Essay Assignment No. 3
GOVT 2306
Summer 2000
Milton J. Sweet
Texas politics as it is practiced today is especially dependant on special interest groups and political action committees. In this paper I will discuss the reasons why this is true. I will discuss our weak power in State government (and subsequent weak political parties), the generally conservative nature of most Texans, the role of SIG’s and PAC’s in government, and the methods that many SIG’s and PAC’s use to gain influence. Finally, I will discuss why stronger political parties would diminish the role of SIG’s and PAC’s to the betterment of Texas.
Ever since the re-admittance of Texas to the Union, until recently, Texas has been a one party state. When the Radical Republicans took control of the National Government in the mid 1860’s it appeared as if they wanted to punish Texas for their actions before and during the Civil War. The mean spirited and corrupt Republican government under E. J. Davis gave Texan a good reason to distrust and resent Republicans. Most Texans, following the governorship of Davis, described them selves as “Yellow Dog” Democrats, meaning that they would rather vote for a yellow dog in the street than vote for a Republican.
This attitude of distrust was true of Republicans especially, but also government in general. Texans took a spirit of retrenchment and reform, ratifying a constitution that was very weak and disjointed. Texans generally were (and are) very independent minded. The smaller the government, the fewer the taxes, and we will get along fine. This attitude has carried over to political parties. It is not surprising then that voter turn out in Texas is very light.
Texas was a “Democrat” State for over one hundred years. Over those hundred years, factions had formed in the party, leaving openings for Republicans to gain a foothold. Conservative Texans realized during the Reagan years that the Republican Party actually fit their beliefs better than did the Democratic Party, and many changed their attitude about Republicans. Voter turn out, however did not improve.
When Texans do vote, they vote for the personality, and not the party. Texas politicians tend not to conform to ideological programs (although with the growth of the radical right in Texas, this tendency may be changing). State politicians, in absents of strong party platforms to use as guidance, are weak to resist the influence of well heeled, well-organized, and well-connected special interest groups and political action committees. Most politicians are very receptive to the education received at the skillful hands of SIG’s and PAC’s. Politicians readily admit to being heavily influenced by certain groups. The most influential of these groups tend to be: business-oriented trade groups, professional associations, organized labor groups, and the religious right.
Lobbyists are often former politicians themselves, knowledgeable in who the movers and shakers are in the legislature. They will concentrate their efforts on key legislative committee chairs, regulatory agency administrators, county commissioners, or city zoning board members. Once they have the politicians’ attention, they will continue to educate and influence the legislator on their groups’ position on the issues.
Lobbyists also give the impression of broad public support for the issue they are championing. They organize a grass roots campaign of supporters to write to the proper legislator voicing the proper opinion. This method of lobbying is particularly effective. The legislator feels he is merely following the wishes of his constituency, and doesn’t feel that a lobbyist is necessarily influencing him.
Since politicians and State executives are in a never-ending campaign for re-election, well-placed campaign donations often make the desired impact. It is hard to ignore thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of dollars being placed in a re-election war chest.
With stronger political parties, and larger staffs, the legislator would not be so dependent on the SIG’s and PAC’s for facts about the issues or for money. A legislator would know and heed the position of the party. When needed, he/she would have the staff to research the facts on the issues. This will not happen soon in Texas due to the attitude mentioned earlier of Texans towards strength in government, strength in political parties and higher taxes.
SIG’s and PAC’s do play an important role in politics, especially in Texas with our weak political parties and low voter turnout. They do bring his/her attention to an issue in the state. They do provide expertise on an issue to a legislator. Without time or staff to fully understand an issue, politicians must depend on lobbyist for information. SIG’s and PAC’s are however, filling a role more suited to a stronger political party that represents the electorate.