Dallas City Councilwoman Paula Blackmon’s recent comments have sparked concerns that she is using a taxpayer-funded lobbyist to protect her private West Texas land interests.
This revelation, made during an August 27 council meeting, exposes the dangers of taxpayer-funded lobbying, a practice that drains millions from Texans to advance government agendas, often against the taxpayer’s interest.
The issue surfaced during a debate over extending lobbyist Lorena Campos’ $372,000 contract, paid entirely by Dallas taxpayers. Councilman Adam Bazaldua proposed an unsolicited $85,000 pay hike, citing the “gender wage gap.”
Blackmon engaged in the conversation with statements1 that led to the firestorm, saying:
“She’s [Campos] got a group of people – being from West Texas,” Blackmon said while raising her hand, “that she can touch because I asked her to help me with the senators, having property out there.” Blackmon added, “She is a value to our team, no doubt.”
These comments suggest that Blackmon likely misused public funds for personal gain, potentially violating Dallas’ ethics code, which prohibits using city resources for private benefit.
Fortunately, the council rejected the pay raise 14-1 and later cut $339,000 from the city’s total lobbying budget.
The case against taxpayer-funded lobbying is overwhelming. It undermines liberty by forcing taxpayers to fund advocacy against their own interests. It tilts the political process in favor of the government and against citizens. And it props up bigger government while blocking the reforms Texans desperately need. The defense of the practice, that local governments need a voice, can be solved without lobbyists. Local officials already have direct access to lawmakers. They can and should speak for themselves and the constituents they share with Legislators, not outsource that responsibility to professional, taxpayer-funded intermediaries.
Blackmon’s case reflects a broader pattern of abuse and unethical practices. Texas local governments spent roughly $100 million dollars on contract lobbying in 2023 and again in 2025. That’s money that could have been used to improve roads or public safety, but instead fuels advocacy often opposing taxpayer priorities, or in Blackmon’s case, for private gain at taxpayer expense.
Taxpayers must stay on their toes, demand that their local officials refrain from employing taxpayer-funded lobbyists, and insist that their elected officials in Austin ban this unethical practice once and for all next session.
1.https://dallastx.new.swagit.com/videos/353873
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