Former Senator Lobbies For 11 Energy Companies

Austin Firm Represents Insurance Carriers, Big Tobacco

As a lobbyist for the Brazos River Authority, former State
Senator David Sibley's firm also pulls down as much as
$200,000 from State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. and
hundreds of thousands of dollars from such energy companies
as Pedernales Electric Co-Operative, El Paso Electric
Company, and WTU Retail Energy LP.

Texans for Lawsuit Reform pays the lobbying concern between
$50,000 and $100,000, according to declarations listed with
the Texas Ethics Commission. Lorillard Tobacco Company
ponies up between $100,000 and $150,000, Visa USA, Inc., as
much as $100,000 and AT&T between $50,000 and $100,000.

The Brazos River Authority has borrowed $100,000,000 to
build on 35,000 continuous acres of land in Milam, Lee and
Souther Bell Counties to develop a massive new water
project. The idea is to "toggle" between groundwater and
surface water in periods of drought and flood.

Further land development is estimated at $400,000,000 in a
future period 15 to 20 years away. The Authority pays the
Sibley Group about $25,000 to $50,000 for its lobbying
services.

BRA is hoping to avoid condemnation and eminent domain
proceedings in acquiring the land that will be needed to
satisfy future water demands of an expanding population.

As a lobbyist for State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance
Company, Mr. Sibley looks after the company's interests
before the State of Texas Insurance Commission where the
carrier's request for a massive 20.8 percent rate increase
was slapped down to a mere 2.8 percent.

The carrier was ordered to repay consumers $310 million in
overcharges, down from an original $1 billion the
commissioner ordered State Farm to repay consumers.

State Farm announced it will oppose the rejection of its
latest demand for a rate increase of 4.5 percent after Texas
Insurance Commissioner Mike Geeslin asked the company to
withdraw its request. The company cited rising costs.

"All the insurance commissioner can do is ask State Farm to
please not gouge Texas homeowners," said Alex Winston,
consumer group Texas Watch executive director, in a news
release.