Top Lawmaker Advertises Realtor Services at Capitol
One of the most powerful lawmakers in Austin is hoping to develop a new “niche” market for his real estate services: his fellow legislators.
State Rep. Harvey Hilderbran, the Kerrville Republican who heads the tax-writing House Ways & Means Committee, blanketed the state Capitol this week with flyers advertising his real estate business. He's urging legislators to use his company to help them find temporary housing when they return to work in January.
Hilderbran, a top lieutenant of GOP House Speaker Joe Straus, enlisted the help of an unpaid legislative intern, Logan Skinner, to distribute the advertisement and to become ...
Comments (10)
Bill Eaves via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Another Straus member: this is way to much payment after retirement:::: “I’m looking at a niche, a seasonal niche,” Hilderbran said. Legislators, considered to be part-time state employees, make a flat $7,200-a-year salary and another $21,000 in per diem payments during regular sessions every other year.
Members with at least eight years are entitled to lucrative pensions when they retire — about $70,000 a year for veteran legislators with as many years of service as Hilderbran, who was first elected in 1988.
“I’m a citizen legislator. I have a right to make a living, and I’m in the real estate business,” Hilderbran said. “Why wouldn’t I let people know about the service around here?”
Marnie Tunay via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I see he's "o heads the tax-writing House Ways & Means Committee." I reckon that means no new taxes on realtors this year...
Joy Williams via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Under his chairmanship there have been no new or increased taxes at all, actually.
Lovablelabby 2012
This is unacceptable behavior by an elected official.
Clint Eastwood is exactly right when he says "don't kiss up to politicians of any party". Rep. Hilderbran, Sen. Davis with her phony law firm, and Gov. Perry with his crony appointments have all violated the ethical standards required to serve.
You should never use your office for personal gain.
Samdavis
Didn't you just know he was a Republican before you ever read the story?
Rudy Gonzales
Here's an example of the close tet-a-tet between new red and the old red guard in Austin. an excellant example to clean house and elect new blood. Career politician's remind me of: "Politician's and diapers need to be changed often and for the same reason!"
Del Murphy
That is EXACTLY the problem, he doesn't see anything wrong with it. If he did, he would do it anyway, just stealthily.
Arthur Valdez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
so how busy is he fighting to keep Kerrville State Hospital from being privatized?
longislandliberal
WARNING, WARNING. Danger Will Robinson. I have known Harvey Hllderbran for over 20 years. He could screw up a one car parade. The man is a buffoon in every sense of the word. I would not trust him with any legal transaction involving real estate or business of any kind. Message to Legislators: stay away!
And let's not forget his little golfing trip to to Florida during the last legislative session. What an embarrassment to Texas and to the people of his district. This man is a walking blllboard for term limits.
Terri noname
As a public employee, I'm not allowed to sell anything at my work place (Avon, Girl Scout cookies, Boy scout raffles etc) yet he can drum up business? Those in power make the rules... (regardless of party)
I don' t know anything about his politics, just making a point. Have a good day.