February 28, 2019 •
Dallas Campaign Finance Violations Rampant
This week, information was released showing many members of the Dallas City Council have committed apparent violations of the city’s campaign finance laws. Some councilmembers have said the violations are due to errors in reporting made in good faith. In […]
This week, information was released showing many members of the Dallas City Council have committed apparent violations of the city’s campaign finance laws.
Some councilmembers have said the violations are due to errors in reporting made in good faith.
In addition to receiving contributions from minors, many received contributions over the city-imposed limits. Currently, no body or office is responsible for oversight of campaign finance reporting in Dallas.
To further the problem, the city disagrees about whether the ethics panel could investigate campaign finance violation complaints, or whether the responsibility would fall on the city secretary.
The city has asked the Texas Ethics Commission to intervene, but the state commission has declined to get involved.
Currently, Dallas has a $1,000 individual contribution limit per election cycle for City Council races and a $5,000 individual cap on mayoral races.
August 13, 2018 •
Dallas Councilman Pleads Guilty, Resigns
Dallas City Councilman Dwaine Caraway pled guilty to federal corruption charges last Thursday and has resigned from City Council. Caraway admitted to accepting $450,000 in bribes and kickbacks from two figures in a scandal last year that brought down a […]
Dallas City Councilman Dwaine Caraway pled guilty to federal corruption charges last Thursday and has resigned from City Council.
Caraway admitted to accepting $450,000 in bribes and kickbacks from two figures in a scandal last year that brought down a school bus agency named Dallas County Schools.
City Attorney Larry Casto told City Council a special election must be added to the November 6 election to fill the vacancy.
November 8, 2017 •
Texans Approve Ballot Measure to Loosen Lending Regulations
On Tuesday, Texans voted to loosen some home lending regulations in place since the foreclosure crisis. By a two-thirds margin, the ballot measure expanding who can make a home equity loan and allowing homeowners to convert home equity loans into […]
On Tuesday, Texans voted to loosen some home lending regulations in place since the foreclosure crisis.
By a two-thirds margin, the ballot measure expanding who can make a home equity loan and allowing homeowners to convert home equity loans into conventional mortgage loans was approved.
The measure was widely opposed by fair housing advocates and supported by lenders and the real estate industry. This is the second time in the last five years Texans have voted in favor of more relaxed lending laws.
Meanwhile, in Dallas, voters overwhelmingly approved a $1.05 billion bond package focused on repairing the city’s infrastructure and recreational amenities.
November 8, 2017 •
Texans Approve Ballot Measure to Loosen Lending Regulations
On Tuesday, Texans voted to loosen some home lending regulations in place since the foreclosure crisis. By a two-thirds margin, the ballot measure expanding who can make a home equity loan and allowing homeowners to convert home equity loans into […]
On Tuesday, Texans voted to loosen some home lending regulations in place since the foreclosure crisis.
By a two-thirds margin, the ballot measure expanding who can make a home equity loan and allowing homeowners to convert home equity loans into conventional mortgage loans was approved.
The measure was widely opposed by fair housing advocates and supported by lenders and the real estate industry. This is the second time in the last five years Texans have voted in favor of more relaxed lending laws.
Meanwhile, in Dallas, voters overwhelmingly approved a $1.05 billion bond package focused on repairing the city’s infrastructure and recreational amenities.
March 23, 2017 •
Dallas City Council Approves Ethics Overhaul
On Wednesday, Dallas City Council voted unanimously to overhaul the city’s ethics laws after months of work to tighten rules on lobbying and reduce political influence in City Hall. Among other things, the new ethics rules bar successful campaign managers […]
On Wednesday, Dallas City Council voted unanimously to overhaul the city’s ethics laws after months of work to tighten rules on lobbying and reduce political influence in City Hall.
Among other things, the new ethics rules bar successful campaign managers from lobbying city officials for one year after a campaign, require association leaders as well as attorneys and law firms representing clients to register as lobbyists, lower the gift disclosure threshold from $500 to $250, and broaden the scope of those covered by the law to include city board and commission appointees.
The ordinance will take effect July 1, 2017.
October 20, 2016 •
Dallas County, TX Approves New Purchasing Manual
County commissioners approved a new purchasing manual to ensure consistency and avoid impropriety within the county’s contracting process. A new hiring manager was brought in last year to overhaul a Purchasing Department troubled for years with allegations of political meddling. […]
County commissioners approved a new purchasing manual to ensure consistency and avoid impropriety within the county’s contracting process.
A new hiring manager was brought in last year to overhaul a Purchasing Department troubled for years with allegations of political meddling.
Pursuant to the new manual, the Commissioners Court will still approve contracts handled by the Purchasing Department, but will be unable to override the department’s vendor choices. These changes are the latest in a series of improvements following the federal indictment of a county commissioner for rigging bids and accepting kickbacks in 2014.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.