Your AT&T Bill At Work: More $$$ In More Places

It's understood that Texas politicians give plenty of consideration at the table for corporations, large and small. But who decided to give them an actual seat at a literal table?

Sunday, October 19, Speaker Tom Craddick and his District 82 opponent, Bill Dingus, squared off in a televised debate in Midland. Candidates discussed issues from the merits of CHIP, TxDOT, property taxes, and lobbyists.

The surprise at the debate, however, was that Leslie Ward, a vice president and lobbyist for AT&T, was allowed to sit at the table with local journalists and have a turn at asking questions. AT&T was the debate's official sponsor, and its Political Action Committee (PAC) recently donated an even 50 G to Craddick's own PAC three days before the debate.

Ward's questions included what Texas Monthly's Paul Burka called blatant softball questions, including:

"In the Legislature a lot of emphasis is placed on seniority and rank. Does having the speaker come from Midland make a difference?"

Or, in other words, "You are so experienced and wise. How grateful should the people of Midland be for having the privilege of having you as 'dear leader'?"

[Texas Monthly's account]

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