A key Republican priority is back on the table in Texas: banning taxpayer-funded lobbying. State Sen. Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston) filed Senate Bill 19 on Thursday, reigniting a long-standing effort to stop local governments and school boards from using public funds to hire lobbyists.
What the Bill Does
SB 19 would prohibit cities, counties, and school districts from using taxpayer money to hire registered lobbyists or fund associations that lobby on their behalf, such as the Texas Municipal League (TML) and the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB). However, the bill does allow government employees and elected officials to advocate for or against legislation, as long as they do not meet the legal definition of a registered lobbyist.
Middleton argues that taxpayer-funded lobbying works against the interests of Texans. “For too long, taxpayers' and parents' own tax dollars have been used to lobby against them in Austin,” he said, citing opposition to border security, election integrity, and parental choice in education as examples.
The Debate
Supporters of the bill, like Middleton and conservative advocacy groups, believe public funds should not be used to influence legislation—especially when it contradicts taxpayers' interests. Critics, including TASB, say the bill would silence local governments and school leaders, preventing them from effectively representing their communities.
"Efforts to silence the collective voice of school leaders and educators… equates to community censorship," a TASB spokesperson said. They argue that public education should have the same right to advocacy as any other industry or interest group.
A Long Battle in the Legislature
This isn’t the first time Middleton has tried to pass a lobbying ban. Similar bills have cleared the Senate in previous sessions but stalled in the House. In past years, efforts to water down or amend the bill have led to its failure. However, some believe this session could be different.
State Rep. Ellen Troxclair (R-Lakeway) recently expressed confidence that the House will pass the ban this time. House Speaker Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) has been a longtime supporter, which could give the bill a better chance than before. But opposition remains, including from House State Affairs Committee Chair Ken King (R-Canadian), who has not backed the ban in the past.
What’s Next?
The Senate is expected to pass SB 19 once again, setting up a showdown in the House. Whether the bill advances or gets blocked once more will depend on how lawmakers in the lower chamber handle the fight over taxpayer-funded lobbying.
