Austin News

Common Cause Texas is advocating for reforms in the state's ethics regulations as the impeachment trial of Ken Paxton, Texas' attorney general, begins. The organization highlights the need for stricter ethics rules and a more robust commitment to addressing public corruption.

"This impeachment trial would not have happened at all had Paxton not had the audacity to ask the legislature to pay his legal bills," stated Anthony Gutierrez, Executive Director of Common Cause Texas. He added that with stronger ethics regulations and a well-funded ethics commission, "this corruption would likely have been caught far earlier."

The group calls for changes to eliminate corruption and self-dealing among elected officials. "Our elected officials should be working for the people of Texas and not for their own self-interest," Gutierrez emphasized. He described the allegations against Paxton as "a wake-up call to clean up Texas and end this pay-to-play culture."

Ken Paxton faces accusations of bribery, abuse of office, and obstruction. Following a vote of 121-23 by the Texas House of Representatives on May 27, 2023, he was suspended without pay. The ongoing trial in the state Senate will decide whether Paxton will be removed from office.

Anthony Gutierrez is available for media interviews regarding necessary improvements to Texas' ethics laws.