Kuempel more interested in favor of homebuilders than constituents

While my state representative John Kuempel has been ignoring the pleas of his constituents in Guadalupe County for stronger consumer protection for homebuyers he’s been busy currying favor with homebuilders by getting HB 1503 passed. That’s a bill which adds seats for those builders on the advisory boards that oversee licensing of electrical and air conditioning contractors.

Rather than tell the likes of DR Horton and Pulte Homes that it’s unacceptable to sell homes so poorly built that their slabs break into pieces in as little as two years John Kuempel has arranged for these builders to add more power to their already outsized influence with the specialty subcontractors they need to build homes. Remember homebuilders aren’t licensed like electricians and plumbers, they don’t have to pass any tests to show competence all they have to do is hang out a sign that says they’re a homebuilder.
We can all look forward to more shortcuts and substandard materials as the DR Horton, Pulte and their ilk exert pressure on electricians and air conditioning contractors through their new seats on the licensing boards. If like me you’re appalled by Kuempel’s disregard for his constituents in favor of big money campaign donors I urge you to call his office at 512-463-0602 and let him know you want him to support the home buyers lemon law HB 1887.

Rep. Kuempel fails to serve his constituents

State Representative John Kuempel is more interested in dogs and cats than he is in his own constituents. Homeowners all over Cibolo have been suffering from new homes with foundation failures caused by the shoddy construction practices of major home builders and we sought help from Rep. Kuempel. We asked him to file a bill in the Texas legislature to provide home buyers with the opportunity to have their lemon homes bought back by the builder when they have repeatedly failed to remedy significant problems.

Currently you have a more consumer protection when you buy a toaster than when you buy a home even though it is likely the largest single investment you’ll ever make.

I’ll bet you didn’t know that while you have to have a license to cut hair, operate a nail salon or drive a car, home builders aren’t required to have a license. Soon if Kuempel gets his will dog and cat dealers will be licensed and regulated but not home builders.

Cibolo Mayor Jennifer Hartman, Councilman Steve Liparoto, Guadalupe County Judge Larry Jones and Commissioner Jim Wolverton all supported us and urged Kuempel to file the bill. In the last days before the bill filing deadline he wouldn’t even meet with his constituents; instead he filed HB 1449, a bill to license and regulate dog and cat dealers.