Fix state Corruption
Cleaning Up Corruption in Texas
Texans should not have to compete with billionaire donors, corporate insiders, and lobbyists just to be heard by their own government. But that is exactly what happens when political money floods the system, emergency powers are abused, and lawmakers operate in a rushed part-time structure that gives insiders the upper hand.
It’s time to put the public back in charge.
I support a tough, practical anti-corruption agenda to make the Texas Legislature more transparent, more accountable, and far less vulnerable to insider influence.
End abuse of emergency no-bid contracts
When disaster strikes, government must be able to act quickly. But true “emergencies” do not last for years and the word "emergency" is not a magic word allowing sweetheart deals, insider favoritism, or blank checks for politically connected contractors.
I support requiring every emergency no-bid contract to meet clear accountability standards modeled on the principles used in federal disaster law under the Stafford Act:
the contract must be truly necessary to meet an urgent public need;
the government must provide a written public justification explaining why competitive bidding was not possible;
the contract must be narrow in scope and time-limited to the emergency itself;
the public must get rapid disclosure of the contract’s terms, cost, and vendor; and
any longer-term work must return to a fair competitive bidding process as soon as the emergency ends.
Real emergencies demand quick action. They do not justify corruption.
Take billionaire money out of Texas politics
Texas government should belong to Texans, not to the handful of mega-donors who can write six- and seven-figure checks and expect access in return.
I support:
strict caps on campaign donations;
closing loopholes that let wealthy interests hide influence through PACs and shell entities;
rapid disclosure of large political donations.
No billionaire should have more political power than an ordinary Texan.
Ban pay-to-play lawmaking
If donors can fund a politician and then get action on their pet issue, that is not representation. That is legalized corruption.
I support:
banning legislators from taking official action to directly benefit major donors;
requiring disclosure when legislation would materially benefit top contributors;
mandatory recusal in clear conflict-of-interest cases; and
real investigations and real penalties for ethics violations.
Public office is not a rewards program for campaign contributors.
Stop insider trading by lawmakers
Texans should never have to wonder whether a lawmaker is voting for the people or for their portfolio.
I support:
banning officials from trading stocks or otherwise investing in industries directly affected by legislation before them or oversight by their office;
requiring blind trusts or diversified funds to avoid conflicts;
stronger financial disclosure rules; and
meaningful penalties for using public office for private gain.
No one should be allowed to profit from inside access to the lawmaking or law enforcement process.
Make legislative service a real full-time job
Texas is one of the biggest and most complex states in the country. It should not be governed through a rushed five-month session every other year while full-time lobbyists and insiders fill the gaps.
That broken structure makes it harder for working people and younger Texans to serve, and easier for special interests to dominate the process.
I support:
making legislative service a full-time responsibility;
paying lawmakers a full-time salary so service is open to more than the wealthy and well-connected;
expanding professional staff support so legislators depend less on lobbyists; and
spreading legislative work across the full term so the public has more time to follow bills, speak out, and hold lawmakers accountable.
A government for the people cannot be built around a schedule that favors insiders.
Break the grip of lobbyists
When laws are jammed through in a compressed session, the people with the most money, access, and inside knowledge gain the biggest advantage.
I support:
ending the rushed biennial bottleneck that strengthens lobbyist power;
stronger disclosure of lobbying activity and spending;
banning gifts that buy access and influence; and
tightening revolving-door rules between public office and private lobbying.
The Texas Legislature should answer to the people — not to the professional influence industry.
A Government Texans Can Trust
My goal is simple: a Texas government that is harder to buy, harder to manipulate, and easier for ordinary people to trust.
That means:
no more fake emergencies used to hand out no-bid contracts;
no more billionaire money drowning out the public;
no more donor-driven lawmaking;
no more insider investments; and
no more part-time government that gives full-time lobbyists the advantage.