The NY Times reports that a political action committee ? Texans for a Republican Majority ? that House majority leader Tom DeLay of Houston created is the subject of a grand jury investigation in Austin. The investigation follows a complaint filed with the Travis County District Attorney last year by Texans for Public Justice campaign watchdog group.
According to sources for the Times article, the primary issue in the investigation is whether Texans for a Republican Majority improperly used corporate contributions to help finance the campaigns of more than 20 Republican candidates for the Texas House of Representatives in 2002.
Campaign finance watchdog organizations believe the investigation will affect whether “soft money” ? that is, unlimited contributions from corporations, unions and wealthy individuals ? will become a primary financing source for state and local elections.