Laylan Copelin is reporting that a complaint has been filed with Texas Ethics Commission against Rep. Dawnna Dukes.
Jake H. Gonzales, the executive director of Campus Alliance for Progress, filed the complaint because Dukes has reported about $90,000 of credit card charges on her campaign account over eight years without detailing how she spent the money.
The ethics commission has long required office-holders to spell out their political expenses instead of just showing payments to a credit card company. Without the details behind the credit card bills, the public cannot determine how a candidate or an office-holder is spending the campaign contributions.
Copelin points out that the Dukes' violations are hardly news at this point because they were first brought to the campaigns attention in December (when KVUE first reported the issue). In the same KVUE piece, Dukes said she would be filing an amended report, but has yet to do so.
Now Dukes is amending her response not her reports.
Dukes said her opponent is just trying to distract her from their March 4 Democratic primary showdown. She did not promise to correct the reports before the primary.
This is one of many reasons I continue to support Brian Thompson with my time and money.
The Austin Chronicle has an interesting piece out today, "Dukes Under Siege".
This is a longer story about Dawnna Dukes and her Democratic challenger Brian Thompson. Let's get some of the disclosure out of the way. I support Brian Thompson and I am not affiliated or paid by the campaign. As long as Craddick D's continue to support Tom Craddick, I will do whatever I can to defeat them in the primary.
Brian Thompson has been endorsed by the Texas Progressive Alliance and we are asking any person motivated to take back the Texas House to donate to the slate or Brian Thompson directly. And there are a lot of reasons why.
In Richard Whittaker's piece, Dukes continues to rationalize her continued support for Craddick by pointing to legislative committee appointments and Craddick's political back scratching. However, to this date, Dukes has not pointed to a single legislative achievement for House District 46 or Austin that she couldn't have achieved with out Craddick. What we do know is she does like the Republican money that has come into her campaigns because of her support for Craddick.
According to KVUE, Dukes has received over $10,000 from assorted Republicans, Craddick loyalists, and Conservative PACs.
Rep. Dukes's "top donor is HillCo PAC, which is in part funded by the largest (Republican) political donor in the nation, homebuilder Bob Perry. Perry gained notoriety for helping pay for the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth ads against Democrat John Kerry in the 2004 presidential race. Dukes also counts among her contributions a $1,000 individual donation from Perry himself, as well as $1,000 from Bill Miller, a longtime Craddick friend and consultant.
Maybe this money is the reason Dukes continues to support Tom Craddick. Just today she reaffirms her possible support for Tom Craddick.
Even now, she says, she would not rule out backing Craddick as speaker again next session.
This loyalty and support to Craddick and his money are the reasons a site run entirely by minorities call Dawnna Dukes a Craddick D. This combined with Thompson's vision for a better Austin and strong progressive credentials are the reasons the Texas Progressive Alliance, Lon Burnam, and six democratic clubs in Austin have all endorsed Brian Thompson.
This is in stark contrast to Dawnna Dukes, who rather than embracing her own political party and House Democratic Leadership, she attacks. Colin Strother says:
[Democrats for Reform] spokesman Colin Strother says the group is simply a loose affiliation of 15 House members, committed to pursuing a progressive agenda, who signed off on a 16-point agenda to protect and extend vital services. "This doesn't have anything to do with Craddick and had some pretty ambitious and progressive goals," he said. The list was compiled, he said, because there had been no agenda set by the Democratic leadership.
Rep. Helen Giddings said in their final press conference that, "this is the reason we made the votes we made the very first day of session." A veiled quote on their vote for Tom Craddick. (Because I know it will come up, the reason I have the quote written down is because I worked at the Capitol for House Leader and MALC Chairman Pete P. Gallego during the 80th session).
Last night, KVUE News in Austin ran a story exposing the fact that Dawnna Dukes's largest donors are the same Republican moneymen who funded the insulting and offensive 'Swift Boat' ads attacking the honorable military service of John Kerry. Why would they do this? To keep Tom Craddick in power of course.
According to the KVUE News report (a must watch video), "The latest campaign finance reports show Craddick supporters are happy to help Dukes."
In the KVUE piece, Andrew Wheat of the non-partisan good-government group Texans for Public Justice elaborates:
Again, and again, and again, you see the very same people who are giving to Tom Craddick are giving to Dawnna Dukes.
"Again, and again, and again, you see the very same people who are giving to Tom Craddick are giving to Dawnna Dukes," said Andrew Wheat of Texans for Public Justice, an organization that studies the influence of money in politics.
Democratic primary voters in House District 46 need to know that Rep. Dukes is being funded by the same Republican moneymen who funded the 'Swift Boat' campaign and continue to give millions of dollars to the Republican Party of Texas, Tom Craddick, and Rick Perry.
According to documents filed with the Texas Ethics Commission, some of Rep. Dukes's largest contributors include the following Republicans and corporate interests:
Bob Perry - The largest Republican donor in Texas, who contributed more than $4,000,000 to the Swift Boat attack ads
Harold Simmons - The largest importer of nuclear waste in Texas who also gave more than $3,000,000 to the Swift Boat attack ads
Hillco - A Republican lobby shop and PAC closely allied with Speaker Craddick. According to this report from TPJ, Hillco was a conduit for Bob Perry money making its way to Craddick D's.
Bill Miller - A lobbyist who has served on Speaker Craddick's transition team and acted as Speaker Craddick's spokesperson during the previous Speaker's race.
John Nau - A Perry appointee who joined the Governor, voucher proponent Jim Leininger, and right-wing ideologue Grover Norquist, on Governor Perry's infamous yachting trip to the Bahamas - has given hundreds of thousands to Republican politicians and causes.
By her own admission, some of Rep. Dukes's largest donors are Republicans who gave more than $7 million to fund the disgusting Swift Boat attack ads against John Kerry. If she will take money from these Republican moneymen, are there any Republicans Dawnna Dukes won't take money from?
According to a recent report from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), at least 3422 Travis County children remain uninsured through the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) as a result of the draconian budget cuts enacted by the Republican-controlled Legislature in 2003. When given the opportunity to rectify this injustice, Rep. Dawnna Dukes joined 74 House Republicans and seven Craddick Democrats to defeat a Democratic amendment that would have fully funded the Children's Health Insurance Program.
Rep. Dukes's vote against fully funding the Children's Health Insurance Program is a perfect example of why her allegiance to Republican Speaker Tom Craddick is an issue in this campaign.
Her vote against fully funding CHIP proves that pledging your absolute loyalty to this Republican Speaker means voting against the best interests of your district and denying at least 3422 Travis County children the health care they need.
Vince's post simply poses the question, "Is Dawnna Dukes Paying Personal Debt Off With Campaign Funds?"
The evidence is compelling.
Analyzing Dukes' reported expenses, she has a series of expenses that are basically the same amount over and over although the purpose of the expense differs.
For example, on ten separate occasions, Dukes lists a Bank of America expense for exactly $100, although the reported purpose of the expense varies wildly. How can it be a mere coincidence that a lot of "staff meals" cost exactly $100?
And, on 17 different occasions, Dukes' reports show a Bank of America expense for exactly $200. Again, the reported purpose of the expenses varies wildly.
If a bunch of different expenditures from "meals" to "flowers" costing exactly $100 and $200 isn't strange enough, Dukes' "staff holiday party" evidently cost her campaign exactly $1,000, if you believe her ethics reports.
[...]
To say the least, it stretches credibility (to go farther, it's just unbelievable) that everything from "meals" to "flowers" to "stage rental" to "gas" and a "Thanksgiving Reception" all cost the exact same dollar amount.
Although Dukes' campaign reports more than $89,000 spent on 19 different credit cards (seriously, who has 19 credit cards?), more than $10,700 of that has gone to her Bank of America card.
[...]
So, to recap: we have a series of payments in the exact, round amounts of $100 and $200 for very different items are going to the same entity. Dukes happens to have a $25,000 or more personal liability with that same entity.
Perhaps her money problems is why she had only $5,000 cash on hand during the last reporting period. Maybe her inability to balance her own check book and pay off her own debt with her own money is why she went to Paris during the biggest tax vote in modern Texas history.
When Tom Craddick continued his reign of terror as Speaker of the Texas House, it was clear that speaker politics would extend beyond the session and last until November 2008.
Today, Lon Burnam made an announcement few elected officials have the courage to make, he endorsed three Democratic Primary challengers and made a clear statement that a vote for Tom Craddick is not only bad for your district but it is also undemocratic.
"I am proud to publicly endorse Brian Thompson (HD 46 - Austin), Armando Walle (HD 140 - Houston), and Sandra Rodriguez (HD 36 - Hidalgo County)," said State Rep. Lon Burnam, "all of whom have shown remarkable courage by challenging Craddick Democrats. Each of these candidates is extremely viable. I hope to welcome each of them into the State Legislature next year and take three more votes away from the Republican Speaker."
In 2003, Rep. Burnam was the only Representative to vote against Republican Speaker Tom Craddick. At the time, Burnam suggested Craddick was ethically challenged. Many of the Craddick D's share Craddick's ethical lapses.
"Since 2003, the single biggest obstacle to responsible public policy in the state of Texas has been Tom 'absolute power' Craddick," said Burnam. "Unfortunately, some of my colleagues continue to support the Republican Speaker and enable his failed Republican ideology of starving public education, harming the environment, denying children health care, and making a mockery of our ethics laws."
Rep. Burnam put the March 4th primary into simple terms. "Democrats can vote for the status quo and help re-elect Craddick Democrats, or they can vote for change and send a clear message that Tom Craddick and his right-wing cronies are taking our state in the wrong direction."
"I represent the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party, not the Craddick wing of the Democratic Party, and so do the three Democrats I am endorsing today," said Burnam.
[...]
In addition to endorsing these three Democratic challengers today, Rep. Burnam has also committed to help each of them raise the funds they will need to be successful on March 4. Next week, Rep. Burnam will unveil details about a political action committee called "Too Close to Craddick" that he is supporting.
Last night, a boisterous, standing-room-only crowd of more than 125 people packed Vivo's, a popular East Austin restaurant as I formally announced I was running for State Representative in HD 46.
This morning, I made it official by filing the requisite paperwork with the Travis County Democratic Party.
I am completely overwhelmed by the incredible outpouring of support. Last night's crowd of energized voters, community leaders and grassroots activists makes one thing abundantly clear; we want real change. Last night our community showed that we want representatives who put the best interests of our families ahead of political opportunism.
"In front of a boisterous crowd at an East Austin restaurant, Austin lawyer Brian Thompson kicked off his challenge Tuesday night to longtime state Rep. Dawnna Dukes. Thompson targeted his fellow Democrat as out of step with the heavily Democratic district and too clubby with the state's Republican leadership, particularly Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick, a Midland Republican whom Dukes helped elect as that chamber's leader."
In that same article, the incumbent still refused to criticize or reject the Republican Speaker whom she supports and has voted for 3 times.
My opponent has stood by her political mentors at the State Capitol even as their support has eroded across Texas. After a stunning defeat last night in a special election in Fort Worth that was a clear referendum on Speaker Craddick, even their own, fellow Republicans are calling for Speaker Craddick's resignation. I call on my opponent to join us in demanding a new direction for positive change.
It is increasingly clear that Texans are rejecting the insider deals that have marked the Craddick years. It's time to start getting the job done for mainstream Texas families who work hard and play by the rules.
While I was talking to voters and kicking off this campaign in East Austin, and Democrats in Fort Worth were taking one more vote away from the Republican Speaker, the incumbent was trying to explain questionable and problematic expenditures not accurately reported on her campaign finance reports. To see the incredibly revealing story, click here. The time for change has never been more apparent.
Join the campaign to bring better representation to East Austin by donating to the Brian Thompson campaign today.
One week ago, I filed paperwork with the Texas Ethics Commission allowing me to raise money for a potential run for State Representative in HD 46. Considering I have yet to announce my candidacy, or mail a single fundraising letter, I'm completely humbled by the incredible show of support I have received from the progressive online community. Obviously, I'm not the only person in East Austin appalled by the incumbent's endorsement of Tom Craddick's failed Republican ideology of starving public schools and denying children health care.
This is truly a testament to the power of this community. I am extremely grateful for this unprecedented show of support.
It's going to take a Herculean effort to defeat a Craddick D who is funded by the largest Republican donor in Texas (Bob "Swift Boat" Perry) and a Republican PAC run by Speaker Craddick's very own spokesperson. As each day passes, and more of you join this cause, I become more and more convinced that together, we can reclaim a vote and a voice at the State Capitol from Tom "Absolute Power" Craddick.
I have truly been inspired by the enthusiasm and support I have received from the dozens of East Austin activists and community leaders who continue to encourage me to run. Their message has been uniform and resolute; our families are being left out of our city's prosperity at the same time the incumbent is supporting Tom Craddick's failed Republican ideology of starving public schools and denying children health care. Like a typical politician, the incumbent seems to have forgotten who she represents.
This past weekend I took a much needed vacation to Las Vegas, and imagine my surprise as I check into Bally's Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip and see none other that State Representative Dawnna Dukes.
Ross Ramsey at Texas Weekly deserves a hat tip for some diligent research and excellent reporting in breaking the Dukes campaign finance report and for those of you without a subscription, the Austin Political Report sums it up nicely.
To quote from that release, "The committee will oversee the process of addressing the issues of uncompensated hospital care and the establishment of market driven programs addressing the uninsured. Specifically, the committee will facilitate the design and development of any Medicaid waivers needed to affect reform."
Pretty important stuff for a lower-income East Austin district where Medicare and Medicaid are so vital to the community.
Who is the only thing missing from the hearing? Dawnna Dukes. Who needs a boring hearing on Medicaid when the seductive lure of the Las Vegas slots beckons.
Rep. Dawnna Dukes, the only "Democrat" on the Medicaid Reform Legislative Oversight Committee, actually skipped the hearing for a junket to Las Vegas. I wonder how that trip gets expensed on the next campaign finance report. I'd lay 10-1 odds that Bob Perry or some Republican lobby shop pick up the tab for that one as well.
After this posting ran, we were able to get in contact with possible HD-46 candidate Brian Thompson.
I'm truly inspired by the enthusiasm and support I have received from the dozens of East Austin activists and community leaders who are encouraging me to run. Their message has been uniform and resolute; our families are being left out of our city's prosperity at the same time the incumbent is supporting Tom Craddick's failed Republican ideology of starving public schools and denying children health care. Like a typical politician, the incumbent seems to have forgotten who she represents.
Thompson mentioned that he had met with community leaders tired of Duke's rubber stamping a failed Republican agenda.
Duke's is one of the only Craddick D's who has continued to stand by the corrupt leader, and the people of Austin and Texas can do better.
