Several other legislators, Democrats and Republicans, received similar contributions. Like Mr. Perry, all said Tuesday that they didn't know their donors' line of work. I don't know who every one of them are. I'm guessing it was just a check in the mail. Among the reform measures, a bill sponsored by Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, would require candidates to list the employer and occupation of their contributors.
State law requires only that donors be listed by name and address.
I believe the voting public has a right to know who contributes to the campaigns of their elected officials. Mr. Gallego is sponsoring a package of bills to increase public disclosure of political contributions, impose limits on the size of donations and eliminate a loophole allowing candidates to receive contributions and loans that go unreported during the last 10 days of a campaign. Mr. Fairchild said he couldn't remember why he contributed money to Mr. Perry's campaign. I like that about him. Mr. Burch and Mr. Mehmeti could not be reached for comment.