Political clout can be subtle

Advocacy groups on the left and the right rarely get the attention of major political committees and business associations, but these issue-based organizations are spending millions of dollars to influence public policy at the state Capitol.

Most don't have political committees that finance candidates. Many don't have lobbyists working the Capitol hallways. Instead, these groups try to sway the minds of voters and policymakers through statistical reports, analyses and databases.

Most of the groups' funding sources are secret, except for public foundations that may donate money.

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The Texas Freedom Network was founded by Gov. Ann Richards' daughter, Cecile, in 1995 to counter the growing influence of the religious right in Texas.

The Freedom Network raised almost $1 million in 2006. The biggest donors were Dallas oilman Leland Fikes and his wife, Amy. Their family foundation gave the network $200,000 in 2006. Since 1999, Fikes' foundation has donated a total of $1.2 million to the group.

Freedom Network President Kathy Miller said her group has been effective in helping block private school voucher legislation and in keeping creationism out of public school textbooks. Miller said the network's effectiveness comes from having grass-roots membership across the state.

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