As the Legislature gets underway and committees begin considering proposed legislation, taking a look at the financial backings of legislators can often explain why a certain legislator sits on a particular committee, or why certain bills are moving or stalling in committee. Recently, Transparency Texas detailed the lobbying activities of the Texas Medical Association PAC …

Founded in 1949, Texas Trial Lawyers Association (TTLA) is an organization whose membership is made up of plaintiff’s attorneys. TTLA PAC is known to support Democrat candidates and PACs, and has traditionally received support from some of the state’s most prominent liberal donors. In 2003, TTLA faced off with Texans for Lawsuit Reform (TLR) in …

Richard Weekley is a co-founder of Weekley Homes and co-founder, Chairman and CEO of Texans for Lawsuit Reform (TLR), a statewide tort reform organization. Since the 1990s, TLR has won hard-fought legislative victories, including preventing trial lawyers from “shopping” for juries. Supporters of TLR and Mr. Weekley himself have argued these efforts made Texas more business-friendly …

Established in 1853, the Texas Medical Association (TMA) and its affiliated PAC, Texas Medical Association PAC (TEXPAC) are among the largest and most active trade associations and political action committees in Texas. TMA’s 50,000-person membership engages heavily during each legislative session. In 2003 TMA achieved its most notable legislative victory when they joined the Republican …

Charles Butt is Chairman and CEO of grocery store chain HEB and is listed by Forbes as both the richest man in his hometown of San Antonio and among America’s billionaires. Though he has no children of his own, he considers supporting public schools among his highest priorities. He gave $1,975,500 to Texas candidates and …