Business
Bank Claims Canyon Lawmaker Owes $10,000
December 27, 2013 
The Idaho Legislature will be in town shortly with elected representatives deciding how and where to spend all the tax money and other revenue collected by the state.
Rep. Hixon
One of those “spenders” will be Brandon Hixon, State Representative for Caldwell’s District 10. Based on public records, Rep. Hixon has an apparent history of stiffing creditors. Seems the good voters of Canyon County are plagued with deadbeat politicos eager to spend their public money while unable to manage their personal finances.
The CALDWELL GUARDIAN reports the lawmaker’s name showed up in legal ads published in the Idaho Press Tribune. No doubt Hixon will explain the run of bad luck to legacy media when they call.
On page page C12 of Friday’s Idaho Press Tribune a legal ad claims Brandon Hixon of 919 North Plateau Drive, Caldwell has not made his house payment of $1,625.80 since July 2012.”
Caldwell GUARDIAN editor Paul Alldredge broke the story and noted, “A quick check of today’s Press Tribune Legal Notices on the right hand side of the page gave the details of this latest financial difficulty of Rep. Hixon who is now more than $10,000 behind in his mortgage and late fees to Wells Fargo Bank.”
Ironically, a guy with bad debt is seldom hired in law ENFORCEMENT because the theory is he would be susceptible to accepting cash from strangers. We all know that would never happen with a law MAKER.
With a recent history among members of rape, indecent exposure/sexual harassment, fudging travel expenses, and a non-resident senator, failure to pay $10,000 to the bank is really small change for the Idaho Legislature.
REP. HIXON RESPONDS
This article was published about the public notice that my personal home mortgage is not current. What was not in the article is that I am currently fully engaged in a home mortgage loan modification process with Wells Fargo, the lender. Like way too many other Idaho families who bought properties in 2007, my home value significantly dropped, seemingly overnight, and my business income has diminished as well. While it is a significant challenge, I am not one to make excuses.
My constituents and the public need to know that I am diligently working through this matter to bring it to resolution as soon as possible. It is my responsibility and I intend to honor my commitment. My family and I have learned to become much better stewards of our resources as a result of this situation.
I have worked hard to ensure this temporary situation will have no significant impact on my ability to be an effective legislator. My rock solid voting record and my unwavering personal commitment to District 10 demonstrate my determination.
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Comments & Discussion
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Dec 27, 2013, 8:49 pm
And to think that people wonder what has happened to Circus performances.
Dec 27, 2013, 9:23 pm
I seems to be a resume requirement for elected officials to be some kind of a financial failure in order to get themselves elected. Then they can qualify as the gatekeepers of public tax dollars.
This certainly makes be feel better about the financial decisions these people make for all us little people.
Dec 28, 2013, 7:37 am
not a surprise, the reason many go into politics is because they have failed in their other ventures and the one skill they do have of manufactured rhetoric serves them well in politics. Funny we used to respect our elected leaders, now we loathe them and fear their power and its influence on our freedom and checkbook.
Dec 28, 2013, 9:19 am
Rep. Hixon’s campaign finance report shows that he received $29,536.48 in contributions for his 2012 campaign. Does anyone else think that this amount is just a legal form of bribery
Dec 28, 2013, 9:39 am
He’s not a lawmaker, he’s a law breaker: Invalid driver’s license, urinating in public, underage possession of alcohol (twice), speeding, seat belt infraction and a stop yield violation. Small claims in 2003 and 2005 for past due rent and he left a rental property just before being evicted.
Dec 28, 2013, 2:33 pm
At least he has never been convicted of rape, that is the only criteria that Idahoans really care about…
Dec 28, 2013, 4:38 pm
The only criteria one needs in Idaho is to claim Republican.
Dec 28, 2013, 5:23 pm
The first three comments seem to paint all politicians with the same brush, which is of course a wild oversimplification of reality. But then, we are in Idaho, where the only reality is Reality TV.
I’m not trying to defend this guy. His current financial troubles seem to post-date his election. He may have lost his job or be going thru a divorce. Who knows.
EDITOR NOTE– Rod, We were hesitant to jump too hard as well, but the public records are pretty clear. Something is wrong when a house and land assessed at $89,000 has a debt of $234,000. Either the assessor or the bank made a major screw up and our guess is with the bank. According to the legal notice he seems to owes $234,000 and had an original loan of $247,000…
Dec 28, 2013, 8:14 pm
This article was published about the public notice that my personal home mortgage is not current. What was not in the article is that I am currently fully engaged in a home mortgage loan modification process with Wells Fargo, the lender. Like way too many other Idaho families who bought properties in 2007, my home value significantly dropped, seemingly overnight, and my business income has diminished as well. While it is a significant challenge, I am not one to make excuses. My constituents and the public need to know that I am diligently working through this matter to bring it to resolution as soon as possible. It is my responsibility and I intend to honor my commitment. My family and I have learned to become much better stewards of our resources as a result of this situation.
I have worked hard to ensure this temporary situation will have no significant impact on my ability to be an effective legislator. My rock solid voting record and my unwavering personal commitment to District 10 demonstrate my determination.
Dec 28, 2013, 10:25 pm
I don’t think any of the local media will pick up on any of Mr. Hixon’s financial difficulties. And if they do it will be buried in the 3rd or fourth page next to the Obituaries.
I certainly will sleep better knowing Mr. Hixon has an unwavering commitment to his District 10 constituents.
Dec 29, 2013, 7:49 am
So, Mr. Hixon, the gist of the article is correct. You aren’t paying your bills and are sticking the bank with the results of your bad decisions. If the value had gone up would you have given the bank a share of the profit? No. So why should they get stuck with the loss (assuming that you are literate enough to understand the process and they didn’t lie to you). My value went down too. And my house was worth (and is worth) less than what I paid for it. However, I paid my obligations and stuck it out. At last I am no longer underwater and my credit rating and integrity are still intact. You took your chances, lost, and are now looking to someone else to bail you out. Not good traits in a legislator.
Dec 29, 2013, 10:16 am
I see many sanctimonious comments above, and in truth, mostly extremely sanctimonious and holier than thou types of comments.
Factually, the Great Recession impacted the private sector in an extremely lethal manner. Loss of livelihoods, loss of home values, loss of investment securities values,:……………….and on….
However, government workers were unfairly insulated, in many ways, including the distribution of almost $1 Trillion stimulus monies to mostly government workers (thank you very much for greasing those palms Mr. OBAMA!!!).
Dec 29, 2013, 12:59 pm
I find it wrong to make a family’s personal financial situation the stuff of public, quasi-political discussion.
I got acquainted with Representative Hixon during my fight to stop the state health exchange. While we did not agree, he was straight in his arguments and reasoning. Moreover, he has always treated me with politeness and respect.
Unlike those in the governor’s office who have ignored people like me, representatives like Hixon engaged in discussion and debate. Our conversations have been frank, with each holding to his beliefs. But they’ve also been open and friendly. That is something I appreciate about Idaho; something people don’t find elsewhere. I know, I’ve worked in D.C.
I find such character attacks on a person and his family cheap and tawdry. None of us is a “saint,” nor should we claim to be. As long as a person does not hurt anyone else, then a family’s business are their own. I’m not going to get involved in Representative Hixon or any other family’s personal financial situation. Unless someone asks or needs help, it is not my concern. It should not be the concern of anyone else. Thank you.
EDITOR NOTE–Steve, I agree with you for the most part. I will share part of the personal message I sent to Rep. Hixon: “From my standpoint, personal and private matters should remain just that. However, when they reach the point of being published in a newspaper legal notice and the subject of the foreclosure is in a position of spending the public’s money and making laws, it becomes legitimate news.”
Dec 29, 2013, 11:32 pm
I appreciate the fact that some legislators are actually like lots of their constituents.
Much worse is the cadre of wealthy politicians that have no idea of what it is like to worry about making a house payment; they have no idea of the fluster that banks are creating; they have no idea of the rights violations that law enforcement does.
If a person hasn’t been down the tough road, it’s pretty tough to have any empathy for the masses of people.
As some readers know, banks are not willing to work with anyone current on their house payment.
“Want to make a deal to reduce the outrageous interest rate to something that the rest of the people are eligible for on a new loan,,,, Sorry, we can’t help you because you are current on your loan.”
That’s a pretty “basic” neighborhood… a better concern might be how is it someone has to pay $1,600/mo for that house?
Dec 30, 2013, 9:38 am
Based on an article in yesterday’s Press-Tribune Mr. Hixon had not been paying his mortgage payment from July 2012 some 4 months before he was elected. This would mean he has been living rent free for nearly 18 months. While I can have strong feelings about the Real Estate bubble (my own home lost 50% of it’s value) paying ones obligations is something most people would like to know about especially in an elected Representative. I personally try not to do business with such individuals if I know they stick you when they can. It brings to mind a North Idaho Legislator who didn’t think he had to pay taxes and the lumber in his house should be free. He just picked the wrong entity to stiff. The IRS. Perhaps Mr. Hixon’s extended negotiations with Wells Fargo will go well. In the meantime he apparently is living rent free to the detriment of Wells Fargo and their customers. There is a legal way to resolve all of this–It is called bankruptcy which also will be published in the Press.
Dec 30, 2013, 10:16 am
The City of Star cannot be left out if you are talking about elected officials (Mayor Mitchell) that have had their homes foreclosed on and is still living in it or city councilmen (Erlebach) being convicted of stalking and other offenses that included jail time. It’s all on public record at …..https://www.idcourts.us/repository/start.do
Dec 30, 2013, 10:31 am
I suppose “Easterner” has made a point and Rep. Hixon has given all of us a blueprint to cajole the bank into a loan modification.
Simply put, just quit making your house payments and the bank will step in and bail you out with changes to your home loan.
Dec 30, 2013, 1:02 pm
Of course this is news, particularly in light of Mr. Hixon’s questionable track record with money and responsibility. Take a short walk through his financial disclosure statements and there’s lots of interesting reading. (There’s a reason we have laws for such financial disclosures, Mr. Ackerman)
Loaned his campaign $3500 in March 2012,http://www.sos.idaho.gov/elect/Finance/2012/PrePrimary/Candidate/10_Hixon.pdf
$750 in May 2012, and was repaid $600 in May 2012 http://www.sos.idaho.gov/elect/Finance/2012/PostPrimary/Candidate/10_Hixon.pdf
$330 in August, and was repaid the entire $3980 in August 2012: http://www.sos.idaho.gov/elect/Finance/2012/Oct10/Candidate/10_Hixon.pdf
$200 (2X100) in October and November, and was repaid the entire $200 in October and November:
http://www.sos.idaho.gov/elect/Finance/2012/PostGeneral/Candidate/10_Hixon.pdf
Also interesting in that report is a contribution from “Check Into Cash Idaho LLC” from Tennessee, for $130 (payday lender)
Paid himself $540 for “communications reimbursement” in Nov-Dec 2012
http://www.sos.idaho.gov/elect/Finance/2012/2012Annual/Candidate/10_Hixon.pdf
And paid himself another $150 on Sept 25, 2012 for “Travel.”
Mr Hixon’s facebook page shows Mr. Hixon owning a ha-huge flat screen TV and a late model SUV.
You would think that fiscal conservatives would find this information just a little bit concerning, but lo and behold, two Hixon supporters deigned to log on here, defend him, and deflect attention away from him by…wait for it… blaming Obama. In addition to demonstrating their blind Obama hatred being a substitute for rational thought, this proves yet again that being fiscally conservative isn’t the same as being fiscally responsible. Your hypocrisy is hanging way out over there in Canyon County, when you defend the likes McKenzie and McGee who sell you the the panacea of budget and tax cuts while they milk the system with questionable per diem requests. They don’t walk your talk.
Dec 30, 2013, 2:08 pm
[…] June of 2012, four months before he was elected to the Legislature. The news, first reported by the Caldwell Guardian and detailed in a Sunday article in the Idaho Press-Tribune, surfaced in a legal notice printed […]
Dec 30, 2013, 3:00 pm
The Great Recession’s impact was extremely uneven:
Many in the private sector took some heavy financial hits!!
The haughty public sector?? Well, not so much.
Easterner:
I very much agree w your comments about banks and law enforcement!!!
As for all of you financial affairs saints commenting above, which bailed out bank do you work for??
Dec 31, 2013, 1:40 pm
Canyon County and Idaho in general, can be counted on to always vote in their own worst interests. It is the one dimensional fixated voter these guys count on to elevate them to the podium. Pick your fixation du’jour. Guns, gays, Obama in any form, religion, taxes. Does Canyon County have a sister county in Mississippi?
Dec 31, 2013, 5:27 pm
Dog- I am glad you are so perfect.
I say give this a guy a chance to make it right or go through the process. Many people are 1 paycheck from this same situation.
Jan 1, 2014, 12:35 pm
He should have spent more time on his finances and less on his personal appearance.
Jan 1, 2014, 9:50 pm
Only a complete fool would have signed papers on that house with such an overblown value/PAYMENT. No thanks dude, go get a job.
Jan 2, 2014, 7:57 am
Dog-
Idaho in it’s entirety is the northern most confederate state.
Clancy-
Yes, your beloved “lawmakers” are sometimes caught in the financial and legal traps that they themselves create. When you want to make an omelet…
Jan 2, 2014, 9:13 am
Bottom line is people who can not appropriately manage their own finances have no business managing the larger state budget and managing mine and your tax dollars, it is a matter of competency.
Sure the economy has hit us all hard, but when making decisions like buying a home, you have to be conservative and assume some hard times will come, and mitigate those risks. So while I am sure he thought he could afford it at the time, he took too much risk.
Also his statements of this being a temporary situation does not address other posts that indicate this has been an issue for him for a couple years.
How much does he get paid to be legislature and is he using that income to help honor his debt commitments? Is his spouse working, what other efforts is he making to honor his commitments other than hoping the bank will take it in the shorts? Asking a lender to reduce what is owed is not in my mind working on fixing the situation versus it is working on avoiding responsibility.
I also lost about $100K value in my home, I was underwater about $60K but I have still made my payments and will wait out the market and hope for a return to equity. I am not running to the bank, asking them for favors. I have not had a raise at work for about 7 years, so I have tightened my belt, sold my boat, canceled the storage rental, doing stay-cations instead of vacations, canceled Netflix and Cable, etc.
Rep. Hixon does not seem to be stating what sacrifices he is making to try to make it work, other than flowery statements of he is trying to make this temporary situation resolved while focusing on serving his constituents. Until he states what he is really doing and what sacrifices he and his family are making, I call it BS.