by Legislative Media | Jan 4, 2008 | Politics |
Eddie Sáenz, featured second from right, on Monday, December 31, officially filed for state representative, House District 40, to challenge Rep. Aaron Peña, D-Edinburg, in the March 4 Democratic Party primary. Sáenz was joined by his family and by Juan Maldonado, Hidalgo County Democratic Party chairman, and Maldonado’s son, Juan, at the county Democratic Party headquarters in Pharr. Sáenz said that under the legislative terms of Peña and Peña’s Austin allies, hundreds of thousands of eligible children have been stripped of their health benefits, college tuition costs have almost doubled at Texas’ flagship university, families and small business are charged an average of 54 percent more in utilities, and homeowners are forced to pay more than twice the national average to insure their homes. Peña, meanwhile, criticized Sáenz for failing to appear at a local Democratic Party event onj Wednesday evening, January 2, hinting of some of the attacks Peña, a local trial lawyer, will launch against Sáenz, a civil engineer: “Based on information that has reached our campaign on his residence and his disregard and failure to appear at tonight’s important Democratic function for a minimal debate he should really consider dropping out of the race,” Peña wrote in his political website. Featured with Sáenz in this portrait are, from left, his wife, Sandra; Juan Maldonado and his father, Juan Maldonado; Eddie Sáenz; and Eddie and Sandra’s daughter, Cassie. See story later in this posting.
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McAllen attorney Javier Villalobos, left, hears from a potential constituent, Fred Zambrano, last summer in McAllen at the onset of Villalobos’ campaign run for state representative, House District 41 – currently held by Verónica Gonzáles, D-McAllen – which includes southwest Edinburg. Villalobos filed as a Republican candidate on Wednesday, January 2, marking his official first entry as a political candidate. If elected, Villalobos would be the first Republican to win a state representative seat in Hidalgo County. In addition to Villalobos/ Gonzáles race, which won’t be decided until the November 2008 presidential election, there are two other contested battles for the Texas Legislature in Hidalgo County. Eddie Sáenz and Rep. Aaron Peña, D-Edinburg, are involved in the House 40 Democratic Party primary contest, and Rep. Ismael “Kino” Flores, D-Palmview, is being challenged by Sandra Rodríguez for the House 36 legislative post.
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Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr., D-Brownsville, featured left during a recent event at the University of Texas Regional Academic Health Center in Harlingen, was one of three Hidalgo County lawmakers who drew no opponents for their respective legislative seats in 2008. In addition to Lucio, Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, and Rep. Armando “Mando” Martínez, D-Weslaco, also will be unopposed for reelection. Lucio and Hinojosa will begin serving new, four-year terms beginning in January 2009; Martínez will begin serving a new, two-year term in January 2009.
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by Legislative Media | Dec 14, 2007 | Politics |
Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy, D-Rhode Island, a nephew of President Kennedy and the youngest member of the Kennedy family to be elected to office, on Monday, December 10, held himself out as an example of how mental health illnesses afflict everyone, including himself, as the keynote speaker for the ribbon-cutting of $53 million Renaissance Behavioral Center in Edinburg. Most Americans don’t have insurance to get the type of treatment Kennedy received, he noted, “and that, my friends, is a real tragedy, and that is why I am so committed to making sure we get insurance coverage for mental health.” See story later in this posting.
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Dolia González of Edinburg, mother of American war hero Freddy González, who was killed in action during the Vietnam War, is featured here during the October 2003 grand opening of the Alfredo Gonzalez Veterans Home in McAllen, named in honor of her son. Last spring, the Texas Legislature voted to posthumously bestow the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor, but, according to a recent news report in the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram, Gov. Rick Perry hasn’t found the time yet to hold the major ceremony that has come to the previous recipient’s of the state’s highest award for valor in war time. The story is available at:
http://www.star-telegram.com/state_news/v-print/story/297224.html
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A simple majority of the Edinburg school board on Tuesday, December 11, agreed with concerns raised by Board Secretary Ciro Treviño, featured right, who was up for reelection next May, and approved a measure that changes the election date to November 2008, and extends the length of the terms of all board members to four years, from the current three-year length. Fellow trustee Robert Peña, Jr., featured left, disagreed, saying area voters, not the Legislature, should have the final say on whether the local school board trustees can make such dramatic changes in their power and election date. A new state law is behind the growing controvery. See story later in this posting.
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Democratic Texas House challenger Eddie Sáenz, featured centure, is calling on his opponent, Rep. Aaron Peña, D-Edinburg, to forcefully reject a proposal put forward by Peña’s political allies in Austin to impose the state’s sales tax on basic food items, visits to doctors, hospital stays, medicines for senior citizens, professional realtors, and a long list of other services. “This plan by my opponent’s allies would raise taxes on every family and small business in our community and push our public schools to the brink of bankruptcy,” Sáenz said. “For once, I hope my opponent will stand up for his constituents against these typical politicians in Austin who bankroll his political career.” Sáenz said a plan unveiled on December 5 by Rep. Phil King, R-Weatherford, a key lieutenant of Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick, R-Midland, and other Austin leaders supported by Peña, would impose at least $5.2 billion a year in new taxes, according to an initial analysis. See story later in this posting.
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by Legislative Media | Dec 7, 2007 | Politics |
Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, featured here on Tuesday, November 27, after endorsing the reelection of Rep. Verónica Gonzáles, D-McAllen, has been appointed to the Joint Interim Committee on State Water Funding by Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst. The legislative committee will focus on key issues for state water funding for future planning projects. The committee was created as part of SB 3, a comprehensive statewide water bill that was passed during the last legislative session. Hinojosa said water will remain a top issue for Texas for many generations to come. “SB 3 was a key piece of legislation for the future of water use in Texas,” Hinojosa said. “I look forward to working with the committee on one of the state’s most important natural resources.” While it appears that Hinojosa may not draw an opponent for his Texas Senate seat, Gonzáles is facing a challenge from fellow McAllen attorney Javier Villalobos, who is seeking the Republican Party nomination. Gonzáles laid out her platform during her campaign rally, held in McAllen. See story about her political rally, along with a transcript of her speech, later in this posting
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Two of the area’s more well-known political leaders, La Joya Mayor Billy Leo, featured left, and Rep. Aaron Peña, D-Edinburg, strike a pose for a portrait shot during the November 27 campaign kick-off of Rep. Verónica Gonzáles, D-McAllen. Although the two men share the Democratic Party designation, Leo favors the election of a Democrat to be Speaker of the House of Representatives in Austin in January 2009, while Peña has pledged his support to the incumbent Speaker of the House, Tom Craddick, a Republican from Midland. The Speaker of the House is arguably the most powerful position in the Texas Legislature, with the power of life and death over all measures considered in the 150-member House of Representatives. The speaker is elected every two years by the House members. Peña’s opponent for the March 4 Democratic Party primary nomination is Eddie Sáenz, also of Edinburg, who has promised to vote for a Democrat for Speaker if Sáenz defeats Peña. See story on Peña filing for reelection and story on Sáenz opposing a voter I.D. bill, both included later in this posting.
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Stephen López of Edinburg belts out a patriotic song on Tuesday, November 27, with an image of Rep. Verónica Gonzáles, D-McAllen, appearing to look on in approval. López, a gifted singer whose talents have put him in demand at political and social gatherings in the Valley, continues to take the region by storm with his dynamic voice and stage presence. This latest performance helped kick off the campaign reelection bid for Gonzáles, who is facing a challenge from fellow McAllen attorney Javier Villalobos, a candidate for the Republican Party nomination.
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The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio on Tuesday, October 30, held a formal ceremony to dedicate the Mario E. Ramírez, M.D., Library at the Regional Academic Health Center (RAHC) in Harlingen. Ramírez, who practiced family medicine in Starr County for 43 years, served on the UT System Board of Regents from 1989 to 1995. At its August meeting, the board approved a request by the Health Science Center to name the library for Ramírez. In this portrait, Ramírez, featured left, stands near a plaque that was to be posted outside of the Mario E. Ramírez, M.D., Library at The UT Health Science Center at San Antonio/Regional Academic Health Center/Harlingen Campus. With Ramírez are his wife, Sarah; son, Roberto L. Ramírez; daughter, Patsy Kittleman; and daughter-in-law, Liza Ramírez. See story later in this posting.
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by Legislative Media | Nov 15, 2007 | Politics |
Hidalgo County Treasurer Norma G. García, featured second from left, has been named Texas County Treasurer for 2007 by her colleagues with the County Treasurers Association of Texas – the first time since 1971 that a local county treasurer has earned that prestigious honor. “Once again, Hidalgo County is recognized for outstanding leadership and performance in public service,” said García. “It is especially important for the public to have full confidence that their hard-earned tax funds are being taken care of at the highest standards and principles, which produce the most beneficial consequences to those whom I serve.” Featured with her during the award ceremony held in mid-October were: Kleberg County Treasurer Priscilla A. Cantú; García; Zapata County Treasurer Romeo Salinas; and Taylor County Treasurer Lesa Crosswhite, who also serves as CTAT president. See story later in this posting.
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Rep. Aaron Peña, D-Edinburg, focused on his legislative efforts on behalf of the youth in his district during his Thursday, November 8 campaign kick-off, held at the ECHO in Edinburg. Peña, who was born in Austin but grew up in Edinburg, reminded voters from the key Delta Area portion of his House District 40 of his deep roots in those communities. “My grandfather would never imagine what has happened to this community,” Peña fondly recalled his paternal grandfather, Baltazar Peña, who migrated from Mexico to the Edcouch-Elsa region. “Who would have imagined that we would move so quickly to have the sort of growth that we have here? That was done because of the dreams that they had, the dreams of a better future, the dreams of educating our kids. So, that has always been my commitment, as it is yours, that we invest in our kids.” Featured with Peña are, from left, back row: his wife, Mónica; daughter-in-law, Clarissa; granddaughter Addison; son Aaron Peña; daughter Adrienne Peña Garza; and in the front row: son Anthony; and granddaughter Chelsea Peña. The Edinburg lawmaker is facing a challenge from Eddie Sáenz, a civil engineer also from Edinburg, in the March 4, 2008 Democratic Party primary. See story later in this posting.
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Rep. Verónica Gonzáles, D-McAllen, whose House District 41 includes southwest Edinburg, on Thursday, November 8, helped welcome dignitaries to the campaign kick-off for her colleague, Rep. Aaron Peña, D-Edinburg. Gonzáles, along with Rep. Armando “Mando” Martínez, D-Weslaco, and Rep. Ryan Guillen, D-Rio Grande City, showed up at Peña’s event, even though Peña is facing a challenge from a fellow Democrat – Eddie Sáenz of Edinburg. Gonzáles will be having her own campaign kick-off on Tuesday, November 27, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the International Museum of Arts and Science, located at 1900 Nolana Avenue in McAllen. Gonzáles’ campaign kick-off, which is being underwritten by her law firm, Kittleman, Thomas & Gonzáles, LLP, is free and open to the public. For more information, residents may call her campaign at 212-8950. Gonzáles is facing at least one opponent so far – fellow McAllen lawyer Javier Villalobos, who is seeking the Republican Party nomination. Both parties will hold their primary elections on March 4, 2008.
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by Legislative Media | Oct 31, 2007 | Politics |
Eddie Sáenz of Edinburg addresses several hundred voters on Thursday, October 25, during his campaign kick-off for state representative, House District 40, which includes all but southwest Edinburg, La Joya and Sullivan City in western Hidalgo County, Edcouch, Elsa, La Villa, and San Carlos in eastern Hidalgo County, and northern Hidalgo County. Sáenz, a Democrat, is portraying incumbent Rep. Aaron Peña, D-Edinburg, as loyal to the Republican Party, criticizing Peña for helping keep a Republican in power as Texas Speaker of the House. “Our great state senators and South Texas representatives need a partner working with them in Austin. We need to elect a Speaker who is for everyone,” Sáenz said. “That is why I am committing to stand with the Democratic Caucus, and support a Democrat for Speaker that we can all stand behind.” See story later in this posting.
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Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT) President Chris McGill and CLEAT Political Director Charley Wilkison presented Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr., D-Brownsville, featured right, with the Senator of the Year 2007 award at CLEATS 31st annual convention held October 6 in Brownsville. As a member of the Senate Finance Committee, Lucio pushed for an increase of $369.4 million in funds for the incarceration and treatment of adult felons. He also helped secure $108 million for border security operations, including funding for local law enforcement surge operations, joint operation and intelligence centers, a border security operation center, additional Department of Public Safety troopers and more aviation support. See story later in this posting.
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A portion of the program cover for the November 15 Tejano Walk of Fame scholarship fundraiser provides a colorful preview for the event, to be hosted by The Social Club, an upscale restaurant located at 205 Conquest Boulevard in Edinburg. Hundreds of fans of the latest inductees of the Tejano Walk of Fame will be able to see their favorite musicians – at no charge – during the public portion of the popular event, which will be held outside The Social Club from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. See story later in this posting.
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An exhibit titled “Pillars of Success” featuring the photos and success stories of five distinguished alumni of The University of Texas-Pan American opened at the University’s Visitors Center on October 11. Pictured from left are new UTPA “Pillars of Success” honorees Arturo E. Guerra Jr., Roberto Pulido, Dr. Marla M. Guerra, and Lucious “Luke” Jackson Jr. Not pictured is Major General William F. Garrison, who was unable to attend the Pillars exhibit opening. See story later in this posting.
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