Rep. Gary VanDeaver seems to have received political contributions from lobbyist groups that represent government organizations while opposing a bill to prohibit the use of taxpayer money for lobbying.
VanDeaver (R-New Boston) was part of the majority in voting against SB 29 in 2019 and voted against a proposal to prohibit lobbying by taxpayer-funded groups after receiving $3,250 in campaign donations from two lobbyist groups representing taxpayer-funded clients: HillCo Partners and Focused Advocacy. These two organizations also contributed $8,250 to his campaign between 2020 and 2024.
VanDeaver did not respond to a request for comment.
HillCo was founded in 1998 and presents itself as a top government affairs consulting firm known for providing exceptional advocacy. Neal Jones and William Miller, represent a wide range of government entities, with payments usually varying from $40,000 to $200,000. These taxpayer-funded clients include the Dallas Police & Fire Pension System, Arlington ISD, and the Cities of Arlington, Pasadena, Abilene, Cedar Park, Frisco, and Beaumont.
Four more lobbyists for HillCo Partners represent taxpayer-funded clients. The group’s PAC has contributed $7,500 to VanDeaver since 2014, based on campaign records.
Focused Advocacy boasts setting “best practices for local government and utility-related advocacy at the Texas Capitol.” The group’s lobbyists represent dozens of Texas cities and other taxpayer-funded entities, with payments usually ranging from $40,000 to $100,000.
The Focused Advocacy PAC has donated $4,000 to VanDeaver since 2014, according to campaign records.
VanDeaver was employed as a paid consultant for a lobbying firm called Powell Law Group from 2020 to 2022, as previously reported by The Dallas Express. The firm lobbies in favor of public schools and represents clients who oppose private school vouchers in Texas — a policy VanDeaver voted against in a bill last year. He sat on an education committee as he worked as a paid consultant for the group.
