Austin's Hired Guns

Here's who will be defending us at the Lege this session, with their salaries:

Carl S. Richie* ($75,000): attorney with Mayor, Day, Caldwell and Keeton; deputy chief of staff to Gov. Ann Richards; assistant to Comptroller John Sharp.

Cliff Johnson and Reggie Bashur* ($180,000): Bashur, governmental relations and communications consultant; deputy executive assistant to Gov. George W. Bush; press secretary to Gov. Bill Clements. Johnson, senior adviser to Bush; Texas water commissioner.

Hugo Berlanga* ($84,000): Former state rep from Corpus Christi; chaired the Elections Committee, Calendars Committee, and Mexican-American Caucus.

John Hall* ($75,000): Former chair of the Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission, appointed by Gov. Ann Richards.

Richard Hamner ($70,000): Longtime aide to Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos.

Johnson & Johnson ($120,000): Gordon R. Johnson and Robert E. Johnson make up this Austin law firm.

Carl A. Parker* ($30,000): Former state senator from Port Arthur; senior partner with firm of Parker and Parks, L.L.P.

Clayton Pope* ($90,000): Governmental consultant; Texas water commissioner; former state rep.

Susan Rocha ($70,000): Attorney with Denton, McKamie & Navarro.

Froy Salinas ($30,000): Former state rep from Lubbock; special assistant to former AG Jim Mattox.

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* Indicates lobbyists who were part of the city's 1999 team.