Interest Groups in Texas

Interest Groups in Texas

An interest group is a formally organized association of individuals, groups, or organizations, which share a common interest or concern. Interest groups seek to impact the government or public policy for their own benefit. There are several interest groups in Texas that have operated since the late 1800s.Many interest groups in Texas are active, well-funded, and very aggressive in lobbying for both private and public interests.

The interest groups in Texas include the Texas Association of School Boards, Texans for Public Justice, National Rifle Association, Texas Common Cause, Texas Trial Lawyers Association, and several others. The most predominant interest groups in Texas are professional and business groups such as the Texas Oil and Gas Association, Texas Medical Association, and the Texas Association of Business (Jillson, 2017). The groups directly lobby the government and support elected government officials in their political campaigns. Other influential groups in Texas include the Texas Rifle Association and the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People.

The less influential and underrepresented groups include those that lobby for the public interest. Most of them include civil rights groups, labor, and environmental groups. Some of the underrepresented groups in Texas are the Texas Equity PAC and the NARAL Pro-Choice. However, the underrepresented groups not well-funded and are a disadvantage in terms of numbers and talent.

In California, interest groups include the California Nurses Association, California Small Business Association, California Taxpayers Association, California Faculty Association, Environment California, and many others, which lobby for both private and public interests. However, in Texas, interest groups enjoy some benefits like they are not involved in politics compared to California. Texas also has a favorable framework because the government does not control the activities on interest groups.

Reference

Jillson, C. (2017). Texas Politics: Governing the Lone Star State. Routledge.