Two-thirds of board members overseeing Texas public universities are Abbott donors. They’re not shy about wielding influence.

The University of Texas Board of Regents gathers for a special meeting to name J.B. Milliken as the new chancellor on Aug. 4, 2018. Several of these board members were appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott, who has reserved university board appointments for his most generous donors. (Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune)

In 2017, state Rep. Lyle Larson authored a bill to block any governor from appointing someone to a state board or commission who had contributed more than $2,500 a year to their campaign.

Larson, R-San Antonio, said he’d heard concerning stories from a constituent who was interested in joining the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, and later from a friend who was trying to join the Texas A&M Board of Regents.