Wilson, of course, isn't the first top government official to go directly from big government to big business. In March 2007, Bruce Gibson, the long-time chief of staff for Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, went directly from that office to become a legislative consultant for TXU.
The move came just as TXU was fighting consumer groups over legislation that potentially could have hampered the multibillion-dollar deal that led to the creation of Energy Future Holdings ...
David Campbell, chief executive officer of Luminant, said Wilson will make a great addition for the company. "He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our leadership team and complements our current efforts in public affairs," Campbell said in a prepared statement.
But Andrew Wheat, an analyst with the Texans for Public Justice watchdog group, said the state needs "revolving door" legislation to prevent officials like Wilson and Gibson from going directly from high-profile government posts to positions with businesses seeking favor with the state.
"It's too bad -- this state has a revolving door that is absolutely out of control," said Wheat. "It would be good to have a significant cooling-off period, if not an out-and-out prohibition."
A spokeswoman for Energy Future Holdings said officials there have not yet decided whether Wilson will work as a lobbyist for the company.
This is getting out of control. Let's hope a new Democratic majority in the Texas House can put an end to these practices for good.
