Todd Baxter's new job - as a lobbyist (gasp!)

[sonias]

http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories/11/15baxter.html
Former state rep becomes top cable industry lobbyist
Todd Baxter, who resigned as state representative from Austin two weeks ago today, has become the state cable industry's top lobbyist, the group said Monday.

(snip)
Baxter's official title will be vice president for government affairs and general counsel. He replaces Kathy Grant, who resigned to go into private practice on Oct. 20. She lobbied for the industry this session as cable providers bitterly fought to stop legislation they say gave SBC Communications Inc. and other phone companies an upper hand as they begin selling television services.
(/snip)

No surprise there - except for maybe the industry - cable. Let's see, is this going to be a Tigwa type fleecing where the players play both sides. When last we left the Lege - SBC with its millions of dollars, hundreds of lobbyists and two firmly purchased politicians Speaker Craddick and Phil King, R-Weatherford, successfully bought legislation that allowed them to play cable companies without having to negotiate contracts with each city like cable does now. Obviously the cable giants think they can come back and try to kill SBC's high powered lobby in the next session. Either way the lobbyists (even the losing side) make off with millions of dollars.

Sonia

[Poet Lariat]

1. Working both sides of the fence...literally!

More from the article...

http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories/11/15baxter.html
During the regular session, Baxter was a member of the House
Regulated Industries Committee, which oversees the telecommunications and electric industries. The committee handled legislation that rewrote the competitive rules for television services in Texas.

Baxter voted for the legislation, which was approved during a special summer session. He unsuccessfully pushed for a provision that would have let cable providers get out of local franchise agreements and qualify for a single statewide franchise.

Baxter has faced some criticism from watchdog groups and Democrats who say he should have completed his term rather than force a special election.

It wouldn't surprise me if they pushed for a combination Legislator/Lobbyist position in one. Save them lots of paperwork and office moves. He could just sit in front of a mirror and lobby himself.

[NoPasaran]

2. Well, now we know why the little weasel resigned

Rather than serve out his term. It sure would be nice of him to cover the expense of a special election, if it needs to be held... I'm not holding my breath.

[sonias]

5. That special election is going to cost us about $250K

Todd is a bastard. If the weasel really cared about Travis and his old District 48 he wouldn't dump that on us. The creep should have served out his term and let the voters decide on a regular election date for a replacement. Oh no, he and Perry can't play fair. They would rather stick it to Austin and Travis for the $250K cost for a special election.

Remember Perry didn't call a special election to fill Joe Moreno's seat when he died. Yet the TX MSM won't call them on this wasteful spending and obvious partisanship game playing.

Sonia

[johncoby2]

3. Sorry Bastard! EOM

[Melissa G]

4. sad sorry bastard.....n/t