By Loren Miller
Interest Groups

Politics is the process of influencing public
policy decisions to protect and preserve a
group, to achieve a group’s goals, and to
distribute benefits to a group’s members.

History shows that people who organize for
political action tend to be more effective in
achieving their goals than persons acting
alone.
Interest Groups

When people attempt to influence political
decisions or the selection of men and women
who make such decisions, they usually turn
either to political parties or to interest groups.

An interest group is also known as a:
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Pressure group
Special interest group
Lobby
Interest Groups

An organization whose members share
common views and objectives.

To promote their interests, such groups
participate in activities designed to influence
government officials and policy decisions.
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Lobbying
Electioneering
Role of the Lobby and Interest Groups
Business Groups and Trade
Associations

Business groups and trade associations are the
most powerful interest groups in Texas politics.
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The “8-F Crowd” ran Texas government for 40 years

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Business groups wield influence at all levels of state
politics and on a variety of issues
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George Brown (Brown and Root Construction), Jesse Jones
(Texas Commerce Bank), Gus Wortham (American General
Life Insurance) and James Elkins (Vinson & Elkins law firm)
Educational finance, insurance regulation, water development,
immigration, transportation
Business interests pursue their goals both as
individual firms and through trade associations.
Business Groups and Trade
Associations

A trade association is an organization
representing the interests of firms and
professions in the same general field.
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The Texas Association of Business is a trade association for
business firms ranging from giant corporations to small
neighborhood business establishments.
The Texas Association of Builders is a trade association
representing the interests of building contractors.
The Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association is a trade
association that speaks for the concerns of major oil
producers
The Insurance Council of Texas is a trade association
representing insurance companies.
Business Groups and Trade
Associations

Business groups and trade associations are
effective because they are well organized, well
financed and skilled in advocating their
positions.
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Businesspeople usually know what they want from
government and have the financial and
organizational resources to pursue their goals
aggressively.
Business groups also have a favorable public image
(especially small business)
Business Groups and Trade
Associations

Business groups and trade associations
generally agree on the need to maintain a good
business climate.
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A low tax rate on business
Laws that restrict union influence
Regulations favorable to business growth
Support education to train the skilled and welleducated workforce needed for high-technology
development
Business Groups and Trade
Associations

For six years in a row, chief executives
nationwide have rated Texas as the best state
in the nation to do business while California
and New York are the worst (Chief Executive
Magazine).
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Transportation
Tax policy
Access to capital
Technology
Innovation
Quality of living
Business Groups and Trade
Associations

Business interests are more influential in Texas
politics than they are in national politics
because there are fewer competitors in Texas.

Organized labor, consumer groups,
environmental organizations and other groups
that often oppose business interests are
relatively weak in Texas.
Business Groups Generally Oppose Environmental Regulations
Professional Associations

Organizations of doctors, lawyers, realtors, and
teachers are also important participators in
Texas politics.
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Texas Medical Association is a professional
organization of physicians
Texas Trial Lawyers Association is an organization
of attorney who represent plaintiffs in personal injury
lawsuits
Texas Association of Realtors is an organization of
real estate professionals.
Professional Associations

Professional associations are influential
because of the relatively high socioeconomic
status of their members.
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Money and political influence are closely tied
Professional associations enjoy an added
advantage in that many elected officials come
from the ranks of professionals (especially
lawyers).
Professional Associations

Professional associations concern themselves
with public policies that affect their members.
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Doctors and lawyers often battle each other over
medical damage award caps in malpractice lawsuits
Real estate professionals are primarily concerned
with policies affecting real estate transactions such
as home equity lending and professional licensure.
Teacher organizations focus on teacher pay and
pensions as well as the whole range of education
issues.
Organized Labor

Organized labor is relatively weak in Texas as
state laws make it difficult for unions to
organize workers and easy for businesses to
use non-union labor.

Texas has a right-to-work law, a statute
prohibiting a union shop which is a workplace
in which every employee must belong to a
union.
Organized Labor

In states without right-to-work laws, the
employees vote whether to create a union
shop. If a majority agree, then all employees
must just the union and pay union dues,

Pro right-to-work: No one should be forced to
join a union and pay dues.

Anti right-to-work: It’s not fair that non-union
members benefit from union representation
when they do not pay union dues.
Organized Labor

Nationally, labor unions are strongest in the
large industrial states of the Northeast and
Midwest.
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New York – 25% of the workers were union (2010)
Michigan – 17% of the workers were union (2010)
Texas – 5.4% of the workers were union (2010)
Labor unions in Texas are too small and too
poorly organized to compete against business
groups.
Agricultural Groups

Agricultural interests have long been powerful
in Texas politics.
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In the 19th century the most influential political
voices in the state were those of major landowners.
Even after Texas became an urban state, rural
areas retained power.
Urbanization has weakened rural interests in Texas,
but farm groups retain influence.
Agricultural Groups

The Texas Farm Bureau represents the
interests of farmers, ranchers and people living
in rural areas.
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As urban areas sprawl into farmland, farmers are
hurt by rising property taxes.

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Farm groups lobbied successfully to have farmland taxed
on the value as farmland, not on the value as the site of a
future subdivision.
Agricultural interests have won tax breaks on the
purchase of farm machinery, seed grain, and
fertilizer.
Racial & Ethnic Minority Groups

Racial and ethnic minority groups enjoy some
political influence in Texas.

Minority groups are interested in the
enforcement of laws protecting the voting rights
of minority citizens, the election and
appointment of minority Texans to state and
local offices, college admission policies,
services for low-income residents of the state,
inner-city development and economic
development (particularly in South Texas).
Racial & Ethnic Minority Groups

The two best known minority rights
organizations in the state are the League of
United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and
the National Association for the Advancement
of Colored People (NAACP).

In recent legislative sessions they have pushed
for hate-crime legislation, the elimination of
racial profiling, and additional funding for public
education and healthcare programs.
Racial & Ethnic Minority Groups

Racial and ethnic minority groups are
becoming more influential in Texas politics.

Nonetheless, they are not as powerful as the
more established interest groups in the state.
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Racial and ethnic minority groups are sometimes
divided among themselves and are almost always
short of funds.
Many minority residents are not registered to vote
and others stay home on election day.
Many minority voters do not necessarily follow the
political lead of groups like LULAC and the NAACP.
Religious Groups

Churches and other religious institutions
provide the foundation for a number of political
organizations.
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Roman Catholic and Protestant churches in poor
and minority areas have helped organize political
groups to support healthcare, and education.
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Communities Organized for Public Service (COPS)
Interfaith Alliance in the Rio Grande Valley
Metropolitan Organization (TMO) in Houston
– They favor the expansion of SCHIP coverage
(providing healthcare to low-income families),
increased funding for public education and protecting
the rights of immigrant workers.
Religious Groups

The most active and probably most influential
religiously oriented political groups are
associated with the religious right, who are
individuals who hold conservative social views
because of their religious beliefs.
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Focus on the Family
Eagle Forum
American Family Association
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They oppose abortion, pornography, stem-cell research,
gay marriage, and the teaching of evolution in the public
schools.
They favor abstinence-based sex education, prayer in
schools, and home schooling.
Religious Groups

Conservative Christian groups are an important
part of the base of the Texas Republican Party.
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Legislative successes include:
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Constitutional amendment to outlaw gay marriage
Adopt a measure to require couples to attend
premarital counseling or pay higher marriage
license fees.
Defeated efforts to expand legalized gambling
Requiring women who want an abortion to undergo
a sonogram.
Citizen Groups
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Citizen groups are organizations created to
support government policies that they believe
will benefit the public at-large.
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Texans for Public Justice and Common Cause
are organizations that work for campaign
finance reform, ethics regulations for public
officials, and other good-government causes.
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Texas Public Interest Research Group and
Texas Watch are consumer rights
organizations.
Advocacy Groups

Advocacy groups are organizations created to
seek benefits on behalf of persons who are
unable to represent their own interests.
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The Children’s Defense Fund is an
organization that attempts to promote the
welfare of children.
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The Texas AIDS Network represents the
interests of people with HIV/AIDS.
Cause Groups
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Cause groups are organizations whose
members care intensely about a single issue or
group of related issues.
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The Texas Right to Life Committee opposes
abortion while the NARAL Pro-Choice Texas
favors abortion rights.
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The National Rifle Association (NRA), National
Organization for Women (NOW) and AARP are
all “cause groups.”
Citizen, Advocacy & Cause
Groups
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These groups vary in political influence
depending on their organizational strength, the
power of the opposition and the popularity of
their cause.
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MADD has been able to overcome the opposition of
the liquor industry and lawyers of DWI defendants.
The Sierra Club has not been able to overcome the
opposition of the oil and gas industry and electric
utilities.
Lobby Contracts by Interests Represented in Texas
2011
Interest Group
Energy/Nat’l Resources
Health
Misc. Business
Communications
Finance
Lawyers
Insurance
Transportation
Construction
Real Estate
Agriculture
Labor
Value of Contracts
# of Contracts
$64,125,000
$53,230,000
$40,785,000
$22,950,000
$18,390,000
$17,200,000
$14,100,000
$13,105,000
$12,675,000
$10,355,000
$ 6,900,000
$ 6,265,000
1,357
1,239
1,024
399
479
366
360
360
305
321
195
130
Lobbying

The term “lobbying” comes from the place
where petitioners used to collar legislators.
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You “hung out” waiting for a legislator to appear
Lobbyists are political persuaders who
represent organized groups.
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Many lobbyists are former legislators (is this a
potential problem?)
Role of Lobbyists
Number of Legislators Who
Turned to Lobbying
2010
Lobbying

Texas legislators can turn around and lobby
their former colleagues the day after he or she
leaves office.
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While legislators are required to report lobby
contributions (there are no limits to political
contributions in Texas), contributions to
legislator’s families (hiring a spouse, etc.) are
not required to be reported.
Lobbying
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There are two basic types of lobbyists:
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A regular paid employee of a corporation, union or
association
People who are available for hire on a temporary
basis

In recent years, Texas has ranked second to
California in money spent on lobbying the state
government

There are more than 1,800 registered lobbyists
in Texas.
Lobby Spending in Texas
AT&T
Energy Future Holdings Corp
American Electric Power
Center Point Energy
McGinnis Lochridge & Kilgore
Global Gaming
Texas Ass’n for Home Care
Oncor Electric Delivery Co.
Texas Medical Association
Texas Ass’n of Realtors
TXU Energy
Texas Cable Ass’n
Luminant Holding Co.
Communications
Energy/Natural Resources
Energy/Natural Resources
Energy/Natural Resources
Lawyers
Gambling
Health
Energy/Natural Resources
Health
Real Estate
Energy/Natural Resources
Communications
Energy/Natural Resources
2011
10.6m
2.6m
2.0m
1.8m
1.7m
1.6m
1.5m
1.5m
1.4m
1.4m
1.3m
1.3m
1.2m
Lobbying
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In addition to trying to influence legislators:
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They are important sources of information
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They can help politicians with political strategy for
getting legislation through (or blocking it)
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They can help formulate campaign strategy and get
the group’s members behind politicians election
campaign
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They are a source of ideas and innovation
Lobbying
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The regulation of lobbying activity in Texas is
minimal at best.
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A person seeking to influence policy must register
as a lobbyist
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A lobbyist must disclose (within a range) their
compensation
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A lobbyist may not make any contribution from 30
days prior to the start of the legislative session to 20
days after its conclusion.
Electioneering

Aiding candidates financially and getting group
members out to support them.
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A means for groups to participate is provided
by Political Action Committees.
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No major interest group seeking to exert influence
on the political process can pass up the opportunity
to funnel money honestly and openly into the
campaign coffers of its supporters.
Electioneering

The Texas Ethics Commission defines a PAC
as “a group of persons that has a principal
purpose of accepting political contributions or
making political contributions.”
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Texas statutes prohibit direct political
contributions by corporations and labor unions
to individual candidates.
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These and other groups may form PACs composed
of their employees or members.
Electioneering

Texas imposes no limit on what PACs or
individuals can raise or contribute to
candidates running for statewide offices or the
legislature, except in judicial races.
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Bo Pilgrim
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Robert Riggs Reports Bo Pilgrim Gives $10K Checks
to Texas lawmakers 1989 - YouTube
PAC Spending By Sector
(%)
1
5
43
51
Business
Ideological/Single Issue
Labor
Miscellaneous
2011
Do Lobbyists Make Money?
Carol McGarah
Rusty Kelley
Andrea McWilliams
Dean McWilliams
Mignon McGarry
Stan Schluter
“Reggie” Bashur
*
**
***
***
****
*****
******
4.3m
4.0m
3.7m
3.7m
3.1m
2.7m
2.1m
77
76
48
48
36
22
25
*Former Committee Director for the Senate Natural Resources Committee
**Former Chief of Staff of the Speaker of the House
***Former Chief of Staff for a State Representative
****Former Chief of Staff of the Dean of the Texas Senate
*****Ex-Chair House Calendar Committee
*****Ex-governor’s aid
2011
Electioneering

In addition to their role in financing campaigns,
interest groups participate in numerous other
ways:
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Recruiting interest group members to run for office.
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Issuing official group endorsements.
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Providing volunteer labor to participate in campaign
work.
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Sending delegates to state and national party
conventions to influence the party platforms.
Interest Group Endorsements
Governor 2010
Governor Perry was endorsed by:
Texas Association of Manufacturers
Texas Right to Life
Texas Association of Realtors
National Rifle Association
Bill White was endorsed by:
Texas State Teachers Association
Texas League of Conservation Voters
AFL-CIO
Dallas Morning News
Public Relations Campaigns
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Interest groups attempt to influence policy by
building public support for their points of view.
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Elected official are unlikely to jeopardize their
political future by publically supporting an unpopular
cause.
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Interest groups know that their lobbying efforts will
be more effective if policymakers know that their
group’s goals enjoy public support.
Public Relations Campaigns
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Groups attempt to demonstrate popular
support for their goals by convincing ordinary
citizens to contact members of the legislature
about a particular position.
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Groups purchase billboards, run television and
radio ads, use radio talk shows and other
media to publicize their point of view.
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Groups with a large membership base attempt
to mobilize their members to take action
(TCCTA).
Public Relations Campaigns
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Groups also publish legislative scorecards
showing how individual members voted on
issues important to the group. * **
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Groups use social media like Facebook and
Twitter to alert their supporters to key votes
and urge them to contact their legislators.
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Groups without substantial membership or
financial resources may publish research
reports on issues.
Litigation

Sometimes interest groups use litigation
(lawsuits) to achieve their goals.
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Environmental groups might file a lawsuit against a
known polluter for violating the Clean Air Act.
Protest Demonstrations
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Some groups attempt to influence public
opinion by means of protest demonstrations.
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In general, protest demonstrations are used by
groups unable to achieve their goals through
other means.
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Protests in opposition to the construction of a
nuclear power plant.
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Tea Party activists opposing a proposed tax
increase.