PAAT EDUCATION EVENTS

We would like to thank everyone who attended the 4th Annual PAAT Ethics Compliance Institute. If you have any questions about this year's Institute Allison Small. Note the CLE course number is: 900052945.

PAAT Members: Thanks to those of you who were able to attend the roundtable discussion with Mary Camp and Melanie Harshman from the Legislative Reference Library. See PAAT follow-up e-mail for a copy of the presentation and other relevant handouts or contact us with any questions.

2008 PAAT Institute Registrants

Thank you for participating! The CLE course number is: 900052945.

Panel rejects Keel's complaint about anonymous blog

Austin American Statesman,

December 23, 2008

PAAT Issue Brief: Contribution Moratorium Provisions

December 19, 2008

Democrats Are the New Ethics Story

Blagojevich is just the tip of the iceberg.

Wall Street Journal

December 18, 2008

Texas Supreme Court Justice Nathan Hecht fined $29,000 in ethics case

Dallas Morning News

December 5, 2008

Corruption a keystone of state government, prof says

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

December 20, 2008

Cautionary tale: Tighten rules to head off scandal

Indianapolis Star Editorial

December 10, 2008

Travis DA-elect to address lobbyists

Austin American Statesman, November 11, 2008

TAB Plea Bargain Agreement: PAAT Summary

October 21, 2008

More news...

MEMBERS
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IMPORTANT TOPICS

Ethics Commission Meeting
The next commission meeting is tentatively scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Friday, February 13, 2009, at the Texas Workforce Commission's Conference Room # 244, located at 101 E. 15th Street, Austin, Texas.

Contribution Moratorium

The 2009 legislative session convenes on January 13, 2009. Please note that December 13, 2008, is the last day on which certain legislators, certain statewide officers, and certain political committees may accept contributions. The moratorium on accepting contributions begins December 14, 2008, and continues through June 21, 2009.

Detail Reporting Threshold Moves to $90.60
The legislative per diem is $151 per day. The impact to lobbyists is that expenditures for food, beverages and entertainment will now have to exceed $90.60 (not counting taxes and tip) to be detail reported.

 
 
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The next Ethics Commission meeting is tentatively scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Friday, February 13, 2009, at the Texas Workforce Commission's Conference Room # 244, located at 101 E. 15th Street, Austin, Texas.

LATEST COMPLIANCE TIPS

In case you or your clients or PACs are unsure of the law regarding contributions to candidates elected in special elections after the deadline for contributions, the law makes provisions for that circumstance.

The law allows for a contribution to be made to a candidate in a special election held during the moratorium period, and contributions made after that election (such as to “retire debt”) until the candidate is sworn in.

These provisions are found in subsection (c) of § 253.034, which also establishes the moratorium in subsection (a). Read PAAT issue brief on this issue for more.

PAAT

The Professional Advocacy Association of Texas is the recognized statewide association for the Texas lobby community. We strive to represent the issues and concerns of our membership on compliance and ethics matters before State Government, enhance the images of the public advocacy profession, and serve as a trusted referral source for those seeking legislative representation.

 

HELPFUL LINKS

- Ethics Commission
- Texas Legislature
- Quorum Report
- Texas Weekly
- Hill Zoo
- Capitol Inside
- More