The Governor’s Lobbyists

Here’s a snapshot of the most prominent lobbyists and big donors who are part of Rick Perry’s special-interest circle, with an emphasis on the current big-dollar state projects – i.e., welfare for the rich – in progress.

Bob “Split Level” Perry: The Houston homebuilder (no relation to Rick) and the state’s top political donor successfully pushed through legislation in 2003 creating the Texas Residential Construction Commission, billed as a consumer-protection agency. In fact, it’s designed to protect builders against lawsuits for shoddy construction, creating a wall of “mediation” that’s virtually consumer-proof. This year, Perry is fighting legislative calls for major changes at the commission. Three different bills have been filed that would add teeth to the commission’s consumer-protection responsibilities. Don’t bet against Perry’s Perry.

James “Lord Voucher” Leininger: The San Antonio medical-bed tycoon and the state’s No. 2 campaign cash cow continues throwing bad money after bad in his relentless pursuit of a school-voucher program. Rep. Frank Corte, R-San Antonio, has filed a bill to create a “pilot program” for vouchers – a repeat of one the House rejected in 2005. Perry says he supports a voucher program, but he didn’t breathe a word about it in his State of the State address. Even less voucher-friendly after last November, the Lege is likely to deep-six the Corte proposal again this year.

Mike “So Sue Me” Toomey: The governor’s former chief of staff – the backstage manager of tort deform – is more widely known these days for his lobby work on behalf of human papillomavirus vaccine manufacturer Merck & Co. Perry is still feeling the backlash against his executive order requiring young girls to receive the vaccination. Toomey’s roster of heavily monied clients includes AT&T, Associated Builders & Contractors of Texas, Texans for Lawsuit Reform, and pro-voucher group Texans for School Choice.

Dan “Toll Texas” Shelley: Among other clients, Perry’s former liaison to the Legislature won a lobby contract last year with Cintra, the Spanish company awarded the state’s $7 billion toll-road project. As the Dallas Morning News noted in an Aug. 16 story, Shelley served as a consultant to the company before joining Perry’s staff in 2005. Cintra won the highway job shortly after Shelley started his state job.

Ray “Speakeasy” Sullivan: This former spokesman for both Perry and George W. Bush recently landed in news reports connecting the dots between financial-services firm (and Sullivan lobby client) UBS and Perry’s proposal to privatize the state lottery. Should the state decide to sell the lottery, UBS would likely bid for the contract to broker the deal. Sullivan also lobbies for AT&T and HNTB Corporation, a consulting firm on contract with the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority.

Phil “Get It and Go” Gramm: The former U.S. senator, now a vice chairman of financial services giant UBS, has sold Perry on the idea of selling the state lottery to a private company. Legislative leaders don’t appear to share Perry and Gramm’s enthusiasm, but should they change their minds, UBS stands to reap millions.

This article appears in March 2 • 2007.

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