Commission asks state to buy some ‘teeth’ for a watchdog agency
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Following a brief discussion at the Capitol Thursday, the Texas Ethics Commission voted unanimously to ask state lawmakers for the resources needed to get the job done.
Publicly, the Texas Ethics Commission has long been criticized for doing little about lawmakers who don't play by the rules.
"Many people complain that this is a toothless agency, they shouldn't complain if we ask to get a few teeth," Texas Ethics Commission Member Chase Untermeyer said.
Chair Tom Ramsay sites public misconception when it comes to the role of this state agency. By design, the commission keeps tabs on campaign finance.
“Where the money was from mainly, where it was going,” he said. “You know, who was giving it and who was getting it."
One item on the agenda--which the board decided against-- would have stripped away the budget and ethics investigation duties of the Travis County Public Integrity Unit.
The commission declined the measure, saying the White Collar crime unit belongs in Travis County's jurisdiction.
Any extra funding the Texas Ethics Commission might receive must be approved by the Texas legislature.
The commission will also ask the legislature to change state law to allow the agency to share investigation information with prosecutors. Current state law prohibits that information exchange.