HOUSTON—A government watchdog group based in Houston is raising questions about how state lawmakers are spending taxpayer money. Texas Watchdog spent $801 to receive copies of hundreds of pages of travel vouchers filed by members of the Texas Senate, and Texas Watchdog director Trent Siebert says some of the receipts should raise eyebrows.
“Some of this is beyond the pale,” Siebert said. “It raises all kinds of questions about accountability and, are they really looking out for the taxpayer dollar?”
According to state law, members of the Texas Senate are allowed to be reimbursed for travel with state funds, as long as the travel was on state-related business.
Siebert said he was encouraged that he did not find any clear examples of state lawmakers being reimbursed for trips that were clearly out-of-bounds, but questions whether the system encourages lawmakers to look for good deals while on the road.
“They carved themselves the biggest loophole that can be, that no, you don’t stay at the Motel 6 like you’re on your family vacation if it’s Joe Taxpayer. You go and stay at the Ritz Carlton.”
Records show that while at a legislative conference in New York, Houston Sen. Rodney Ellis billed taxpayers for two nights at the Ritz Carlton, at a rate of $495 per night. Meanwhile, other travel vouchers show that other state senators attending the same conference stayed at the Marriot Marquis, the conference hotel, for $196 per night.
Ellis pointed out that he only billed taxpayers for two of the four nights he stayed there, and paid the remainder himself. The other Senators billed taxpayers for four nights at the Marriott, so the taxpayer total was roughly equal for the entire group.
“I do pay attention to cost,” Ellis said. “That’s the whole reason that I paid half of the bill myself.”
Texas Watchdog also calls attention to State Sen. John Carona, R-Dallas, who often used a private plane to travel between Austin and Dallas. That travel, too, was billed to taxpayers. Carona did not return a phone call seeking comment.
Travel vouchers also indicate that State Sen. Mario Gallegos, D-Houston, flew from Houston to Maui for a legislative, and brought his wife and son along. Records show Gallegos only billed taxpayers for his portion of the bill, which added up to $2,945.
“I’m amused that any note would be made of a legislator going to a legislative conference to discuss legislative issues,” Gallegos said. “It’s part of my job. While true that my wife and son accompanied me to the conference, their expenses were not covered by tax money, as is appropriate.”
View: Texas Watchdog Report
