Influence Texas OS web app lets taxpayers track the influence of money in politics

Updated Sept. 13, 2018

AUSTIN, Texas – Sept. 4, 2018 — Influence Texas and Texans for Public Justice announce the release of Influence Texas OS, an open source web app providing campaign finance and voting records of Texas state politicians, enabling taxpayers to track the influence of money in politics.

For the first time Texans will be able to track top contributors and donations from the most recent election cycle. A future version of the app, Influence Texas PRO, will enable users to source donations by industry and match those donations to legislation across multiple election cycles.

“This data-driven solution combats misinformation and provides government transparency,” said Amy M. Mosley, co-founder of Influence Texas, a nonpartisan public benefit corporation dedicated to educating the Texas electorate. “We look forward to releasing Influence Texas PRO in the coming year,” said Michael Rollins, Influence Texas co-founder.

The Influence Texas OS open source web app uses campaign finance records provided by the Austin-based liberal nonprofit Texans for Public Justice, which has reported on political corruption and corporate abuses in Texas since 1997.

“For over two decades TPJ has gathered campaign contribution and expenditure data filed with the Texas Ethics Commission by all candidates, political committees, and political parties. We then process that information through a proprietary database,” said TPJ Director Craig McDonald. “TPJ is excited to directly reach a larger audience by collaborating with the Influence Texas open source project.”

The open source web app began as a project at ATX Hack for Change in June 2017 and is also supported by Open Austin, a volunteer organization affiliated with the nonprofit Code for America that advocates for open government, open data, and civic application development.

"Outside of immigration and border control, political corruption of leadership is a key concern for Texans and an issue of open government. By making data of our representatives more accessible and meaningful, Influence Texas aligns with Open Austin's mission of advocating for open government through the use of data, technology, and design," said Open Austin Brigade Co-Captain Victoria O'Dell.

Access Influence Texas OS at app.influencetexas.com. Find out how you can get involved at www.influencetexas.com/sign-up.

About Influence Texas, P.B.C.

Influence Texas is an Austin-based, nonpartisan public benefit corporation formed in June 2018 with the mission of informing the Texas electorate by aggregating and disseminating politicians' campaign finance records and voting records. Learn more at www.influencetexas.com.

About Texans for Public Justice

Texans for Public Justice is an Austin-based non-profit organized in 1997 to take on political corruption and corporate abuses in Texas. Through intensive research and public advocacy the organization hopes to add a clear voice to debates on political reform, consumer protection, civil justice, and corporate accountability. TPJ obtains contribution and expenditure data dutifully filed with the Texas Ethics Commission by all candidates, political committees, and political parties and processes the information through a proprietary database. Learn more at www.tpj.org.

About Open Austin

Open Austin is a volunteer citizen brigade advocating for open government, open data, and civic application development since 2009. It is an official brigade affiliated with the nonprofit Code for America which believes government can work for the people, by the people in the 21st century. Learn more at www.open-austin.org.

Media Contact:

Amy M. Mosley

Co-Founder

Influence Texas, P.B.C.

influenctexas@gmail.com

amy@influencetexas.com

(512) 609-0752