Money, Power,
Politics, and Influence in an around the Texas Conservative Coalition Research
Institute
The Texas Conservative Coalition Research
Institute is perhaps the most important organization in Texas that most Texans
have never heard of. But they have felt its impact when regressive legislation
proposed and supported by TCCRI becomes law.
The board of directors of TCCRI includes
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick, Texas Comptroller
Glen Hegar, 9 state senators and 10 state
representatives. In addition, 13 members of TCCRI’s board are registered
lobbyists, including such powerhouses as Mike Toomey, Lara Keel, and Bill
Oswald. Mr. Oswald represents the interests of Koch Industries in Texas,
and is the registered lobbyist for 9 Koch Industries’ Texas subsidiaries. Tax
returns show that the Charles Koch Foundation contributed $1.8 million to TPPF
in 2018 and another $1.5 million in 2019. In turn, records at the Texas Ethics
Commission indicate that the members of TPPF’s board of directors made campaign
contributions to board members of TCCRI totaling $485,705 during the years
2019-2021. Approximately two-thirds of that amount went to Lt. Gov. Patrick.
A majority of the board members of TCCRI
are members or participants with the American Legislative Exchange Council
(ALEC). Not surprisingly, therefore, many of the cookie-cutter bills developed
in ALEC meetings between legislators from many states and contributing corporations
get introduced in the Texas legislature. Many get passed.
TCCRI reports on its tax returns that it
expends nothing for lobbying activities, thus maintaining its tax-exempt
501(c)(3) status. However, the very structure of the organization belies this
claim. It provides a forum for the deliberations and mutual influence of
state officials, legislators, and registered lobbyists who represent the
interests of some 110 specific client firms and the more general goals of Texas
businesses of low taxes and minimal regulations.