AUSTIN – Rep. Eric Johnson, who sits on the House Urban Affairs Committee, earlier this week announced plans to file an anti-corruption bill in the wake of another former Dallas City Council Member pleading guilty for accepting bribes. Johnson, re-elected last fall, is currently a candidate for mayor for Dallas.
“Too many elected officials have abused their role in this process and abandoned their commitment to their constituents,” said Rep. Johnson, D-Dallas. “These stories have become far too familiar, and I’m tired of reacting to the crimes. We need to prevent the crimes.”
Last week, former Dallas City Council Member Carolyn Davis plead guilty for accepting $40,000 in bribes from a real estate developer in exchange for her support of an affordable housing project. This on the heels of last fall’s plea deal with former Dallas City Council Member Dwaine Caraway who acknowledged he accepted more than $450,000 in bribes and kickbacks. He is awaiting a sentencing hearing in April.
“The affordable housing tax credit program has become the mother’s milk of political corruption in Dallas,” Rep. Johnson said. “We need affordable housing in Dallas, but this approval process has to change.”
When developers are seeking affordable housing tax credits, support from elected officials is part of the criteria used to evaluate those proposals. Under Rep. Johnson’s bill, backing from elected officials would no longer factor into the evaluation and scoring process. While the bill will eliminate the use of elected official support letters in the scoring process, the bill will continue to include support from community organizations and neighborhood associations as part of the scoring process.
Friday is the last day a bill can be filed for considering during this legislative session.
“The people of Dallas need a tougher law to address this issue,” Rep. Johnson said. “The Legislature can act immediately since we are in session for the next three months. I am going to work in a bipartisan fashion with my colleagues on the Urban Affairs Committee to pass this bill and shut down this particular form of corruption. This is the right thing to do for Dallas and for the State of Texas. ”
Dallas City Manager T. C. Broadnax on Monday agreed to follow-through on Mayor Mike Rawlings’ request to review recent housing deals to ensure there was no undue influence from developers.
Eric Johnson needs to come clean on HB 89 concerning loyalty oaths to Israel before he tries to preach about politicians in Dallas. Quit hiding and come clean yourself!