Austin City Council member Paige Ellis has again accepted campaign contributions that appear to exceed city limits, according to recent campaign finance reports, raising questions about compliance with local election law as she seeks a third term representing Southwest Austin.
Finance
Austin council member Paige Ellis may have violated campaign finance rules again
Austin City Council Member Paige Ellis listens to public testimony on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023 at City Hall. The District 8 representative, who is running for re-election this year, has previously faced scrutiny for campaign finance practices.
Under current city rules, candidates for City Council or mayor may not accept more than $450 per contributor per election. The limit applies to individual donors, with exceptions only for the candidate and small-donor political committees.
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Campaign finance reports filed in July 2025 and January 2026 show Ellis accepted nearly $2,500 in contributions that exceeded the $450 individual cap. At least 12 donors gave more than the legal limit, either through single donations above $450 or through multiple contributions across the reporting period that cumulatively exceeded the cap.
In some cases, donors made two or more contributions during the reporting period that, when combined, pushed their total giving beyond the limit. In other instances, donors appeared to list themselves both individually and jointly with a spouse or partner in ways that resulted in total contributions exceeding what is allowed.
Ellis’ campaign manager, Mykle Tomlinson, said he was aware of the $450 cap for individual contributors. Ellis and Tomlinson both said they believed married couples could contribute up to $900 combined, based on each spouse being allowed to give $450.
“As long as the couple hasn’t given over $900, it’s within the limits,” Ellis said. She added that this interpretation applies even when one spouse gives jointly and then later gives individually, calling it a “working definition” that campaigns have followed for years.
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Read More: Austin City Council members push to ease spending rules before vote
Ellis said she personally knows the donors and is aware of which contributors are married, even if both spouses’ names are not listed on campaign finance forms.
However, official guidance from both the Texas Ethics Commission and the City of Austin requires contributors to list their full name on campaign finance reports.
“If a finance report listed an amount above $450 with only one name, that would be an issue for the city’s Ethics Review Commission to review,” city spokesperson Jenny LaCoste-Caputo said in a statement Wednesday.
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Central Texas-based ethics attorney Andrew Cates called it “common sense” to list contributions under two names from a married couple to clarify that those donations come from both people, adding that the whole reporting system is in place so there is no confusion about where the money is coming from.
“If it’s combined, then say it’s combined,” he said. “It’s not that hard.”
City rules state that the candidate is responsible for filing required reports.
Campaign finance violations are reviewed by the city’s Ethics Review Commission. Ellis’ husband, Edward Espinoza, served on the commission from July 2023 through March 2025. He also previously served as Ellis’ campaign treasurer.
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Asked whether Espinoza’s service on the commission posed a conflict of interest, Tomlinson said Ellis recused herself during Espinoza’s appointment by the mayor. He added that the commission often struggled to achieve a quorum during that period and that other council members supported Espinoza’s appointment.
“It doesn’t seem like anyone thought it was a conflict of interest,” Tomlinson said.
Read More: Austin’s proposed tax hike follows behind-the-scenes budget maneuvering
This is not the first time Ellis has faced scrutiny over campaign finance practices. In 2022, the Ethics Review Commission considered a complaint alleging 56 violations related to her campaign, including accepting contributions above city limits and failing to provide required donor employment information.
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Commissioners dismissed the allegations related to donor information but found that Ellis had accepted excessive contributions. Ellis acknowledged the violations and was sanctioned with a letter of notification. She later issued refunds for the amounts in question.
In a written statement, Tomlinson said the commission “dismissed the lion’s share of complaints” and found that seven transactions — totaling about $20 — exceeded contribution limits by small amounts. Those funds were refunded and reflected in a subsequent campaign finance report, he said.
Ellis is running for re-election to a third term representing District 8. Because city rules generally limit members to two terms, she will have to collect signatures from at least 5% of eligible voters in her district to appear on the ballot.
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So far, Ellis has drawn one challenger: Selena Xie, a former Austin EMS Association president, EMS commander and ICU nurse, who announced her candidacy in July.
Voters will decide the District 8 race in the Nov. 3 election. Council districts 1, 3, 5 and 9 will also be on the ballot this November.
Finance
Rodriguez fires campaign manager over finance filing issues – Civic Media
MADISON, Wis. (Civic Media) – Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, a Democratic candidate for governor, fired her campaign manager Sunday after discovering problems with campaign finance filings, her campaign said.
The campaign said the person was terminated effective immediately following an internal review that found “serious mismanagement and inaccuracies” in reports they prepared. Staff identified the issues late last week and alerted Rodriguez, who then moved to secure campaign accounts and remove the staffer.
The campaign said it plans to contact the Wisconsin Ethics Commission on Monday to correct the filings ahead of a key reporting deadline Wednesday.
Full statement below.
“The Sara Rodriguez for Wisconsin campaign has terminated its campaign manager, effective today, after discovering serious mismanagement and inaccuracies in campaign finance filings she prepared. An initial review found that the manager filed inaccurate and incomplete campaign finance reports. The campaign will be in contact with the Wisconsin Ethics Commission first thing Monday morning to ensure the inaccuracies are corrected. The moment Sara learned of these inaccuracies, she acted swiftly and decisively removed her. The campaign will continue to build support to win in August and beat Tom Tiffany in November.”
Finance
Wedding budget: How to decide what to spend on your big day
Weddings, and the amount they cost, can run the gamut from a small, DIY ceremony in the backyard to a massive bash that shuts down Madison Square Garden. Obviously, the latter may only be within reach for certain pop stars and their football-playing partners, but that still leaves a wide range for how much you and your soon-to-be spouse could potentially spend.
When making the determination, it is important to weigh two things: making your big day a special one and honoring your financial reality. Your wedding may mark the start of your next chapter, but your finances are what will largely shape your future as a married couple.
What is a typical wedding budget?
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Finance
PERSONAL FINANCE: Finance 101 — the lessons every college-bound kid should learn now
Sending a child to college marks an important milestone for families, bringing both new opportunities and natural questions. It’s often the first time students manage money independently while balancing classes, new responsibilities and newfound freedom. This transition also creates a valuable opportunity for parents to guide and teach their children how to build strong financial habits.
While it’s easy to focus on major expenses like tuition and housing, the everyday financial behaviors students develop during this time can shape their future long after graduation. College presents an ideal environment to introduce foundational financial skills in a real-world setting where the stakes are manageable, but the lessons are meaningful. The following areas highlight key lessons parents can help reinforce as their child begins this new chapter.
Understanding cash flow matters more than ever
For many students, college marks the first time money is not simply “there” when they need it. Whether funds come from a checking account, part-time work, or family support, learning how to track income and expenses is essential. Teaching students to understand the difference between fixed costs, like rent or meal plans, and flexible spending, like entertainment or dining out, can help them avoid running short before the semester ends. A simple budget can be a helpful tool that builds awareness and confidence.
Credit is powerful
Credit cards are often heavily marketed to young adults, but few understand how credit really works. College-bound students should recognize that credit is not additional income; interest can accumulate quickly, and payment history plays a critical role. Developing habits like paying balances on time, keeping utilization measured, and regularly reviewing statements can help build strong credit rather than costly missteps. These early behaviors often shape long-term financial health.
Saving is not just for later — it supports flexibility
Students may assume saving can wait until after graduation, but even modest savings during college can serve an important purpose. Emergency expenses, unexpected travel home, or gaps between part-time income can derail finances quickly without a cushion. Understanding the value of saving, even in small amounts, helps students experience firsthand how preparation creates options and reduces stress.
Financial decisions reflect values
College is often when young adults begin defining what matters most to them. Encouraging students to think about how they spend money, and why, can help align spending with personal priorities. Whether it means minimizing debt, prioritizing experiences, or saving for future goals, learning to make intentional choices fosters independence and accountability.
The goal is not perfection, but to equip students with practical tools and a healthy relationship with money as they enter adulthood. For parents, this means maintaining open conversations, setting realistic expectations, and providing ongoing guidance that can help build confidence in financial decision-making. For families navigating this transition, a financial advisor can provide clarity, outline long-term implications, and help balance education goals with future financial independence.
Bronwyn L. Martin is a Financial Advisor and Chartered Financial Consultant with Martin’s Financial Consulting Group, a financial wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services LLC. in Kennett Square, Pa. and Havre de Grace, Md. She specializes in fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for over 25 years. To contact her: www.ameripriseadvisors.com/bronwyn.x.martin.
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