AAS 4/4/08
Public pushing ethics changes for lawmakers
Individuals pointing out laws that Texas officeholders are evading.


At least 20 Texas lawmakers were fined in recent months for hiding the details of their officeholder spending — paid with political donations — behind vague credit card bills, even though they had been warned about the 1981 credit card law for years.

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John Corbarruvias, a Houston software programmer, targeted the credit card abuse in 40 complaints that he filed last year. About half are still pending.

For example, when a lawmaker just reports a payment to American Express with no explanation of what he purchased, the public doesn't know if the official is spending his campaign money legally or to subsidize his lifestyle.

Corbarruvias, a Democratic activist, discovered the widespread problem while researching a Houston Republican incumbent.

Harrison said the Ethics Commission had tried to get lawmakers to file the reports correctly but was largely ignored. He credited Corbarruvias with elevating the issue with his complaints.

Corbarruvias, however, said some lawmakers pay their fines and fail to correct their reports. Besides, he said, lawmakers pay the fines with campaign donations, not their personal funds.

"It's like stealing money from the bank, getting fined and paying the fine with money you stole," he said.