AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – Gov. Greg Abbott has opened the Texas governor’s mansion to thousands of people for tours and official events since taking office last year.
But the people who have received a more exclusive invite to dinner at the mansion have often been some of Abbott’s top political donors.
The San Antonio Express-News reports that donors were at 13 of the 16 mansion dinners detailed in records provided by the governor’s office. Those donors have given about $15 million to Abbott since 2000.
Texans for Public Justice director Craig McDonald called the dinners another way for donors to get access.
But former Texas Gov. Mark White, a Democrat, said he invited donors over to the mansion during his tenure as well.
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