www.state.tx.us [1]

Texas is the second largest state in both land area and population. Three of the ten largest cities in the United States are located in Texas.

Synopsis of State Ethics Program:

The Texas Ethics Commission [2]'s website lists laws and regulations specifically applicable to candidates & office holders, political committees, political party filers, and lobbyists. The site also contains Ethics Commission Rules [3] and the state's election code [4], and offers online finance filing.

Ethics Contact Person

Karen Lundquist [5], Executive Director, Texas Ethics Commission (COGEL Member)

Contact Information:

201 East 14^th Street
10^th Floor
P.O. Box 12020
Austin, TX 78711-2070
Main Office Number: (512) 463-5800 or (800) 325-8506

Houston [6]

www.houstontx.gov/ [6]

Located in East Texas, Houston is the largest city in the state, covering 601.7 sq mi
(1,558 km). With a population of 2,231,335 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2000) it is the fourth largest city in the United States.

Synopsis of City Ethics Program:

The Houston Ethics Committee oversees ethical regulations outlined in Chapter 18 [7] of the Code of Ordinances [8] ( Ethics and Financial Disclosure [7]). The Committee's Agenda [9] is posted online.

Ethics Contact Person:

Gordon Quan [10], Chair, Houston Ethics Committee

Contact Information City Hall Annex
900 Bagby, 1st Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Main Office Number: (713) 247-2013

San Antonio

http://www.ci.sat.tx.us/ [11]

Located in South Texas, San Antonio is the second largest city in Texas. It has a population o f 1,256,509 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2000).

Synopsis of City Ethics Program:

The City of San Antonio's Code of Ethics, adopted in 2006, governs city officials and employees, lobbyists, and those who conduct business with the city. As outlined in the Code, the Ethics Review Board, composed of eleven members, will investigate alleged violations of the Code of Ethics, lobbying practices, and matters of campaign finance, amongst other responsibilities.

Ethics Supervisor:

Tina J. Flores

Contact Information:

City of San Antonio
Office of the City Clerk
P.O. Box 839966
San Antonio, Texas 78283-3966
Telephone: (210) 207-6993
Fax: (210) 207-6938

Official Ethics Web Page: http://www.sanantonio.gov/atty/ethics/2002determinations.asp [12]

Dallas

www.dallascityhall.com/ [13]

Located in North Texas, Dallas has a population of 1,213,825 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2000).

Synopsis of City Ethics Program:

In June 2000, Chapter 12a of the Dallas City Code was established. It contains the Code of Ethics. An Ethics Advisory Commission has been created to investigate alleged violations of the Code; this group submits an annual report to the City Council. The purpose of this portion of the City Code is to provide conduct guidelines for employees, and elected or appointed officials, regulations regarding political policies, and other activities within the scope of employment.

Ethics Contact Person:
Ethics Advisory Board Coordinator

Contact Information:

Ethics Advisory Commission

Dallas City Hall
1500 Marilla, Room 5D South
Dallas, TX 75201

Work: 214-670-5655
Fax: 214-670-5029

Largest County:

Harris County [14]

Links of Interest:

Common Cause
1133 19th Street, NW
9th floor,
Washington, DC 20036
202-833-1200

[15]http://www.commoncause.org [16]

Common Cause is a nonpartisan nonprofit advocacy organization founded in 1970 by John Gardner as a vehicle for citizens to make their voices heard in the political process and to hold their elected leaders accountable to the public interest.

Texas Chapter

603 West 13th St.
Suite 2D
Austin, TX 78701
Phone: (512) 474-2374
Fax: (512) 474-5077
Email: [email protected] [17]

Prepared by Kristina Mobley, UF law student intern in Jacksonville General Counsel's Office