AUSTIN -- Former state Sen. Bill Ratliff is teaming up with his son to become lobbyists in a new venture.

Ratliff is joining son Thomas Ratliff and lobbyist Ron Hinkle in a venture called Ratliff Company. That's after the Mount Pleasant Republican stepped down after 15 years in the state Senate that included two years as acting lieutenant governor.

Ratliff had denounced the GOP-led congressional redistricting effort and announced in November that he was resigning. He tells the Austin American-Statesman he expects to continue living in Mount Pleasant and serve primarily as an adviser to the firm and its clients.