Category Archives: News for Texas Lobbyists

Navigating the Unprecedented Energy Demands and Grid Reliability Challenges Driven by Industrial Growth in Texas: Findings from the 2025 Large Loads Symposium at The University of Texas at Austin

Former PUC Commissioner Will McAdams joined industry leaders at the University of Texas to study the way large energy loads will navigate the new world of energy. The UT Large Load Symposium convened sixty-five representatives from the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT), Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), Texas Reliability Entity (TRE), industry stakeholders,…

Mike Toomey, 1985

Before Mike Toomey became Rick Perry’s chief of staff, his ruthless slashing of state budgets earned him the moniker “Mike the Knife.” Mike Toomey, Republican, Houston. Mike the Knife. The supreme cutter; a Texas version of David Stockman, who knew where the budget bodies were buried and was intent on exhuming and dissecting every last…

Former power grid regulator Will McAdams discusses grid improvements and challenges

Will McAdams was the first person appointed to the Public Utility Commission of Texas after its three commissioners resigned in the wake of the widespread power outages during the deadly February 2021 freeze. He served on the PUCT from April 2021 until his December resignation, earning a reputation as the commission’s most outspoken member by…

Former Texas power grid regulator joins top lobbying firm as partner

Will McAdams, who resigned from the Public Utility Commission of Texas in December, will join Mike Toomey & Associates as a partner starting Feb. 1, he confirmed Monday. Mike Toomey, a storied lobbyist in the Texas Legislature, has served as an adviser to Gov. Greg Abbott and as chief of staff to former governors Rick…

Former PUC Commissioner Will McAdams Joins Lobby Firm Mike Toomey & Associates

Austin, TX – Top Texas government-relations firm Mike Toomey & Associates announced today that Will McAdams has joined the firm as a partner alongside Mike Toomey and Carrie Simmons. McAdams, formerly a Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) Commissioner, will begin his new role with the firm on February 1, 2024. “Will McAdams has proven…

For Perry, Lobbyist Is a Take-No-Prisoners Ally

AUSTIN, Tex. — Behind every politician there are men and women working in the wings, operatives who can make calls, fix problems, raise money, punish enemies. In Rick Perry’s world, one man stands above them all: Mike Toomey. Intense and reclusive, Mr. Toomey is not well known outside of a few square blocks around the…

The Enforcer

He’s rough! He’s tough! He won’t take any guff! He’s Rick Perry’s chief of staff! He cuts Democrats—and Republicans—in half! Mike Toomey is The Enforcer. FOR THE PAST TWENTY YEARS, Mike Toomey has loomed large in state government, as imposing and immovable—and some would say as cold—as the pink-granite Capitol itself. First as a Republican…

Gov. Greg Abbott’s task force to reopen the economy is packed with top business leaders — and donors

Many Democrats want the economy to remain closed. Some Republicans have insisted that it reopen immediately. But more than anyone else, the decision about when — and how — Texas will return to business as usual falls to Gov. Greg Abbott. The team that is guiding him through that process features some of the most…

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announces team to restart the economy, loosens some restrictions

Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday announced initial steps to reopen the Texas economy during the coronavirus pandemic, including those that in the next week will loosen surgery restrictions at medical facilities, allow all retail stores to provide product pickups and reopen state parks. Abbott also named a “statewide strike force” devoted to getting the economy…

Texas Election night news

A lot of money was spent, and the status quo remains for the most part (assuming 2 recounts don’t change the election night winner) . The blue wave that was suspected did not hit Texas shores. The Texas House of Representatives stayed at its current makeup (83 Republicans, 67 Democrats) with two upsets coming from…