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Last week, Texans for Public Justice reported that TXU and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. and TPG Capital, who are finalizing their deal to buy the energy provider, spent nearly $17 million this year "to convince state officials not to impose significant consumer or environmental restrictions on the giant utility or its pending takeover." That money was divided amongst lobbyists (who got $6 million) and advertising ($11 million).
And how'd the lobbyists spend the dough? Well, according to the report:
TXU lobbyist Travis Jernigan reported spending up to $150 apiece on tickets to the Music Hall of Fair Park in Dallas for Rep. Wayne Christian (R-Center) and his wife. On the reported April ticket date this venue hosted a performance of the musical Wicked.
About an hour ago, the Associated Press moved its own story about the money, and among its highlights is this bit o' info: "The highest-paid lobbyist, at $351,000, was former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk." --Robert Wilonsky