ABSTRACT
This chapter evaluates the organization, activities, and effectiveness of interest groups in Texas. It describes the kinds of interest groups active in Texas and how they seek to influence the political process. Both nationally and in Texas, the interest group world is tilted toward occupational or economic groups that represent corporate, business, and professional interests. Peak associations, such as the US Chamber of Commerce, represent the general interests of business. Associations formed by businesses and related interests involved in same commercial, trade, or industrial sector. Organizations formed to represent the interests of professionals in occupations like medicine, law, accounting, and cosmetology. Farming and ranching are still important parts of the Texas economy, but not nearly as important as they once were. Texas is a majority-minority state, but the state's interest group structure is still very much dominated by Anglo interests. Interest groups use a variety of tools in their attempts to influence the elected and appointed officials of state government.
