Campaign Finance Reform Isn't Over -- It's Just Been Reborn; Is There Something Ricky Perry Doesn't Want Us to Know About His Contributions?AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 28, 1999-- Just as the Campaign Finance Reform Campaign finance reform is the common term for the political effort in the United States to change the involvement of money in politics, primarily in political campaigns. Bill dies in the Texas Senate, a new investigative, activist organization, moneytrail.org, organizes to uncover the moneytrail linking agenda-driven right wing funders and the Republican politicians who do their bidding. "Why isn't Ricky Perry all that 'gung ho' about campaign finance reform?" states Robert Hernandez, founder of moneytrail.org. "Does Rick Perry James Richard Perry (b. March 4, 1950) is a Republican politician and the Governor of Texas. He assumed office in December 2000 when then-Governor George W. Bush resigned to prepare for his inauguration as President of the United States. Gov. not want us to know about contributions such as the $25,000 check from an agricultural pesticide company in the last days of his first state-wide race?" In the months before Rick Perry was elected Texas Agriculture Commissioner, Texas Dept. of Agriculture investigators were collecting evidence that Voluntary Purchasing Group, a pesticide manufacturer in Bonham, Texas ♦Bonham is a city in Fannin County, Texas, United States. The population was 9,990 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Fannin CountyGR6. , was illegally dumping liquid arsenic acid ar·sen·ic acid n. A poisonous, white, translucent crystalline compound used to manufacture medical arsenates. throughout its 500-acre plant. Local livestock farmers were complaining that arsenic-contaminated water and pasture land was killing their cattle. Lab analysis of soil, water and tissue from dead cows confirmed high levels of the toxic poison. TDA TDA Texas Department of Agriculture TDA Trade and Development Agency TDA Transportation Development Act TDA Tax Deferred Annuity (commonly known as TSA) TDA Tienda (Spanish: store) was ready to take legal action -- until Rick Perry was elected Commissioner, said Robert Hernandez. At the height of the investigation, Voluntary Purchasing Group wrote a $25,000 check to Perry's campaign, states Hernandez. When he took office a few months later, the investigation was mysteriously shut down -- and nobody's heard about it since, states Hernandez. "Is this the type of information Republicans don't want us to know about?" states Hernandez. "moneytrail.org is going to change -- and we've already started," states Hernandez. moneytrail.org was formed to uncover the sources of upwards of $80 million funneled into the Texas Republican campaigns for this past election cycle -- and those to come. "moneytrail.org, will make the link between activist conservative donors like Dr. James Leininger -- Rick Perry's top contributor, and the behind-the-scenes manipulation of issues and public policy that is threatening to make profound changes in the way we Texans live," states Robert Hernandez. We have got to take that first step in turning this state back into a Democratic one -- otherwise Carole Keeton Rylander is likely to be our next Lieutenant Governor lieutenant governor n. Abbr. Lt. Gov. 1. An elected official ranking just below the governor of a state in the United States. 2. The nonelective chief of government of a Canadian province. , said Mr. Hernandez. "Do we want another taxpayer-funded sweetheart deal Sweetheart Deal A merger or company sale where one company involved in the deal gives the other very attractive terms and conditions. Notes: In other words, a sweetheart deal is a transaction that a firm simply cannot pass-up. This is usually considered to be unethical. such as the $315,000 Republican boondoggle boon·dog·gle Informal n. 1. An unnecessary or wasteful project or activity. 2. a. A braided leather cord worn as a decoration especially by Boy Scouts. b. in Canton?" states Hernandez. Taxpayers in East Texas were hoodwinked into underwriting a major conservative political consulting Political consulting is the business which has grown up around advising and assisting political campaigns, primarily in the United States. As democracy has spread around the world, American political consultants have often developed an international base of clients. firm called "Winning Strategies," said Hernandez. Even the company's own president, Bob Reese, stated, "Winning Strategies was created to help ensure Republican victories across the state," said Hernandez. We've got to change the way politics works in our state -- and we're starting to, with moneytrail.org., said Mr. Hernandez. For a full copy of moneytrail.org's latest controversial fundraising letter, please log onto www.moneytrail.org. |
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