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Making an Impact

“The Lone Star Project … hammers Republicans whenever it gets a chance, promoting strong local Democratic candidates and even bringing lawsuits.”
(Roll Call, Stuart Rothenberg,
March 12, 2009)

“Anyone who questions whether [The Lone Star Project] can make life difficult for a Republican legislator should talk to former Sen. Kim Brimer.”
(Austin American Statesman, February 17, 2009)

“[The Lone Star Project] is responsible for the aggressive stance the party has taken toward DeLay and other Lone Star State Republicans since the 2004 election.”
(The Washington Post, March 6, 2006)

"David Dewhurst has said most Texans don't have much sympathy "for someone who that can't fill out a two page [health insurance] application every six months".

The Democrat-supported Lone Star Project in Washington reported this week that Dewhurst failed to file necessary forms at least six times in recent years.
(San Antonio Expres News,, 4/12/2007)

"The Justice staff memo was obtained by the Lone Star Project ...The story broke the same day the U.S. Supreme Court was considering legal challenges to the plan brought by Democrats and minority groups."
(Houston Chronicle, 12/3/2005)

Strayhorn Has Not Stopped Payments to All Washington DC Lobbyists Texas Payments to Lobbyist with Ties to Strayhorn and DeLay Continue Texas Comptroller Carol Strayhorn’s decision to suspend payments to the Washington lobby firm of Cassidy and Associates may, on first blush, seem like a timely and responsible act.  However, upon closer examination, Strayhorn’s actions appear to have stopped far short of halting improper payments to lobbyists and raise questions about her own close relationship with Washington lobbyists who have political ties to Tom DeLay. Strayhorn Statement Inconsistent With Her Actions In her statement announcing the payment suspension, Strayhorn said, “Texas state law clearly prohibits tax dollars being spent to lobby the state legislature and prohibits spending for influencing or supporting candidates at the state or federal level.  By any measure, using tax dollars to pay a private firm to lobby the federal government or members of Congress is a wholly inappropriate and unwise use of public money.”  (Strayhorn Press Release, 3/22/06)  However, Strayhorn is still allowing large lobby payments to the DC based Federalist Group to continue. Read the rest of full release or in PDF

Assessing DeLay's Damage to Texas Congressional Clout Congressional Redistricting and DeLay's Ethics Problems Cost Texas Clout While the media and politicians typically focus on the partisan battles that take place in Congress, many important decisions, particularly the appropriation of funds, are settled on a regional basis where seniority and key committee leadership play an important role.  While Tom DeLay delivered a valuable political gift to national Republicans with Texas redistricting, he placed a burden on Texas citizens fighting for their fair share of federal resources.  In the process, he lost his own leadership position, put his political career at risk, and squandered his ability to assist his home state.  DeLay’s most repeated quote, “I’m the Majority Leader, and I want more seats” (Source: Washington Post, 1/19/2003) now has an ironic twist.  Republicans do indeed have more seats, but DeLay is no longer the Leader and Texas voters no longer benefit from a powerful House delegation in Congress. Read the whole press release or view the pdf

The Lone Star Project is an activity of the Lone Star Fund.

Contributions to this committee are not tax deductible.  Federal law requires political committees to use our best efforts to report the name, mailing address, occupation and name of employer for each individual whose contributions exceed $200 in a calendar year.  The Lone Star Fund accepts federal contributions from individuals, partnerships, and other federal political committee of up to $5,000 per calendar year.