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:– 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.– 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.– The “8-F Crowd” ran Texas government for 40 years

George Brown (Brown and Root Construction), Jesse Jones (Texas Commerce Bank), Gus Wortham (American General Life Insurance) and James Elkins (Vinson & Elkins law firm)

– Business groups wield influence at all levels of state politics and on a variety of issues

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.– 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.– 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.– A low tax rate on business – Laws that restrict union influence– Regulations favorable to business growth– Support education to train the skilled and well-

educated 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).– 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.– 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.– 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.– 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.– 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. – 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.– As urban areas sprawl into farmland, farmers are

hurt by rising property taxes. 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.– 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.– Roman Catholic and Protestant churches in poor

and minority areas have helped organize political groups to support healthcare, and education.

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.– Focus on the Family– Eagle Forum– American Family Association

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.

Legislative successes include:– 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 Citizen groups are organizations created to

support government policies that they believe will benefit the public at-large.

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.

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.

The Children’s Defense Fund is an organization that attempts to promote the welfare of children.

The Texas AIDS Network represents the interests of people with HIV/AIDS.

Cause Groups Cause groups are organizations whose

members care intensely about a single issue or group of related issues.

The Texas Right to Life Committee opposes abortion while the NARAL Pro-Choice Texas favors abortion rights.

The National Rifle Association (NRA), National Organization for Women (NOW) and AARP are all “cause groups.”

Citizen, Advocacy & Cause Groups

These groups vary in political influence depending on their organizational strength, the power of the opposition and the popularity of their cause.– 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 Texas2011

Interest Group Value of Contracts # of Contracts

Energy/Nat’l Resources $64,125,000 1,357Health $53,230,000 1,239Misc. Business $40,785,000 1,024Communications $22,950,000 399Finance $18,390,000 479Lawyers $17,200,000 366Insurance $14,100,000 360Transportation $13,105,000 360Construction $12,675,000 305Real Estate $10,355,000 321Agriculture $ 6,900,000 195Labor $ 6,265,000 130

Lobbying

The term “lobbying” comes from the place where petitioners used to collar legislators.– You “hung out” waiting for a legislator to appear

Lobbyists are political persuaders who represent organized groups.– 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.

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

There are two basic types of lobbyists:– 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

2011

AT&T Communications 10.6mEnergy Future Holdings Corp Energy/Natural Resources 2.6mAmerican Electric Power Energy/Natural Resources 2.0mCenter Point Energy Energy/Natural Resources 1.8mMcGinnis Lochridge & Kilgore Lawyers 1.7mGlobal Gaming Gambling 1.6mTexas Ass’n for Home Care Health 1.5mOncor Electric Delivery Co.Energy/Natural Resources 1.5mTexas Medical Association Health 1.4mTexas Ass’n of Realtors Real Estate 1.4mTXU Energy Energy/Natural Resources 1.3mTexas Cable Ass’n Communications 1.3mLuminant Holding Co. Energy/Natural Resources 1.2m

Lobbying In addition to trying to influence legislators:

– They are important sources of information

– They can help politicians with political strategy for getting legislation through (or blocking it)

– They can help formulate campaign strategy and get the group’s members behind politicians election campaign

– They are a source of ideas and innovation

Lobbying The regulation of lobbying activity in Texas is

minimal at best.

– A person seeking to influence policy must register as a lobbyist

– A lobbyist must disclose (within a range) their compensation

– 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.

A means for groups to participate is provided by Political Action Committees.

– 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.”

Texas statutes prohibit direct political contributions by corporations and labor unions to individual candidates.

– 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.

– Bo Pilgrim– Robert Riggs Reports Bo Pilgrim Gives $10K Checks t

o Texas lawmakers 1989 - YouTube

PAC Spending By Sector(%)

5143

5

1

BusinessIdeological/Single IssueLaborMiscellaneous

2011

Do Lobbyists Make Money?

2011

Carol McGarah * 4.3m 77Rusty Kelley ** 4.0m 76Andrea McWilliams *** 3.7m 48Dean McWilliams *** 3.7m 48Mignon McGarry **** 3.1m 36Stan Schluter ***** 2.7m 22“Reggie” Bashur ****** 2.1m 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

Electioneering

In addition to their role in financing campaigns, interest groups participate in numerous other ways:

– Recruiting interest group members to run for office.

– Issuing official group endorsements.

– Providing volunteer labor to participate in campaign work.

– Sending delegates to state and national party conventions to influence the party platforms.

Governor Perry was endorsed by:Texas Association of ManufacturersTexas Right to LifeTexas Association of RealtorsNational Rifle Association

Bill White was endorsed by:Texas State Teachers AssociationTexas League of Conservation VotersAFL-CIODallas Morning News

Interest Group EndorsementsGovernor 2010

Public Relations Campaigns Interest groups attempt to influence policy by

building public support for their points of view.

– Elected official are unlikely to jeopardize their political future by publically supporting an unpopular cause.

– 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 Groups attempt to demonstrate popular

support for their goals by convincing ordinary citizens to contact members of the legislature about a particular position.

Groups purchase billboards, run television and radio ads, use radio talk shows and other media to publicize their point of view.

Groups with a large membership base attempt to mobilize their members to take action (TCCTA).

Public Relations Campaigns Groups also publish legislative scorecards

showing how individual members voted on issues important to the group. * **

Groups use social media like Facebook and Twitter to alert their supporters to key votes and urge them to contact their legislators.

Groups without substantial membership or financial resources may publish research reports on issues.

Litigation Sometimes interest groups use litigation

(lawsuits) to achieve their goals.

– Environmental groups might file a lawsuit against a known polluter for violating the Clean Air Act.

Protest Demonstrations Some groups attempt to influence public

opinion by means of protest demonstrations.

In general, protest demonstrations are used by groups unable to achieve their goals through other means.

– Protests in opposition to the construction of a nuclear power plant.

– Tea Party activists opposing a proposed tax increase.