Wednesday, August 05, 2009

Game On: Kay Bailey Hutchison’s Ethics Woes Revealed

Now that it is less than a year until Republicans will go to the polls in Texas and choose who will be their candidate for Governor, out comes new allegations that challenge Kay Bailey Hutchison’s ethical compass.

You see, Kay Bailey Hutchison is married to a rich finance lawyer, Ray Hutchison. Ray makes his lucre by seeing that federal funding finds its way to his clients. Federal funding that his wife, Kay created through her earmarks.

From the Austin American-Statesman:

“Canfield and others say they believe the senator's pursuit of federal funding for public works projects has the potential to benefit her husband's work as an attorney on behalf of those same projects, creating a conflict of interest.”

“Among the examples cited is the Trinity River Corridor Project in Dallas, a project for which Hutchison claimed credit for winning more than $50 million in public infrastructure improvements dollars. While she was seeking approval for that money in Congress, her husband was representing Dallas to fend off a 2001 legal challenge to the project.”

Ray angrily denounced the allegations.

“‘I don't have any obligation to go and check on what she's doing. Why should I check up on what she's doing? It doesn't affect me one way or the other,’ he said. ‘There is no conflict of interest.’

Look for Rick Perry’s campaign to make this whole thing a major issue as the potential knock-down drag-out contest heats up later this year. It is grist for the mill of right-wing radical fringe elements that Perry correctly calls his base.

I can just see it now:

Ray and Kay: Ray Cashes in on the Backs of Texas Taxpayers, Kay Husbands Federal Funds for Her Husband.

Or this one:

Enrich Ray, Vote for Kay.

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