FEATURED, FROM LEFT: Col. Steven C. McCraw, the recently retired Director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, and Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, on Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at the Bob Bullock Museum in Austin during an event honoring McCraw for his 45 years of service in law enforcement. “Col. McCraw’s service as DPS Director set a high standard and exemplifies honor, duty, and leadership,” said Hinojosa. “He has been a skilled administrator, a tireless leader, and a strong advocate for the agency. His ability to manage difficult and complex situations demonstrated his commitment to serving and protecting our state.”
Photograph Courtesy TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
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South Texas attorney Omar Ochoa says local lawmakers’ Capitol staff members are great resources for constituents to learn how to participate in the legislative process
By DAVID A. DÍAZ
[email protected]
South Texas attorney Omar Ochoa says that local lawmakers’ Capitol staff members are valuable resources for constituents to learn how to participate in the legislative process.
A constituent is a citizen residing in the district of an elected state senator or state representative.
“A great way to impact the Texas Legislature is to make and maintain regular contact with your legislators’ staff members in Austin,” said Ochoa, who has helped the Edinburg City Council promote its state legislative agenda for the past several years.
“They will guide you on how the legislative process works, answer questions you have about any topics or legislation, show you ways to influence the fate of those measures, and forward your ideas and opinions to their boss,” he added. “With your senator’s or representative’s Capitol staff members’ expert advice, the legislative process will quickly begin to make more sense.”
Legislation is a proposed or enacted law or group of laws.
The 181 members of the 89th Texas Legislature won’t come together at the state Capitol in Austin until Tuesday, January 12, 2025 for the 140-day regular session, which ends on Monday, June 2, 2o25.
There are 31 senators and 150 state representatives in the Texas Legislature.
Each citizen in Texas is served by one state senator and one state representative.
In general, the main differences between a Texas state senator and a Texas state representative are the length of their term, the number of constituents they represent, and their position in the Texas Legislature.
State senators serve four-year terms, while state representatives serve two-year terms. State senators represent a larger number of constituents than state representatives.
The Senate is the upper house of the Texas Legislature, while the House of Representatives is the lower house.
The Texas Legislature meets every odd-numbered year to address state issues and write new laws.
Members of the Texas Legislature do not have term limits.
To find out who is your state senator and state representative, use the “Who Represents Me?” Website at:
Texas Legislature Online (gov).
With that information in hand, contact both your state senator’s and state representative’s Capitol office on a regular, and preferably often, basis since in most cases, most legislative measures – known as bills – will be considered in the Senate and in the House of Representatives.
A bill is a type of legislative measure that requires passage by both the Texas House of Representatives and the Texas Senate, and action by the governor in order to become effective. A bill is the primary means used to create and change the laws of the state.
“It is very important that when you call or email the Capitol office of your state senator and state representative, you always identify yourself as a ‘constituent’, because the Capitol staff members immediately know you can vote for their boss. The title of ‘constituent’ makes you a VIP (Very Important Person),” Ochoa emphasized.
He also recommended that Texans can easily learn about the terms used in the Texas Legislature by going online at:
https://tlc.texas.gov/docs/legref/Glossary.pdf
“There are so many resources available on the Texas Legislature’s main website to help a person become very informed on how to create and pass legislation to improve the lives and livelihood of so many people in Texas,” Ochoa said.
“It’s not rocket science. You don’t have to be rich or powerful,” Ochoa reassures Texans from all walks of life. “You just need to know who to ask, and they are the Capitol staff members for your state senator and state representative.”
Born and raised in Edinburg, Ochoa’s roots run deep in the community.
A graduate of Edinburg North High School, he went on to earn a business degree, a master’s in accounting, and a law degree from the University of Texas at Austin.
A champion for government transparency, Ochoa provides regular reports to the public on the Texas Public Information Act, the Texas Open Meetings Act, and existing and proposed state laws that affect the mainstream and social media and the people’s rights to know about the actions of their governments in the Lone Star State.
He worked closely with René A. Ramírez, founder of Edinburg-based Pathfinders Public Affairs, the City of Edinburg’s legislative consultant, to champion major issues that have brought millions of dollars in state and federal funds to the city.
The last time the Texas Legislature met for its 140-day regular session was from Tuesday, January 10, 2023 through May 29, 2023 for its 140-day regular session.
The Edinburg City Council, based on their own ideas, and from recommendations they asked from all citizens and city government employees, approved the following legislation agenda, which created the set of policy proposals, bills and priorities most important for the community for the Texas Legislature to address in 2023 and 2024:
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The City supports legislation which strengthens the local economy by providing resources to attract and retain competitive-wage employers, supporting locally-owed small businesses, and creating a more revenue-diversified city.
Priorities:
• Support legislation to provide meaningful property tax relief.
• Support legislation that empowers local governments to remove barriers to housing for low-income families and increase the local affordable housing stock.
• Support the continuation of local and state incentives to supplement local economic development strategies to recruit and retain employers.
• Support legislation that invests in educational and job placement programs to provide support for our growing workforce to complement the City’s voter-approved workforce initiative, SA Ready to Work, to include veterans and military spouses.
• Support legislation that enhances an effective and sustainable education system from early childhood to higher education.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
The City supports the continued ability to equitably collect tax revenue and implement local decisions, ordinances, and policies to address the specific and individualized needs of its community.
Priorities:
• Support legislation that would benefit the City and the continued ability of local elected officials, the level of government closest to the people, to pass ordinances to meet the unique needs of the community.
• Oppose legislation that would be detrimental to the City’s interests and results in the loss of revenue or negatively impacts the authority to generate revenues, including mandates that increase costs to cities.
• Oppose legislation that would erode municipal authority to enforce development-related regulations, such as land use, permitting, and inspections, as well as legislation that interferes with our cost-recovery model.
INFRASTRUCTURE
The City supports legislation and funding to address the need for critical community development infrastructure.
Priorities:
• Resources for added flood mitigation & drainage improvements.
• Support legislation to address Edinburg’s rapid population growth and reduce congestion; and ensure a continued and fair allocation of state transportation funding.
• Support legislation that would enhance pedestrian safety and continue to support safety initiatives.
• Support opportunities for enhanced transportation infrastructure such as airport, road, hike and bike trails, and public transit.
• Environmental quality & waste management.
• Support legislation, in coordination with stakeholders, that ensures and funds infrastructure, connectivity, and affordability broadband Internet service.
COMMUNITY SAFETY
The City supports legislation which provides the highest level of community safety to all Edinburg residents.
Priorities:
• Increased community and neighborhood policing resources.
• Intervention and victim protection programs.
• Expanded social services.
• Emergency management recovery assistance.
OPEN GOVERNMENT
The City supports legislation which enhances open government and accountability to the residents of the City.
Priorities:
• Support efforts to allow for internet publication of legal notices rather than requiring publication in a paper of record.
• Support legislation that expands local transparency efforts.
• Oppose legislation that seeks to require declarations of political party affiliation in local municipal elections.
COMMUNITY SAFETY
The City supports legislation which provides the highest level of community safety to all Edinburg residents.
Priorities:
• Increased community and neighborhood policing resources.
• Intervention and victim protection programs.
• Expanded social services.
• Emergency management recovery assistance.
EDUCATION
The City supports legislation which advances access to quality education, from preschool through higher education where each student has the educational resources to achieve success.
Priorities include:
• Expanded broadband coverage.
• Suitable education facilities and properly trained/paid educators.
• Increased access to student meal programs.
• Additional higher education programs aligned with in-demand, local occupations.
HEALTH AND MEDICAL CARE
The City supports legislation which creates greater healthcare systems and improved access to suitable, low-cost, and preventative health care coverage and resources.
Priorities:
• Removal of healthcare barriers for low-income, socially at-risk, venerable, genetically predisposed, and individuals with chronic mental or health conditions.
• Supports legislation that encourages responsible pet ownership and improves the health, safety and welfare of our residents and pets.
QUALITY OF LIFE
The City supports legislation which contributes to the expansion of “quality of life” resources and infrastructure providing numerous health, economic, and development benefits to the city.
Priorities:
• Expanded funding for parks & recreational facilities.
• Additional hike n’ bike trail systems.
• Expansion of museums and cultural arts amenities.
• Preservation and expansion of green space.
After 15 years as leader of Texas Department of Public Safety, Col. Steven C. McCraw retires on Saturday, November 30, 2024
After 15 years as the Director of the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Col. Steven C. McCraw on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, said goodbye to personnel as he left DPS Headquarters in Austin for a final time.
“Director Steve McCraw has headed the Texas Department of Public Safety with integrity and dedication for the last 15 years,” said Gov. Greg Abbott. “I thank him for his exceptional service to the state and for always upholding the rule of law in our great state. Director McCraw played a pivotal role in keeping Texans safe, and his legacy will live on for generations.”
“Col. McCraw’s service as DPS Director set a high standard and exemplifies honor, duty, and leadership,” said Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen. “He has been a skilled administrator, a tireless leader, and a strong advocate for the agency. His ability to manage difficult and complex situations demonstrated his commitment to serving and protecting our state.”
“The state of Texas has been fortunate to have Director McCraw as the leader of DPS for the last 15 years,” said Public Safety Commission (PSC) Chairman Steven P. Mach. “DPS is the premiere law enforcement agency it is today in very large part because of his visionary leadership. His collaboration alongside Gov. Abbott and the Texas Legislature has led to incredible improvements in safety, better pay, better equipment, better recruitment and better personnel — and the state of Texas is safer today because of it.”
“Serving as the Director of the Texas Department of Public Safety has been the greatest honor of my life,” McCraw said. “I leave knowing that the future of this department is in the best possible hands. The continued efforts and commitment to excellence by those that work at DPS have made, and will continue to make, a profound difference in the lives of the people of this great state.”
DPS has made notable changes under McCraw’s leadership, thanks to the tremendous support of Abbott as well as the Texas Legislature and other state leaders. This includes the transition to a regional command structure – uniting DPS operations throughout the state, increasing pay for commissioned officers and obtaining state-of-the-art equipment to better serve the public and to protect officers.
During his tenure, McCraw and DPS leadership also increased department hiring standards and implemented a mandatory fitness program for all commissioned officers. His focus on recruiting has helped bring in top talent over the years.
Under his leadership 3,144 Recruits completed the DPS Training Academy to join the ranks of the Texas Highway Patrol.
McCraw started his law enforcement career with DPS in 1977 as a Trooper in the Texas Highway Patrol and later as a DPS Narcotics Agent.
In 1983, he became a Special Agent with the FBI and served in Dallas, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Tucson, San Antonio and Washington, DC. His promotions included Supervisory Special Agent, Unit Chief of the Colombian/Mexican Organized Crime Unit, Assistant Special Agent in Charge in Tucson, Inspector-In-Charge of the Southeast Bomb Task Force, Inspector – Deputy Assistant Director, Special Agent in Charge of the San Antonio Office and Assistant Director of the Office of Intelligence for which he was tasked to establish after the attacks on 9/11.
McCraw was also responsible for establishing the Foreign Terrorism Tracking Task Force under the Office of the Attorney General.
In 2004, McCraw retired from the FBI to become the Texas Homeland Security Director in the Office of the Governor where he served until his appointment as DPS Director in 2009.
Since first announcing his plans to retire back in August, McCraw has received numerous awards and recognition to honor his lifetime of service.
Additionally, DPS personnel honored his time at DPS and the impact he has had at the department through a video series entitled “Honoring aLifetime of Service,” which takes a look at the significant impact his leadership has had on DPS, and its people, over the last 15 years.
Earlier in November 2024, employees paid tribute to McCraw as he left DPS Headquarters for one of the final times.
Personnel from all divisions lined the drive and aircraft flew overhead as he left campus.
You can view that video here.
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For more on this and other Texas legislative news stories that affect the Rio Grande Valley metropolitan region, please log on to Titans of the Texas Legislature (TitansoftheTexasLegislature.com).
