Persistent rumors claim that Empower Texans--which is fighting the Texas Ethics Commission in court--pressured the Senate to slash that agency's budget. Empower is the top donor to Lieutenant Governor Patrick, while the No. 2 money source to three senators is either Empower or the group's founder.
A new Lobby Watch follows Empower's PAC, as well as the group's shadowy dark-money expenditures.
Read the new Lobby Watch.