HOUSTON -- Three weeks after the advocacy group Texas Watchdog requested them, Houston mayoral candidate Gene Locke has released his income tax forms. Challenger Annise Parker released her forms nearly two weeks ago, and since then has been calling on Locke to do the same.
"The voters deserve an answer to these questions by Mr. Locke," Parker said last week.
Now, the Locke campaign has released a batch of Locke's IRS tax forms. Locke and his wife, Aubrey, file jointly.
In 2008, records show the Lockes' adjusted gross income was $737,502, after taking $95,241 in deductions. Locke reported earning $844,835 in his capacity as an attorney at the law firm Andrews Kurth. Together, the Lockes reported earning $869,870 in 2007 and $767,338 in 2006.
Political candidates are not required to release copies of their tax filings, but not doing so can open them up to criticism, especially from challengers who have disclosed financial information.
Texas Watchdog requested the forms from both Locke and Parker the day after the Nov. 3 general election, when both made it into a runoff.
Parker, who is Houston's elected controller, released her forms and those of her partner, Kathy Hubbard, for tax years 2006-2008.
Locke's returns show he and his wife earned a total of $2,481,043 between 2006-2008. Parker and Hubbard reported earnings of $496,512 in the same period.
According to the tax returns, Parker earned $116,914 in 2008 and earned $4,964 in real estate investments. She received a tax refund of $16,073, primarily because she took deductions for three dependents, which include herself and two adopted children.
According to Steve Miller at Texas Watchdog, Parker "has claimed credit and donations of cash and property of around $5,000 for each of the past three years. In 2006, her itemized deductions went to a number of area benefactors, including the Houston Area Women's Shelter and Mr. K Animal Shelter."
Parker's partner, Hubbard, reported income of $32,547 in 2008. Hubbard is an accountant and notary public.
Adam Harris, Parker's campaign manager, said Locke should have released his returns earlier. "It's well past time for Mr. Locke to do the right thing," he said. "His refusal to release them until pressed demonstrates his disdain for an open and transparent City Hall. Still, Locke has refused to come clean on precisely how he would avoid the many conflicts of interest between his law firm and the city. There remain many questions for lawyer-lobbyist Gene Locke, and Houstonians deserve more answers."
A Locke spokesperson said Locke has repeatedly promised to resign from Andrews Kurth if he is elected and sever financial ties with the firm. "Gene Locke will continue to talk to Houstonians about his plan to put more police on our streets without raising taxes," said Locke campaign senior advisor Kim Devlin. "It's too bad that Annise Parker continues to play down and dirty politics instead of addressing the serious issues this city cares about."
