Sounding more like a Democrat all the time Comptroller Rylander nails Texas Homebuilders Commission. She does this in a letter to Rep. Todd Smith in which she states that her office's research shows that the Texas Residential Construction Commission (TRCC) functions as a builder protection agency.
Carole Strayhorn writes in the letter:
In fiscal 2005, the agency spent $3.7 million on its operations. That same year, the agency collected $6.6 million from builders and homeowners. As a result, the agency transferred $2.9 million to the general fund, effectively helping balance the general state budget on the backs of homeowners.
In the next two years, the agency is estimated to raise about $9.7 million a year from its fees and spend only $4.2 million a year, meaning that the agency will be putting more money in the general budget than it does into doing its job.
For these reasons, if it were up to me personally, I would blast this TRCC builder-protection agency off the bureaucratic books.
A pretty damning 50-page report is attached to the letter - PDF file..
The Houston Chronicle reports on it:
"It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize what a trick the TRCC was," said John Cobarruvias, president of the Texas chapter of Homeowners Against Deficient Dwellings and president of the Bay Area New Democrats. "Now we got a state agency backing us up. That's great."
In a review conducted at the request of Rep. Todd Smith, R-Bedford, the comptroller said, among other things, the construction commission:
•Fails to hold builders accountable for construction defects.
•Needs public members on the commission who don't have ties to the industry.
•Shouldn't charge fees to consumers who use the agency's dispute resolution process.
Consumer groups also released a report that showed who bought this protection racket mandated by the state legislature:
The homebuilders contributed in total over the last 4 years to state executive and legislative candidates, parties, and PACs at least $8.9 million in identifiable contributions.
Over this period, the homebuilders contributed at least $1,009,162 to the state’s leadership (the Governor, Lt. Governor, and Speaker).
They contributed at least $238,450 to the 16 members of the committees that approved the new law (House Regulated Industries and Senate Business & Commerce).
Perry of Perry Homes has the governor in his pocket and most of the state legislature being Texas's largest campaign contributor - at least $6,897,250 since January 2001.
Perry doesn't only like Texas Republicans. His national donations in 2004 totaled over $2.5 million dollars. This year his 527 organization is trying to get Judge Alito confirmed. In 2004 his Swift Vote Liars, exposed here, was well worth his over one million dollars and his 1.5 million bought the most effective TV ad of the campaign - "Ashley's story."
Texas Observer: The Agency that Bob Perry built.
This is Bob Perry's agency, bought and paid for through our elected Texas representatives and their need for campaign donations.
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