Kay Bailey and Ray Hutchison, Putting the "Green" in DART's Green Line

"Did Kay Bailey Hutchison cross an ethical line by supporting a rail line that is a payday for her husband?" That's the question addressed in this morning's Texas Watchdog piece written by former Observer-er Matt Pulle, who examines the Texas gubernatorial candidate's involvement in procuring funds for Dallas Area Rapid...

By Robert Wilonsky

August 20, 2009

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"Did Kay Bailey Hutchison cross an ethical line by supporting a rail line that is a payday for her husband?" That's the question addressed in this morning's Texas Watchdog piece written by former Observer-er Matt Pulle, who examines the Texas gubernatorial candidate's involvement in procuring funds for Dallas Area Rapid Transit's Green Line -- for which Ray Hutchison's law firm, Vinson & Elkins, served as co-bond counsel when DART sold a $740 million revenue bond in July 2008 to cover the rail line's construction costs after the feds coughed up $700 million. For its efforts, Vinson & Elkins pocketed more than $350,000 in hourly fees -- meanwhile, Ray's bio boasts of his having "represented Dallas Area Rapid Transit System since its creation in 1983." Hence, the phrase "ethical headache."

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