With the legislative session in the rear view mirror and candidate filing set to kick off in a matter of days, a number of interest groups have published scorecards rating members of the state legislature. One of these groups is the Texas Association of Business, a powerful Austin lobby group. Over the years, the Texas Association of Business has given Republican voters the perception that they are a conservative organization. The truth, however, is quite different.
In recent weeks, a number of articles have been published in national media outlets regarding a well-funded effort by allegedly “pro-business” groups to get involved in Republican primaries against candidates and officeholders associated with the “TEA Party” movement. These news reports have identified the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers as major players in this effort to defeat principled conservative candidates.
A quick look at the website of the Texas Association of Business website shows a list of their associated organizations. Topping this list are none other than the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers.
The Texas Association of Business has not yet publicly acknowledged any plans to fight the TEA Party here in Texas. However, a review of their 2013 legislative scorecard clearly shows that such efforts are underway.
In their ratings of the Texas House of Representatives, The Texas Association of Business ranked libertarian-leaning conservative David Simpson dead last with a score of 47, the same score earned by several of the most outspoken liberals in the legislature such as Lon Burnam and Mary Gonzalez. TEA Party backed freshman Jonathan Stickland earned a score of 71 on their scorecard, placing him behind 15 liberal House Democrats and tied with notorious Houston liberal Hubert Vo. Six other conservative Republicans earned scores of 73, the same score earned by El Paso Democrat Naomi Gonzalez (who made headlines when she was arrested for DWI after causing a car accident during the legislative session).
The Texas Association of Business’ ratings of State Senators are even more laughable. State Senators Ken Paxton, Donna Campbell, and Dan Patrick are generally considered three of the most conservative members of the State Senate. They each earned a score of 82 from the Texas Association of Business- the same score earned by liberal Democrats Eddie Lucio, Carlos Uresti (a rumored Democratic candidate for Attorney General), and Leticia Van de Putte (a rumored Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor).
If one were to base their votes solely off the Texas Association of Business scorecard, there would be no difference between Ken Paxton and Carlos Uresti should they face each other in a race for Attorney General, nor would there be any difference between Dan Patrick and Leticia Van de Putte in a race for Lt. Governor.
12 of the 31 members of the State Senate earned scores of 91- including Democrats John Whitmire and Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa.
Any legislator who earns a score of 90 of above on the Texas Association of Business scorecard is given the distinction of “Champion for Free Enterprise”, which is described as “the highest honor that a legislator can receive” from their organization. Their apparent belief that John Whitmire, who has been a leading champion of liberal causes during his four decades in public office, is a stronger supporter of “free enterprise” than Dan Patrick, Ken Paxton, or Donna Campbell, is absurd.
I challenge Bill Hammond, the President of the Texas Association of Business, to publicly explain exactly how and why particular votes were chosen to be included in his scorecard and to also explain why any conservative should listen to an organization that bestows its highest honor upon John Whitmire while simultaneously giving its lowest rating to David Simpson.
Members of the Texas Legislature should not lend credibility to this scorecard by touting their “Champion for Free Enterprise” or “Fighter for Free Enterprise” designations if so earned. Republican legislators who make the decision to promote such a designation as if it was some kind of meaningful honor should be questioned both as to why they are touting support from an organization that is so closely tied to efforts to marginalize the “TEA Party” and why they are proud to have received the same honor also given to liberals such as John Whitmire.
Mark McCaig is President of Texans For Individual Rights and hosts “The Mark McCaig Show” every Sunday at 4pm on AM 1070 The Answer.
These groups TAB, Greater Houston Partnership, Chamber of Commerce are cartels keeping vigilance over their cheap labor subsidized by Texas taxpayers.They control the entire political scene.
You hit the nail on the head Liz! Cartels describe them perfectly. It is all about cheap labor and who gives a darn about the working class, tax paying Texans.
Well, it is clear who not to listen to in these ratings — but then again, so many of the raters and slate-makers have something other than principle behind their efforts.
Mark, thanks so much for bring the truth to light about these groups. The electorate is under the misconception that any group with “business” in it’s name is conservative. Since their life blood is cheap labor and Democrats and RINOS bond together in favor of another amnesty, that’s where they’ll put their money. They defeated us with an infusion of money during the 2011 legislative session when it came to anti-illegal immigration bills, most specifically the anti-sanctuary city bill, and they’ll do whatever they need to do to get another amnesty passed. These groups have already gone on the record as saying they are going to target Tea Party candidates with the intent of defeating them.
We witnessed those actions from our legislators in the 82nd session. Actually, we had a group of citizen lobbyist who were told, out right, by a staffer in one of our house reps office to talk to the TX Association of Business lobbyist about the anti-sanctuary city bill we were supporting. Really! Our response? We did not elect TAB lobbyist to represent us & they should not have more influence than constituents, period.
The back door deals that are made at the cost of Texans & Texas’ sovereignty make me sick. We must work hard to keep these real tea party conservatives in office and, God willing, add some more in 2014.
Amen Tanya and the fight continues. They come up for re-election next year. The tea party is energized and we have very long memories.
I just had one of these guys solicit my membership at my business. A quick check of the internet revealed their two-faced approach to politics. They basically score everyone as business ‘friendly’, even those far leftwing ‘wealth distribution’ socialists that wish to saddle my small business with heavier taxes. I grow weary of such subterfuge. The next time one appears at my business, he is going to get his hair singed!