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Campaign Finance

Reform Austin is dedicated to increasing transparency by engaging and educating taxpayers about what goes on behind the doors of our state Capitol. Our mission is to ensure our elected leaders are working for the public good. 
Campaign finance is all about money in politics and the corrupting influence it has. Reform Austin provides investigative reporting on who is funding campaigns, how much candidates are receiving, and how it influences votes. This includes the millions of dollars in special interest cash that pour into campaign coffers, and the lobbyists and political action committees (PACs) who contribute with the expectation that legislators will vote for them, rather than for their constituents. 
Campaign finance reports are filed semi-annually with the Texas Ethics Commission and are made available to the public. During election years, candidates must file two additional pre-election reports: one 30 days prior and one eight days prior to an election. 
These reports are comprised of total political contributions (the total amount of money a candidate or officeholder raised in the last six months), total expenditures (the total amount of money a candidate or officeholder spent in the last six months), and cash on hand (the total amount of money a candidate has to spend).
Contributions tell us who donated to a candidate or officeholder. They often speak to the motivations the person might have should they be elected. 
Reform Austin also reports on legislation, laws, and reforms concerning campaign finance, such as closing loopholes in the moratorium to give taxpayers more confidence in their representatives. Elected officials should be looking out for us, not their big donors.

Gary Elkins doesn't listen to Texans

Since State Representative Gary Elkins (R-Houston) was first elected to the Texas Legislature in 1994, special interest money has played a big role in...

In latest campaign filing reports, Republican incumbent and Dem hopeful raise the most

State Representative Mayes Middleton (R-Wallisville) raised over $300,000 according to the latest campaign finance reports. Democratic candidate Shawn Terry, who is running...

The Battle for the Texas House Hinges on Cold, Hard Cash

Democrat Texas House candidates running in battleground races outdid their Republican opponents in fundraising in the third-quarter reporting period, but Republicans have...

Ron Simmons helps keep Austin rigged

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.

Justin Nelson out raises Ken Paxton in race for attorney general

Democratic challenger Justin Nelson has raised twice as much as Republican incumbent Kenneth Paxton in the race for Texas attorney general from July to October, according to recent campaign finance filings with the Texas Ethics Commission.
HD-28 Texas

HD-28 candidate Eliz Markowitz raises $60,000 from more than 800 donors

In the race to represent Fort Bend County, Eliz Markowitz is leading the field when it comes to small-donor fundraising. In her...

Latest Texas Campaign Finance Reports Reveal State of Play for Statewide Races

New campaign finance reports released last week by Texas legislators, elected statewide officials and candidates for both show an early glimpse into...

Donna Campbell Chooses Campaign Cash Over Homeowners

Texas is a wonderful place to live, but is notorious for its weather-related disasters. Floods, hurricanes and hailstorms are a regular occurrence every year....

Gary Elkins repeatedly breaks Texas campaign rules

How can the residents of HD 135 truly believe that Gary Elkins is working for them with honor and honesty, when he is caught time and time again doing wrong?

8-Day Filing for Special Election in House District 79

When State Representative Joe Pickett (D- El Paso) announced his resignation from the Texas Legislature just prior to the start of the 86th session, a vacancy opened in Texas House District 79.

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