Taxpayer-funded lobbying cost cities $1,000 each

STAFF REPORT

The Ellis County Press

DESOTO – The Best Southwest Partnership is a non-profit organization with current and former government officials who lobby - on the taxpayers dime - Austin and Washington, D.C. lawmakers for transportation, economic development and more programs.

For $1,000 dues, the cities of Ferris, Wilmer and Glenn Heights joined the Best Southwest Partnership in their new associate member classification.

Partnership board members include former DeSoto Mayor Roy Orr and Monte Anderson, owner of Options Real Estate who is developing the Mid-Towne development in Midlothian.

The original Best Southwest charter members include the cities of Cedar Hill, DeSoto, Duncanville and Lancaster.
The associate membership was to be decided by Midlothian’s city council Tuesday, Dec. 8 as The Ellis County Press was going to press.

While taxpayer-funded lobbying is illegal in Texas for county governments, there are no statutes or restrictions barring cities and school districts from hiring lobbyists through membership organizations.