Over the course of his political career, State Representative Ron Simmons (R – Carrollton) has raked in hundreds of thousands in special interest campaign cash. These contributors range from lobbyists to real estate and construction industries who all have an agenda in Austin.
As Texans know, these influential contributions leave Texans on the losing end of the stick. Politicians accept money from these special interest groups and political action committees (PACs) to further their political career in exchange for them voting their way on the issues they care about.
The political system in Austin is a rigged game in favor of the moneyed and powerful special interests at the expense of everyday Texans. And Ron Simmons is playing right along.
In 2015, two bills – HB 3511 and HB 3736 – were introduced to increase government transparency, but in reality widened the spousal loophole, shielding spouses of legislators from having disclose details about their financial interests. While Gov. Greg Abbott eventually vetoed the bills, Ron Simmons voted for both of them.
Simmons also voted to limit Texas voters’ options at the ballot box and to make it harder for Texans to vote at the voting booths and by mail.
Rep. Ron Simmons is just another part of the rigged political system in Austin – taking special interest money, voting to relax the rules on himself, and sticking it to everyday Texans.