1. Ethics Reform for the 85th Legislative Session
State Senator Van Taylor
Texas Public Policy Foundation Policy Orientation
12 January 2017

2. What They Are Saying? Governor Greg Abbott:
“Senator Van Taylor, yes. We do need real ethics reform, like what you wrote last time not the watered down version we got.” (TPPF 2016 Policy Orientation Key Note Address, 1/8/16)
It's reprehensible that the members of the legislature tried to water down ethics reform and violate their compact with their fellow citizens, their voters who put them in office… They are cheating their own voters. I demand that they pass ethics reforms this next time. (KVUE, 1/27/1
Lt Governor Dan Patrick:
“SB 14 will strengthen Texas ethics laws, and ensure government officials and employees are held to high standards that inspire the public’s confidence in a transparent and ethically principled government.” (Lt. Governor Patrick Announces Additional Legislative Priorities, 11/21/16)

3. DMN Commentary: “A Path to Ethics Reform”
“An unfortunate observation from my time in Austin is when the will of the people runs counter to the desires of entrenched politicians and insider lobbyists, the illusion of action often trumps the pursuit of meaningful solutions. … So here ethics reform lingers, stuck between an innocuous title, a barrage of bizarre stunts, and mystifying sleight of hand. We can break this cycle.”
“Recognizing the legislative vulnerability of an ethics reform omnibus bill, last session's votes offer a road map to navigate the turbulent topic. By patching together measures that gained overwhelming support, but did not make it through the full process, the 85th Legislature can do the people's work without the unnecessary theatrics.”

4. Pillars for Ethics Reform
Felon Politicians Lose Pension and Office
Disclosure of Government Contracts, Bond Counsel, and Legal Referral Fees
Shining Light On Lobbyist Wining and Dining
Clear Line Between Elected Official and Lobbyist

5. Felon Politicians Lose Pension And Office
HB 681 (84R- Authored by Representative Sheets) passed House UNANIMOUSLY
Senator Van Taylor Amendment #1 to HB 408 (84R) passed Senate UNANIMOUSLY
Senator Birdwell Amendment #8 to SB19 (84R) passed Senate UNANIMOUSLY
Representative Canales Amendment #17 to SB19 (84R) passed House UNANIMOUSLY

6. Disclosure of Government Contracts, Bond Counsel & Legal Referral Fees
HB 1294 (84R- Authored by Representative Capriglione) passed House UNANIMOUSLY
SB19 (84R- Authored by Senator Van Taylor) passed the Senate UNANIMOUSLY
Senator Huffman Amendment #13 to SB19 (84R) passed Senate UNANIMOUSLY

7. Shining Light On Lobbyist Wining and Dining
SB 585 and SB 586 (84R- Authored by Senator Watson) passed the Senate UNANIMOUSLY
Senator Watson Amendments #10 and #11 to SB19 passed the Senate UNANIMOUSLY
Greater reporting of lobbyist meals were included in both the House passed version of SB19 and in Representative Rinaldi Amendment #27 to SB19. Added together, a total 125 HOUSE MEMBERS voted for a version of this provision.

8. Clear Line Between Elected Official and Lobbyist
No elected lobbyists passed Senate in SB19 (84R) UNANIMOUSLY
Both chambers identified the revolving door of elected official to lobbyist as a cornerstone issue for reform. Within the different versions of SB19 (84R), the Senate passed a one-full legislative session cooling-off period and House passed a one-full legislative session freeze on using campaign account for lobbying. When combined, the Senate UNANIMOUSLY supported revolving door reform, as did 125 HOUSE MEMBERS.

9. Mission Statement
Whether it be House, Senate, Republican, Democrat, urban, rural, newly elected or veteran members, every officeholder should recognize the enormity of the trust granted to us by the people to represent their families in government.
It is an affirmation to the people that our efforts to represent them rise above even the appearance of impropriety or self-service, and that after the dust settles from important policy debates they have the confidence to know, in no uncertain terms, that we work for them no matter our party or position.
From the disillusionment left by last session's ethics reform failures, the upcoming 85th Legislature presents an opportunity to honor the promise every elected official makes when they place their name on the ballot: that we serve our constituents. Period.

10. #EthicsReformNow
State Senator Van Taylor Senate District 8 – Collin, Dallas counties District: Capitol: