According to the most recent campaign finance reports filed with the Texas Ethics Commission, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has raised $5.9 million and spent $6 million between Jan. 1, 2021 and May 14, 2022. Paxton is currently ranked seventh in state-level donations in the 2022 election cycle.

This article is Part 1 of a four-part series demonstrating how the money in a lobby sector can impact state politics and legislation. We’ve selected the Green Energy sector due to a resurgence of interest in a behind-the-scenes look at renewables following the 2021 snowstorms, but you can follow the money in any industry of interest that is spending lobbying dollars in Austin.

To find some of the most influential people in Austin, look no further than the lobbyists employed by hundreds of entities across the state of Texas. The highest paid lobbyists in Texas politics are hired by organizations willing to spend significant resources persuading lawmakers to support legislation that is favorable to their interests.