Texas’ Top Lobbyists
Special Interests Paid Lobbyists
Up to $328 Million in 2013 Session
By late May 2013, 1,663 Texas lobbyists reported that 2,820 clients took out 8,172 paid lobby contracts
worth a grand total of from $155 million to $328 million.i The precise value of these contracts is unknown
because Texas lobbyists report values in ranges (e.g. $100,000 to $149,999). 2013 lobby spending fell
short of the $359 million maximum spent at the same point in the 2011 session.ii
The three tables below analyze lobbying during the 2013 regular legislative session. The first table
analyzes lobby contracts by client Interest Group. The powerful Energy & Natural Resources industry
dominated, spending 19 cents of every lobby dollar this session.
Lobby Contracts by Interest Group in the 2013 Session
Interest Group
Energy/Nat’l Resources/Waste
Ideological/Single Issue
Health
Miscellaneous Business
Communications
Finance
Lawyers & Lobbyists
Construction
Transportation
Insurance
Computers & Electronics
Real Estate
Agriculture
Other
Labor
Unknown
TOTALS
Min. Value
of Contracts
$31,407,000
$19,235,000
$21,725,000
$19,440,000
$10,430,000
$8,360,000
$9,275,000
$5,617,000
$5,370,000
$6,055,000
$5,070,000
$4,380,000
$3,340,000
$2,730,000
$2,690,000
$160,000
$155,284,000
Max. Value
of Contracts
$62,516,987
$47,049,984
$46,474,988
$40,759,990
$21,014,996
$17,999,996
$16,284,997
$12,166,997
$12,134,997
$11,964,998
$10,999,997
$9,869,997
$7,204,998
$5,859,998
$5,574,999
$400,000
$328,278,919
Share of
Money
19%
14%
14%
12%
6%
5%
5%
4%
4%
4%
3%
3%
2%
2%
2%
<1%
100%
No. of
Contracts
1,311
1,583
1,156
998
393
448
328
324
331
246
269
310
181
160
121
13
8,172
The second table identifies the session’s Top Lobby Clients. AT&T Corp. topped that list, spending up
to $8 million on 108 lobby contracts. Four units of No. 2-ranked Energy Future Holdings Corp. (marked
by asterisks in the Clients table) spent a total of up to $6.2 million on 158 lobby contracts.
The last table reveals the Top Lobbyists in the 2013 session. Heading the list is ex-legislative aide
Andrea McWilliams. She reported 46 contracts worth up to $3.8 million. Spouse Dean McWilliams
reported a lobby income of almost $3 million, ranking No. 3 behind revolving-door lawmaker Stan
Schlueter. In August 2012 Andrea McWilliams threw a lavish 40th birthday party for herself, her clients
and at least six lawmakers at her family’s California winery. When KVUE News investigated the $195
that the married lobbyists reported spending on public officials that month, the couple quickly amended
their low-balled disclosures. In corrected reports the dynamic duo reported spending more than 10 times
as much on state officials, for a total of $2,092.iii
Top Lobby Clients in the 2013 Legislative Session
Client
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
21
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
30
32
33
33
35
35
37
37
39
40
40
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
49
AT&T Corp.
*Energy Future Holdings Corp.
American Electric Power
*Oncor Electric Delivery Co., LLC
CenterPoint Energy
TX Medical Assn.
Linebarger Heard Goggan Blair...
TX Trial Lawyers Assn.
PM TX/Let Texans Decide
Baker Botts, LLP
Waste Control Specialists, LLC
Ryan & Co.
TX Oil & Gas Assn.
TX Assn. of Realtors
Texans for Education Reform
City of Austin
TimeWarner
Blue Cross & Blue Shield
TX Cable Assn.
Theatrical Exhibitors Coal. of TX
Altria-Philip Morris & UST
Centene Corp. (Superior Health)
City of Houston
Assn. of Electic Co’s of TX, Inc.
Reliant Energy, Inc.
Southwestern Electric Power Co.
Verizon
Texans for Lawsuit Reform
Environmental Defense Fund
Atmos Energy Corp.
McGuireWooods Consulting, LLC
Entergy Corp.
Exelon Generation Co., LLC
HRWK, Inc.
Associated General Contractors
Raise Your Hand for Public Schools
*Luminant Holding Co., LLC
*TXU Energy Retail Co., LLC
UnitedHealth Group
TX Electric Cooperatives
TX Municipal League
CenturyLink
DISH Network
Green Group Holdings, LLC
Burlington Northern & Santa Fe
Baylor College of Medicine
TX Rural Water Assn.
Wholesale Beer Distributors of TX
Boeing Co.
GTECH Corp.
Min. Value
of Contracts
Max. Value
of Contracts
No. of
Contracts
$3,975,000
$1,555,000
$1,300,000
$935,000
$885,000
$710,000
$750,000
$805,000
$820,000
$1,025,000
$675,000
$585,000
$630,000
$845,000
$635,000
$550,000
$635,000
$645,000
$610,000
$800,000
$480,000
$660,000
$485,000
$500,000
$535,000
$600,000
$375,000
$355,000
$410,000
$415,000
$525,000
$330,000
$345,000
$550,000
$420,000
$350,000
$170,000
$170,000
$360,000
$360,000
$390,000
$305,000
$285,000
$325,000
$310,000
$475,000
$400,000
$285,000
$400,000
$400,000
$7,939,999
$2,994,999
$1,950,000
$1,865,000
$1,835,000
$1,470,000
$1,355,000
$1,300,000
$1,290,000
$1,250,000
$1,205,000
$1,200,000
$1,195,000
$1,190,000
$1,185,000
$1,160,000
$1,145,000
$1,125,000
$1,105,000
$1,000,000
$985,000
$985,000
$975,000
$970,000
$905,000
$900,000
$850,000
$780,000
$775,000
$760,000
$760,000
$715,000
$700,000
$700,000
$695,000
$695,000
$690,000
$690,000
$685,000
$675,000
$675,000
$665,000
$655,000
$650,000
$625,000
$620,000
$610,000
$605,000
$600,000
$600,000
108
51
13
27
25
25
19
16
15
5
19
22
17
13
17
22
15
20
20
4
18
8
18
20
12
6
26
17
8
13
6
19
10
3
14
20
41
39
14
9
13
13
16
7
13
5
5
14
4
4
City
Interest Group
Dallas
Dallas
Austin
Dallas
Houston
Austin
Austin
Austin
Houston
Austin
Dallas
Dallas
Austin
Austin
Austin
Austin
Washington DC
Richardson
Austin
KS City MO
Austin
St. Louis MO
Houston
Austin
Houston
Austin
Irving
Austin
Austin
Dallas
Austin
Beaumont
Kennett Sq. PA
Austin
Austin
Houston
Dallas
Irving
Minnetonka MN
Austin
Austin
Monroe LA
Washington DC
Canton GA
Fort Worth
Houston
Austin
Austin
Houston
Greenwich RI
Communications
Energy/Nat’l Resources
Energy/Nat’l Resources
Energy/Nat’l Resources
Energy/Nat’l Resources
Health
Lawyers & Lobbyists
Lawyers & Lobbyists
Miscellaneous Business
Lawyers & Lobbyists
Energy/Nat’l Resources
Finance
Energy/Nat’l Resources
Real Estate
Ideological/Single Issue
Ideological/Single Issue
Communications
Health
Communications
Miscellaneous Business
Agriculture
Health
Ideological/Single Issue
Energy/Nat’l Resources
Energy/Nat’l Resources
Energy/Nat’l Resources
Communications
Ideological/Single Issue
Ideological/Single Issue
Energy/Nat’l Resources
Lawyers & Lobbyists
Energy/Nat’l Resources
Energy/Nat’l Resources
Lawyers & Lobbyists
Construction
Ideological/Single Issue
Energy/Nat’l Resources
Energy/Nat’l Resources
Health
Energy/Nat’l Resources
Ideological/Single Issue
Communications
Communications
Energy/Nat’l Resources
Transportation
Health
Energy/Nat’l Resources
Miscellaneous Business
Transportation
Miscellaneous Business
49
52
53
54
54
56
57
58
59
59
59
62
62
62
62
66
67
67
69
70
70
70
70
74
75
75
75
75
75
75
Ind’t Colleges & Universities of TX
NRG Energy, Inc.
ExxonMobil Corp.
Pfizer, Inc.
TX Mutual Insurance Co.
Independent Bankers Assn. of TX
Landry's Restaurants, Inc.
Children's Medical Center of Dallas
Comcast
Port of Houston Authority
Waste Management of TX, Inc.
Dow Chemical Co.
HCA-Hospital Corp. of America
TX Chemical Council, Inc.
TX Society of CPAs
Shell Oil Co.
CHRISTUS Health
Harris County
Tarrant Regional Water District
Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide
Managed Care of North America
TX Hospital Assn.
Windstream Communications
Scott & White
Calpine Corp.
City Public Service of San Antonio
Fidelity Investments
Ind’t Insurance Agents of TX
Lower Colorado River Authority
Occidental Petroleum Corp.
$450,000
$325,000
$360,000
$345,000
$275,000
$330,000
$295,000
$275,000
$350,000
$250,000
$325,000
$330,000
$360,000
$285,000
$330,000
$350,000
$235,000
$335,000
$235,000
$225,000
$325,000
$250,000
$320,000
$310,000
$220,000
$240,000
$400,000
$300,000
$215,000
$400,000
$600,000
$590,000
$585,000
$580,000
$580,000
$575,000
$560,000
$555,000
$550,000
$550,000
$550,000
$545,000
$545,000
$545,000
$545,000
$540,000
$535,000
$535,000
$530,000
$510,000
$510,000
$510,000
$510,000
$505,000
$500,000
$500,000
$500,000
$500,000
$500,000
$500,000
3
10
6
9
9
8
9
12
4
11
5
8
7
8
12
7
12
6
13
11
5
10
6
7
13
9
2
4
14
2
Austin
Princeton NJ
San Rafael CA
San Rafael CA
Austin
Austin
Houston
Dallas
Houston
Houston
Houston
Austin
Nashville TN
Austin
Dallas
Houston
Austin
Houston
Fort Worth
St. Louis MO
Lauderdale FL
Austin
Austin
Temple
Houston
San Antonio
Smithfield RI
Austin
Austin
Austin
Other
Energy/Nat’l Resources
Energy/Nat’l Resources
Health
Insurance
Finance
Miscellaneous Business
Health
Communications
Ideological/Single Issue
Energy/Nat’l Resources
Energy/Nat’l Resources
Health
Energy/Nat’l Resources
Finance
Energy/Nat’l Resources
Health
Ideological/Single Issue
Ideological/Single Issue
Miscellaneous Business
Health
Health
Communications
Health
Energy/Nat’l Resources
Energy/Nat’l Resources
Finance
Insurance
Ideological/Single Issue
Energy/Nat’l Resources
Note: The above clients accounted for 22 percent of all lobby spending in the 2013 legislative session.
*Unit of Energy Future Holdings Corp.
Top Lobbyists in the 2013 Legislative Session
Rank
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
22
Lobbyist
McWilliams, Andrea
Schlueter, Stan
McWilliams, Dean R.
Erben, Randall H.
Toomey, Michael
McGarry, Mignon
Lewis, Ron E.
Miller, Robert D.
Johnson Jr., Robert E.
Shields, Christopher S.
Fisher, Walter
Santos, Frank R.
Pitts, John R.
Gilmore, Scott E.
Heckler, Jeffrey E.
Messer, Bill
Grace Jr., Jim M.
McDaniel, Demetrius
Jones Jr., Neal T.
Saenz, Luis J.
Johnson Jr., John C.
Lary III, Camm C. ‘Trey’
Poinsett, Royce Pabst
Min. Value
of Contracts
Max. Value
of Contracts
No. of
Contracts
$1,960,000
$2,035,000
$1,410,000
$1,335,000
$1,325,000
$1,325,000
$1,175,000
$1,115,000
$1,300,000
$965,000
$1,025,000
$975,000
$870,000
$1,000,000
$1,025,000
$835,000
$1,085,000
$835,000
$450,000
$730,000
$825,000
$675,000
$900,000
$3,845,000
$3,075,000
$2,745,000
$2,475,000
$2,400,000
$2,320,000
$2,250,000
$2,125,000
$1,970,000
$1,950,000
$1,900,000
$1,850,000
$1,830,000
$1,820,000
$1,800,000
$1,700,000
$1,685,000
$1,635,000
$1,614,999
$1,605,000
$1,595,000
$1,570,000
$1,570,000
46
23
31
25
26
24
27
31
15
29
21
21
41
19
19
26
14
19
86
34
22
47
17
Reported Lobby Firm
McWilliams Governmental Affairs
McWilliams Governmental Affairs
Erben & Yarbrough
Ron Lewis & Associates
Locke Lord, LLP
Johnson & Johnson Attorneys at Law
Christopher S. Shields, PC
Santos Alliances
GovBiz Partners, LLC
Baker Botts, LLP
Greenberg Traurig, LLP
HillCo Partners
McGuireWoods Consulting, LLC
Allen Boone Humphries Robinson, LLP
Baker Botts, LLP
24
25
26
27
27
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
40
40
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
51
53
54
55
56
57
58
58
60
61
62
63
64
64
66
66
68
68
70
70
70
73
74
75
76
77
78
78
80
80
82
83
84
84
Brown, Sabrina Thomas
Vane, Mark
Castaneda Jr., Tristan
Cammack, Kerry N.
Leal, Roland
Midence Steen, Yuniedth
Erskine Jr., John ‘Jack’
Koebele, Stephen P.
Pate, Gardner
Richardson, Jody
Evans, Richard W.
Saitas, Jeffrey Anthony
Sullivan, Raymond C.
Garcia, Joe A.
Yelkin, Kimberly A.
Hutto, Kathy N.
Keel, Lara Laneri
Ramirez, Rene A.
Wright, Charles ‘Eric’
McGarah, Carol
Posey, C. Jake
Kelley, Russell T.
Brown, J. E. Buster
Hackney, Clint
Nasi, Michael J.
Howard, Jay
Delisi, Thomas
Perkins, Arthur V.
Shearer, James F.
Pearson, Dan
Phenix, William G. "Billy"
Peeler Jr., William Robert
Jones, Marsha Malish
Ellmer, Mindy R.
Nabers, Mary Scott
Scott, Natalie B.
Findley, Brett
Shields, Bradford T.
Bresnen, Steve
Valdez, Gerald A. ‘Jerry’
Carter, Nancy
Yarnell, William H.
Averitt, Kip
McCartt, J.
Hinkle, K. Daniel
Smith, Todd M.
Allen, Robert ‘Ray’
Grimes, John Michael
Seales, Terri
Sledge, Brian L.
Massingill, Gavin L.
Rodriguez, Marc A.
Stewart, Michael K.
Carr, Snapper L.
Mitzner, Carsi
Zottarelli, Angelo P.
Cain, Randy C.
McBeth, Kelly
Aghamalian, Brandon T.
Martinez, Mario A.
Mathis, James W.
Short, Jim
$840,000
$730,000
$680,000
$860,000
$735,000
$705,000
$685,000
$700,000
$655,000
$530,000
$670,000
$635,000
$705,000
$660,000
$555,000
$570,000
$660,000
$575,000
$600,000
$445,000
$565,000
$430,000
$565,000
$600,000
$645,000
$380,000
$455,000
$425,000
$735,000
$350,000
$480,000
$365,000
$475,000
$495,000
$480,000
$525,000
$485,000
$470,000
$510,000
$485,000
$310,000
$460,000
$510,000
$405,000
$475,000
$600,000
$450,000
$435,000
$425,000
$410,000
$420,000
$430,000
$325,000
$350,000
$385,000
$385,000
$395,000
$485,000
$315,000
$385,000
$435,000
$435,000
$1,550,000
$1,545,000
$1,495,000
$1,475,000
$1,475,000
$1,450,000
$1,430,000
$1,375,000
$1,350,000
$1,335,000
$1,320,000
$1,300,000
$1,285,000
$1,275,000
$1,255,000
$1,250,000
$1,235,000
$1,235,000
$1,235,000
$1,219,999
$1,215,000
$1,199,999
$1,150,000
$1,120,000
$1,110,000
$1,095,000
$1,070,000
$1,060,000
$1,060,000
$1,055,000
$1,045,000
$1,040,000
$1,030,000
$1,010,000
$1,000,000
$1,000,000
$995,000
$990,000
$945,000
$935,000
$925,000
$925,000
$915,000
$915,000
$900,000
$900,000
$895,000
$895,000
$895,000
$890,000
$880,000
$875,000
$860,000
$855,000
$805,000
$805,000
$800,000
$800,000
$790,000
$785,000
$775,000
$775,000
19
33
43
13
16
31
28
24
30
49
19
24
15
14
31
25
16
27
20
53
25
52
17
15
13
46
33
36
12
48
23
40
26
14
25
14
25
18
12
12
46
13
14
23
10
6
14
26
19
23
16
13
28
32
13
13
11
11
31
13
8
8
Gardere Wynne Sewell, LLP
Longbow Partners, LLP
Cammack & Strong, PC
Locke Lord, LLP
K&L Gates, LLP
Locke Lord, LLP
Allen Boone Humphries Robinson, LLP
Texas Lobby Solutions, Inc.
Saitas & Seales
Sullivan Public Affairs
Gardere Wynne Sewell, LLP
Jackson Walker, LLP
Blackridge
Posey Law Firm, PC
Blackridge
The Browns Consulting
Jackson Walker, LLP
HillCo Partners
Delisi Communications, Inc.
Gardere Wynne Sewell, LLP
Capital Consultants
HillCo Partners
Longbow Partners, LLP
HillCo Partners
Longbow Partners, LLP
Jerry Valdez Governmental Affairs, LLC
Allen Boone Humphries Robinson, LLP
Averitt & Associates
HillCo Partners
Impact Texas Communications, LLP
Service House, Inc.
Imperium Public Affairs
Saitas & Seales
Lloyd Gosselink Rochelle & Townsend
Longbow Partners, LLP
Focused Advocacy, LLC
Adams & Zottarelli, LLC
Adams & Zottarelli, LLC
Focused Advocacy, LLC
Jim Short, Inc.
86
86
86
89
90
91
92
92
94
94
94
97
98
99
99
99
99
99
99
Smith, R. Clint
Strama, Keith
Townsend, Thomas ‘Trent’
Roberts, Jack
Bennett, Joey
Delisi, Deirdre
Knaupe, Gregg W.
Pope, Clayton
Britton, Chris
Hill, Fred
Kaufman, Lisa O.
McFarlin, Don
Johnson, Michael J.
Chick, Craig Preston
Christian, Adina Harrell
Evans, Gwendolyn S.
Grabner, Matthew
Kamm, Robert R.
Woods, Lee A.
$345,000
$355,000
$315,000
$345,000
$365,000
$360,000
$355,000
$375,000
$335,000
$360,000
$385,000
$350,000
$125,000
$340,000
$425,000
$425,000
$425,000
$345,000
$375,000
$770,000
$770,000
$770,000
$765,000
$760,000
$755,000
$750,000
$750,000
$725,000
$725,000
$725,000
$720,000
$714,999
$700,000
$700,000
$700,000
$700,000
$700,000
$700,000
19
21
28
21
14
15
14
9
13
13
9
10
52
13
7
7
7
11
8
HillCo Partners
Imperium Public Affairs
Delisi Communications, Inc.
Caddo Associates
Solutions for Local Control, LLC
Blackridge
Capitol Partners Consulting
Ryan, LLC
Note: The above lobbyists accounted for 39 percent of all lobby income in the 2013 legislative session.
NOTES
i
Data reported by late May cover lobby contracting through the end of April.
By late May 2011, 1,679 lobbyists reported 8,225 contracts worth up to $359 million with 2,810 clients.
iii
“Lobbyist’s Lavish Party,” KVUE News, February 21, 2013.
ii