Lobbyist Hired By (State of) Texas Linked To Abramoff

[UpInArms]

http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/2213462.html

Rep. Jim Dunnam, D-Waco, called on Gov. Rick Perry Tuesday to cancel the state’s contract with Washington, D.C. lobbyist Todd Boulanger and his firm Cassidy and Associates after reports in the Houston Chronicle that Boulanger has ties to lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Abramoff pleaded guilty earlier this month to federal conspiracy and wire fraud charges in Miami, a day after he entered guilty pleas to three other federal charges as part of an agreement that requires him to cooperate in a broad corruption investigation.

Texas hired Boulanger and his firm for $330,000 to represent the state’s interests in Washington, D.C.

He hasn't been accused of any wrongdoing in the federal investigation of Abramoff.

It's the second time the state has hired as a congressional lobbyist someone with connections to controversies surrounding former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay.

...more...

[efhmc]

1. More, more, more.Why can't we put these folks out of business and by

that I mean ALL lobbyists.

[Igel]

2. Freedom to petition.

Constitutional right.

You get a bunch of people together--whether it's the shareholders of a corporation or the members of an organization--and they can go and get access on their own to legislators. Or they can hire people to represent them.

NOW, NARAL, even the USSA (United States Students' Association) all function as lobbyists or hire lobbyists.

[Lance_Boyle]

3. The lobbyists are not necessarily the problem.

The MONEY influence they wield is the problem. Get rid of the nonsensical notion that doling out money is a form of speech, and there is no problem with lobbying.

[PhilipShore]

6. I agree

The lobbyists don’t represent the interests of the people, so therefore their right to vote and write our laws should be revoked immediately, pending a hearing by the International Courts.

I am not a lawyer; any International lawyers know if this is possible?

[Name removed]

4. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[PhilipShore]

5. Sherman Denison Herald/AP: Lobbyist hired by state has links to Abramoff

Sherman Denison Herald Democrat
Lobbyist hired by state has links to Abramoff
By Associated Press
Texas News
January 19, 2006

http://www.heralddemocrat.com/articles/2006/01/18/texas_news/state04.txt

AUSTIN — A lobbyist hired to represent Texas’ interests in the nation’s capital once worked closely with confessed influence peddler Jack Abramoff, the Houston Chronicle reported Tuesday.

Todd Boulanger and his firm, Cassidy & Associates, were hired by the Texas Office of State-Federal Relations under a $330,000 contract. Gov. Rick Perry, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and House Speaker Tom Craddick sit on the advisory policy board for that state office.

Boulanger was a member of what was known as “Team Abramoff” while working at the law firm of Preston, Gates & Ellis, and he followed Abramoff when he moved to Greenberg Traurig LLP. Then in March 2004, they both moved to Cassidy & Associates.

Along with Abramoff, Boulanger was a registered lobbyist for Indian tribes in Mississippi, Michigan and Louisiana, as well as the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands. The Mississippi and Louisiana tribes wanted to halt expansion of Indian gaming in Texas because it competed with their casinos.

[lonestarnot]

7. And some more eat dirt.

[maddezmom]

8. kick

[G_j]

9. Paper: Texas Favored Firm Tied to Abramoff

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,,-5571337,00.html

Paper: Texas Favored Firm Tied to Abramoff

Thursday January 26, 2006 3:33 AM


AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - The state of Texas hired a firm with close ties to lobbyist Jack Abramoff after rejecting competing bids that met more of its selection criteria and cost less, a newspaper reported Wednesday.

What the winning firm, Cassidy & Associates, had was access all the way to presidential aide Karl Rove, the Austin American-Statesman reported, citing memos and e-mails it obtained through a Texas open records request.

The firm was awarded a $15,000-a-month contract in 2004 to lobby Congress for the state.

``Cassidy is the best fit for Texas,'' David Pagan, associate director of the Office of State-Federal Relations, said in a May 25, 2004, e-mail to staff members. He wrote that the firm was the leader in Washington in acquiring federal funding.
..more..

[roguevalley]

10. jack abramoff, the gift that keeps on giving.

[Binka]

14. I Want To See A Big Bow Tied To The Gift Heading For The WH

Clean up the corruption in Texas! Check out David Van Os for AG.
http://vanosfortexasag.com/cont/index.shtml

[Threedifferentones]

11. Wow

[NYC]

12. Abramoff was a busy man.

I can't keep up with all of this.

[Binka]

13. Please Support David Van Os For Texas AG He Will Clean This Shit Up

And put these pig fuckers in the hoosegow!

http://vanosfortexasag.com/ Please folks let's get David elected in Texas!

[fujiyama]

15. Big surprise

This shit leads back to *gasp* Texas of all places....

[Binka]

16. Please See My Above Post

Texas needs a new AG. David Van Os is that person!