2014 Texas Democratic Convention
A dedicated group of TUTA members attended the Convention to hand out information about amending the Constitution and to gather signatures on our petition. A few members were actively working on the Democratic Party Platform. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.
Schedule of Events at Texas Democratic Convention.
Click on the images below for a full sized document.
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Party Platform
Here's a link to the entire 2014 Texas Democratic Party platform. It is not finalized yet and still subject to minor editing.
In particular this is the part on Campaign Finance Reform:
The electoral process has been corrupted by the influence of unlimited corporate spending stemming from the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United v. FEC ruling. Texas Democrats believe that money is not speech, and that human beings, not corporations, are persons entitled to constitutional rights.
The public trust has been violated by abuse and corruption in campaign spending. To ensure that our campaigns are financed legally, fairly, and transparently, Texas Democrats call for: The amendment of both the Texas and the U.S. Constitutions to firmly establish that money is not speech, and that human beings, not corporations, are persons entitled to constitutional rights;
An amendment to Section 317 of the Communications Act allowing the FCC to require all political advertisements to disclose the identities of the individuals or organizations actually paying for the advertising;
A ban on corporate campaign contributions and absent such an absolute prohibition, limits on corporate contributions, strict reporting requirements and regulation of corporate political advertising;
Stronger reporting laws to require the fair market value of gifts to public officials to be listed to provide public access to information about possible conflicts of interest and prevent those who seek favor from public officials from hiding conflicts of interest;
Full and timely disclosure of campaign contributions, expenditures, lobbying and other activities that can influence elections and government operations and public disclosure of this information on the Texas Ethics Commission website;
Prohibiting former legislators and state agency executives from going through a “revolving door” to lobby former colleagues or previous employers after leaving their office or position;
Enhanced funding and enforcement tools for the Texas Ethics Commission by creating an enforcement division and director with full authority, including subpoena power, to oversee all investigations and enforcement action; and
Public financing for general election campaigns for elective office at all levels, beginning with state judicial elections.
In particular this is the part on Campaign Finance Reform:
The electoral process has been corrupted by the influence of unlimited corporate spending stemming from the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United v. FEC ruling. Texas Democrats believe that money is not speech, and that human beings, not corporations, are persons entitled to constitutional rights.
The public trust has been violated by abuse and corruption in campaign spending. To ensure that our campaigns are financed legally, fairly, and transparently, Texas Democrats call for: The amendment of both the Texas and the U.S. Constitutions to firmly establish that money is not speech, and that human beings, not corporations, are persons entitled to constitutional rights;
An amendment to Section 317 of the Communications Act allowing the FCC to require all political advertisements to disclose the identities of the individuals or organizations actually paying for the advertising;
A ban on corporate campaign contributions and absent such an absolute prohibition, limits on corporate contributions, strict reporting requirements and regulation of corporate political advertising;
Stronger reporting laws to require the fair market value of gifts to public officials to be listed to provide public access to information about possible conflicts of interest and prevent those who seek favor from public officials from hiding conflicts of interest;
Full and timely disclosure of campaign contributions, expenditures, lobbying and other activities that can influence elections and government operations and public disclosure of this information on the Texas Ethics Commission website;
Prohibiting former legislators and state agency executives from going through a “revolving door” to lobby former colleagues or previous employers after leaving their office or position;
Enhanced funding and enforcement tools for the Texas Ethics Commission by creating an enforcement division and director with full authority, including subpoena power, to oversee all investigations and enforcement action; and
Public financing for general election campaigns for elective office at all levels, beginning with state judicial elections.
