"Craddick's Palace": The Speaker's Fresh Digs
Moneyed interests from across the state of Texas are donating huge sums of cash to the renovation of House Speaker Tom Craddick’s capitol apartment.
For those who, not long ago, suggested that Speaker Craddick’s power grip in the Texas House of Representatives was loosening, this story should serve as strong evidence to the contrary. So far, the who’s who of the Texas corporate elite have made over $1 million in tax-deductible donations to the cause, in the hopes that the emperor shall be pleased and grant them good favor. Donations this size for maintenance of the Texas Speaker's apartment are unprecedented.
The Speaker’s residence – an apartment close to 2,000 square feet in size located within the State Capitol itself – is a two-bedroom home made available for the Speaker, family and friends while presiding over the Texas House. The residence isn't open to the public, and you only get in by invitation. Local legend holds that the place is indeed the palace of a king, thanks to Craddick’s attempts at home decor. Referred to as “Craddick’s Castle,” the apartment is said to be an abode of decadent splendor, with flowing balustrades and winding halls leading past works of French Impressionism hanging on the walls, the floors richly coated with gold taken from wars with native tribes long ago. From above the fireplace gaze the forlorn heads of gallant and noble beasts, taken from exotic lands, their countenances frozen in stoic tranquility.
Well, not really. But it’s supposed to be pretty nice.
Normally, donations to a public official would be subject to campaign finance laws and governed by the Texas Ethics Commission, the organization that regulates such matters. But because these donations are being sent to the State Preservation Board as “gifts to the State,” they are not subject to campaign finance laws.
The special fund for the Speaker’s residence was created by former Speaker Gib Lewis (he held the office from 1971 until 1992). It's a sort of revolving expense account that all Speakers can use to spruce up the apartment, and whatever one Speaker doesn’t spend is left behind for the next officeholder. The funds cannot be used for personal use or campaign spending, and the account contains no taxpayer money whatsoever.
According to political watchdog groups, the issue here isn’t the misuse of taxpayer funds – since this is all done through private donations – but rather that this situation just offers yet another way for lobbyists, corporations, and other wealthy donors to curry special favors from the Speaker. This, in turn, affects the laws that are drawn up in the House. Some critics even suggest that the Speaker’s residence should be taxpayer-funded, so that spending wouldn’t be allowed to get out of hand.
What do you think, Austin?
*Images courtesy of the State Preservation Board.
