. Inaugural fundraising is unique in Texas politics because unlike campaigns, inaugural committees can accept corporate contributions and are not subject to the same reporting requirements.
At $250,000 each, the top two contributors to the 2023 inauguration were Fertitta Entertainment Inc., the hospitality conglomerate owned by Houston billionaire Tilman Fertitta, and Energy Transfer LP, the Dallas-based natural gas pipeline operator.In the news release, the inaugural committee did not comment on its expenses other than to say it “fully compensated the State of Texas for all inauguration-related expenditures.
Feritta also is part of a coalition that has been pushing to legalize sports betting in Texas. The bill for that won approval in the House during this year’s regular legislative session but did not get a hearing in the Senate. Patrick, the powerful presiding officer of the Senate, has continued to resist efforts to expand gaming in the state.