Political contributions link ERCOT board to Abbott and the state committee now investigating the tro

[UpInArms]

Source: KSAT

AUSTIN – Since a deadly winter storm hit Texas earlier this month Governor Greg Abbott has repeatedly heaped criticism on ERCOT, the operator of the state’s electric grid, claiming the entity was woefully unprepared for the dangerous weather that has killed a still-untold number of people.

But an analysis of state campaign finance records by the KSAT 12 Defenders shows three current members of ERCOT’s board have contributed thousands to Abbott’s campaigns, with some of the funds dating back to his days as Texas Attorney General.

Lori Cobos and DeAnn Walker, two Abbott appointees who sit on ERCOT’s board due to their respective positions with the state, are listed among the governor’s lengthy list of political donors.

Cobos was appointed chief executive and public counsel of the Office of Public Utility Counsel (OPUC) by Abbott in March 2019, three months after donating $1,050 to Abbott’s campaign, state contribution records show. Cobos’ salary is $143,000.

Walker, the chair of the Public Utility Commission of Texas and a former senior policy advisor to Abbott, contributed $7,620 to Texans for Greg Abbott from 2009 to 2015, state campaign records show. In 2017, Abbott appointed her to lead the PUC, where she makes a $200,000 salary.

Board member Mark Carpenter, a senior vice president with Dallas-based Oncor Electric Delivery, has contributed $10,000 to Texans for Greg Abbott, Abbott’s campaign war chest, since October 2018. He was not appointed by Abbott and did not return a call for comment.


Read more: https://www.ksat.com/news/defenders/2021/02/24/political-contributions-link-ercot-board-to-abbott-and-the-state-committee-now-investigating-the-troubled-entity/

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Full title:

Political contributions link ERCOT board to Abbott and the state committee now investigating the troubled entity

[LudwigPastorius]

1. It's not just government and "independent" regulatory commissions that are incestuous in Texas.

I'd wager that half the Republican politicians in our lovely state are the product of a family tree without any branches.

[burrowowl]

2. Not surprising

[SunSeeker]

3. What a nasty bunch these scumbags are. Their corruption literally killed Texans.

And is ensuring nothing will change.

[dem in texas]

4. Sounds like a good return for your money

If I could donate $1050 and get a cushy board member job paying $143,000, I'd go for it.

Seriously, there is some serious money hankie-pankie going on in ERCOT. What is listed in this article is just a scratch on the surface of the corruption that is tied to Texas Republicans and ERCOT.

[Judi Lynn]

5. Hope everyone who's heard of Abbott will read this information. Great catch, UpInArms. Thanks. ⭐️

[gademocrat7]

6. Abbott is rotten to the core.

He and his minions need to be removed from office.

[Lonestarblue]

7. We have an opportunity to remove him next year.

Most of the focus on damage from the storm last week has been on cities. I recall seeing only one story about a mayor in a small town telling citizens they were on their own, so I’m assuming that the power outages hit much of the state. El Paso was spared because it is on a different grid.

The rural areas of Texas overwhelmingly vote Republican, and their votes are needed to throw Abbott and the rest of his sick team of Paxton and Patrick out of office. Given Abbott’s record on the pandemic and his obvious lack of any preparation for the storm, he is vulnerable. I think Beto could win, but he hasn’t said whether he is running. Another name mentioned is Julian Castro. I don’t think he is as strong as Beto, but I suspect one of them will be the Democratic nominee.

[dalton99a]

8. Abbott, Patrick, Paxton - the evil triumvirate