Lege's ethics rules raise concerns
Conflict of interest queries can be difficult to avoid.
By Patricia Kilday Hart
Updated 12:55 am, Monday, January 7, 2013
It’s difficult to determine which lawmakers have conflicts of interest, especially consultants and lawyers, because state law does not require them to list their clients.
For instance, Rep. Ruth McClendon, D-San Antonio, lists her occupation as “consultant,” but gives no indication what clients may be providing her income. McClendon did not return calls for comment.
Likewise, Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, works as a “communications consultant,” but does not list her clients. The same is true of the many lawyer-legislators, like Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio; or Rep. Roland Gutierrez, D-San Antonio.
Zaffirini said her communications coaching and consulting was considered “a confidential nature” by many of her clients. Disclosing their names would breach that confidentiality, she said.
Some lawmakers, like Sen. Glenn Hegar, R-Katy, do not disclose their spouse's income; the form stipulates that it must be disclosed only if they have substantial control over the money. Thus, Hegar lists his occupation as farming and makes no mention that his wife, Dara, is a lawyer with the Mark Lanier Firm, a prominent Houston plaintiff's law firm.
“The law requires me to disclose whatever I have control over, and that's what I do,” Hegar said. “I think everybody is trying really hard to operate within the framework of the law.”
Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Lege-s-ethics-rules-raise-concerns-4171555.php#ixzz2HL3P03YY
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