This report focuses on the 1,132 so-called “general-purpose PACs” that were active in Texas in the 2006 election cycle. During this same period, however, dozens of so-called “specific purpose PACs” also reported political contributions and expenditures to the Texas Ethics Commission. Most of these specific-purpose PACs formed for the exclusive support of a specific candidate, as in the case of “Texans for Rick Perry.” Yet 19 specific-purpose PACs that spent a total of $1.1 million operated for other purposes, most often to influence a proposed state constitutional amendment.
Ten specific-purpose PACs trying to influence the November 2005 initiative to constitutionally outlaw gay marriages spent $902,469—or 81 percent of all specific-purpose expenditures. Although PACs opposing the amendment significantly outspent proponents, the amendment passed with 76 percent of the vote.6
Gay-Marital Spat PACs
Gay-Marriage- Amendment
Specific-Purpose PAC |
Amount Spent
In 2006 Cycle |
Position On
Amendment |
| No Nonsense in November |
$327,370 |
Against |
| Texans For Marriage |
$305,563 |
For |
| Vote Against the Amendment |
$211,966 |
Against |
| TX Equity PAC* |
$31,938 |
Against |
| Vote Yes on Prop Two |
$8,750 |
For |
| Texas Marriage Alliance |
$8,340 |
For |
| Texas Freedom Network |
$4,062 |
Against |
| Practice What You Preach PAC |
$2,197 |
Against |
| Texans United |
$1,302 |
Against |
| Save Texas Marriage |
$981 |
Against |
TOTAL: |
$902,469 |
|
*Also known as ‘No Nonsense In 2006 PAC.’
The largest specific-purpose PAC unrelated to gay marriages was Citizens in Support of College District Expansion. It spent construction and other business money to promote a bond initiative for new Houston school facilities. “ACC San Marcos Yes” promoted a 2005 petition drive to get local voters to approve funding to join the Austin Community College system.
Other Specific-Purpose PACs Active in 2006
| Political Action Committee |
Amount Spent
In 2006 Cycle |
| Citizens In Support of College Dist. Expansion |
$97,512 |
| SafeRail PAC |
$56,747 |
| Citizens for Better Transportation |
$32,776 |
| TX Assn. of Reverse Mortgage Lenders |
$20,324 |
| ACC San Marcos Yes |
$3,805 |
| Yes on 2 & 15 |
$2,994 |
| Keep Your Rights |
$2,096 |
| Texans For Economic Growth |
$1,000 |
| Friends of UTD (University of TX at Dallas) |
$1,000 |
TOTAL: |
$220,260 |
Several specific-purpose PACs promoted transportation issues. Trans-Texas Corridor proponents including construction interests and Governor Perry’s campaign bankrolled SafeRail PAC to successfully push a constitutional amendment permitting the Texas Department of Transportation to use bond revenue to divert rail lines around crowded areas.7 The business funded Citizens for Better Transportation boosts the San Antonio Mobility Coalition, which seeks greater authority and funding for local transportation projects. A HillCo Partners lobbyist created the now defunct “Yes on 2 & 15” to help pass 2001 amendments authorizing bond-financed highway construction. This PAC transferred $12,000 in leftover funds to “Yes On 14,” which promoted a similar initiative in 2003.
Lenders created two specific-purpose PACs. The Texas Association of Reverse Mortgage Lenders (TARML) promotes a type of loan popular with elderly people who want to create a cash flow by selling lenders equity in their homes. After Texas legalized these loans in 1999, TARML helped pass a 2005 amendment that permits reverse-mortgage lines of credit.8 The same day, voters defeated a proposed amendment to deregulate interest rates on certain commercial loans. Beal Bank’s Texans for Economic Growth unsuccessfully promoted this Proposition 5.
6 For more on PACs working this issue, see, “In Gay-Marital Amendment Spat, Tolerant Give More Than Intolerant,” Texans for Public Justice, October 25, 2005.
7 Proposition 1 passed with 54 percent of the vote in November 2005.
8 Proposition 7.
