Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

douglas9

(4,358 posts)
Thu Aug 5, 2021, 08:15 AM Aug 2021

Energy industry showers Gov. Greg Abbott, other Texas politicians with campaign cash after they pass

Fixing Texas’ power grid was about the only thing Republicans and Democrats in the legislative session seemed to agree on earlier this year. Power companies were in the hot seat, as millions of Texans who endured a week of subfreezing temperatures with no power demanded sweeping, multibillion dollar improvements to prevent another deadly disaster — and lawmakers promised action.
But by the end of the legislative session, if Texas’ top power companies were aggrieved by the way they were treated by the Legislature or any of the new laws passed targeting their industry, they didn’t show it.

Texas elected officials can’t receive campaign donations during the session, but after it ended in May, they were showered in cash by the energy industry — even more than usual for a group known for its deep pockets and generous campaign giving.

From June 21 to June 30, after the legislative fundraising blackout ended, five of the largest and most prominent companies in the Texas power grid supply chain — Calpine, Centerpoint, NRG Energy, Oncor and Vistra — or their top executives collectively donated about $497,000 to state elected officials and political groups. That's more than twice the $207,000 they gave during the same period when the legislative session ended in in 2019, according to a Texas Tribune analysis. A large chunk of that cash was driven by Oncor, Texas’ largest transmission and distribution electric company, with many big donations coming from the company's executives.


https://www.sacurrent.com/the-daily/archives/2021/08/04/energy-industry-showers-gov-greg-abbott-other-texas-politicians-with-campaign-cash-after-they-passed-power-grid-bills

3 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Energy industry showers Gov. Greg Abbott, other Texas politicians with campaign cash after they pass (Original Post) douglas9 Aug 2021 OP
Oh it's "fixed" alright. Fixed against consumers, competitive rates, and reliability. Comfortably_Numb Aug 2021 #1
Why do we put up with this shit year after year? nt AndyS Aug 2021 #2
It's the old "pay to play" politics over and over again... You have the money to fund the mitch96 Aug 2021 #3

Comfortably_Numb

(3,807 posts)
1. Oh it's "fixed" alright. Fixed against consumers, competitive rates, and reliability.
Thu Aug 5, 2021, 09:12 AM
Aug 2021

Gregg Abbott is an abomination.

mitch96

(13,904 posts)
3. It's the old "pay to play" politics over and over again... You have the money to fund the
Thu Aug 5, 2021, 12:35 PM
Aug 2021

politicians who will restrict the vote and pass your agenda. Pay for gerrymandering if it's a liberal area. It needs to stop but how?
m

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»Texas»Energy industry showers G...