Richard Morrision now attacking Senator Madla too

[sonias]

(And I approve)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, February 22, 2006


MADLA'S LOBBY-FUNDED SPENDING SPREE OFFENDS CONSTITUENTS IN ONE OF NATION'S POOREST STATE SENATE DISTRICTS

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(AUSTIN) -- A detailed look at the lavish spending by State Senator Frank Madla's from his campaign account over the past three years shows a $1.7 million spree of fine cars, luxury meals, and liquor store tabs that is out-of-step with the constituents he represents in one of the nation's poorest state senate districts, according to a leading Democrat who ran against disgraced congressman Tom DeLay.

"Mr. Madla's lobby-funded lifestyle has done little to improve the quality of life for families living in his district," said Richard Morrison, a Houston attorney and board member of the Texas League of Conservation Voters.

Morrison said Madla's spending spree is particularly offensive in a district where per capita incomes are just $12,404.

Using campaign finance reports filed with the Texas Ethics Commission, Morrison compared Madla's taste for the good life to the lobby-funded golf trips and other controversies surrounding indicted former U.S. Majority leader Tom DeLay.

"While Mr. Madla's spending is apparently legal, it is an affront to the people he claims to represent," Morrison said. "As he was voting to deny water rights to 75,000 residents in El Paso County, for example, he was spending $6,650 on bottled water for himself."

Morrison said Madla's voting record on environmental issues shows "a flair for the mediocre."

"Mr. Madla crossed the line when he filed and fought for a bill that stripped the residents of El Paso's Water Improvement District of their right to vote," Morrison said.

Morrison said Madla's campaign reports for the past three years show that he has been on a $1.7 million spending spree, including more than $65,000 spent on restaurant meals. In some 200 visits to one high-end eatery in San Antonio, Madla's tab totals $18,000, Morrison said.

The report also lists $83,000 in payments for an Austin apartment, $18,500 in liquor store tabs, and even $1,769 for "car washes."


Morrison said Texas ethics laws should be tightened to reduce such subsidies from special-interest lobbyists of a state official's personal lifestyle.


Click here to view Madla's expenditures.


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Contact: Richard Morrison
Email: rrmorrison(at)yahoo(dot)com
Phone: [phone]

Unfortunately I can't get the exact URL of the file to put up a link to. The email link goes through Vertical Response which hides it, and it immediately goes to download a Word file.

I have a copy in pdf format now, if anyone else want's it. Just pm me.

Here's the beginning of the report:

FRANK MADLA’S EXPENDITURE REPORTS

Total Expenditures Reported from January Semiannual Report (January 15, 2003) to 30 Days Before Election Report ( February 6, 2006). Includes both "Friends of Frank Madla - account # 00015837" and "Frank Madla – account 00021162" as filed with the Texas Ethics Commission.

TOTAL EXPENDITURES – 1.68 MILLION DOLLARS


1. Food and Beverage expenses: $183,000.

Including $65K on the Restaurants listed below. Made 97 visits to Piccolo’s Italian Restaurant in San Antonio, average cost per visit, $185.


Madla, you've been very, very bad!

Sonia

[efhmc]

1. You beat me to this. Sorry to be so ignorant but who exactly is Madla?

Those are some expenses alright.

[sonias]

2. Let me introduce you to Frank Madla, TX Senator for District 19

A supposed Democrat who votes with the republicans too much for my comfort. I want Madla out of the Texas Senate for his betrayal on Prop 2. We had an 11 Democratic Senator block on that legislation, and then Madla caved into Craddick and Perry. Like our esteemed Senator Eliot Shapleigh, said "The first vote that the (Senate) Republicans go to get is Frank Madla's." Shapleigh has endorsed Madla's opponent Carlos Uresti in the primary race.

Here's a couple of blog diaries on Burnt Orange Report to get your blood boiling on Madla

http://www.burntorangereport.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=99
Madla Locks Democrats in his (Republican) Trunk

http://www.burntorangereport.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=152
Sen. Frank "In My Trunk" Madla Goes Star Wars

Sonia

[efhmc]

3. Really sorry now that I asked. Why in the world is this guy calling

himself a Democrat? So if he loses to a repuke, it will be a wash. Hope that his opponent in the primary take is all away.