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Biographical Notes for State Representative Scott Hochberg
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Scott Hochberg has represented southwest Houston in the Texas House of Representatives since 1993. His current district includes Gulfton, Sharpstown, Briarmeadow, Shenandoah, Piney Point and nearby communities. In 2007, Mr. Hochberg was again recognized as one of the Texas' "Ten Best Legislators" by Texas Monthly magazine. He was named 2007 Legislative Hero by the Texas Freedom Network, and honored by Children at Risk for his work on children's issues. Mr. Hochberg serves on the House Committee on Public Education and as the vice-chair of the House Committee on Corrections. He also serves as vice-chair of the special Select Committee on Higher and Public Education Finance. In past sessions, he has chaired the Education Subcommittee of the House Committee on Appropriations. His work on the education committee has included passage of a parents' bill of rights, funding for second-chance high school classes during evenings and weekends, additional school district performance audits, the state's first program to fund school building construction and renovation, and the creation of a medical safety board for student athletics. His many awards from education groups include being honored as the Texas PTA's Legislator of the Year and as the Equity Center's Champion for Children. He has represented Texas on education panels of the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Southern Legislative Conference. Mr. Hochberg has been recognized by Mothers Against Drunk Driving for his work to lower the state's DWI alcohol level. He has also worked successfully to strengthen prosecution of skinhead groups and others who commit hate crimes. He has passed legislation strengthening consumer rights against rebate rip-offs, protecting patients from late billing by hospitals, and providing fair workers compensation payments for Texans injured while working second jobs. Mr. Hochberg has been honored by the Pakistan American Council of Texas for his legislation prohibiting deceptive advertising of Hallal foods. Mr. Hochberg led a successful effort to hold polluters responsible for unplanned air pollution caused by poor maintenance. As an advocate of open government, he led in the effort to post all legislative actions and state agency rules on the Internet. Mr. Hochberg has been appointed by Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson to serve on the Judicial Committee on Information Technology, and was appointed by former House Speaker Pete Laney to chair the Workers' Compensation Research and Oversight Council and to serve on the University Interscholastic League Advisory Council. Mr. Hochberg is a Houston native. After earning his Master in Electrical Engineering degree from Rice University, he co-founded an electronic manufacturing firm that he headed for 12 years before selling his interest. He currently operates a software development company. Mr. Hochberg is the recipient of an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Houston Baptist University. He serves on the Community Relations Committee of the Jewish Federation of Houston and also on the boards of the local chapters of the American Jewish Committee and Anti-Defamation League. He has served as president of the board of Houston Taping for the Blind and as trustee of the Citizens' Environmental Coalition. Mr. Hochberg is a graduate of Leadership Houston, and is an Associate Member of the Sharpstown Civic Association. He has been honored by the American Cancer Society for his support of legislation to reduce smoking. The Women's Political Caucus of Houston has twice honored him with their annual "Good Guy" award, and the Harris County Democrats have presented him with their Frankie Award for Education. Rice University has recognized Mr. Hochberg's volunteer efforts by naming its radio broadcasting tower in his honor. |