Paid consultancy for a public school Lobbyist Firm raises a number of possible ethical concerns
AUSTIN, Texas (Texas Insider Report) — After the Dallas Express reported late last week that Texas State Representative Gary VanDeaver received thousands of dollars in donations from pro-taxpayer funded lobbying supporters – while voting against legislation to ban lobbying by taxpayer-funded government entities such as Cities or Counties – Mr. VanDeaver (HD-1) has now been hit with two new ethics complaints.
The first complaint alleges VanDeaver failed to properly disclose numerous personal loans on a personal financial statement, that his wife’s business entities have used the same P.O. Box listed as being used for VanDeaver's polical campaign office, that fees were received for services rendered to a lobbyist, and that he provided representation by a legislator before a Texas State Agency.
The complaint notes that “many of these failures to disclose stem from disclosed employment by the Powell Law Group” – a lobbying firm for which VanDeaver worked as a paid consultant from 2020 to 2022.While in office and serving on the House Education Committee, Rep. VanDeaver (R-New Boston) was a paid consultant who was publicly touted as “our consultant” for the Powell Law Group – which was lobbying for, and representing the firm's public school clients.
He later voted against numerous hotly-debated School Choice bills that would have allowed families to use taxpayer money to defray the costs of sending their childrenn to various alternative types of schools, such as homeschooling, private school or public charter schools.
Notably, the Powell Law Group also publicly referenced VanDeaver's participation as a member of the legislature during House Public Education Committee hearings.
Because the Powell firm lobbies in favor of public schools and represents clients who oppose private school vouchers in Texas – a policy VanDeaver voted against during last year's Legislative Session – VanDeaver's paid consultancy for a public school lobbyist firm raises a number of possible ethical concerns, the complaints said.
“It’s incredibly dishonest,” said State Representative Steve Toth (R-Montgomery,) describing the practice as unethical, and saying it should be made illegal.
“For members of the Texas House, we serve with a stipend of $600 per month – but unfortunately there are all too many people like Gary VanDeaver who've found a way to monetize their service and walk away with untold wealth,” Toth said.
“It’s sad, really,” he continued. “VanDeaver’s actions have clearly demonstrated he’s serving these entities – with no interest in improving student outcomes.”
Tweeted the Powell Law Group in 2021, touting its employment of VanDeaver in past years (at right):
“The #PLGteam is attending today’s House Public Ed. Comm. meeting to hear them discuss a list of public ed. bills. Heather Sheffield, our Dir. of Outreach, Advocacy, and Client Relations is attending in the audience and our consultant, Rep. Gary VanDeaver serves on the committee.”
The second complaint filed alleges that Rep. VanDeaver did not properly disclose his personal loans on real estate property he owns.Additionally, other documents charge that VanDeaver failed to disclose that his wife Pamela VanDeaver – registered under an Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) called “Allocate!” – for years shared a P.O. Box with the VanDeaver's political campaign.
Texas law prohibits the use of political campaign or official state dollars for personal use.
The complaint alleges VanDeaver's disclosure failed to occur from 2018 until 2022.
The complaint was filed by a concerned Texas citizen with the Texas Ethics Commission, where it is now under consideration.
- The full complaints can be read below.
