Texas State Senator Mayes Middleton has introduced Senate Bill 19, a legislative priority for Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick. The bill aims to prohibit the use of taxpayer funds for hiring registered lobbyists. This announcement was made via a press release on February 20, 2025.
In the press release, Middleton expressed concerns that taxpayer and parental funds have been utilized "against" their interests in Austin. He claimed that taxpayer-funded lobbyists have misappropriated millions of dollars to "oppose" issues such as border security, election integrity, parental rights in education, teacher pay raises, and property tax relief and reform.
Middleton said, "Nearly $70 million per year is spent on taxpayer-funded lobbying. We don't need an Austin lobbyist middleman between state and local elected officials. We are elected to represent our constituents directly." He also thanked Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick for prioritizing S.B. 19 this session and mentioned a mandate for change in Texas due to taxpayer dissatisfaction with government waste, fraud, and abuse.
According to the Texas Legislature, Senate Bill 19 restricts political subdivisions from using public funds to hire lobbyists or fund nonprofit organizations employing lobbyists to influence legislation. The bill does allow exceptions for certain advocacy activities by public officials and employees. Should a subdivision violate the law, residents or taxpayers can seek injunctive relief and recover legal fees. The bill applies to public fund expenditures made after its effective date of September 1, 2025, nullifying any contract terms conflicting with these new restrictions.
Middleton represents Texas Senate District 11, which includes parts of Brazoria, Galveston, and Harris Counties. A Republican serving as Vice Chairman of the Subcommittee on Higher Education, he holds additional roles on several Senate committees including Administration, Business & Commerce, Education, Jurisprudence, and State Affairs. Before his tenure in the Senate, Middleton served two terms in the Texas House of Representatives and chaired the Texas House Freedom Caucus. He is also President and CEO of Middleton Oil Company and manages ranching operations according to the Texas Senate.
