TPJ: 10 Former Lawmakers Cash in as Lobbyists

by: Matt Glazer

Wed May 20, 2009 at 03:23 PM CDT

Texans for Public Justice has looked at 10 formerly elected officials including 8 Republicans and 2 Democrats. All 10 of these former State Representatives were serving in the House just this last session and now have gone through the revolving door to get huge payouts to lobby.

Texans for Public Justice  looked at the 68 lobby contracts held by Mike Krusee, Fred Hill, Kyle Janek, Pat Haggerty, Corbin Van Arsdale, Dianne Delisi, Kevin Bailey, Robby Cook, Tony Goolsby and James Murphy currently have.  Because of reporting laws, lobbyist are only required to disclose whether they fall within a range and not the specific amount the actual revenue from each lobby contract.

Lobbyist are only required to specify if they make less than $10,000, $10,001 to $24,999.99, $25,000 to $49,999.99, $50,000 to $99,999.99, $100,000 to $149,999.99, $150,000 to $199,999.99, $200,000 to $249,999.99, etc.

This makes it difficult to determine how much these 10 formerly elected officials are actually making.

Needless to say, these 10 men have 68 contracts and are currently getting paid anywhere from $2,025,000 to $3,890,000.  Mike Krusee and Fred Hill appear to be the two highest paid former elected with Tony Goolsby and James Murphy rounding out the bottom.

We encourage you to read the full report here.

In case any one is concerned how former lobbyist Todd Hunter is doing after taking a pay cut to work at the capitol again, don't worry too much.  In 2007, Hunter had 4 lobby contracts that could have made him as much as $225,000.  He should be okay for a little bit.

Sandra VuLe Announce for House District 112

by: Matt Glazer

Fri Dec 28, 2007 at 02:08 PM CST

"Our community's challenge is to choose the kind of steady leadership that will bring about positive change," VuLe said.  "I'm ready to meet that challenge."

VuLe is running as the Democrat to take the place of anti-Craddick and former Speaker candidate Fred Hill.

She has highlighted protecting and improving public schools, bringing classroom teachers salaries up to at least the national average, and making college more affordable for middle-class families as her top priorities.

"I want to ensure that the American Dream I have lived is still within reach for the families and children of District 112," VuLe said.  "Let's put families first and politics last."

According to her release, VuLe has done extensive volunteer work through the Dallas Bar Association which includes teaching elementary school students about the law and the U.S. Constitution and participating in a mentoring program for area high school students, many of whom hope to become the first in their families to go to college.

VuLe currently serves as the Vice-President of the Vietnamese American Community of Greater Dallas and is an incoming board member of the Greater Dallas Asian-American Chamber of Commerce.  She also served on the advisory council for the Garland Chief of Police.

VuLe has her own law practice in Garland and is a co-host of a satellite TV show broadcast throughout the U.S. and Canada addressing legal and family issues.

House District 112 has not had a serious Democrat run in a few years.  Brian Booker, who ran in 2004 received 35% of the vote and didn't spend any money.  With the tides of change in the Democratic Party's favor, an exciting Presidential year, and sweeping Democratic victories in seats like HD-97, a strong candidate like VuLe could mean another win in the DFW area.

Resolution Outlining Race for Speaker Filed

by: Burnt Orange Report

Thu May 24, 2007 at 02:23 PM CDT

To read the resolution, click here.

Important note: HR 2671 would allow for an election by Speaker to be completed by secret ballot.

**Update** Per our comments below, HR 2669, another Speakers race resolution, has been filed. To read that resolution, click here.

Decision on Speaker's Race

by: Burnt Orange Report

Thu May 24, 2007 at 11:39 AM CDT

A post in yesterday's Texas Politics blog from the Houston Chronicle explains:

AP photographer Harry Cabluck was stalking the four candidates for speaker today as they huddled in the back of the House chamber's center aisle.

Suddenly they turned on Cabluck. Reps. Brian McCall, Jim Pitts and Jim Keffer all began playing rock, paper scissors as Rep. Fred Hill watched. The implication was that they were trying to decide which one would stand alone against incumbent Speaker Tom Craddick in the insurrection. But Hill explained it differently.

"Those guys were doing rock, paper, scissors for speaker pro tem, because I'm going to be speaker," Hill joked.

Rep. Brian McCall (R) & Rep. Fred Hill (R) File for Speaker

by: Burnt Orange Report

Tue May 22, 2007 at 07:28 AM CDT

**UPDATE** The Chron blog is reporting that Rep. Fred Hill has also announced that he is filing for Speaker.

Previous Posts on Speaker Craddick:

3/13/07 - New Craddick, Same As the Old
3/19/07 - Lesson of the Day: Don't. Trust. Craddick.
5/8/07 - House Rebukes Craddick
5/8/07 - Anarchy in the House, Speaker has Lost Control