Texas Comptroller Signs Order Barring State Contracts and Grants to Entities Financially Tied to Convicted Human Traffickers
Austin, Travis County, Texas: Texas Comptroller Don Huffines announced an executive order on October 29 barring any entity with a financial participation interest tied to a convicted human trafficker from receiving contracts or grants from the Texas Comptroller’s office.
Under the order, every contractor and grant recipient must certify compliance with Section 2155.0061 of the Texas Government Code — that no person convicted within the past five years of directly supporting or furthering human trafficking participates in its financing — and acknowledge that a false certification lets the state withhold payment or terminate the agreement immediately.
Huffines called human trafficking "pure evil," saying Texas will not let a single dollar of public money flow to anyone connected to it and that government’s first duty is to protect the innocent. Texas law already barred state agencies from accepting bids or awarding contracts involving such persons, but the ban did not extend to grants; the order closes that gap by writing the certification into all contracts and grants the comptroller administers. The comptroller’s office said the measure is part of its Taxpayer First initiative to strengthen transparency and oversight of state funds.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 资料图：奥斯汀市政厅（固定图库 cities 包）
