinto. Lord knows the do-gooder types can't afford a mani-pedi in this atmosphere.
Note: as of press time, it was unclear if Sen. Dan Patrick would be on hand to choose each lady's polish color for them, or to force each woman to gaze upon a sonogram before the procedure and exclaim "Wow, those are my cuticles." |
