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.

Royce West made millions off government contracts

State Sen. Royce West (D-Dallas) has had a very lucrative career working for governmental agencies. Over the last 12 months, West made...

Rodney Anderson doesn't listen Texans

As long as the business lobbyists have their deals and willing politicians like Rodney Anderson, we won’t get what our families need - honest government and real transparency.

Ken Strange is no stranger to conflicts of interest

Legislators and candidates should go out of their way to avoid even the appearance of conflicts of interest, not cut corners to subsidize their employers.

Linda Koop doesn't listen to Texans

In just five years in the Legislature, Linda Koop has proven she can raise campaign money with the best of them. But who is Koop working for – her contributors or the people she is supposed to represent?

How Much Did Beto O’Rourke Raise In 2022?

The Democratic candidate for governor set a new precedent for Texan politicians, with a staggering $27.6 million from February through June. He...

Who Are Texas’ Top Legislative Fundraisers?

New campaign finance reports released this week by candidates for the Texas Legislature show some of the most competitive state House races...
Trey Martinez Fischer

Trey Martinez Fischer PAC relaunched, $100,000 match

State Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer (D-San Antonio) recently announced the relaunch of his PAC One Texas. Martinez Fischer is chair of the...

Kelly Hancock Can Be Bought, Even At the Public’s Expense

Insurance companies have been playing the politics game for decades. In order to control the direction insurance regulation moves in, companies will donate large...

Dennis Paul keeps Austin rigged

Rep. Dennis Paul 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.

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....

Campaign Finance Must Read

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