by Legislative Media | Jul 3, 2007 | Politics |
In this file photo provided by the U.S. Navy, a Tomahawk missile is fired from the USS Alfredo “Freddy” González, a $900 million guided missile destroyer named in honor of the late Marine Sergeant from Edinburg, who was killed in action during the Tet Offensive in Vietnam. Forty years after his death, González – whose mother, Dolia, lives in Edinburg – has been honored by his home state. In mid-June, Gov. Rick Perry signed into law a proclamation posthumously bestowing the state’s highest military honor – the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor – upon the Edinburg war hero. See story later in this posting.
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Rep. Verónica Gonzáles, D-McAllen, recently provided a legislative update to her constituents in McAllen, which included news that Gov. Rick Perry had signed into law a measure that will make it easier for working families in Texas to enroll their children in the popular Children’s Health Insurance Program. The expansion of CHIP to almost 130,000 more children ranks among the biggest victories for health care to come out of the recently concluded 80th session of the Texas Legislature, says the Texas Border Coalition, which lobbied for the improvements to CHIP. See story later in this posting.
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Robert Gandy, III, president of First National Bank of Edinburg, on Tuesday, June 26, provided an update on plans by the local financial institution to eventually create a $100 million corporate bank headquarters/retail development in west Edinburg. Gandy, who addressed the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation during its board session, said up to $2 million has already been spent by the bank to lay the groundwork at the 115-acre site, and the first building should begin going up later this fall. See story later in this posting.
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by Legislative Media | May 29, 2007 | Politics |
Some of the major economic development leaders in Edinburg and Hidalgo County discussed their strategies for continuing the growth, which has lead to record-low jobless rates in Edinburg, during a May 17 luncheon at the ECHO sponsored by the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce. The meeting, which featured a presentation on key initiatives by Hidalgo County Judge J.D. Salinas, included local elected and appointed political and business officials. Salinas, featured center, seated, along with Mayor Joe Ochoa, featured to the judge’s left, was also joined for this portrait by Ramiro Garza, executive director for the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation; Dennis Burleson of Mission, chairman of the Hidalgo County Regional Mobility Authority; J.J. Rodríguez, city manager; Mike Govind, member of the EEDC board of directors; Mayor Pro Tem Gene Espinoza; Fred Palacios, member of the EEDC board of directors; and former Edinburg Mayor Richard García, who also serves as the president of the EEDC board of directors. The judge’s presentation is available on the internet (http://www.cityofedinburg.com/) or on the Edinburg Cable Network, which is on Time Warner Cable channel 12. See story later in this posting.
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Diana Rath, chair of the Texas Workforce Commission, has praised the legislative passage of a bill supported by the Texas Border Coalition, which will protect more than $12 million in state funds to help businesses and community colleges train employees. Rath, shown here during a visit to South Texas College in February, said thousands of workers along the Texas border region will benefit from the legislation, which is awaiting anticipated approval from Gov. Rick Perry. See story later in this posting.
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Robert Peña, Jr., 39, is the newest member of the Edinburg school board, winning in his inaugural bid for public office. Peña, former executive director for the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation, now owns a small business in the community. The Edinburg native, a former U.S. Army Sergeant, also served in the first Persian Gulf War. Peña succeeds former ECISD school board president Melba González. Hidalgo County County Court No. 1 Judge Rodolfo González (no relation to Melba González) administered the oath of office to Peña during swearing-in ceremonies at the Edinburg School Administration Building a few days after his election.
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Rep. Peña reportedly leaning against reelection bid
By DAVID A. DÍAZ
Rep. Aaron Peña, D-Edinburg, is reportedly leaning against a bid for a fourth two-year term, a move that would cost his hometown powerful seniority in the Texas House of Representatives, where a bitter political struggle during the waning days of the legislative session was underway to replace his friend, Speaker of the House Tom Craddick, R-Midland.
The five-month regular session was scheduled to end at midnight on Monday, May 28.
Following reports in the Valley news media on Saturday, May 26, that quoted Peña expressing serious reservations about running for reelection in the March 2008 Democratic Party primary, the veteran legislator has not issued any additional public statements nor has he denied the news reports being carried in Valley news outlets.
A top staff members with his Capitol office on Sunday said Peña would provide more details on his published comments, most likely after the legislative session wraps up.
His first scheduled public appearance in Edinburg is set for Thursday, May 31, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. during grand opening ceremonies of Edwards Abstract & Title Company, 3111 W. Freddy González Drive, in Edinburg.
As of late Monday evening, Peña had not addressed the news article on his website, http://www.acapitolblog.com/. During his posting on his website on Sunday, May 27, he focused on the House passage of legislation to expand the Children’s Health Insurance Program to potentially more than 120,000 additional children of working families.
Late Friday evening, May 25, Peña expressed great dismay with an unprecedented political battle in the House of Representatives that on Saturday, May 26, made national news.
CBS News described the chaos Friday evening as a “five-hour rebellion on the House floor that included a bold attempt to boot him from office, the physical restraint of insurgent lawmakers trying to overtake the speaker’s podium, and the House parliamentarian nearly pushed to tears before resigning.”
Peña, who seconded Craddick’s nomination for Speaker of the House in January, was clearly disheartened by the political meltdown that is historic in nature.
“Words alone can not begin to communicate the troubling events at your Texas capitol,” Peña reported on his website, even posting a photo of a dark and angry sky descending upon the Texas Capitol. “We are but two days away from completion of the 80th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature and a conflict over who will be the occupant of the chair of the body has erupted.
Peña added, “Last night (Friday) every seat in the gallery was filled. The tensions and rhetoric were high. Each side of the argument has made their positions known to the body the only question that remains is the forum to decide the ultimate question. I still expect that forum to be the brutal primaries of March. For now, the passage of the budget is the last remaining necessity this Texas House must pass. I would hope that the anarchy we are presently observing does not interfere with our responsibility to pass the only bill we are required to pass each session.”
Craddick was still in control late Monday evening, the last day of the regular session, presiding over the House debate over the state budget and other major legislation.
If Peña chooses not to seek reelection – he has handily won three challenges – the political landscape in the city is sure to change with an open seat suddenly and unexpectedly coming available in the spring 2008 Democratic and Republican party primaries.
If both parties field candidates in March, then the November general elections in the city will include a campaign to represent House District 40, which includes all but southwest Edinburg, the Delta Area, La Joya, Sullivan City and smaller communities in northern Hidalgo County.
On Monday evening, Peña repeated his concerns about the political turmoil in the House of Representatives in his latest posting on his website, but again stated nothing to dispel the published reports that he may not seek reelection.
“As I have repeatedly noted before the bitterness and uber-partisanship that poisons Washington now infects the Texas State Capitol,” Peña chastised Craddick’s opponents. “Like the fall of ancient Rome when its generals put personal ambitions over their responsibility to the people of their state, our great state is poisoned by those who fail in their responsibilities to the governed. My hope is that today we, the elected officials of this state, will rise to the responsibility entrusted to us by the governed and get on with finishing the business of the state.”
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“Ronald Reagan Republicans” form PAC to counter alleged retaliation by Speaker Craddick
In a move to redirect the Republican leadership of the Texas House of Representatives, Republicans opposing the reelection of Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick, R-Midland, have filed paperwork at the Texas Ethics Commission to form a political action committee to protect Republican legislative incumbents and candidates from attack in the upcoming 2008 primary.
The new PAC is titled “Ronald Reagan Republicans for Local Community Control and Speaker Term Limits.” The new PAC’s Board of decision makers will include the four House Republicans running for Speaker against Craddick (Jim Keffer, Jim Pitts, Brian McCall and Fred Hill) and the new PAC’s treasurer will be State Representative Byron Cook (R-Corsicana).
According the Ethics Commission filing, the new PAC will use the acronym: “3 R PAC.”
“The 3 R PAC will promote speaker term limits to make sure that the office of Speaker is dedicated to following the rules of procedure for the benefit of all 150 House districts, rather than twisting the rules of procedure to perpetuate the personal power of one member,” said Cook.
“The is a battle between Republicans over whether our party will follow the current path of infighting and self-destruction which has resulted in a loss of seven seats in the Texas House since Craddick took over or to follow the path of leadership through integrity exemplified by former Republican President Reagan,” Cook added.
Cook said the purpose of this PAC is to raise money to protect Republican incumbents and legislative candidates from vindictive acts and retaliation by Speaker Craddick and his supporters.
Over the past two weeks Craddick supporters have actively sought to recruit primary opponents for some of the Republicans opposing Craddick including Keffer and Cook.
“President Reagan’s11th Commandment was to not attack fellow Republicans,” Cook added.
“This PAC will be a watchdog to condemn any attempt by Craddick or his supporters to usurp decisions which should made by local Republican primary voters and not outside special interest agendas.”
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Sen. Hinojosa says funding for key projects in Edinburg, county, to be included in final state budget
By MELISSA DEL BOSQUE
Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, announced on Friday, May 25, that millions of dollars in new appropriations will go to Hidalgo County in the next biennium for important issues such as water and health.
Hinojosa said a new substance abuse and primary care facility will be constructed in Edinburg.
“I worked very closely with the chair and members of finance to bring a substance abuse and primary care facility to Hidalgo County,” Hinojosa said. “Our communities are very much in need of substance abuse services and primary care. I want to also thank Rep. Aaron Peña (D-Edinburg) for his commitment and work on this issue.”
In addition, Hinojosa also worked to get $2 million to relocate the Boeye Reservoir in McAllen. That money will be used to relocate the reservoir and expand its capacity.
“McAllen and the region are growing so fast that we need to think ahead about our water supply and plan for the future,” Hinojosa said. “This will allow us to move the reservoir away from the McAllen Airport to a more secure location where the reservoir can be expanded and improved.”
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Texas Border Coalition scores big victory with protection of Skills Development Fund
By DAVID A. DÍAZ
Legislation designed to protect over the next two years more than $12 million in the state’s Skills Development Fund, which helps provide customized workforce training to thousands of border residents, has been approved by the Texas Legislature.
House Bill 48 by Rep. Norma Chávez, D-El Paso, preserves a funding formula that dedicates money to the Skills Development Fund and the Texas Enterprise Fund, two major economic development programs used by the state to create thousands of jobs.
The Skills Development Fund is an important part of the Texas Border Coalition’s efforts to bring higher paying jobs to the border areas by providing a trained workforce.
TBC is an alliance of elected leaders and economic development officials representing more than 2 million residents who live Texas counties that border Mexico.
More than $40 million dollars was appropriated by the Texas Legislature for the 2006-2007 biennium, and grant applications are accepted year round, according to the Texas Workforce Commission. Since the inception of the Skills Development Fund in 1996, more than 168,110 Texas workers have received training. Through collaborations between private industry and training providers, the Skills Development Fund is designed to assist employers meeting the demands of the ever-advancing marketplace and to help workers acquire new skills or upgrade existing skills, the TWC reports.
On Friday, May 18, HB 48 was approved by the Senate, and has been sent to Gov. Rick Perry for his approval. Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, was the Senate sponsor for HB 48.
“I am delighted that the Texas Senate unanimously passed HB 48,” said Zaffirini. “This bill ensures continued state funding for skills development programs that greatly benefit Texas’ workforce. Retaining the current funding ratio allows the state workforce to remain competitive by providing sufficient resources for skills training. This results in additional training for more than 5,000 Texas workers per year.”
Under current law, 1/10th of 1 percent of Unemployment Insurance Fund, paid into by all employers, is used to fund the Skills Development Fund and the Texas Enterprise Fund. From the Unemployment Insurance Fund, 33 percent goes to the Skills Development Fund and 66 percent goes to the Skills Development Fund.
Without HB 48, the funding formula was going to change on September 1, 2007, which would have resulted in a $6.4 million a year decrease in the Skills Development Fund.
“House Bill 48 keeps the ‘split’ of funding between the Texas Enterprise Fund and the Skills Development Fund at its current and original level,” said Chávez. “Maintaining the current split will allow 10,240 more workers to be trained by the TWC over the next two years.”
In 2005, Chávez and Zaffirini also sponsored House Bill 2421, which established the Employment and Training Investment Assessment (ETIA) that allocated funding to the Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) and the skills development program. It was HB 2421 that directed 67 percent of the ETIA holding fund to the TEF and the remaining 33 percent to the skills development fund.
Diane D. Rath, an appointee of Gov. Rick Perry and chair of the Texas Workforce Commission who represents the public, said HB 48 is important to the state.
“By developing skills training to meet the specific needs of employers, the Skills Development Fund has proven to be a well-structured formula for workforce development success,” said Rath. “We are grateful for the ongoing support of the Legislature for Texas’ premier job-training program.”
On May 16, TBC and other border leaders testified in support of HB 48 when it went before the Senate Finance Committee, which includes border lawmakers Sens. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, Eddie Lucio, Jr., D-Brownsville, and Zaffirini.
Among those witnesses were TBC members Wanda F. Garza with South Texas Community College, who also serves as chair of the TBC Workforce Development Committee; Ricardo Pérez of Mission; and Pat Townsend, Jr., President and CEO of the Mission Economic Development Authority and TBC treasurer.
“The passage of HB48 was a landmark decision of the Texas Legislative that will invest the Unemployment Insurance Funds to increase the Skills Development Fund to $52 million. These funds will provide job training opportunities for thousands of new and incumbent workers. Sen. Zaffirini, Rep. Chávez and the Texas Legislature are to be applauded for their commitment to raising the skill levels of our workforce,” said TBC’s Garza. “Building a skilled workforce will provide the state with the competitive edge needed to compete in a global market. Gov. Perry kept his promise to support increasing the Skills Development Fund to $50 million. We thank them.”
Rep. Ryan Guillen, D-Rio Grande City, Rep. Aaron Peña, D-Edinburg, and Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio are joint authors of the measure.
“This is a great bill,” said Peña.”Workforce training is such an important economic development tool.”
Members of TBC also include: Eagle Pass Mayor and TBC Chairman Chad Foster; Brownsville Mayor Eddie Treviño, Jr.; Cameron County Judge Carlos Cascos; Del Rio Mayor Efraín Valdéz; Edinburg Mayor Joe Ochoa; El Paso Mayor John F. Cook; El Paso County Attorney José Rodríguez; Harlingen Mayor Chris Boswell; Hidalgo Mayor John David Franz; Hidalgo County Judge J.D. Salinas; Laredo Mayor Raúl G. Salinas; McAllen Mayor Richard Cortéz; Maverick County Judge José “Pepe” Aranda, Jr.; Mission Mayor Norberto Salinas; Pharr Mayor Leopoldo Palacios, Jr.; Roma Mayor Rogelio Ybarra; and Weslaco Mayor Joe V. Sánchez.
The Texas Border Coalition maintains a web site at http://www.texasbordercoalition.org.
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County Judge Salinas, regional leaders call for Veterans’ Hospital for the Valley
By CARI LAMBRECHT
As we honor the brave men and women who have passed away defending this nation and standing up for its principals of liberty, independence and justice this Memorial Day, let us not forget to also protect and provide for those veterans who come back to us, Hidalgo County Judge J.D. Salinas said Friday, May 25, in recognition of Memorial Day.
American citizens owe all veterans a debt of gratitude, Salinas said. And this is exactly why the judge and the region’s leadership have pledged not to give up the fight for a Veterans’ Hospital in Deep South Texas. In fact, Salinas said, the fight is just beginning.
On Monday, May 21, more than 60 veterans from numerous organizations gathered with Salinas, Cameron County Judge Carlos Cascos and Refugio County Judge René Mascorro for the second of two town hall meetings at Weslaco City Hall to address the health care needs of approximately 114,000 area veterans — as estimated by the Veterans’ Administration.
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo/McAllen, and Rep. Rubén Hinojosa, D-Mercedes, were also represented at the meeting by local staff members.
Salinas vowed that he would convince all 24 county judges south of San Antonio to pass a resolution in support of U.S. House Resolution 538 — a bill sponsored by Rep. Solomon Ortiz, D-Corpus Christi, calling for the construction of a veterans’ hospital in the 24 county area. Salinas will call on his fellow county judges at an upcoming meeting of the South Texas County Judges’ and Commissioners’ conference. The group on Monday, May 25, also discussed with Hutchison’s representative how to get a sister bill sponsored in the U.S. Senate. Information was passed out regarding a fierce letter writing campaign, too.
“We’ve had plenty of studies. We don’t need to wait for any more ‘magic studies’ to tell us what we already know — that veterans’ health care in deep south Texas is not on par with that in the rest of the state or the nation,” Salinas said. “The reason why doesn’t matter as much as how much we need to fix its sorry state.”
“The veterans’ population here continues to grow, and the Rio Grande Valley contributes more men and women per capita than nearly any other area in the United States to our armed services. We will not be forgotten for our valiant efforts,” added the Hidalgo County judge.
Salinas, with the help of Cascos, is organizing a summer trip to Washington D.C. with many of the veterans to lobby face-to -ace with key members of the Veterans’ Administration Committees in both sides of Congress. They plan on educating Congress that Texas doesn’t end in San Antonio, which has the closest VA hospital to the Valley, yet still requires area veterans to travel eight hours round-trip for 15 minutes appointments.
Emilio de los Santos, Hidalgo County veterans’ service officer, said it is essential that the region continues to speak as one voice as it strives toward achieving the ultimate goal in building a VA hospital in Deep South Texas.
“Our leaders understand that this resolution will provide the best health care needs for veterans and their families in South Texas,” de los Santos said.
The VSO said he is reminded of a quote by Theodore Roosevelt when reflecting on this situation: “A man who is good enough to shed his blood for his country is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards.”
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Congressman Hinojosa criticizes plans by Iraqi government to take vacation during wartime
By ELIZABETH ESFAHANI
On Thursday, May 24, Rep. Rubén Hinojosa, D-Mercedes, released the following statement on the passage of the new Iraq Supplemental Appropriations bill.
“The war in Iraq is the most critical issue facing our nation, not only because of the human and financial resources it is consuming, but because of its effect on our nation’s reputation globally and our domestic security.
“Congress has cast a critical vote that will impact our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and bring about a new direction in Iraq. While the bill does not have specific timelines for troop withdrawal, it is a realistic compromise that addresses the political realities we face here in Washington. This responsible piece of legislation fully funds our troops. It also calls for real accountability by requiring the Iraqi government to meet the 18 benchmarks established by Sen. Warner or face losing funds for Iraqi reconstruction. The Iraqi government must realize that America will not continue to sacrifice our young men and women while they go on vacation and fail to make the necessary political changes.
“The funding for the Iraq war will expire at the end of September. At that time, my Democrat and Republicans colleagues agree that we must reassess the progress that has been made over the summer before providing any additional funding for the war.
“For far too long, President Bush has received a blank check from Congress to do as he pleases without accountability. With this vote, we will finally hold the Administration responsible and insist on real progress in Iraq.”
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$3 million drug treatment center to be located in Edinburg included in state budget by Rep. Peña
By ORLANDO SALINAS
Negotiations over the state’s biennial budget has yielded a drug treatment center to be located in Edinburg. The proposed $3 million facility was approved by the House and Senate conference committee on House Bill 1.
Rep. Aaron Peña, D-Edinburg, continued to work with the negotiators in the last few weeks to ensure that the drug treatment center stayed in the budget after adding a rider to the bill during debate in the Texas House.
“The realization of this drug treatment center in Edinburg fulfills one of my primary goals in becoming a state legislator,” said Peña “Treatment and rehabilitation are important strategies in combating the terrible effects that illegal drugs have in our community.”
The treatment center is part of a broader state-wide strategy to address substance abuse and rehabilitation issues in our communities before they become issues in the criminal justice system. The state budget includes more funding for substance abuse treatment and diversion programs for low level, non-violent offenders at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
It adds treatment and capacity dollars at the local level to give judges and the parole board an alternative to sentencing offenders and considering probation and parole options.
The exact location, size and capacity of the center have yet to be formalized. The drug treatment facility would compliment the existing Mental Health and Mental Retardation operations in Edinburg.
“There needs to be a three prong approach to combating the devastating effects of substance abuse in our communities,” said Peña.
“We have to keep educating children and adults about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. This session we’ve allocated more funding for law enforcement to stem the flow of drugs through our borders and we are now investing more in treatment and rehabilitation.”
The Texas Legislature has allocated over $100 million for border security.
As the five-month regular session approached its conclusion at midnight on Monday, May 28, the House and Senate were negotiating the exact details of the border security bill. The negotiations on the budget bill needs to be agreed upon by the House and Senate before being sent to the Governor.
“The entire Rio Grande Valley legislative delegation needs to be applauded for working together to get these important programs for South Texas,” said Peña. “Rep. Guillen (D-Rio Grande City) fought hard on the conference committee to keep this drug treatment center funded. Senators (Juan ‘Chuy’) Hinojosa (D-McAllen) and (Eddie) Lucio (Jr., D-Brownsville) were instrumental in taking care of business over in the Senate.”
Peña is the Chairman of the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence and is a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means. He is serving his third term in the Texas House.
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Sweeping legislation by Sen. Hinojosa approved by lawmakers, will reform Texas Youth Commission
By MELISSA DEL BOSQUE
After more than two years of tackling the myriad problems plaguing the Texas Youth Commission, Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, passed his sweeping legislation on Friday, May 25, to reform the troubled commission.
Following several days of negotiations in conference committee between the House and Senate, Senate Bill 103 passed both the Senate and the House and now awaits the governor’s signature.
Rep. Jerry Madden, R-Plano, and chairman of the House Committee on Corrections, was the House sponsor of the bill. Rep. Rene Oliveira, D-Brownsville, was a co-sponsor of SB 103.
Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, was a co-author of the measure.
“Overall, the negotiations made SB 103 a better bill for the state and the people of Texas,” Hinojosa said. “It’s been a long road, and Rep. Madden was a pleasure to work with in serving Texas’ families. With the passage of this bill today, I am confident that the children in the state’s care will receive the rehabilitation they need, and that the people of Texas will have a Commission worthy of them.”
Hinojosa began looking into the juvenile justice system two years ago when riots broke out at the Evins Regional Juvenile Center in Edinburg, Hidalgo County. Hinojosa pre-filed his comprehensive reform legislation last year and has continued to work with stakeholders to rebuild the troubled commission after the TYC scandal erupted.
Hinojosa’s bill calls for improved security by requiring TYC guards to undergo at least 300 hours of training before being assigned to guard duty, and it caps the guard-to-youth ratio at no more than 12 to 1 to maintain order and safety. It also requires fingerprint and national criminal history checks for employees, volunteers, and advocates working within TYC facilities.
SB 103 also creates a Parents’ Bill of Rights to guarantee swift and accurate access to information about caseworkers’ duties and the agency’s grievance policies.
In addition, Hinojosa’s reforms call for the establishment of a panel within TYC to review sentencing extensions, thus bringing strict accountability to the process. His bill features structural improvements to TYC’s governing board and strengthens the agency’s emphasis on community rehabilitation instead of automatic incarceration.
Hinojosa’s legislation ends the practice of housing 10- or 11-year-olds with 19- or 20-year-olds; creates an authority of law-enforcement trained personnel within an Inspector General’s Office to ensure law and order in TYC facilities; and authorizes child advocacy groups to visit facilities and work with youth.
To ensure that these and other improvements are properly implemented, extensive reporting measures were put into place so that parents and the public can access information regarding investigations, extensions of youth’s sentences, and prosecutions of crimes occurring within TYC. The bill also requires TYC develop a plan to move towards acquiring national accreditation of their facilities.
“SB 103 will make tremendous changes to the Texas Youth Commission, and we will continue to work with the agency and evaluate its progress through the Sunset Commission.” said Hinojosa. “We have appropriated $525 million for the TYC to give them the necessary resources to implement the SB 103 reforms. The Texas Legislature has made improving this agency a top priority, and we expect success.”
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South Texas College receives legislative approval to permanently offer university-level degree
By ED SERNA
The House of Representatives on Friday, May 25, today passed House Bill 2198 by Rep. Ismael “Kino” Flores, D-Palmview, that will make the baccalaureate programs at three junior colleges, including South Texas College, permanent.
The measure, which was sponsored by Sen. Kyle Janek, R-Houston, has gone to the governor for his approval.
“This bill provides an affordable and accessible college education opportunity for local citizens and helps meet the local workforce needs of the surrounding communities,” Flores said. “Students wishing to get a baccalaureate in Applied Science and Technology will be able to pursue a degree closer to home. This is great news for the Valley.”
In 2005, the Legislature authorized a pilot project allowing three public junior colleges, including South Texas College, Brazosport College, and Midland College, to offer limited baccalaureate degrees in Applied Science and Technology.
The pilot program provided the opportunity to examine the effectiveness and feasibility of a permanent program. The three pilot institutions have made long-term financial investments in preparation for offering the baccalaureate degree, including the expansion of library resources and adding doctorate-level faculty to teach in these programs.
“This project is a tremendous success and has been met with great enthusiasm and support by students and local businesses. My bill enhances educational opportunities in the region and will promote economic development that ultimately improves the lives of many,” said Flores. “The importance of education can’t be overstated, for not only the students and their families, but also for the Valley’s prosperity.”
Flores represents District 36, which includes parts or all of the cities of Hidalgo, Granjeno, McAllen, Mission, Palmview, Penitas, and Pharr.
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Sen. Hinojosa passes legislation to require heart defibrillators on every Texas school campus
By MELISSA DEL BOSQUE
Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, on Tuesday, May 22, passed Senate Bill 7, which will put an automatic external defibrillator (AED) in every public and private school campus across the state and provide for training in CPR and defibrillator use for school staff and high school students.
Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, was a co-author of the bill. Rep. Rob Eissler, R-The Woodlands, was the House sponsor of the measure.
According to the American Heart Association, which supported the Hinojosa bill, an automated external defibrillator (AED) is a computerized medical device. An AED can check a person’s heart rhythm. It can recognize a rhythm that requires a shock. And it can advise the rescuer when a shock is needed. The AED uses voice prompts, lights and text messages to tell the rescuer the steps to take.
AEDs are very accurate and easy to use. With a few hours of training, anyone can learn to operate an AED safely. There are many different brands of AEDs, but the same basic steps apply to all of them. The AHA does not recommend a specific model.
SB 7 was a priority for Hinojosa during the 80th Legislative session.
“Requiring defibrillators in our schools is a positive and responsible move. There’s wide agreement that we should have AED’s in all of our Texas schools, not only to save students’ lives, but to save the lives of educators and school personnel,” Hinojosa said.
The American Heart Association commended the senator on the passage of the bill.
“This important piece of legislation helps to make our schools safer for the children of this state. The bill is an extraordinary effort to move the state forward in Emergency Cardiac Care,” said Dr. Henry Lucid, American Heart Association State Advocacy Committee member.
SB 17 has also been part of the Lt. Governor David Dewhurst’s priority legislation for the 80th session.
“I want to thank the Lt. Governor for his leadership and support in passing this bill,” Hinojosa said. “This is something the state can provide schools that will save students, educators, and families a lot of heartache.”
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Bill by Sen. Lucio, Rep. Gonzáles, Rep. Guillen to protect family violence victims sent to governor
By DORIS SÁNCHEZ
The Texas Legislature on Friday, May 25, sent a bill by Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr., D-Brownsville, to the governor that creates an address confidentiality program to assist eligible victims of family violence, sexual assault or stalking. The bill was amended to include the use of pseudonyms to further assist victims.
Rep Verónica Gonzáles, D-McAllen, and Rep. Ryan Guillen, D-Rio Grande City, were joint sponsors of the bill.
“I want to thank all the supporters of this bill, and my colleagues in the House, Rep. Gonzáles and Rep. Guillen, for their work on Senate Bill 74,” said Lucio.
Gonzáles, who provided great leadership to this issue, said, “A victim of abuse should not have to go underground to escape his or her assailant. This legislation allows a victim to receive mail, register to vote and blend back into society without having his or her location discovered.”
SB 74 directs the Attorney General to designate a substitute post office box address that a victim of these crimes can use in lieu of a physical address. There is currently no mechanism in Texas to help victims of family violence, sexual assault or stalking keep where they reside confidential. Now qualified applicants will have this measure of protection, plus the ability to use pseudonyms when filling out forms for law enforcement officers or agencies in domestic violence cases. The pseudonym would be confidential and disclosed only to the defendant or the defendant’s attorney, except when a court order is issued for other matters.
Without this program, certain victims live in constant fear of being located.
“I think about the address confidentiality program as something which could have saved my grandmother’s life if it had been available to her,” said Donna Bloom of the Texas Advocacy Project, whose grandmother was killed in her home by her grandfather after she had ended the relationship.
In cases of family violence, the abuse often escalates when victims leave the relationship and seek a new address. According to the Texas Council on Family Violence, 143 Texas women were killed by their male intimate partners in 2005. Sixteen of those victims were killed as they were leaving the relationship or after they had already left.
More than a million women and nearly 400,000 men are stalked annually, and one in 12 women and one in 45 men will be stalked in their lifetimes. The majority of victims are stalked by someone they know. Of those women who have been killed by an intimate partner, 76 percent were stalked by that partner in the year before their deaths, and 81 percent of women stalked by a current or former intimate partner are eventually physically assaulted by that individual.
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Edinburg, McAllen share lowest jobless rates in Valley for April, posting 4.3 percent unemployment
By DAVID A. DÍAZ
Edinburg’s jobless rate, which is a key indicator of the strength of the local economy, and McAllen in April posted the lowest jobless rates in the Valley, with each city reporting a 4.3 percent unemployment rate, according to the Texas Workforce Commission.
The latest figures also means the three-time All-America City had the lowest jobless rate for the fourth consecutive month in 2007, according to the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation.
The EEDC is the jobs-creation arm of the Edinburg City Council.
The EEDC’s five-member governing board includes Mayor Joe Ochoa; former Mayor Richard García,
who is president of the EEDC board of directors; and Fred Palacios, Mike Govind, and George Bennack.
In March, Edinburg’s jobless rate was 4.4 percent, in February it was 4.8 percent, and in January it was 4.9 percent. Those figures were the best in deep South Texas for their respective months.
The city’s unemployment rate was keeping pace with the statewide average in April of 4.2 percent and the U.S. unemployment rate of 4.5 percent.
In 2006, the annual jobless rate for Edinburg was 5.3 percent, while in 2005, the annual jobless rate for Edinburg was 4.7 percent.
In 2006, the city’s jobless rate was the lowest in the Valley during five months, according to the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation, and Edinburg registered the second-best showing for most of the other months last year, edged out only by McAllen.
In April, according to the Texas Workforce Commission, 1,207 Edinburg residents were looking for jobs, while 26,965 local residents were employed.
The jobless rate, also known as the unemployment rate, is the number of persons unemployed,
expressed as a percentage of the civilian labor force.
The civilian labor force is that portion of the population age 16 and older employed or unemployed.
To be considered unemployed, a person has to be not working but willing and able to work and actively seeking work.
The jobless rate for Hidalgo County was 6.1 percent in April, an improvement from 6.5 percent in March, 7.4 percent in February, and 7.7 percent in January.
The April jobless rate for Hidalgo County represented 16,453 area residents without jobs, while 254,466 residents were employed during the fourth month of 2007.
McAllen top showing in April of 4.3 percent represented 2,498 of their citizens out of work that month, while 55,855 residents of the City of Palms were employment. In March, McAllen reported a 4.6 percent jobless rate, 5 percent in February, and 5.1 percent in January.
Cameron County’s jobless rate in April was 5.5 percent, down from the March level of 5.8 percent. In April, 7,896 residents of Cameron County were looking for work, while 135,384 residents were holding down jobs.
Harlingen’s unemployment rate in April was 4.6 percent, down from 4.9 percent in March, while Pharr in April posted a 5 percent jobless rate, down from 5.3 percent jobless rate in March.
Mission came in with a 5.2 percent jobless rate in April, down from its 5.4 percent unemployment rate in March, followed by Weslaco at 5.3 percent in April, down from 5.9 percent in March.
In Cameron County, Brownsville’s unemployment rate in April was 5.6 percent, down from 5.9 percent in March.
According to the Texas Workforce Commission:
Seasonally adjusted nonagricultural employment in Texas grew by 23,500 jobs in April for a total of 240,800 jobs in the past year.
The state’s annual job growth rate rose slightly in April to 2.4 percent from last month’s 2.3 percent.
The April seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 4.2 percent, down from 4.3 percent in March and 5.0 percent a year ago.
The Midland Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) experienced the lowest unemployment rate in the state at 2.7 percent (not seasonally adjusted). The Odessa MSA was second at 3.0 percent, followed by the Lubbock MSA at 3.1 percent.
“Our sustained job gains and falling unemployment rate exemplify the underlying strength of the Texas economy,” said Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Chair Diane Rath. “The Texas unemployment rate dropped to 4.2 percent, well below the national unemployment rate of 4.5 percent.”
Professional & Business Services gained jobs for the ninth consecutive month, adding 11,700 jobs in April. The industry has gained 61,100 jobs in the past year. The Leisure & Hospitality sector followed with an increase of 5,000 jobs in April, for a year-over-year gain of 39,400 positions.
“Texas employers continue to create jobs at a tremendous pace, benefiting our regional economies and communities,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Ron Lehman. “With expansion in 10 of 11 industries, we’re seeing significant annual job growth rates such as 5.0 percent for Business & Professional Services, and 10.0 percent for Mining.”
Trade, Transportation & Utilities added 3,600 jobs in April, with 26,300 jobs created since last year. Education & Health Services increased by 2,500 jobs in April for a total of 24,700 since April 2006.
“It’s always a great sign when the ranks of the unemployed are declining and more Texans are back to work,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Ronny Congleton. “It’s rewarding to know that in the past four weeks we’ve added more than 23,000 jobs.”
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Hidalgo County District Clerk Hinojosa unveils vision for 2007 in Quarterly Progress Report
By RICARDO CONTRERAS
Hidalgo County District Clerk, Laura Hinojosa, commemorated her 100th day in office on Thursday, May 24, by unveiling the mission and vision for the District Clerk’s Office for 2007. Hinojosa presented her “Quarterly Progress Report” which highlights some of her administration’s achievements, organizational changes and things to come.
“One hundred days ago I outlined my priorities for the Hidalgo County District Clerk’s Office and committed to maintaining an open government in a firm, fair and consistent manner,” said Hinojosa. “I can proudly say that we’ve been able to accomplish this. However, I can also acknowledge that we still have a lot of work to do.”
The Quarterly Progress Report was initiated by the office in an effort to keep the public informed on the most up-to-date activity in the office. The report outlines the office’s accomplishments which consist of simplified processes, new and enhanced policies and procedures, randomization of court assignments, ongoing professional development, new and reliable office systems, and implemented emergency safety plans. The report also includes a newly created mission statement, the office’s organizational chart and information regarding the different departments within the District Clerk’s Office. Those departments include Administrative Services, the Civil and Criminal Bureau, the Financial Bureau, Tax and Jury, and Registry of the Court.
“These are exciting times for the District Clerk’s Office,” said Hinojosa. “I am more committed than ever to improving customer service, developing our staff and organization, and continuing to restore the public’s trust and confidence in the District Clerk’s Office.”
The office staff will observe this day by spending their lunch hour at a staff development luncheon on County grounds.
Laura Hinojosa was elected Hidalgo County District Clerk in November 2006. She was inaugurated on January 1, 2007. Her father is U.S. Congressman Rubén Hinojosa, D-Mercedes.
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Congressman Hinojosa votes for new tools to fight record high gasoline prices as summer approaches
By ELIZABETH ESFAHANI
As Americans approach the summer driving season, Rep. Rubén Hinojosa, D-Mercedes, joined an overwhelming bipartisan majority in Congress and voted to approve new tools to fight record high gas prices. On Tuesday, May 22, and Wednesday, May 23, Hinojosa voted for legislation to crack down on gas price gouging and OPEC state-controlled entities average of $3.09 per gallon of regular gas, which is 132 percent higher than the average in 2001.
“Families in Texas are suffering each time they go to the gas station,” said Hinojosa. “This legislation will help crack down on price gouging and fight against those who attempt to fix the price of oil and stick the American people with the bill.”
On Tuesday, May 22, the House approved H.R. 2264 to authorize the Justice Department to take legal action against OPEC state-controlled entities that participate in conspiracies to limit the supply, or fix the price, of oil. Nations or organizations that limit oil supply can artificially inflate the cost of gas and hurt American consumers.
On Wednesday, May 23, the House approved The Federal Price Gouging Prevention Act, H.R. 1252, which would give the Federal Trade Commission the authority to investigate and punish companies that artificially inflate the price of gas. The bill sets criminal penalties for price gouging, and permits states to bring lawsuits against wholesalers or retailers who engage in such practices.
While a bipartisan majority in Congress supports these bills, President Bush has threatened to veto both pieces of legislation.
“As the summer driving season approaches, families can barely afford to drive to the local pool, much less go on vacation,” Hinojosa said. “President Bush is wrong to oppose these bills and I urge him to join our efforts to bring down the cost of gasoline.”
Nationwide, families are paying $3.22 a gallon on average for regular gasoline – more than double the cost when Bush took office, up 89 cents from the beginning of the year. Last year, families paid $1,000 more on average for gasoline than in 2001, and each additional 10 cents per gallon of gasoline adds $14 billion to America’s annual gasoline bill.
The high cost for families come as oil companies continue to prosper. The six largest oil companies announced $30 billion in profits for the first quarter of 2007. This is on top of the $125 billion in record profits they made in 2006.
In addition to the legislation approved this week, the Democratic Congress has already voted to roll back $14 billion dollars in taxpayer subsidies for Big Oil companies and reinvest the money in clean, alternative fuels, renewable energy and energy efficiency. Democrats are also developing an Independence Day package to boldly address energy independence and global warming by rapidly expanding the production of clean, alternative fuels and increasing energy efficiency, which will help protect our environment and bring down the cost of fuel for American consumers.
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Let’s do immigration reform right negotiated in private, bill deserves a full public airing
By U.S. SENS.
KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON
and JOHN CORNYN
As your U.S. senators, we have been heavily involved in the congressional debate on immigration reform for several years. We have taken a leadership role on this issue because we represent a state that uniquely benefits from the contributions of legal immigrants, but is also uniquely vulnerable to the dangers of illegal immigration. Throughout this process, our principles have been clear and consistent: We must secure our borders, and we cannot encourage illegal behavior through amnesty.
Two weeks ago, the Bush administration, along with a small group of senators, announced a compromise immigration bill that would take a necessary first step in improving border security. We did not join in the announcement. While our efforts had a positive influence, we were not convinced the announced proposal guarantees repair of our current broken system. We are particularly concerned that we may be repeating the mistakes of the failed 1986 national amnesty.
As of late Friday, May 18, the actual text of the “grand compromise” had not yet been published. Major questions remain about details of the plan, and how it would work. We believe the bill, which was negotiated privately, deserves a full public airing before it’s considered.
The bill promises some long-term positive changes, including significant border security measures, an end to chain migration and a switch to green card distribution based on merit.
But many problems have not been satisfactorily addressed. For example, we must make certain that convicted criminals are not eligible for any legalization, and if these individuals attempt to stay here, that they are arrested and promptly deported.
We must ensure that only those who have played by the rules and not those engaged in identity theft receive Social Security benefits. This proposal would enable illegal immigrants to collect Social Security benefits for the time they were unlawfully in our country. At a time when we are already facing major shortfalls in our ability to pay benefits for future retirees, this represents an unfair burden on the American taxpayer. We must end the rampant document fraud that plagues our workplaces today, and do it in a way that is legally enforceable.
Some of our colleagues, sensing the fragile nature of the proposed compromise, want to rush it through the Congress immediately. This would be a major mistake. It is too important and too complicated to rush. The legislation requires extended Senate debate, with full opportunity for public input and criticism, and an open process for amendments to strengthen its provisions.
In 1986, the Congress approved a similar compromise plan that, in return for amnesty for most immigrants here illegally, promised an end to porous borders and disregard for our laws. Those promises were not honored. The amnesty legislation instead actually encouraged further disrespect for our laws, and led directly to the situation we face today.
As the bill reaches the Senate floor this week, our goal will be restoring the integrity of our borders, providing guest workers with opportunity, not amnesty, and preserving our Social Security for all who legally qualify. Our contributions to the debate will continue to be positive and constructive.
Our country needs immigration reform. We must ensure that it’s done, and done correctly.
Hutchison and Cornyn, both Republicans, represent Texas.
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Texas House passes legislation by Rep. Peña, Sen. Zaffirini targeting online sexual child predators
By ORLANDO SALINAS
The Texas House of Representatives approved legislation on Friday, May 25, making the Internet safer for children from online sexual predators. Senate Bill 6 by Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, and Rep. Aaron Peña, D-Edinburg, is on the way to the governor.
SB 6 increases the penalty for sexually explicit online communication with a minor who is 14 to 16 years old from a state jail felony to a third degree felony. It increases the penalty for online sexual solicitation of a minor who is 14 to 16 years old from a third degree felony to a second degree felony and provides that sentences for certain offenses arising out of the same criminal offense may run concurrently or consecutively.
“Online solicitation and sexually explicit communication with a minor are serious and dangerous offenses,” said Peña. “Sexual predators are using the Internet and other technology to prey upon our children. The legislation we passed today gives law enforcement more tools to apprehend and prosecute these offenders.”
SB 6 instructs the Attorney General to establish an Internet Service Provider (ISP) database and require the preservation of certain records and information. The bill establishes a timeline for ISPs to respond to subpoenas, search warrants and other court orders. This bill also directs the Crime Stoppers Advisory Council to emphasize programs targeted at detecting unregistered sex offenders.
“Internet Service Providers, citing privacy concerns, have sometimes been reluctant to cooperate with law enforcement authorities,” said Peña. “We need to have the opportunity to quickly obtain information to combat and stop these online threats. If one of these predators has made contact with a child we need to verify his identity and find him.”
NBC’s Dateline program, To Catch a Predator, has shown the public the opportunity and ease in which these child predators operate in our communities. The Dateline program has identified over 200 child predators in its televised stings. Local, state and federal officials also continue to operate stings designed to catch these people engaged in online solicitation of minors.
SB 6 will now face one more procedural vote before being sent to the Governor’s desk. Peña is the Chair of the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence and is a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means. He is serving his third term in the Texas House.
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MySpace.com to turn over information on sex offender profiles to Texas Attorney General Abbott
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott on Monday, May 21, ordered MySpace.com to release the names of all convicted sex offenders who have set up online member profiles.
MySpace.com agreed to turn over first and last names of its online users that are registered sex offenders in Texas. MySpace.com will also provide IP addresses, E-mail addresses, and their online profile information. This data will help the attorney general crack down on sex predators who use the Internet to prey on children.
“By providing this information, MySpace.com is helping law enforcement crack down on online sex predators,” Abbott said. “Social networking sites must continue to make their Web sites and content safer for our children. We urge all social networking Web sites to take all necessary steps to keep children safe from the unwanted advances of online predators.”
Abbott, a nationally recognized leader with more than 500 sex predator arrests, has repeatedly pressed MySpace.com and other social networking sites to implement definitive safety measures to protect young users of their Web sites from sexually explicit images and unwanted solicitations. Since the push from Attorney General Abbott and other attorneys general, MySpace.com has taken steps to improving safety on its site, including screening profiles for inappropriate content and making certain profiles private.
“The incorrigible nature of sex predators requires public officials, law enforcement, industry leaders and parents across Texas to join together to make the Internet a safer place,” Attorney General Abbott added. “Without meaningful safeguards in place, no child is safe from the unwanted advances of chat room predators.”
The Attorney General, along with state leaders, has also fought to make Texas the toughest state in the nation, creating one of the nation’s toughest versions of “Jessica’s Law”, tightening penalties for Internet predators and providing district attorneys more tools to prosecute child sex crimes.
Last March, the Texas Senate passed Senate Bill 6, which provides additional tools that will improve law enforcement’s ability to investigate cyber crimes. Under SB 6, authored by Sen. Judith Zaffirini, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are required to promptly respond to court orders and subpoenas issued by law enforcement. Today, when the Texas House of Representatives debates SB 6, legislators will consider an amendment that would amend SB 6 by expanding its applicability to entities such as MySpace.com. If passed, this provision would further improve the Attorney General’s ability to quickly obtain critical information about cyber predators from ISPs, social networking sites, and other online resources.
Abbott has earned a national reputation for aggressively arresting and prosecuting online child predators. In 2003, he created the Cyber Crimes Unit, which protects children from online sexual exploitation. The Cyber Crimes Unit and the Fugitive Unit, which locates sex offenders who have violated the terms of their parole and could be stalking children, have combined to arrest more than 500 sex offenders. Cyber Crimes Unit investigators also have traveled to schools and communities statewide to offer educational cyber safety programs.
In May 2006, Abbott’s Cyber Crimes Unit was awarded a $300,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention to establish an ICAC Task Force. The Texas Attorney General’s ICAC Task Force is one of almost 50 federally funded task forces across the country dedicated to this project.
In July 2006, Abbott was invited by U.S. Congressman Joe Barton to testify at a congressional hearing in Washington on federal legislation limiting access to commercial social networking sites at publicly funded schools and libraries.
To find out more about Abbott’s efforts to crack down on sex predators, visit the Attorney General’s Web site at http://www.oag.state.tx.us or call (800) 252-8011.
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Expert on birding warns of dire consequences to environment, economy if border wall is built in area
By KEITH HACKLAND
When I moved to the Lower Rio Grande Valley in 1997 I did not have the knowledge to appreciate the richness of our birds and wildlife here. After nine years of exploring, photographing, guiding, reading, listening, teaching, writing, and marketing our area to birders, I am just beginning to grasp what makes this the richest, most diverse birding spot in United States and Canada. As I continue to observe and explore this amazing place, I have discovered that the forest along the river is the richest of all.
During the past 100 years of border economic growth, Texas and Mexico cleared and ploughed the Lower Rio Grande floodplain, destroying over 95 percent of the river forest. The dams (Falcon in 1953) and levees built to stop annual floods have caused our floodplain to become drier, resulting in shrinkage of remaining river forest. “Periodic droughts are probably the factor triggering death of many large trees. In these areas, a “reverse succession” allows thorny trees and shrubs – retama, huisache, prickly pear, granjeno, and others – to invade,”(Page 35, Timothy Brush, Nesting Birds of a Tropical Frontier).
Since the 1940s samples of river forest have been saved, and we are replanting corridors of trees along the river, to connect these survivors. The best samples can be seen at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, Sabal Palm Sanctuary, and Bentsen RGV State Park, around seasonally filled resacas (oxbow lakes) that keep the earth damp. At Santa Ana NWR follow “A Trail” to Willow Lake. Starting out in thorn forest with prickly pear and lacy mesquite, retama and huisache, there is an abrupt transition to river (riparian) forest, containing “. . . taller trees and more luxuriant vegetation than do other wooded habitats. Mexican ash, black willow, sugar hackberry, and cedar elm are common in moister sites, while Texas ebony, anacua, and coma grow on higher, drier terraces.” (Page 34, Timothy Bush).
The tall, damp “. . .riparian forests support some of the rarest breeding birds in the United States: Muscovy Duck, Gray Hawk, Red-billed Pigeon, Rose-throated Becard, Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet, Brown Jay, Clay-colored Robin, Altamira Oriole, and Tropical Parula,” (page 35, Timothy Brush). Spanish moss and ball moss, amazing butterflies, rare dragonflies, amphibians and reptiles flourish.
The unique birds in our river forest bring birders from across United States, Canada and Europe. Birders spend hundreds of millions of dollars, paying for the jobs of thousands in the Valley. Here in Alamo, the Gateway to Santa Ana NWR, at Alamo Inn I make my living providing services to birders, and our city restaurants, motels, and shops all serve them too. At El Dorado restaurant they recognize the many birders eating there. Alamo’s Casa Santa Ana is a birder’s B&B located adjacent to Santa Ana NWR. The birding industry is big not only in Alamo, but in cities all across the Valley.
Remove the Valley’s river forest, and 100,000 to 200,000 birders a year, including thousands of long stay Winter Texan birders, would not visit us. That would be an economic disaster for thousands of Valley workers, costing hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Furthermore, it would dramatically reduce birding and nature tourism across the Texas Coastal Region, Texas Hill Country, West Texas, and North East Mexico, where birders attracted to the Lower Rio Grande extend their tours and spend additional hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
Yet that is literally the plan, starting this summer. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) distributed maps indicating they have plans that will have to include bulldozing and clearing the Texas banks of the Rio Grande to install river patrol roads and river fencing. DHS is a protected part of the Federal Government that can operate without being sued and without consulting residents. The Secretary of Homeland Security, Michael Chertoff, has the power to wave any and all federal laws in the name of homeland security. He can authorize the construction of river fences and any other structure on federal and private lands without the landowner’s consent. This is supported in Section 102 of the 2005 REAL ID Act which states: “…the Secretary of Homeland Security shall have the authority to waive, and shall waive, all laws such Secretary, in such Secretary’s sole discretion, determines necessary to ensure expeditious construction of the barriers and roads under this section.”
The Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge includes property along 80 miles of the Lower Rio Grande’s last 240 miles (Boca Chica to Falcon Dam) and it protects a significant part of what little river forest remains (less than five percent of the historic river forest). DHS plans could clear-cut much of our remaining river forest. DHS river fences could cut us off from access to our drinking water, and leave it and the adjoining land under the control of Mexico. DHS plans could cut ranchers and farmers and their livestock off from water. DHS river fences could prevent birding and fishing the river. DHS plans could destroy our rarest and most valuable birds and butterflies, amphibians and plants. The critical Rio Grande river forest grows adjacent to the Rio Grande from Boca Chica (its mouth at the Gulf of Mexico) through Cameron, Hidalgo and Starr counties, to Falcon Dam. Some of our most rare river forest birds (Brown Jay, Muscovy Duck, Red-billed Pigeon) now occur chiefly along the river in Starr County where it is quieter with less river forest disturbance, but where the river forest is thinnest and most fragile.
DHS river fence plans could close down our top birding sites and destroy our thriving birding tourism industry. Look at a detailed map of the Lower Rio Grande. Our three top river forest refuges, Sabal Palm Sanctuary, Santa Ana NWR, and Bentsen RGV State Park all occupy bends in the Rio Grande, peninsulas pointing into Mexico. A straight fence could cut off the peninsula refuges from Texas and birders, abandoning that land and our river to Mexico. That would devastate our Texas birding industry because Santa Ana NWR is number one, our most visited refuge, and Sabal Palm and Bentsen RGV State Park are in the top ten refuges.
The Rio Grande is already a barrier to illegal immigrants. No one drives across it, so we don’t need a fence adjoining it, because those who swim or boat the river will simply use ladders. Furthermore, a twisting and curving river fence system following the river bank would be very unsafe, allowing border patrol units to be trapped, possibly between two fences, out of sight of other units.
The million people living in the Valley do not support the river fence plan. There are workable alternatives to a river wall, river fence, or river road. A virtual (electronic) fence could be deployed to track people. Control mechanisms, whether virtual or physical, could follow the extensive existing infrastructure, building them alongside the existing levee road system, and next to military highway, thereby minimizing the effect on river forest. Also, if we make legal immigration to United States easier and faster, the legitimate majority will cross at bridges and submit to thorough background checks, screening, and documentation, reducing the volume of illegal crossings, and documenting all residents.
Please visit birding sites on the Rio Grande to show your support. It could be your last chance. Join Friends of Santa Ana NWR (956-784-7500). Join Valley Nature Center, which educates 80,000 Valley children, adults and visitors annually about Valley birds and nature, because it needs your support to extend its work (956-969-2475). Talk to people and share this information about the river fence and its threat to birding tourism across the state of Texas.
Most important of all, please write your politicians at every level this week and ask for help to change the DHS Rio Grande river fence plan. The best way to change it is through the same political process that launched it. You could make a difference.
References:
1. Nesting Birds of a Tropical Frontier, The Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas, by Timothy Brush, 2005. Dr Brush is an ornithologist who teaches at UTPA, Edinburg, TX
2. Numerous TexBirds list serve discussions
3. Numerous articles in Advance News Journal (Pharr, TX), The Monitor (McAllen, TX), Houston Chronicle (Houston, TX)
4. Updates from Martin Hagne, Executive Director of Valley Nature Center, Weslaco, TX http://www.valleynaturecenter.org
5. http://www.southtexasnature.com
Keith Hackland is an innkeeper from Alamo, Texas. He writes extensively on birding in the Rio Grande Valley.
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Former Dallas Cowboys Walls honored by House for donating a kidney to teammate Springs
Rep. Helen Giddings, D-Dallas, on Friday, May 25, honored her constituent, former Dallas Cowboys football player Everson Walls, on the House floor. In February, 2007, Walls selflessly gave one of his kidneys to his former Cowboys teammate and close friend, Ron Springs.
While many individuals struggle with becoming organ donors for a family member much less a stranger or a friend, Walls generously gave his friend what he so desperately needed, a kidney.
Springs has experienced serious health problems as a result of diabetes yet as a result of the transplant surgery his prognosis has increased dramatically. As a result of this remarkable gift, Springs is expected to regain the use of his hands, to walk again on his own, and to be able to end his dialysis treatments.
“Everson Walls and Ron Springs are a shining example of the power of love and lifelong friendship. Mr. Walls is an inspiration. Recognition on the House and the Senate floor are the least the state of Texas could do to recognize such a compassionate and upstanding citizen. Many people have stood where Mr. Walls stood today, and few have been more deserving of this recognition. He reminds us all that one of God’s greatest gifts to man kind is the gift of friendship – a gift that really does keep on giving,” Giddings said.
The bond between these former athletes was forged in the early 1980s when both were members of the Cowboys. Walls began his NFL career in Dallas in 1981 after starring as an All-American defensive back for Grambling State University. In his 13 seasons as a professional he was named to four Pro Bowl teams, led the league in interceptions in 1981, 1982, and 1985, and was recognized as one of the top cornerbacks in the game. He has been inducted into the Grambling State University Athletic Hall of Fame, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame, and the Southwestern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame.
A Dallas native who continues to reside in the Metroplex, Everson Walls hopes that his compassionate action in helping his friend will also work toward a greater good as he and Ron Springs plan to create a foundation that will encourage organ donation. The publicity surrounding the transplant has already focused attention on this important medical issue.
“It is my hope that the bond between Mr. Walls and Mr. Springs inspires each of us to do what we can to help our fellow man. Furthermore, I commend the two gentlemen for having the initiative to begin a foundation to encourage organ donation for both living and deceased donors. With death can spring life, and with compassion spring hope,” Giddings explained.
by Legislative Media | Mar 26, 2007 | Politics |
Members of the Edinburg Parks and Recreation Folklórico Dance Team strike a pose on Tuesday, March 22, following public recognition of their talent and skills by the Edinburg City Council. The group, under the direction of instructor Rebeka González, won top honors, both as a group and by individuals, during the Fourth Annual Bailes de mi Tierra Ballet Folklórico competition held March 2 – 4 in Bastrop. The group landed seven first-place trophies, three second place trophies, and four third place trophies against 29 other groups. Kneeling, from left: Homar González, Procópio Vargas, Jr. and Adolfo Salinas, Jr. Standing, from left: Sonia Méndez, Mónica Vargas, Luz María Vargas, Rebekah Flores, Brian Gutiérrez, Renay López, Inez Sánchez, Yesenia Méndez, and Jessica Bochas
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Rep. Armando “Mando” Martínez, D-Weslaco, and Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr., D-Brownsville, recently welcomed members of the 2006-2007 Leadership Mid Valley Class, which visited Austin to gain further insight into legislation that impacts South Texas. One of those measures, House Bill 2510 by Martínez, could result in light rail passenger trains for the border region (see story later in this posting). The group, featured here on the south steps of the Capitol with Martínez and Lucio, include: Mónica Berry, Honei Deiu Blanco, Roel Campuzano, Anabell Cardona, Julie Crockett, Irma García, Jimmy Don Lawrence, Julie Majors, James Martínez, Hector Mejía, Norma Montalvo, George Piña, Lucia Regalado, Fernando Sáenz, Benito Sánchez, Jason Schoen, and Belda Villalon-Hill.
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House panel sets March 27 hearing on Rep. Martínez’ plan for passenger light rail system along the border
By DAVID A. DÍAZ
A legislative locomotive could be taking off on Tuesday, March 27, when a measure that would allow the creation, maintenance, and financing of a light rail system – which would transport thousands of residents within, or between, the state’s 14 Texas counties which border Mexico – receives a public hearing in Austin before the powerful House Transportation Committee.
House Bill 2510, filed by Rep. Armando “Mando” Martínez, D-Weslaco, would give each of those border counties the power to create commuter rail districts – a governmental body – that could eventually usher a new concept in mass transportation for the region’s estimated 2.1 million residents.
The bill, if approved by the Legislature, would hasten the arrival of a commuter line in the Lower Rio Grande Valley that would run from Brownsville to Roma, Martínez envisioned.
“When you take into account congestion, growth, the environment, and the rising cost of fuel, light rail makes perfect sense,” said Martínez. “In South Texas, a light rail system would be great for our schools. Students would be able to get to South Texas College, UT-Pan American, UT-Brownsville, and TSTC.”
In general, a light rail system uses special trains designed for urban travel, with capacities of up to 250 passengers per train, along with a bus system, to transport people and luggage while avoiding traffic congestion and other bottlenecks associated with larger population centers.
In many cities along the border, a light rail system would provide many advantages, the lawmaker contends.
Martínez says a light rail system along the border would be a major step forward in tackling traffic congestion and public safety concerns, and it offers a better option to toll roads.
“This is an alternative to toll roads, which people don’t want, and which people don’t like,” Martínez believes. “It is also an alternative to spending large amounts of money for roads, which cost three times more to build per mile than a rail system. Plus, in many cases, our highways and roads simply can’t be widened because they have run out of space to grow.”
Martínez said it costs about $1 million to build one mile of rail tracks, and about $3 million to build one mile of road.
The details of how the light rail system would be designed are not provided in his legislation.
That responsibility would be left to a five-member governing board, which would be appointed by the local county judge and county commissioners.
However, some basic administrative aspects are included in his legislation, such as a provision that would give the light rail districts the authority to issue bonds and address various forms of financing, and develop a coordinated park-and-ride bus service in conjunction with the train system.
Although the commuter rail districts could tap into a wide range of funding sources, from federal grants to passenger fares, a county’s voters would have the final say, through a mandatory election, before any local taxes could be used to help pay for a light rail system.
HB 2510 “would cost nothing to the state,” the Mid-Valley lawmaker added. “By using existing rail, there would be low costs for the Valley. It will also aid in public safety by lowering congestion on roads and cutting down on DWIs and other alcohol-related traffic incidents.”
The system in the Valley would also use existing railroad tracks in order to save even more on construction costs.
His plan, which he said he had been developing during the past year, has already picked up the political support of Hidalgo County Judge J.D. Salinas and the four county commissioners.
On Tuesday, March 20, the judge and commissioners approved a resolution endorsing his legislation.
The county leadership went on the record and stated they support HB 2510, as well as a light rail system for the Rio Grande Valley, because it would “increase alternative transportation options that will promote accessibility and economic vitality to our major destinations.”
Martínez has already cleared a major obstacle that faces most pieces of legislation – the legislative committee chairman, Rep. Mike Krusee, R-Round Rock, on Thursday, March 22, agreed to schedule the public hearing.
“He is very excited about the legislation,” Martínez said.
Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, and Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr., D-Brownsville, are both very interested in carrying the legislation in the Senate, Martínez added.
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Texas Border Coalition to receive legislative update during March 29 session in Austin
By DAVID A. DÍAZ
With state lawmakers now finished with drafting major legislation for action by the Legislature, the Texas Border Coalition will meet in Austin on Thursday, March 29, to begin a major push for its own agenda, which includes immigration, transportation, workforce, education and health care initiatives.
“Now that the dust has settled, we can focus on h2ly promoting our legislative priorities and opposing those measures that go against the best interests of an estimated 2.1 million Texans who live along the state’s 14 counties that border Mexico,” said TBC chairman Chad Foster, who also serves as mayor of Eagle Pass.
The meeting, which will be held at TBC’s Austin headquarters at 919 Congress Avenue, Suite 1500 (corner of 9th and Congress), will feature elected and community leaders from El Paso to Brownsville who are members of the statewide lobbying group. It will begin at 11 a.m.
The Texas Border Coalition is a collective voice of border leaders and communities on issues that affect the quality of life along the Texas-Mexico border. TBC develops and promotes major legislative initiatives to help the Texas border region grow and prosper economically.
“The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss a number of critical legislative issues that affect our border,” said Mike Allen, TBC’s vice-chairman from McAllen. TBC’s agenda calls for several key legislative measures to be reviewed, and actions to take place.
Strategic policy on transportation funding for the border, as well as the results of a recent meeting with TxDOT Assistant Executive Director Amadeo Sáenz, Jr., P.E., will be discussed.
“There have been discussions for a user fee for commercial trucks traveling north bound and we believe this is a way of leveraging significant funding for transportation projects along the border,” said Maverick County Judge José A. Aranda of Eagle Pass, who serves as chair of the TBC Transportation Committee.
In addition to transportation, immigration bills currently flowing through the legislative process will be discussed, as well as, a strategy to ensure the Legislature maintains a common sense approach on immigration issues, said Monica Stewart of McAllen, chair of TBC’s Immigration Committee.
Plans to support workforce training funds also will be presented by Wanda Garza of McAllen, chair of the TBC Workforce Development Committee.
Also, legislation regarding the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) will be reviewed. El Paso County Attorney José R. Rodríguez, chair of the TBC Healthcare Committee, noted that House Bill 109 by Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, was rescheduled for debate on the House floor on Monday, March 26.
Passage of the HB 109 would help achieve one of the key healthcare goals of the Texas Border Coalition: the restoration of the 2003 cuts to the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
The Texas Border Coalition has been an effective force in Austin and Washington, D.C., since it was first established in 1998. In addition to shaping major state policies and legislation in Texas, TBC also has established an influential presence in Congress, pushing for national measures ranging from increased funding for homeland security to protecting the flow of commerce and tourism into Texas from Mexico.
TBC maintains a web site at http://www.texasbordercoalition.org.
Officials who serve on the Texas Border Coalition include:
•Chairman /Mayor Chad Foster of Eagle Pass;
•Vice-Chairman/ Mike Allen, McAllen Economic Development Corporation;
•Treasurer / Pat Townsend, Jr., Mission Economic Development Corporation;
•Mayor Eddie Treviño, Jr., Brownsville;
•Judge Carlos Cascos, Cameron County;
•Mayor Efraín Valdéz, City of Del Rio;
•Mayor Joe Ochoa, City of Edinburg;
•Mayor John F. Cook, City of El Paso;
•Mayor Richard Rodríguez, City of Harlingen;
•Mayor John David Franz, City of Hidalgo;
•Judge J.D. Salinas, Hidalgo County;
•Mayor Raúl G. Salinas, Mayor of Laredo;
•Mayor Richard Cortéz, City of McAllen;
•Judge José Aranda, Maverick County;
•Mayor Norberto Salinas, City of Mission;
•Mayor Leopoldo Palacios, Jr., City of Pharr;
•Mayor Fernando Peña, City of Roma; and
•Mayor Joe V. Sánchez, City of Weslaco.
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Nation’s largest U.S. Marines camp to honor Dolia González during book signing ceremony
By DAVID A. DÍAZ
Dolia González – mother of the late Marine Corps Sgt. Alfredo “Freddy” González of Edinburg, a Medal of Honor recipient – will be the guest of honor at a book signing at 1:30 p.m., Friday, March 30, at the main exchange on Marine Corps Base Camp LeJeune, North Carolina.
Ms. González, 77, was invited to visit the base for the book signing, and to see for the first time “González Boulevard” on the base that is named for her heroic son, killed at age 21 during the 1968 Tet Offensive. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for saving many fellow Marines under his command, over a three-day period, despite being seriously wounded several times in the days leading up to his final actions.
The book is a biography titled “When The River Dreams”, and was published last October. The book signing will be held March 30-31 at the Camp LeJeune Base Exchange. The City of Jacksonville, near Camp LeJeune, is going to present a Mayor’s Proclamation honoring Dolia and her son.
Commander Alistair Borchert, the commanding officer of the USS González – a $900 million warship based at Norfolk, VA – is planning to attend, and will be met by Col. Adele Hodges, commander of the base that houses 50,000 Marines – the largest in the world.
Col. Hodges, an African-American woman, is the first female base commander in Marine Corps history.
Information on the book and Sgt. González, and his mother, can be accessed at several web locations, including: http://www.authorhouse.com (look under book store); http://www.thehistorynet.com (type in Sgt. Freddy González); and at http://www.wikipedia.org, among many other sites.
For more information contact: John W. Flores, 505-296-0428, or email [email protected]; Or call Dolia González at 505-381-1157. Marine Corps Base Camp LeJeune contacts are: Kimberly Oliver at 910-451-2481 (ext. 6309), [email protected]; or Megan Sanderson at 910-451-2481 (ext. 6394), [email protected].
Meanwhile, in Austin, legislation has been filed seeking to bestow upon González one of the most coveted honors in the state – the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor.
Rep. Aaron Peña, D-Edinburg, has filed the legislation, which is awaiting a public hearing by the House Committee on Defense Affairs and State Federal Relations.
Rep. Juan Escobar, D-Kingsville/Willacy County, is vice-chairman of that panel.
The legislation, House Concurrent Resolution 121, would require the approval of the Senate and Gov. Rick Perry.
The Texas Legislative Medal of Honor (TLMH) was established by the 58th Texas Legislature, and has been awarded three times throughout its history to those who voluntarily perform a distinguished deed of personal bravery, or self-sacrifice involving risk of life.
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Senate approves bill by Sen. Hinojosa to require automated defibrillators at every campus for emergencies
By MELISSA DEL BOSQUE
Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, on Monday, March 19, passed legislation out of the Texas Senate that will help make public schools safer by guaranteeing that all school districts have defibrillator devices on every campus, as well as on hand at University Interscholastic League (UIL) sporting events to revive students who suffer sudden cardiac arrest.
“There is no greater fear for a parent than the fear of losing a child. Statistically, we know that it’s only a matter of time before another student suffers sudden cardiac arrest. Now, when tragedy does strike, our children will have a much better shot at beating the odds and going home to their families,” said Hinojosa.
SB 7 calls for public school districts to have an automated external defibrillator available on each campus and at UIL athletic events. A similar measure failed to pass in the last regular legislative session. Since then, several high profile incidents in which student athletes have collapsed during training exercises and competitions have brought increased attention to the issue.
SB 7 would also require that certain school personnel, such as medical staff and athletic coaches and sponsors, be certified in CPR and defibrillator techniques. Not only will school employees be trained to save lives, but high school students, as well, will be taught CPR and defibrillator usage in their high school health courses.
“Life-saving techniques are invaluable tools that teachers and students can learn in our schools and carry with them for the rest of their lives. The more people are educated in how to save a life, the safer we all are,” said Hinojosa.
Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Lewisville, who chairs the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, said it’s about time Texas passed this law.
“We have become more and more aware of the necessity to have these devices in every high school,” she said. “We have so many lives unnecessarily lost because we didn’t have a readily available AED. That’s inexcusable.”
The bill was amended on the floor to include private schools in the requirements. The bill will permit the Texas Education Agency to accept private donations to offset the cost of these devices.
According to the American Red Cross:
Every minute of every day, sudden cardiac arrest (which often leads to heart attack) claims another victim. A heart attack occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart become blocked, the flow of blood which carries oxygen to the heart is slowed or stopped, and the muscle fibers contract chaotically rather than in synch with each other as they normally do.
How defibrillators work:
Manual defibrillators work by giving the heart a controlled electric shock, forcing all the heart muscles to contract at once, and, hopefully jolting it back into a regular rhythm.
Historically, only trained medical professionals were able to interpret the heart rhythms on manual defibrillator devices. However, today’s new Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) use embedded computer chips to analyze the rhythms instantly and accurately, making it possible for non-medical professionals to administer the same vital service without risking an accidental shock.
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Ciro Leonel Treviño, 53, accomplished musician, son of local school board member, succumbs to cancer
Ciro Leonel Treviño, 53, entered into eternal rest quite peacefully in the company of friends and family, Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at Doctor’s Hospital at Renaissance in Edinburg after a four-year- long courageous battle with cancer.
Ciro was born October 18, 1953 to Ciro and Antonia (Toni) Anzaldua Treviño. He was preceded in death by his mother, Antonia (Toni) Treviño.
He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 30 years, Leticia Montalvo Treviño; his two sons, Robert Daniel, Aaron Andrew; his daughter, Amanda Yvette; and his father, Ciro Treviño, all of Edinburg.
His father, a former longtime Hidalgo County tax-assessor/collector and Edinburg city commissioner, currently serves on the Edinburg school board.
He was born and raised in Edinburg and attended Sacred Heart Catholic School, Edinburg High School, and Pan American University. In pursuit of his love of music, Ciro earned a Bachelor’s degree in music and a Master’s degree in secondary supervision.
His lifelong dream was accomplished in his 30 year profession as a band director. In his first year out of college he was hired as an assistant band director in the Mercedes School District. The following year he was hired by his alma mater, Edinburg High School as an associate band director and later became head band director. In 2002 Ciro was promoted to Director of Fine Arts where he served his remaining four years with the district before retiring in June 2006.
Because of his love and commitment, Ciro touched the hearts and souls of all his students and inspired many to pursue the music profession. His compassionate, witty, and charming disposition helped him overcome any differences with some of his students. He maintained a positive attitude that would eventually win him the respect and admiration of all his students. He often expressed how lucky he was to have a job that gave him such pleasure.
While in college Ciro was a member of Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. As a professional music teacher, Ciro was a member of the Texas Mu Educator’s Association and the Texas Band Masters Association.
Ciro was a very loving and generous husband, father, son and friend. His friendly demeanor and humorous candor made him a real pleasure to be around. He will be dearly missed by his family, friends, and all whose lives he touched.
Visitation was held from 5 to 9 p.m. with a 7 p.m. rosary on Thursday, March 22, 2007, at Memorial Funeral Home, 208 E. Canton in Edinburg. Funeral service was held at 10 a.m. Friday, March 23, 2007, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Edinburg. Interment was held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 24, 2007, at Valley Memorial Gardens in McAllen.
Pallbearers were Xavier L. Ríos, Fransisco Omar Montalvo, RR Rodríguez, David Rodríguez, Rick Pérez, Mike Pérez, Orlando Zamora, and J.J. González. Honorary pallbearers were Gerardo Montalvo, Rudy Ramírez, Wilfredo Pérez, Curtis Maynard and Robert Vela.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations made to the American Cancer Society (local chapter), 5413 S. McColl, Edinburg, Texas 78539. Phone number (956) 682-8320, http://www.cancer.org.
Funeral Service were under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in Edinburg.
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Edinburg’s retail economy starts off 2007 with 10.1 percent improvement over January 2006 showing
By DAVID A. DÍAZ
Edinburg’s retail economy in January 2007, as measured by the amount of local and state sales taxes generated by a wide range of local businesses, was up 10.1 percent over the same month in 2006, the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation has announced.
The EEDC is the jobs-creation arm of the Edinburg City Council.
It’s five-member governing board, which is appointed by the Edinburg City Council, includes Mayor Joe Ochoa, former Mayor Richard García, who serves as board president, Fred Palacios, Mike Govind, and George Bennack.
The figure translates into more than $1 million generated in local sales taxes in January, and sent back to the Edinburg city government on March 9 by the state comptroller of public accounts.
State sales tax revenue for February, and the March 9 payments made to local governments on represents sales that occurred in January.
The local sales taxes are generated by the city’s 1 1/2 local sales tax and the 1/2 economic development sales tax that is administered by the EEDC.
Retail businesses are required to collect both the local and state sales taxes and send them to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, which soon after returns the local sales tax back to communities in the form of a rebate.
The local sales tax is used to help pay for dozens of major city services, ranging from new streets to city personnel.
In January, Edinburg’s economy generated $1,015,366.40 in local sales taxes, compared with $922,972.84 in local sales taxes in January 2006.
Edinburg registered the second-best showing in Hidalgo County in December, with McAllen outpacing all major cities in the Valley.
McAllen’s economy generated more than $4.1 million in local sales taxes in January, compared with more than $3.6 million during the same month last year.
According to the comptroller’s office, Hidalgo County also showed continued prosperity. In January, 2007, all cities in Hidalgo County generated more than $8.8 million in local sales taxes, up 12.06 percent over January 2006, which reached more than $7.8 million.
Neighboring Cameron County also registered economic growth, according to the state figures.
In January, all cities in Cameron County generated almost $4.5 million in local sales taxes, compared with $4.2 million during the same month in 2006, a increase of almost 5.8 percent.
Other major cities in Hidalgo and Cameron counties reported the following sales tax figures:
•Brownsville’s retail economy generated more than $2.3 million in local sales taxes in January 2007 compared with more than $2.1 million in January 2006, an increase of 5.76 percent;
•Harlingen’s retail economy generated more than $1.4 million in local sales taxes in January 2007, compared with more than $1.3 million in January 2006, an increase of almost six percent;
•Mission’s retail economy generated almost $862,000 in local sales taxes in January 2007, compared with almost $797,000 in January 2006, an increase of more than eight percent;
•Pharr’s retail economy generated more than $843,000 in local sales tax activities in January 2007, compared with more than $866,000 during the same month in 2006, a drop of more than 2.6 percent; and
•Weslaco’s retail economy generated almost $681,000 in local sales tax activities in January 2007, compared with almost $643,000 in January 2006, an increase of more than 5.8 percent.
Statewide, Texas Comptroller Susan Combs announced state sales tax revenue in February totaled $1.65 billion, up 7.0 percent compared to February 2006.
“Post-holiday sales indicate the Texas economy and our sales tax collections continue to grow, though not at the rapid pace we experienced a year ago,” Combs said. “We will continue to closely monitor our state’s economic indicators such as oil and gas, the Texas housing market and consumer spending.”
Combs delivered $396.8 million in March sales tax payments to Texas cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts, a 5.6 percent increase compared to March 2006. So far this calendar year, local sales tax allocations are up 5.5 percent compared to the first three months of 2006.
Combs sent March sales tax payments of $268.6 million to Texas cities, up 5.1 percent compared to March 2006. Calendar year-to-date, city sales tax allocations are running 6.5 percent higher than last year. Texas counties received sales tax payments of $24.2 million, up 5.9 percent compared to one year ago. Calendar year-to-date, county sales tax allocations are 7.6 percent higher than last year.
The 115 special purpose taxing districts around the state received $11.8 million in sales tax revenue, up 9.3 percent compared to last March. Ten local transit systems received $92 million, up 6.4 percent.
For details of March sales tax payments to individual cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose districts, locate the Monthly Sales and Use Tax Allocation Comparison Summary Reports on the Comptroller’s Web site at http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/allocsum/compsum.html. The Comptroller’s next sales tax allocation will be made on Friday, April 13.
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Rep. Peña overcomes opposition from the press, passes bill to keep key information about certain crime victims a secret
By DAVID A. DÍAZ
A bill that would automatically keep secret most personal information about people who are helped financially by a state crime victims compensation fund was unanimously approved on Tuesday, March 20, by the Texas House of Representatives.
The measure, House Bill 1042 by Rep. Aaron Peña, D-Edinburg, keeps confidential key information about victims and claimants held by the Office of Attorney General’s Crime Victims’ Compensation Program.
Under current law, after three years, the victim must request that his/her personal information remain confidential. Also, claimants – usually family members or survivors of victims that are seeking financial help on behalf of the victims – have no confidentiality protections.
The measure was opposed by the Texas Daily Newspapers Association, which contended, according to the House Research Organization, that keeping secret the information of all people involved with the crime victims’ compensation fund for long periods could inhibit the press from monitoring the fund, from verifying victims’ information, and from approaching victims to determine if they want to tell their stories to the news media.
The House Research Organization is a nonpartisan organization, funded by the House of Representatives, which provides detailed background on all major legislation, and strives to provide as many sides to the issue as possible.
“The Crime Victims’ Compensation Program is designed to help Texans and their families deal with the real costs associated with being a victim of a violent crime,” said Peña. “The legislation we passed today will ensure that the victim’s or claimant’s identifiable information is kept confidential.”
The legislation would keep private the social security number, address or any other information that would reveal the identity of the crime victim or claimant. The Crime Victims’ Compensation Program allows reimbursement of lost wages, medical expenses, burial expenses and other costs incurred as a result of a violent crime.
Under current law, that information is kept secret for three years, but a person must request in writing that their personal
“Victims of crime and their families do not need to fear that their address, social security or phone numbers will be available to those same people who perpetrated the crimes against them,” said Peña.
The bill was filed in part as response to the highly publicized case of Gloria Amaya of Austin, an employee with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, who was repeatedly stabbed and critically injured by her estranged husband in June 2002. The assault took place in a parking garage as she was leaving work. Following the stabbing he fled the scene and took his own life and the life of his and Gloria’s 12 year old son.
Soon after the tragedy, then-Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn refused to release a photograph of Amaya to an Austin television station, KEYE, which had requested copies of her state security badge photo.
“I have always been a staunch supporter of conducting government in the sunshine. The right of the people to observe and question their government as it conducts their business should be absolute – so long as it does not violate the privacy rights of an individual citizen, which I believe is the crux of why we are here today,” Strayhorn said in September 2002.
“The next day, an Austin television station, KEYE, requested copies of Gloria’s state security badge photo. I saw no reason to release the photographs. I believe to release the photographs would have been a gross invasion of privacy,” she continued.
Strayhorn also chastized the news media, saying that “broadcasting or publishing Gloria’s photograph would only serve to victimize her all over again. The National Center for Victims of Crime warns that the media, in an overzealous attempt to report every aspect of a story, can often make crime victims feel further violated and disoriented. I refuse to allow that to happen on my watch.”
The companion (identical) bill, Senate Bill 636 by Sen. Glen Hegar, R-Katy, has been referred to the Senate Criminal Justice Committee.
Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, is one of the seven members of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee.
Orlando Salinas contributed to this story.
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Congressman Hinojosa endorses bipartisan immigration reform legislation
Congressman Rubén Hinojosa, D-Mercedes, on Thursday, March 22, issued the following statement regarding the announcement today of bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform legislation, Security Through Regularized Immigration and a Vibrant Economy (STRIVE) Act of 2007.
“I applaud Congressmen Luis Gutiérrez, D-Chicago, and Jeff Flake, R-Mesa, Arizona, for their efforts to address comprehensive immigration reform. It is clear that our immigration system is broken, and it is critical that we have legislation in this country that offers up a sensible solution. This bill recognizes the fact that we cannot fix our immigration process without addressing all sides of the equation—enforcement, border security, processing backlogs, our workforce needs, and our large population of undocumented immigrants. Most importantly, this bill presents Congress with a reasonable launching point from which I believe we will be able to craft broad reform.
“As chair of the Subcommittee on Higher Education and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Education Taskforce, I am particularly pleased to see the inclusion of the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act in Congress’s renewed quest for immigration reform. Without this legislation, too many of our nation’s talented immigrant students will be forced to forego their pursuit of a higher education. It is essential that we provide a way for our undocumented students who grew up in this country to attend college, have access to financial aid and grants, and earn legal permanent residency.
“America has long been known as the land of opportunity—a country that affords men and women the chance to seek a better life and pursue the American Dream. But we must bring our immigration policy into the 21st Century. This bill will help us begin that process. I look forward to working with my colleagues to make sure that this crucial issue is not pushed to the backburner once again.”
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Led by Rep. Flores, Valley legislators help secure license for horse race track to be built in Hidalgo
By ED SERNA
The Texas Racing Commission (TRC) on Tuesday, March 20, issued a Class 2 horse racetrack license to Valle de los Tesoros, Ltd. (VDLT), opening the door for construction on a project that will bring new jobs and revenue to the Rio Grande Valley. The proposed Valley track, which reportedly will involve up to a $23 million investment, received unanimous support from the six TRC commissioners in attendance.
VDLT is a company headed by the LaMantia family of McAllen, which is active in political, community and charitable affairs. They own L&F Distributors, which features Budweiser.
“I’ve been spearheading this project, along with the entire Valley delegation and the local horse industry, for eight years and I am pleased that we cleared the last hurdle that will allow us to bring a first-class horse racetrack facility to the Valley,” said Rep. Ismael “Kino” Flores, D-Palmview. “Horse racing in the Valley will be a financial asset for the area that will generate substantial job growth and new revenue.”
VDLT predicts that the first year impact to the local economy will be worth approximately $91 million and will generate approximately 1,200 jobs. Once operational, the racetrack will have an annual budget of approximately $4.2 million, of which $1.4 million will be spent on salaries and wages.
VDLT also projects that the track will have a positive impact on local agribusiness, which will translate into jobs for feed suppliers, farmers, veterinarians, and other track-related positions.
“More than sixty percent of all horses that race in Texas come from the Rio Grande Valley,” said Rep. Flores. “When you consider the Valley’s horse breeding tradition and the role that it plays in the local economy, it’s easy to see why this project is important to me.”
The track will be located on a 200-acre site near Dodge Arena in the city of Hidalgo at 10th Street and Dicker Road, just south of the McAllen city limits.
According to the Texas Horse Racing Commission, VDLT said the facility’s grand stand will provide live views of horse racing between February 23 through April 1 of each year, with the grandstand capable of seating 1,035 people. An indoor air conditioned, 25,000-square-foot area will feature simulcasts of horse racing from other venues, with a seating capacity of 350 persons.
On an annual basis, VDLT estimates 43,222 persons will attend the live views of horse racing between February 23 and April 1, while 190,655 patrons will show up for the indoor simulcasts.
Horse-racing tracks are classified as class 1 racetracks, class 2 racetracks, and class 3 racetracks.
A class 1 racetrack is a racetrack on which racing is conducted for a minimum of 45 days in a calendar year, the number of days and the actual dates to be determined by the commission under Article 8 of this Act.
A class 2 racetrack is a racetrack on which racing is conducted for a number of days not to exceed 44 days in a calendar year except as otherwise provided by this section. The commission may permit an association that holds a class 2 racetrack license and that is located in a national historic district to conduct horse races for more than 44 days in a calendar year.
A class 3 racetrack is a racetrack operated by a county or a nonprofit fair under Article 12 of this Act. An association that holds a class 3 racetrack license and that conducted horse races in 1986 may conduct races for a number of days not to exceed 16 days in a calendar year on the dates selected by the association.
Flores represents District 36, which includes parts or all of the cities of Hidalgo, Granjeno, McAllen, Mission, Palmview, Penitas, and Pharr.
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Rep. Gonzáles appointed to health committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures
By RICARDO LÓPEZ-GUERRA
Rep. Verónica Gonzáles, D-McAllen, on Monday, March 14, was appointed by Speaker of the House Tom Craddick, R-Midland, to serve a two-year term on the Health Committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). The health committee is composed of state legislators who will work together to create policy guidelines on a variety of issues ranging from cancer prevention and control, children’s health insurance, disease prevention, health care insurance and substance abuse.
“I am eager to use my experience on the House Public Health Committee to work for state-federal health policy development,” Gonzáles said. “This appointment is a vital opportunity to further advocate for South Texas’ health needs.” The committee helps to develop policy on state-federal issues and guide the lobbying efforts of NCSL.
As a member of the NCSL Health Committee, Gonzáles will be responsible for participating in legislative forums which focus on policy innovation among different legislatures and guiding the NCSL’s lobbying efforts at the federal government.
“Access to quality and affordable health care is not just a Texas issue,” stated Gonzáles. “We need to work together with other states and with our federal government to discuss innovative ways to insure every adult and child and to work on prevention rather than responding to health needs when they have reached the crisis level.”
Gonzáles represents House District 41, which is contained entirely in Hidalgo County and includes portions of McAllen, southwest Edinburg, and Mission.
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Colonias legislation by Sen. Zaffirini clears Senate International Relations and Trade Committee
By NICK ALMANZA
The Senate Committee on International Relations and Trade on Monday, March 19 unanimously recommended passage of Senate Bill 99 by Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, which would support persons living in Texas’ most impoverished communities by increasing the number of state agencies required to submit data about projects that serve colonias.
The bill also would increase accountability of the logistical and financial reports regarding colonia improvements made by agencies and by state and local governments.
“Legislators need a comprehensive road map of how all state monies are spent on colonias projects, including the dollar amount spent on each colonia to best serve residents and improve upon their quality of life,” Zaffirini said. “As the state senator of one of the largest districts in Texas that also runs along the U.S./Mexico border, I have seen repeatedly the daily struggles of families who live in colonias. This bill will assist them by improving the organization of and access to state services ranging from basic utilities to providing health care.”
A number of specific problems affect not only colonia residents, but also the legislators and state agency staff who are charged with developing projects to assist colonias. Current laws intended to prevent the proliferation of colonias take a variety of forms and apply in a variety of circumstances. While the legislature has refined these laws during the last 15 years, several laws apply only in the border area or in “economically distressed” counties with high unemployment and low per capita income.
Application and proper execution of these laws relies on complete and accurate demographic information collected about colonias and colonia residents. What’s more, state agencies often lack comprehensive demographic data about colonias that is necessary to develop programs to address the needs of residents.
SB 99 builds on Zaffirini’s legislation that improves and increases access to state services for colonia residents. In 2005 she authored and passed SB 827, which required the establishment and maintenance of a statewide system to identify and classify colonias with the highest health risk to residents. SB 827 also directed a state agency work group to develop a report regarding the progress of state-funded projects in providing water or wastewater services, paved roads and other assistance to colonias.
This report was published on December 1, 2006, and provides a comprehensive overview of the colonias in Texas as well as a complete summary of colonias projects. SB 99 would further improve the colonias reporting process and would implement several of the state agency workgroup recommendations.
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Plan by Rep. Flores, Sen. Hinojosa to improve water services to La Joya approved by the House
By ED SERNA
House Bill 479, which outlines the succession of the La Joya Water Supply Corporation, passed the House on Thursday, March 22, said Rep. Ismael “Kino” Flores, D-Palmview, who authored the legislation.
The bill transfers the necessary authority to the La Joya Special Utility District and is the latest effort to reform the much-maligned LJWSC and providing quality water service to residents served by the utility. The bill now heads to the Senate, where Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, will be the sponsor of the legislation.
“This is another step forward to helping ensure that area residents and businesses get the reliable water service that we deserve and depend on greatly,” says Flores. “I look forward to working with Sen. Hinojosa to get this important measure passed on the Senate side.”
Currently, LJWSC is under receivership. The bill authorizes the current receiver to make all necessary steps to allow the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to transfer essential operating permits to the La Joya Special Utility District.
Additionally, the bill establishes a temporary board until a uniform election is held. It would also require the temporary board to receive training and establish an education program for the elected directors.
The bill analysis of the measure, which was presented during the committee hearing earlier this month, follows:
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The La Joya Water Supply Corporation supplied water and wastewater service to residents in the western part of Hidalgo County and the eastern part of Starr County. As a non-profit water supply corporation, there was little if any oversight of the business operating procedures by state agencies. La Joya Water Supply Corporation’s lack of institutional oversight and specific guidelines regarding operations of the corporation resulted in below par administrative and managerial proceedings with respect to its day-to-day activities.
During the 79th Legislative session, HB 1358 was passed and the La Joya Special Utility District was created.
HB 479 deals with the succession of the La Joya Water Supply Corporation by the La Joya Special Utility District. Currently, the La Joya Water Supply Corporation is under receivership. The bill would authorize the current receiver to take all necessary steps to allow the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to transfer the Certificates of Necessity and Convenience to the Special Utility District. The bill would also establish a temporary board of directors for the Special Utility District, until a uniform election is held. It would also require the temporary board to receive training and establish an education program for the elected directors.
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Congressman Cuellar announces $7.4 million grant for Anzalduas Bridge border inspection facilities
By RUBÉN BAZÁN
Congressman Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo/McAllen, on Wednesday, March 21, announced that the planned Anzalduas Bridge has received $7,478,000 from the General Services Administration (GSA).
The GSA was able to secure the final portion of the $25,200,000 needed to complete funding for the Border Inspection Facilities at the Anzalduas Bridge.
“Our border cities have seen a significant increase of international crossings and business between the United States and Mexico. This money will provide for a h2 and successful international port of entry,” said Cuellar. “Assisting projects such as the Anzalduas Bridge is vital to the tourism and trade that is shared between the two nations.”
The Anzalduas Bridge – a joint project between the cities of Mission, McAllen, and Hidalgo — will be located approximately five kilometers up the Rio Grande from the Hidalgo-Reynosa Bridge, connecting Mission with Reynosa.
McAllen Bridge Director George Ramon said, “We have a viable project, a formidable team, and the financial capacity to provide both the US and Mexico with a unique opportunity. It is our intent to develop a state of the art facility that will serve to accommodate changing technologies, speed, and accessibility to markets.”
Cuellar continued, “As a member of the House Homeland Security Committee and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response, I am committed to ensuring that our international crossings receive the resources they need to adequately serve our borders. I’d like to thank McAllen Mayor Richard Cortez, Hidalgo Mayor John David Franz, Mission Mayor Beto Salinas, GSA, McAllen Bridge Director George Ramon, and other local officials for working together to move this project forward. As a Member of Congress, I will continue searching for ways in which to promote trade, tourism, and economic development.”
Cuellar is a member of the House Homeland Security, Small Business, and Agriculture Committees in the 110th Congress; accessibility to constituents, education, health care, economic development, and national security are his priorities. Congressman Cuellar is also a Majority Senior Whip.
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Sen. Lucio declares March 21 “Smoke Alarm Awareness Day”, honors life of late Sen. Madla
By DORIS SÁNCHEZ
Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr., D-Brownsville, on Wednesday, March 21, commemorated the life of his longtime friend and colleague, the former Sen. Frank Madla, Jr., by proclaiming March 21, 2007, Smoke Alarm Awareness Day at the State Capitol.
Co-authoring Senate Resolution 491 is Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio. March 21 was also Firefighter Legislative Day sponsored by the State Firemen’s and Fire Marshals’ Association.
“Having smoke alarms in every home can avert fire tragedies and loss of precious lives, such as those of Mrs. Mary Cruz (Sen. Madla’s mother-in-law), Sen. Madla, and his precious granddaughter Aleena (Virginia Jiménez)” said Lucio. “The family died as a result of a fire in the San Antonio home of the Madla’s Nov. 24, 2006. Sen. Madla’s wife, Helen, survived despite injuries. She attended the event with three relatives.
State Fire Marshal Paul Maldonado commented, “Smoke alarms are essential to home fire safety because they alert us to fire in its early stages…They can save your life when you are at your most vulnerable – asleep at night in your home.”
“Smoke alarms are one of those tools made available to help save people from fires, and I highly recommend that every home have at least one, but preferably more,” said Brownsville Fire Chief Lenny Pérez, president of the Texas Fire Chiefs Association. “I encourage people to please contact their local fire stations to see if they have a smoke alarm program and if not, to encourage their fire stations to start one.”
The National Fire Protection Association reports that more than 700 lives could be saved every year by the presence of a working smoke alarm in every home. The death rate from home fires has been reduced by half since battery-powered smoke alarms became available in the 1970s. Fire deaths could decline an additional 36 percent if every home had a working smoke alarm, ideally in every room. Smoke alarms should be tested regularly and batteries should be replaced twice a year.
“If only Sen. Madla’s home had been equipped with working smoke alarms, we would still be blessed with these three beautiful individuals,” added Lucio. “Everyone’s home should be equipped with smoke alarms in every room, and we should remember to maintain them.”
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Legislation introduced by Congressman Hinojosa to tackle “alarmingly low” graduation rates in U.S.
By ELIZABETH ESFAHANI
Rep. Rubén Hinojosa, D-Mercedes, on Thursday, March 22, reintroduced legislation that would combat the alarmingly low graduation rates among Hispanic students and other at-risk groups.
“One of the most distressing things occurring in American public education is the slow disappearance of students—especially African-American and Hispanic youth—from our public schools,” said Hinojosa. “At the national level, the federal government must step up—not by shifting resources but by providing states with the tools to target the school districts with the lowest graduation rates.”
H.R. 1623, The Graduation for All Act, will authorize $1 billion for fiscal year 2006 to address the graduation crisis at hand. Funds will be used to establish high school literacy programs and provide on-site faculty development through the use of literacy coaches.
Additionally, this legislation provides resources to schools to develop individualized graduation plans for students most at risk of not earning a diploma. Finally, the bill strengthens accountability by requiring state and school districts to disaggregate data on graduation rates by race, ethnicity, income, disability status, and limited English proficiency status.
The dropout statistics in America are alarming: Currently, 10 percent of public school students who begin ninth grade in September drop out before graduation. Only five in 10 Hispanic and African-American students graduate on time. Studies show that each class of high school dropouts costs the nation more than $200 billion in lost wages, tax revenues, and spending for special support programs.
“We cannot call high school reform successful if only half of our students make it to graduation,” said Hinojosa. “In our accountability system, the standard must be that every student graduates, prepared for postsecondary education and careers – otherwise, we, as a country have failed them.”
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Guest Viewpoint: Calling for accountability on failed Accenture contract
By SEN. EDDIE LUCIO, JR.
A program that was supposed to save the state millions of dollars and enhance services to needy Texans did exactly the opposite.
Many reasons and excuses have been offered for the failed performance of Texas Access Alliance, a private consortium led by Accenture, a management consulting firm based in Bermuda. Accenture contracted with the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) for $899 million to privatize several social programs for the state, such as the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Medicaid, Food Stamps and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).
The contract was terminated March 13, 2007, because it failed miserably to provide services or save money. However, those responsible for touting its leading-edge capabilities cannot wash their hands of the matter. I joined 30 senators in signing a letter requesting the Office of Inspector General of HHSC to investigate this transaction.
In 2003, I vehemently opposed House Bill 2292, the legislation that created this fiasco by reorganizing what was then the Texas Department of Health and dividing some of its departments into other agencies. I voted against this bill because I did not feel that the administration of programs like CHIP and Medicaid should be subjected to uncertainty. When it comes to basic human rights like child health, people must come first.
This proposal to exchange face-to-face services with call centers so that Accenture could make a profit at the expense of our needy citizens signaled a red flag from the very beginning. Yet the bill passed.
I don’t oppose outsourcing or profit-making, but not on the backs of the poor or hard-working. I generally favor private-public partnerships, because these arrangements often offer more accountability to the taxpayers. I was opposed to the Accenture contract because it meant putting hard-working employees—sometimes employed for 20 or more years—out on the streets.
Any money saved would be offset by making productive citizens wards of the state. Displaced workers from the privatization could not have quickly or easily found work, and would have suddenly been deprived not only of a paycheck, but also of health insurance, retirement savings and the dignity to earn a living.
Another grave concern of mine was risking or endangering someone’s health or welfare. And unfortunately it did. Accenture mismanaged records and documentation, and was continuously behind schedule in updating records and organizing call centers.
The inefficiency was so severe, that names of children and persons eligible for state social services disappeared from enrollment data. CHIP’s operations, assumed by Accenture on Dec. 1, 2005, caused enrollment to plunge by 8.5 percent, or a loss of 27,567 children, through August 2006. Medicaid enrollment dropped 2.9 percent, or 53,937 children, for the same period.
Tragically, Devante Johnson died, a 14-year-old cancer patient who was dropped from Medicaid enrollment. The suffering was widespread throughout the state, but it was more pronounced in high-poverty areas like South Texas and along the Border.
The Accenture contract has cost the state $100 million more than budgeted, while fewer children and families received the needed benefits.
This troubled arrangement with Accenture, since its inception, lost CHIP applications, leaving children unable to visit their doctors, with no one accepting accountability. Ill-trained workers, instead of competent state employees, were making policy decisions they were unable to make.
Fortunately, the plan to scrap thousands of state jobs was canceled late last year.
Termination of the contract does not answer the many questions still unanswered nor does it replace the financial and emotional havoc it wreaked.
It is time that we ask and receive accountability through an audit.
We owe it to the families who have suffered. We owe it to Devante Johnson’s family. We also owe it to the state employees who lost or almost lost their jobs. And in good conscience, we owe it to the taxpayers who footed a bill with zero returns on their dollars.
I vow to keep an eagle eye on the rebuilding process to ensure that this mistake is never again repeated.
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Gov. Perry honored as Texan of the Year
Gov. Rick Perry on Friday, March 23, was honored as Texan of the Year by the 41st Legislative Conference. Serving more than 22 years in Texas state government, Perry continues to champion a variety of issues important to the state, including health care, education and transportation.
“The most critical quality of a leader is someone who never loses sight of a long-term vision,” Perry said. “My vision is to build a Texas of limitless opportunity and prosperity, and I view decisions I make through that prism.”
Speaking to more than 500 government, business and education leaders, Perry emphasized the importance of leadership in public service. Highlighting several achievements during the six years of his administration, Perry spoke about his h2 personal philosophy and values on leadership.
“The most important thing we can do for the people of Texas is lead with conviction,” Perry said. “Leadership is not about making everyone happy; it is about standing h2 for something you believe in even when the wind currents start to blow hard in your face.”
Perry addressed two important issues facing the legislature: transportation and higher education reform.
“Let’s have an honest debate about transportation,” Perry said. “Either we build toll roads, slow roads or no roads. One 26-mile road extension in Dallas/Fort Worth, Highway 121, brought in $2.1 billion up front from the winning private vendor. That’s what the state gas tax delivered for roads all across Texas last year.”
Perry discussed his higher education initiative, which has been acclaimed by one federal official as the best reform plan in the nation, saying, “My plan is simple: it makes a college degree more accessible, our institutions more accountable and performance-oriented, and it invests in classroom and research excellence.”
Perry’s plan dedicates an addition $1.7 billion to financial aide and performance incentives for colleges and universities.
Talking about his philosophy for governing Perry said, “I believe what makes a state vibrant are investments in classrooms and research labs; jobs and infrastructure; healthcare and emerging industries; and limited government, restrained spending and lower taxes.”
For a complete transcript of Perry’s speech, please visit
http://www.governor.state.tx.us/divisions/press/speeches/speech_032207
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Measure by Sen. Cornyn to fight genocide unanimously approved
The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday, March 23, unanimously approved bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, that takes critical steps to fight genocide.
The Genocide Accountability Act, S. 888, now moves to the full Senate for consideration. The bill, introduced with U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Illinois, would close a current loophole in federal law that prevents the U.S. Justice Department from prosecuting aliens in the United States who have committed genocide in other countries.
“We must hold those guilty of atrocities responsible and ensure they are brought to justice. By closing the current loophole in federal law, this bill takes important steps to rid the world of genocide,” said Cornyn, a member of the Judiciary Committee’s Human Rights and the Law subcommittee.
“The genocide in Darfur has become the world’s most dire human rights and humanitarian crisis. I’m encouraged that this legislation is moving forward and urge my colleagues to support it in the full Senate,” he added.
Under current law, genocide is only considered a crime if it is committed within the United States or by a U.S. national outside the United States. The Genocide Accountability Act would close the current loophole by amending the Genocide Convention Implementation Act to allow prosecution of non-U.S. citizens for genocide committed outside the United States.
The bill is co-sponsored by Sens. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.).
The Justice Department has identified individuals who participated in the Rwandan and Bosnian genocides and are living in the United States under false pretenses. Under current law, these individuals cannot be arrested or prosecuted for genocide because they are not U.S. nationals and the acts in which they were involved did not take place in the United States. In contrast, the laws on torture, material support for terrorism, terrorism financing, and hostage taking, are among the crimes that federal prosecutors can charge despite having been committed outside the United States by non-U.S. nationals.
The Genocide Accountability Act developed out of the first hearing of the Human Rights and the Law subcommittee, established this year. The February hearing addressed the genocide in Darfur and other parts of the world. The bill has been endorsed by numerous human rights organizations.
On a related note, Sen. Cornyn recently introduced the Sudan Divestment Authorization Act, S. 831, which will increase pressure on the Khartoum government to stop the genocide in Darfur. The legislation provides federal support for state and local divestment efforts and expresses the sense of Congress that states and other entities should be allowed to divest their efforts of certain holdings in opposition to the genocidal policies of the Sudanese government and authorizes—though does not require—such divestment.
by Legislative Media | Feb 12, 2007 | Politics |
The city’s elected leadership, led by Mayor Joe Ochoa, on Thursday, February 8, met with Speaker of the House Tom Craddick, R-Midland, at the State Capitol in Austin to lay out some of the major legislative priorities for the three-time All-America City. Craddick, featured left in this photograph, heard from the mayor and the Edinburg City Council about key funding issues important to Edinburg, including securing $5 million in state funding to hire scientists for the $20 million University of Texas Regional Academic Health Center Biomedical Research Facility in Edinburg. The delegation, which also included Mayor Pro Tem Noe Garza, Councilmember Gus García, Jr., and Councilmember Alma A. Garza, also worked with state lawmakers to push for debt service funding on student tuition revenue bonds that will build a $50 million Performing Arts Center at UT-Pan American. Debt service is the series of payments of interest and principal required on a debt, such as tuition revenue bonds, over a given period of time. Tuition revenue bonds are bonds – long term-debt – that are paid for by money generated from tuition (fees) paid by university students. The city’s legislative agenda is a combined effort of the Edinburg City Council, led by the mayor, and its jobs-creation arm, the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation, led by former Mayor Richard García as the chairman of the board of directors, and Mayor Ochoa, who serves on the EEDC board of directors. Featured in this photo, taken by Rep. Aaron Peña, Jr., D-Edinburg, are, from left: Craddick; Ochoa; Noe Garza; Gus García, Jr., and Alma A. Garza. In addition to presenting the city’s legislative priorities, the Texas Legislature honored the community by designating Thursday, February 8, as Edinburg Day at the State Capitol. The legislative resolution is included later in this posting.
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Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, and Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr., D-Brownsville, on Tuesday, February 6, joined Mayor Richard Cortéz and McAllen leaders in the Senate chamber to celebrate McAllen Day at the Texas State Capitol with a Senate Resolution, SR 184. “We are one of the fastest growing areas in the nation as well as a key region for international trade with Mexico and the rest of Latin America. I am very proud to celebrate McAllen Day here at the Capitol and to make other state leaders aware of the importance, both culturally and economically, of McAllen,” Hinojosa said. Lucio, who also represents portions of McAllen in his legislative district, added: “Over the years, McAllen has been privileged with great leadership in the city’s administration, school boards, medical and business communities, South Texas Community College and other organizations that promote economic development and quality of life. McAllen can be extremely proud of its advances, and it was an honor for me to join Sen. Hinojosa in welcoming this city’s impressive delegation to the Texas Capitol.” Featured in this photo taken in the Senate chamber are, from left: Keith Partridge, CEO of the McAllen Economic Development Corporation; Adrian Arriaga, a McAllen business leader; Hinojosa; Dr. Shirley Reed, president of South Texas College; McAllen City Commissioner John Ingram; Cortéz, Lucio, and Dewhurst.
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Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, on Tuesday, February 6, joined members of the Texas Probation Association in the Texas Senate to honor the contributions of Texas probation officers with a Senate Resolution, SR 170. “I want to honor the men and women across Texas who tirelessly work to improve our public safety and perform this difficult but important job to keep Texans safe while helping rehabilitate people in the criminal justice system,” Hinojosa said. SR 170 honors the Texas Probation Association which represents professionals in nearly 300 adult and juvenile probation departments across the state. The association was formed in 1974. Featured from left are: John D. McGuire, supervisor for the Brazos County Community Supervision and Corrections Department; Tommy W. Ellis, fiscal officer for the Montgomery County Department of Community Supervision and Corrections; Hinojosa; Aris Johnson, Chief Juvenile Probation Officer for Gregg County; Angie Castillo-Sáenz, Supervisor of the Cameron-Willacy Community Supervision and Corrections Department; and Israel “Buddy” Silva, Jr., Director of the Hidalgo County Juvenile Center.
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Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr. D-Brownsville, on Wednesday, February 7, welcomed the 2006-2007 Leadership Harlingen Class to the Texas Capitol, where he presented them with certificates of excellence for outstanding community leadership and class participation. Leadership Harlingen is a program of the Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce that seeks to identify and train current and emerging leaders to make them more effective community volunteers. Ms. Melissa Boykin, Special Events Manager, said “The purpose behind the trip to Austin is to met their elected representatives, as as expose them to state government at work. We hope to give them as much opportunity to develop their leadership skills with information and insight on the ins-and-outs of not only their community and how it works, but how decisions made in Austin affect their community. Lucio said, “This program develops and enhances community leadership by giving participants expanded knowledge and awareness of the strengths, needs and issues within the Harlingen area. It offers program participants a broader view of civic leadership through direct contact with a wide spectrum of institutions and people that make the Harlingen area a vital and growing community.” Participants making the trip were, in alphabetical order: Brad Baumunk; Scott Bradwell; Chris Elliff; Mitchell Fladerman; Steven Glover; Paula González; Richard Guerrero; Brenda Heredia; Alberto Jáimez; Bertha Klefisch; Michael Lamon; Ericka Lopez; Sandra López; David Luna; Héctor Heira; Angelina Ochoa; Nilda Pérez; Steven Salinas; Juan Silva; Rod Snell; Rose Snell; and Joe Treviño.
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Rep. Peña, Rep. Gonzáles provide glimpse of city’s history, milestones in “Edinburg Day” resolution
House Resolution 266, authored by Rep. Aaron Peña, D-Edinburg, and co-authored by Rep. Verónica Gonzáles, D-McAllen, whose legislative district includes southwest Edinburg, on Thursday, February 8, passed the legislative proclamation honoring the three-time All-America City at the State Capitol.
The text of the resolution follows:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Members of the Texas House of Representatives are pleased to join with a delegation of citizens of Edinburg in celebrating Edinburg Day at the State Capitol on February 8, 2007; and
WHEREAS, Long considered the gateway to the lower Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg was originally known as Chapin when it became the Hidalgo County seat nearly 100 years ago; it was a ranching
community in its early years, then the arrival of the railroad and the introduction of irrigation in the early 20th century shifted the emphasis of the local economy to the farming of cotton, grain,
and citrus; and
WHEREAS, Officially incorporated in 1919, Edinburg experienced a period of growth and prosperity fostered by the foresight of such city leaders as John Closner and W. F. Sprague; as a thriving center for agricultural marketing and processing, Edinburg experienced a building boom that included the construction of the Grandview Hospital and the Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin Elementary Schools, all of which still stand; and
WHEREAS, The educational needs of area students are capably met by the Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District; encompassing 945 square miles, the district includes 27 elementary
schools, four middle schools, three high schools, and an alternative campus; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1927 as Edinburg Junior College, The University of Texas-Pan American remains one of the Valley’s premier institutions of higher learning; the university has recently established a master’s degree program in creative writing in order to foster a new generation of South Texas writers; nearing completion on campus is a $20 million Regional Academic Health
Center that will develop treatments for illnesses prevalent along the Texas-Mexico border; the university’s Wellness and Recreation Sports Complex, encompassing more than 150,000 square feet, is scheduled to open in August 2007, and a proposed fine arts facility will include classrooms, practice rooms, and event space; and
WHEREAS, The Edinburg Children’s Hospital has a 24-hour pediatric emergency room; the Doctors Hospital at Renaissance offers a full range of medical and surgical services; and the new Women’s Hospital at Renaissance, due to open in spring 2007, will be able to handle the delivery of 8,000 babies a year; and
WHEREAS, The vibrant history and culture of the region are highlighted by the Museum of South Texas History; the facility’s recent expansion includes the Rio Grande Legacy exhibit, tracing
the history of the Valley from prehistoric times to the 19th century; further expansion of the museum will include the continuation of the Rio Grande Legacy exhibit to the present day, as
well as the construction of the Will Looney Legacy Park; and
WHEREAS, Other Edinburg attractions include the 40-acre wetlands of the World Birding Center, where waterfowl and native plants can be viewed from winding trails and viewing platforms;
events such as the annual All-American 10K Run/Walk promote health and fitness, attracting participants from all over Texas and the world; Edinburg is also home to the Texas Cook’Em cook-off, where grill cooks compete to prepare the best steaks, chicken, spare ribs, and brisket; and
WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of Mayor Joe Ochoa and city commissioners Gene Espinoza, Agustín G. García, Noe Garza, and Alma A. Garza, the city has experienced steady and positive growth, and Edinburg has been recognized three times by the National Civic League as an All-America City; and
WHEREAS, Proud of their rich history, the people of Edinburg are determined to preserve the best of the city’s past while joining together to build a future full of hope and opportunity; and
WHEREAS, Representative Aaron Peña has justly recognized the city of Edinburg by authoring this honorary resolution in its behalf during the Regular Session of the 80th Texas Legislature; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 80th Texas Legislature hereby recognize February 8, 2007, as Edinburg Day at the State Capitol and extend a warm welcome to the delegation from Edinburg.
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Edinburg school board approves order calling for school board trustee elections on Saturday, May 12
The Edinburg school board has approved a resolution and an order calling for a school board trustee election on Saturday, May 12.
The election is to fill positions for Place 4 and Place 5 on the board currently held by Melba González and Gregory “Greg” García, respectively.
González is being challenged by Robert Peña.
García has drawn two rivals: Dr. Martin Castillo and former Edinburg school board member Cris Treviño.
The election will be held at 11 polling places. Those locations are:
•Hargill School: Precincts 30, 105 and 109
•Jefferson School: Precinct 14
•Freddy González School: Precincts 52, 73 and 106
•Francisco Barrientes MS: Precincts 53 and 110
•Fountain Center: Precincts 31, 69 and 108
•Lee School: Precincts 13, 54 and 107
•Capilla de San José-Lull: Precincts 68 and 129
•San Carlos School: Precincts 15, 43, 104 and 119
•Hargill School: Precinct 18
•Brewster School: Precinct 19
•McCook: Precincts 24, 75, 76 and 89
The polls will be open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Important dates for the May 12 school board elections are:
February 10, 2007
First day to apply for a place on the ballot
March 12, 2007
Deadline to file application for a place on the ballot
March 13, 2007
Ballot position drawing
March 13, 2007
First day to accept applications for early voting mail ballots
March 20, 2007
Last day for a candidate to withdraw in an election
March 28, 2007
First day to begin mailing early voting ballots to applicants
April 12, 2007
Last to register to vote in May 12, 2007 election
April 30, 2007
First day to vote early in person
May 4, 2007
Last day to receive application for an early mail ballot
May 5-6, 2007
Weekend early voting from 1-5 p.m.
May 8, 2007
Last day to vote early by personal appearance
May 12, 2007
Election Day
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The late Elias Longoria, Sr., former longtime Edinburg school board member, honored by Rep. Peña, House of Representatives
The late Elias Longoria, Sr., 75, a well-known community and political leader in Edinburg until his passing in August 2006, was honored on Thursday, February 8, with a memorial resolution authored by Rep. Aaron Peña, D-Edinburg, and approved by the House of Representatives on Thursday, February 8.
The text of the legislative measure, House Resolution No. 209, follows:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A full and generous life came to an end with the passing of Elias Longoria, Sr., of Edinburg who died on August 7, 2006, at the age of 75; and
WHEREAS, Born on April 26, 1931, in La Reforma, Elias Longoria graduated in 1950 from Edinburg High School, where he excelled in both academics and athletics; he earned a scholarship to attend Pan American College and played as a third baseman for the baseball team before leaving school to serve his country; a veteran of the Korean War, he served as a member of the U.S. Navy from 1951
to 1955; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed Texan shared his time and talents with the Edinburg community as a member of the school board for nearly a decade, including serving as the first Hispanic president; his tenure was characterized by his efforts to ensure fair hiring practices, and he was instrumental in hiring the district’s first Hispanic superintendent; in addition, he volunteered for more than
20 years as a coach for local youth baseball teams; and
WHEREAS, After retiring from a distinguished career with Southern Pacific Railroad, Mr. Longoria continued to fulfill his civic duty, serving on the grievance committee of the Edinburg Housing Authority and as a member of the Hidalgo County Grand Jury; moreover, he was a faithful congregant of El Buen Pastor Methodist Church; and
WHEREAS, A devoted husband and father, Mr. Longoria shared nearly 50 years with his wife, the former Maruca Garza, and their union was blessed with four children, Elias Longoria, Jr., Luis
Longoria, Leticia Lankford, and Victor Longoria; and
WHEREAS, Elias Longoria, Sr., was a man known for his strong sense of responsibility and for his humility in the face of numerous accomplishments, and he will be remembered with great affection by all those who held him dear; and
WHEREAS, Representative Aaron Peña has justly recognized Elias Longoria, Sr., by authorizing this resolution in his memory during the Regular Session of the 80th Texas Legislature; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 80th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Elias Longoria, Sr., and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife, Maruca Longoria; to his children, Elias Longoria, Jr., and his wife, Laurie, Luis Longoria and his wife, Noelia, Victor Longoria and his wife, Kristy, and Leticia Lankford and her husband, Gary; to his grandchildren, Philip, Aaron, Julia, Jon Eli, Adam, Gram, Gray, Marco, Amanda, Chad, Isabella, and Abigail; to his sisters, Rosa Elena March, Elma Vela, and Lidia Gordon; and to his other relatives and many friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Elias Longoria, Sr.
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Australians purchase Texas firm that owned Edinburg Review, RGC Herald, and Town Crier
Halyard Capital recently announced that its announced that its portfolio company, American Consolidated Media, has entered into an agreement with Macquarie Media Group (MMG) to be acquired for $80 million.
The acquisition is subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions. Other financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
American Consolidated Media (ACM), which is based in Dallas, was formed in 1998 by Jeremy L. Halbreich, formerly president and general manager of The Dallas Morning News. The company publishes 40 community newspapers and shopping publications serving nine communities throughout Texas and Oklahoma.
Among those publishing ventures are the Edinburg Review, the Rio Grande City Herald, the Valley Town Crier, the Rio Grande Valley Business Journal, Bargain Books, and the Winter Texan.
Macquarie Media Group (MMG) is an investment fund established to create a flexible platform for investments in a broad range of media assets globally, and is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX: MMGCA).
MMG seeks to combine operational expertise from quality media operators with Macquarie’s financing and acquisition expertise, to access investments across the media sector globally, and provide investors with stable cash yields, the benefits of organic growth through market growth and asset performance improvement, as well as growth through acquisition.
In July 2004, Halyard made its investment in ACM to facilitate the acquisition of Valley Media, a publisher of the shopper and community newspaper publications with a significant Hispanic audience in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, one of the fastest growing regions in the U.S.
“Halyard was attracted to ACM community papers’ strong franchise values in high-growth communities where there are few local media competitors. In locations where there are competitive publications, ACM generally owns the dominant paper,” said Christopher Ruth, a partner at Halyard Capital. “Most of its publications are mature brands with a strong, loyal readership and long relationships with local advertisers. In addition, ACM’s publications are geographically clustered, providing operating leverage and cost synergies in the areas of distribution, printing, newsprint and
administration. All these factors increased ACM’s attractiveness as a media investment.”
“We are delighted to have partnered with Jeremy and his team in our firm’s fourth successful investment in the newspaper industry. Jeremy and his team have demonstrated exceptional execution capabilities and will continue to drive the growth in the business with MMG through their focus on targeted community content,” Ruth added.
“Halyard Capital has demonstrated throughout our relationship a deep understanding and extremely valuable commitment to our business, our operating strategy and our people,” said Halbreich. “Along with fellow investors Arena Capital Partners and BancBoston Ventures, they have served as true partners in facilitating and supporting the growth and development of ACM,” he added.
Other Halyard investments in the sector have included ImpreMedia, Herald Media, and American Community Newspapers. Dirks, Van Essen & Murray acted as the company’s financial advisor and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP as well as Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP served as legal advisors to the company.
Halyard is a private equity fund with $350 million of capital under management focused on investing in media, communications and business services companies. The firm specializes in middle-market leveraged buyouts, growth equity and structured equity investments. Halyard invests in and works closely with exceptional management teams in companies with defensible market positions and franchise characteristics, which generate strong cash flow and operate in attractive growth markets.
The firm will commit up to $40 million to individual portfolio companies with a focus on investments of between $15 million and $30 million. Halyard has the ability to complete larger transactions utilizing its network of investment partners.
For more information, please visit http://www.halyard.com.
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Rep. Guillen lands plum spots as Vice-Chairman of House Appropriation Committee, General Calendars Committee
Rep. Ryan Guillen, D-Rio Grande City, was appointed by Speaker of the House Tom Craddick, R-Midland, to arguably the most powerful position of any Valley state representative.
Guillen was selected by the Republican speaker to serve as vice-chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, which writes the state budget that is almost always adopted by the 150-member House of Representatives.
The House’s version of the state budget then is matched up against the Senate’s version of the state budget, and leaders from both chambers hammer out compromises to arrive at a single spending plan.
As vice-chairman, Guillen is automatically one of the handful of state senators and state representatives who serve on what is called a “conference committee” to come up with the final budget plan for approval by the full Legislature.
A conference committee is composed of five members from each house appointed by the respective presiding officers to resolve the differences between the House and Senate versions of a measure, such as the state budget, when the originating chamber refuses to concur in the changes made by the opposite chamber. Upon reaching an agreement, the conferees issue a report that is then considered for approval by both houses.
The key Appropriations appointment makes Guillen the first House legislator from the South Texas border to be named to the high-level post in 40 years. Rep. Maurice Pipkin, D-Brownsville, was named to that position in 1967.
As news of the appointments spread throughout South Texas and across the state, community leaders offered praise for the decision.
“For the short tenure he has had in Austin, these appointments speak volumes for what he has been able to accomplish and are a feather in Starr county’s cap. He is an up and coming representative and I have faith he will accomplish whatever goals he sets his sights on,” said Starr County Judge Eloy Vera said after the announcement in late January.
“For a 29-year-old legislator to be named to such high ranking positions in the Texas Legislature clearly demonstrates Rep. Guillen’s highly-regarded leadership and future potential,” said McAllen Mayor Richard Cortéz.
Guillen also was appointed by Craddick to serve on the House General Calendars Committee, which decides what House and Senate bills are scheduled for action by the full House of Representatives.
The House Calendars Committee serves as a control valve for all bills and resolutions to reach the House Chamber for a vote. These committees control the agenda of the Texas Legislature.
Guillen also was appointed to the Natural Resources Committee which oversees the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Texas Water Development Board and controls all legislation dealing with the development of land and water resources in Texas.
“I am humbled by Speaker Tom Craddick’s confidence in my abilities and I look forward to working hard to get the job done for the people of Texas,” Guillen said.
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Rep. Guillen bill would excuse lawmakers from being called into lawsuits when they are in session
State lawmakers would be able to postpone testifying or being deposed in a lawsuit anytime the Texas Legislature is in session under a bill filed on January 30 by Rep. Ryan Guillen, D-Rio Grande City.
The text of the measure, House Bill No. 965, follows:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT
relating to excusing a member of the legislature from being compelled to testify or give a deposition in a civil suit or contested case when the legislature is in session.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.
Chapter 30, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is amended by adding Section 30.0035 to read as follows:
Sec. 30.0035.
TESTIMONY OR DEPOSITION OF MEMBER OF LEGISLATURE.
(a) In this section, “contested case” has the meaning provided by Section 2001.003, Government Code.
(b) This section applies to:
(1) a civil suit, including a matter of probate or condemnation proceeding, and to any matter ancillary to a civil suit at which the testimony of a witness may be taken or in which a person may be required to give a deposition; and
(2) a contested case before a state agency.
(c) This section does not apply to a member of the legislature who is a party to the suit or contested case in which the person is called to testify or give a deposition.
(d) At any time when the legislature is in session, on application of a member of the legislature who has been called, by subpoena or other method, to testify as a witness or to give a deposition in a suit or contested case to which this section applies, or who in discovery has been named as a potential witness by a party to the suit or contested case, the court in which the suit is pending or the official conducting the contested case hearing, as applicable, shall excuse the member from being compelled to testify as a witness or to give a deposition as provided by this section.
(e) A member of the legislature seeking to be excused under this section must file a request for the excuse with the court in which the suit is pending or with the official conducting the contested case hearing, as applicable. On receipt of the request, the court or official shall excuse the member from being compelled to give testimony or a deposition in the suit or contested case until a time and place agreed to by the member or until a date not earlier than the fifth day after the date the legislative session ends.
(f) This section does not diminish or affect any immunity or privilege of a member of the legislature under other law, including the constitution or common law.
SECTION 2.
This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.
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Pensions for retired teachers would increase under measure filed by Sen. Lucio
Retired teachers in Texas stand to receive a boost to their pensions under a bill introduced by Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr., D-Brownsville, on Thursday, February 7. Senate Bill 492 would increase a retired teacher’s monthly retirement, disability or death benefit by a five percent cost-of-living adjustment. Retired teachers have not received a cost of living increase since 2001.
“The Legislature can from time to time provide a cost of living adjustment based on the performance of investments of the Teacher Retirement System pension fund,” said Lucio. “These retirees have lost 16 percent spending power over the last six years from inflation, not counting the 50 percent increase in health care costs they must additionally contend with.”
“Sen. Lucio is addressing a situation that has languished since 2001,” said Tim Lee, Executive Director of Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA). “Providing retired educators with a real cost of living raise will help ensure their quality of life during their retirement years. His leadership on this issue is greatly appreciated by the hundreds of thousands of employees who dedicated their lives to Texas public education.”
“For Sen. Lucio to have filed this bill is awesome,” said Sylvia Suárez, a retired teacher and legislative chair for TRTA District 1. “We are ecstatic. We feel that this bill would help not only teachers, but everyone who retires from a school district, like support staff. Retired educators and paraprofessionals are not eligible for social security. Some retired support staff receive only from $300 to $600 a month (total retirement pension). When their spouses die, some are forced to sell their homes because they cannot get their social security benefits.”
Many retired teachers cannot afford health insurance with the average monthly premiums of $300 they must pay and are living below the poverty level. This bill offers equity in the state contribution through a small adjustment that can help retired teachers keep up with increasing costs of living.
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ECISD sets new school boundaries for 2007-2008 school year
The Edinburg CISD school board has approved a comprehensive rezoning plan that goes into effect in the 2007-2008 school year.
Gilberto Garza Jr., interim superintendent of schools, said the opening of the district’s fifth middle school next fall and the construction of classroom wings at Canterbury, Escandón, Zavala, Guerra, Kennedy, Truman and Lincoln elementary schools, have made the new boundaries necessary as the school district attempts to address the continued new student growth.
Garza said the new boundaries will enable the school district to evenly distribute students with regard to building capacity.
The boundary changes will directly affect 19 of 27 elementary schools; the four middle schools and the high schools, said Garza. The elementary schools that will not be affected are Austin, Brewster, Cano-González, De la Viña, Guerra, Hargill, Jefferson, Lee, Travis and Truman schools.
Garza said a 13-person Rezoning Committee met nine times to study several different possible new boundary options. The criteria the committee used in order to arrive at a recommendation for the school board included:
•To keep within the neighborhood school concept as much as possible;
•To take the building capacity into consideration;
•To maintain a workable and safe student membership at each affected campus; and
•To minimize as much as possible the number of students impacted by the rezoning.
Central Administrative staff took a final recommendation to the school board in early January for approval. The changes will become affective for the 2007-2008 school year, said Garza.
As it stands currently, the Edinburg school district has grown by 1,333 students over the 2005-2006 school year, Garza said. He said the elementary totals show 15,359 students (an increase of 674 students) in 27 elementary schools. Of that total, Garza said, Ávila, Eisenhower, Escandón, Treviño and Villarreal elementary schools are well over the 700 mark and rapidly approaching 800 students. Additionally, Betts, Freddy González, Guerra and Truman elementary schools are bordering on the 700 student mark.
The new boundaries will impact the middle school levels the most, Garza said. The district has 6,441 students in its four current middle schools. The opening of the district’s fifth middle school, Francisco Barrientes Middle School, in August, will enable the district to more evenly distribute middle school students, Garza said. Barrientes Middle School is currently under renovation to accommodate middle school students. The middle school should be ready by June 2007.
The impact to the high schools will be minimal, said Garza. Although the three schools will be somewhat impacted by the new boundaries, Garza said, the boundaries at the high schools will not be as impacting as at the middle schools where the growth has been greater.
For any questions regarding individual school boundaries, contact the school principals.
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Public meetings set for faculty, parents with questions about new school boundary changes
The Edinburg school district will host several public meetings to provide parents and school staff information on the new school boundary changes for the 2007-2008 school year. Information letters will also be sent out to the parents of students to be impacted by the boundary changes.
Elementary schools will host individual public meetings on their respective campuses between February 26 and March 1.
The middle school schedules are:
South – February 22;
Harwell – February. 26;
B.L. Garza – March 1; and
Memorial – March 8.
The high schools’ schedules will be announced later in February.
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Gov. Perry designates six additional emergency items for Legislature to quickly consider
Gov. Rick Perry on Monday, February 5, declared additional emergency items for the 2007 legislative session. The emergency designation will allow lawmakers to begin considering these issues in the initial 30 days of the legislative session.
The emergency items include:
• The general appropriations bill;
• Legislation relating to making supplemental appropriations and reductions in appropriations;
• Legislation relating to making appropriations to the Texas Education Agency for the purpose of school district property tax rate reductions;
• Legislation relating to the management of the water resources of the state, including the protection of instream flows and freshwater inflows;
• Legislation relating to the allocation and use of the sporting goods sales tax revenue to fund state and local parks; and
• Legislation relating to the prosecution, punishment, and supervision of certain sex offenders and to certain crimes involving sex offenders.
“The sooner these legislative items are addressed, the sooner taxpayers will see results on these important issues,” Perry said. “By designating these issues emergency items, the Legislature can begin working on them very soon.”
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Rep. Peña applauds governor’s move to place child predator legislation as emergency item for action
Rep. Aaron Peña, D-Edinburg, is applauding Gov. Rick Perry’s decision declaring legislation relating to the issue of sexual assault against children as an emergency matter for the 80th Texas Legislature.
Issues listed as emergency items are considered a top priority and are treated as such in the legislative process.
“Texas has some of the toughest laws regarding those who perpetrate sexual crimes against children,” said Peña. “There can be no doubt that we are going to continue to look for ways to keep our children safe from sexual predators.”
As Chairman of House Criminal Jurisprudence, Peña will lead the committee charged with tackling this critical issue. Earlier this mont, Peña asked Perry to consider adding the item to the emergency call since House rules prevent regular legislation from reaching the floor within 60 days of the start of the session.
In the Senate, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst has championed legislation modeled after Florida’s “Jessica’s Law.” The statute is named after Jessica Lunsford who was kidnapped, raped and killed in 2005 by a convicted sex offender.
Some provisions of the law include satellite monitoring of those convicted and subsequently released of sexual assault of a child, larger safe harbor zones around parks and schools, the doubling of the statue of limitations and mandatory punishment of a minimum 25 years prison sentence for first time offenders.
There are several bills that have been filed in the House and Senate modeled in part by the Florida law.
“We will keep sending the message that Texans will not tolerate these crimes against children,” said Peña. “There are some concerned about the unintended consequences that some of the proposed legislation may have and we will take that into consideration. There is important work before this committee and we are ready to take on the responsibility.”
Peña is finalizing committee staff appointments. The committee is expected to hold its first meeting on Wednesday, February 13. Peña expressed his support for getting started working on the issue at the earliest possible date.
“This legislation will receive the highest priority in the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee. I fully expect that it will be the first bill considered on our agenda,” the Edinburg lawmaker said.
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Gov. Perry outlines proposed $163.7 billion, two-year state budget that would begin on September 1
Gov. Rick Perry on Tuesday, February 6, outlined his 2008-09 budget proposal that establishes a new, higher standard for fiscal responsibility and truth-in-budgeting while meeting key priorities for Texas. The governor’s budget slows government growth, provides $15 billion in property tax relief, allocates $5.4 billion to pay for past accounting gimmicks such as delayed payments and leaves a $4.3 billion balance in the Economic Stabilization Fund untouched.
Perry proposes a stricter spending cap tied to the average of inflation and population growth. In this session, the governor’s proposed spending cap would be 3.5 percent lower than the current limit. Because the goal of a spending cap is to limit spending, not tax relief, property tax relief would be excluded from the governor’s proposed cap. The governor’s budget complies with this new proposed spending limit.
In total, Perry’s budget provides $167.3 billion from all funds, including $15 billion in tax relief. Absent tax relief, this represents an increase of $9.8 billion, or 6.9 percent over 2006-07. Spending from general revenue absent tax relief totals $71.4 billion, an increase of $5.8 billion or 8.8 percent over the 2006-07 biennium.
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Rep. Gonzáles expresses concerns about plan by Gov. Perry to sell Texas Lottery to private investors
Rep. Verónica Gonzáles, D-McAllen, on Wednesday, February 7, issued the following statements in response to Gov. Rick Perry’s State of the State address.
“I hope Gov. Perry will deliver on the promises he made in today’s speech. “I have been working to make quality, affordable health care accessible to the families in our area, and I am glad that the governor has said he will join that fight. Gov. Perry says he wants to invest in cancer research, and I look forward to joining him in that effort.”
I am also fighting to fully fund the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Cancer research can help Texans in generations to come and I hope Gov. Perry will join in that fight as well. I am committed to giving hardworking Texas families access to health care for their children today.”
In addition to proposing increased funding for cancer research, Gov. Perry also used his State of the State address to propose a controversial plan to sell the state lottery to a private company.
“I want to learn more about the governor’s proposal to sell the state lottery before making up my mind on this issue. I also want to hear from the constituents I serve. While the governor’s plan to sell the lotto may provide a short term financial boost for the state, I have grave concerns that this plan may cost us money in the long run.
“Some of our highways have already been sold to a Spanish company, there was an attempt to sell our state parks to a company in Mexico, our Children’s Health Insurance Program has been outsourced to a company in the Bahamas and now there is a proposal to sell the lottery—I think we need to take a hard look at his plan and proceed with caution.”
“I look forward to working with Gov. Perry when we agree on proposals that will bring good jobs, quality education and affordable health care to our state and our district. But I will stand up to the governor if I believe his policies are wrong for Texas, and I will always put the families of our community first.”
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Gov. Perry: Selling state lottery would help fund cancer research, public education
Gov. Rick Perry on Thursday, February 8, told the Texas Public Policy Foundation that his proposal to sell the Texas Lottery for a 40 year private concession is a fiscally sound proposal that will benefit the state. Financial experts conservatively predict the lottery may be sold for $14 billion, generating an estimated $1.3 billion annual interest based on an average return of 9 percent.
“Selling the lottery will work for Texas,” Perry said. “The financial gains the sale will generate can effectively provide a long-lasting source of revenue that can ensure we have the money we need to invest in the great challenges we face.”
In recent years, the lottery has yielded approximately $1 billion annually. However, this funding is an unstable source of revenue. Selling the lottery for a conservatively estimated $14 billion allows the state to invest in secure trust funds which would annually generate nearly $1.3 billion interest, $300 million more than yearly lottery returns. Perry proposes using the annual interest gained from the sale of the lottery to establish trust funds in perpetuity for cancer research efforts, public education, and a premium assistance program for the uninsured.
This session, legislators have discussed efforts intended to make Texas a leader in cancer research. With the sale of the lottery, the state can dedicate $300 million annually to finding a cure. Steady funding is particularly important in research endeavors to ensure uninterrupted progression of scientists’ work.
The governor also proposes using close to $800 million in earned trust fund interest to fund public education. The governor’s budget allocates additional general revenue for public education to ensure there is no gap in education funding.
“Without the sale of the lottery, legislators must fund cancer research from general revenue or through a bond proposal, which will inflate a $3 billion price tag for 20 years to a total of $6 billion due to debt,” Perry said. “If legislators are willing to find $300 million in general revenue to finance bonds to fund cancer research, then why not use a smaller amount instead to make education funding whole under the alternative scenario of selling the lottery?”
Additionally, $270 million in annual trust fund earnings is proposed to create a premium assistance program for the uninsured. More than 2 million uninsured Texans are below 200 percent of the federal poverty limit. Perry’s proposed “Healthier Texas” program would help individuals purchase health insurance through employer-based programs or private plans.
“This is a unique opportunity for our state to invest in the pillars of prosperity: education, jobs and healthcare,” Perry said. “Let’s invest in a better Texas through wise use of our resources and a continued commitment to fiscal responsibility.”
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Sen. Lucio wants governor to help promote health science center/medical school, I-69 development
Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr., D-Brownsville, on Tuesday, February 6, issued the following statements regarding Gov. Rick Perry’s State of the State address:
“I sincerely believe that Gov. Rick Perry has the best interest of the state at heart, as do I. Many of his proposals certainly hold my interest and many of his efforts have my support. Our agendas for the people of Texas share many commonalities, but until we take the pencil to the speech will we know exactly what these words will mean for Texas to become a leader of the 21st Century.
“In his remarks, Gov. Perry said that this state is building roads faster than any state in the nation. However, the Rio Grande Valley still lacks an interstate highway and thus lacks connectivity to the rest of this country. In light of the population growth of South Texas and its increase in traffic from this growth and from NAFTA, our roads aren’t being built fast enough, yet we continue in the struggle for approval and funding.
“Another issue raised was the rising cost of health care as an obstacle to prosperity. I concur!
“Gov. Perry said five and a half million Texans are uninsured. In my senatorial district, 25 percent of the residents are without insurance. His Healthier Texas plan proposes that the state pay $150 monthly per individual for health insurance, depending on the family’s income. That certainly sounds like a step in the right direction, as does his commitment to continue the necessary funding to operate the Irma Rangel Pharmacy School at Texas A&M at Kingsville.
“I am also seeking his commitment for my bill that will create a health science center and medical school in South Texas. These facilities will certainly improve and increase access to quality health care in the area. And of course, we must accelerate and expand the Children’s Health Insurance Program for our Texas children.
“I support the governor’s plan to increase financial aid by $360 million for our college students, but not at the expense of curtailing programs that have successfully increased college participation along the Texas border, like the South Texas Border Initiative.
“Increasing teacher pay has been my mantra for many years. Although we have made some inroads in this arena, we still underpay the people who teach and guide our future generations.
“The governor has ideas about immigration that deserve attention. Texas is being forced to look at a primarily federal issue of great impact to Texas handled with little compensation from Washington, D.C. I continue to frown upon building any fences or walls between our two countries, while keeping a positive attitude toward guest worker programs that protect our economy, our businesses and American workers.
“Texas faces many challenges, and the governor outlined them well. I’ve voiced my motto for this session: Finding Solutions Together. It appears that the many issues the governor touched on today certainly stand a better chance of being solved if we work in unison rather than along party lines. And they will fare better if we all keep the welfare of Texans uppermost in our minds and actions.”
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Sen. Zaffirini supports more money for universities, wants to protect special funding for border colleges
Sen. Judith Zaffirini,, D-Laredo, on Tuesday, February 6, issued the following statements in response to Gov. Rick Perry’s State of the State address
“I congratulate Gov. Rick Perry on delivering his fourth State of the State address and look forward to working with him and the members of the Texas Legislature toward our mutual goals of establishing and enacting a positive agenda that benefits and champions Texas families.
“Gov. Perry’s emphasis on education and increased resources for health and human services certainly is promising. His calling for an additional $80 million to expand the ‘Texas Early Start’ pre-kindergarten program demonstrates a strong commitment to improving public education. What’s more, I am especially pleased the governor intends to dedicate additional funding to early education programs since I filed legislation that would expand Texas Early Education Model (TEEM) sites throughout Texas while increasing the recruitment of highly-trained, qualified early childhood education professionals.
“Because higher education is my top legislative priority, I also am pleased that Gov. Perry is placing it high on his list of priorities. Higher education is an impressive economic multiplier. The governor’s proposal of $1.7 billion in new money for higher education is a great investment in our state’s future that is certain to deliver remarkable economic and social returns. His support of funding increases to my B-on-Time zero-interest higher education loan program and measures to increase graduation rates across the board will help students be graduated timely and successfully.
“While I remain concerned about proposed funding reallocations that would accompany the governor’s higher education proposals, especially cuts to university special items that include institutional enhancements such as the South Texas Border Initiative, I remain optimistic that our state government will produce well-measured policies that will assist all Texas institutions.
“I look forward to working with Gov. Perry, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, and my colleagues in the Senate and House in providing Texas students with an excellent education; eliminating all access-to-care waiting lists while increasing access to affordable, quality health care; and providing a better quality of life for all Texas families.”
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House Democratic Caucus leaders say Gov. Perry “misses the important priorities” in his state budget
Reps. Jim Dunnam, D-Waco, Garnet Coleman, D-Houston, and Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, on Tuesday, February 6, responded to Gov. Rick Perry’s State of the State address.
The House Democrats maintained that despite a few forward-looking recommendations, Perry failed to recognize many of the most essential priorities the legislature must address to move Texas forward.
“The people of Texas deserve a state government that works as hard for them as they work for their families,” Coleman, Chair of the Legislative Study Group said. “Unfortunately, the Governor failed to address too many of the fundamental priorities that impact the pocketbook and quality of life for every Texas family that works for a living.”
When Texans voted last fall, they made their priorities clear: improve our children’s schools, make college affordable again, provide access to health coverage for all Texas children, and lower the cost of our electric bills. In terms of dollars and cents, however, the governor’s budget priorities focus almost entirely on property tax cuts that disproportionately benefit wealthy property owners at the expense of needs that are even more important to the future of our state’s economy.
“We all support lower property taxes, but Texans are also demanding greater investments in our children’s schools, affordable college for our families, and a healthier Texas,” Gallego, Chair of the Mexican-American Legislative Caucus, observed. “The Governor talks about these things, but he doesn’t offer a plan to put our money to work for us on these critical matters.”
Coleman said the state must increase teacher pay across the board to attract and retain quality teachers for our classrooms, and that those teachers should no longer be forced to teach only to a standardized test.
“After twelve years of learning and study in the classroom, graduation should not be based solely on a test that tries to boil it all down to ‘A, B, C, or none of the above’,” Coleman said.
Dunnam, Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, agreed that the state should increase student assistance for college, but added that eliminating tuition deregulation is a more important step if we are to make college affordable again for all Texas families.
“Unfortunately, tuition deregulation has led to tuition increases that are pricing many students from middle class families out of the opportunity that can only be provided by a college education,” Dunnam said.
He cited figures that show a 47% increase in the cost of tuition to the University of Texas at Austin has led to a tuition increase of $2,500 per year. And the problem isn’t just at UT – there has been a 54% increase in tuition at UT-Brownsville, a 34% increase in tuition at Texas Tech, and a 49% increase in tuition at the University of Houston.
Coleman said the governor should be commended for acknowledging that Texas has the highest rate of people without health insurance in the country – 24.5% of all Texans. However, he said the Governor’s speech failed to adequately address this critical need.
“We cannot gamble on a return from privatizing the Texas Lottery to fund a limited health insurance program for adults,” Coleman said, adding that “we must closely watch proposed cuts to Medicaid benefits to make sure they do not result in a similar loss of heath coverage that resulted from the 2003 cuts to the Children’s Health Insurance Program.”
“The fastest way to insure the children of Texas is to repeal the policies enacted in 2003 that caused 200,000 Texas children to lose their CHIP coverage, policies that cost us $893 million in federal matching funds,” Coleman noted.
Gallego, speaking about taxes said, “All Texans should expect truth in taxation, so that our tax dollars go where we expect them to go. The taxes on sporting goods should go to improve state parks, as promised. We also need to prevent the governor from eliminating the System Benefit Fund, which helps the very poor pay their utility bills. Texans shouldn’t have to choose between groceries and keeping the lights on.”
The Democratic leaders said the state should work to increase the use of renewable energy technologies like solar energy. Such new technologies will help answer the state’s growing need for additional energy sources and mitigate the need for unhealthy options such as the new coal plants Perry is currently attempting to fast-track to completion.
“Texans know how the sun beats down on us, so it’s time we put it to work for us instead of fast-tracking coal plants that increase health risks, including the risk of cancer,” Gallego said.
“Texans are calling for action on these important priorities, but the Governor keeps trying to give that responsibility to private interests who want to use our tax dollars to make a profit,” Dunnam said.
“From private school vouchers to private call centers for CHIP to toll roads, privatization has failed us, and it’s time for the state of Texas to work for the people again and not for profit,” Dunnam concluded.
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Senate panel unanimously approves bill by Sen. Zaffirini to strengthen child passenger safety
The Senate Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security on Wednesday, February 7, unanimously recommended Senate passage of Senate Bill 60 by Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, which strengthens current child passenger safety protections.
The bill requires that children younger than eight years, unless they are four-feet nine-inches in height, be secured properly while riding in a motor vehicle.
“Each year more than 1,600 children die in vehicular accidents,” Zaffirini said. “This is the leading cause of unintentional, injury-related death among children 14 and younger. SB 60 would save lives and would make certain our younger children are safe and secure while riding on Texas roads and highways.”
Current law requires only children who are younger than five years of age and shorter than 36 inches be properly secured in child-passenger safety seats during the operation of a vehicle. Children between the ages of five and eight and who are between 36 and 57 inches represent an age group that is at great risk of death or severe injury due to the gap in current law.
SB 60 will eliminate this gap and strengthen current child passenger safety protections. It provides for a four-month temporary grace period to inform Texas drivers about the new measure.
“Unrestrained children are more likely to be injured, suffer more severe injuries and possibly die in motor vehicle accidents than children who are restrained,” Zaffirini said. “I am very pleased that the Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee favorably and unanimously recommended my SB 60, and I look forward Senate passage. We anticipate a remarkable victory for child and public safety.”
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Rep. Martínez throws support behind energy assistance program for low-income electricity users
Rep. Armando “Mando” Martínez, D – Welaco, is one of several Valley lawmakers who have signed on as co-authors of House Bill 551, which deals with eligibility of low-income families for an energy assistance program.
The principal author of the legislation is Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, who is the Speaker of the House Pro Tempore – second-in-command of the House of Representatives.
“House Bill 551 would provide assistance to low-income electric customers by providing a targeted energy efficiency program,” Martínez said. “A customer qualifies under the system benefit fund if the household income is not more than 125 percent of the federal poverty guideline.”
A resident is also qualified if they meet one of the following:
•Receives food stamps.
•Receives federal housing asístanse.
•Has a child enrolled in the national school lunch program, or reduced-price lunches.
•Receives lifeline telephone service.
“Assisting the economically disadvantaged individuals is one of my goals while in Austin.” Martínez said., “I will assist with the passage of this legislation. Not only for the benefit of my constituents, but for all Texans.”
The other Valley legislators listed as co-authors are Rep. Verónica Gonzáles, D-McAllen; Rep. Eddie Lucio, III, D-San Benito; and Rep. Juan Escobar, D-Kingsville. Esocobar’s legislative district includes Willacy County.
A co-author is a legislator authorized by the primary author to join in the authorship of a bill or resolution. A coauthor must be a member of the chamber in which the bill was filed.
••••••
Rep. Martínez co-authors measure that would increase public awareness of children’s health insurance program
Rep. Armando “Mando” Martínez, D-Weslaco, has signed on as a co-author for Bill 109, which would require the state government to inform more Texans that they qualify for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
“Under this bill, a commission would provide information through community outreach programs and an education campaign on the availability of health benefits for children who qualify,” said Martínez, “The campaign will involve the efforts of school health clinics and make available a toll-free telephone number that will provide information about health coverage for children.”
“Assisting families’ maintain the health of their children is one of my goals here in Austin,” Martínez, said, “I hope legislation will be passed so that all Texas children will have an opportunity to receive the health care they need and deserve.”
The principal authors of House Bill 198 are Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, who is the Speaker of the House Pro=Tempore, and Rep. Aaron Peña, D-Edinburg.
A co-author is a legislator authorized by the primary author to join in the authorship of a bill or resolution. A coauthor must be a member of the chamber in which the bill was filed.
••••••
Congressman Cuellar, Hinojosa to host government contracting workshop in McAllen on February 21
Hidalgo County’s two U.S. congressmen – Ruben Hinojosa, D-Mercedes, and Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo/McAllen, will host a federal grants workshop to be be held in McAllen on Wednesday, February 21.
The event will be conducted from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The workshop, which is being held at the McAllen Chamber of Commerce, will include presenters from the Small Business Administration, the General Services Administration, and Boeing Corporation. The workshop’s primary focus will be on preparing small business owners for doing business with the federal government.
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce is located at 1200 Ash Avenue.
••••••
Congressman Hinojosa supports National Consumer Protection Week
The U.S. House of Representatives on Monday, February 5, passed by a vote of 398-0 a resolution introduced by Rep. Rubén Hinojosa, D-Mercedes, co-chair of the Financial and Economic Literacy Caucus, that recognizes the importance of consumer protection.
“Technological advances have made it easier than ever for criminals to take advantage of our nation’s consumers,” said Hinojosa. “We must remain vigilant in providing our citizens the best tools to combat the growing number of frauds and deceptions bombarding them.”
H. Res. 94 supports the goals and ideals of National Consumer Protection Week, which is Feb. 4th through 10th, and seeks to boost awareness of consumer protection options among Americans. To highlight the week’s importance, Hinojosa is collaborating with the Federal Trade Commission and 14 other federal agencies on a Consumer Education Fair scheduled for Feb. 8th in 1302 Longworth House Office Building from 9 a.m. until noon. The fair will be open to all Capitol Hill staff as well as Members of Congress who would like material on how to help constituents improve their financial literacy levels. The general public is also welcome to attend.
In 30 states, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports that more than 60 individuals per 100,000 population were victims of identity theft in 2005. In Texas alone, there were over 26,000 reports of identity theft in one year. According to the FTC, Texas ranks among the top five states where consumers are most likely to have their personal information compromised.
The theme of this year’s National Consumer Protection Week, “Read Up and Reach Out: Be an Informed Consumer,” encourages people to utilize the wealth of online resources that can vastly improve their confidence in the marketplace. Consumers can boost their knowledge by simply logging on to the National Consumer Protection Week’s Web site, http://www.consumer.gov/ncpw, where they can find useful tips on how to make well-informed purchase decisions.
“It’s critical that Americans take the necessary steps to protect themselves from consumer fraud and identity theft,” said Hinojosa. “I urge everyone to take advantage of the numerous available tools that will help them better secure their information.”
••••••
Regents told that the UT System enrolling more minority students that five years ago
Institutions within the University of Texas System are enrolling more minorities, graduating more students in critical math and science fields and producing substantially more research than they were a half-decade ago, according to a report prepared for the UT System Board of Regents.
Regents on Thursday, February 8 approved the wystem’s fourth annual Accountability and Performance Report, which provides data and analysis on a variety of academic, health-care and service missions across the System’s nine academic and six health institutions.
The report uses 135 measures to gauge such things as enrollment, diversity, student outcomes, faculty productivity, clinical care and community impact over five years at all 15 institutions as well as System administration.
“We are leaders nationally in pioneering this process and making our institutions transparent to the public, and this report demonstrates that,” UT System Chancellor Mark G. Yudof said. “What’s significant in this accountability study is we offer proof to the public that tax dollars are being used efficiently and productively.
“Moreover, this document is a useful tool in helping us identify those things we wish to improve to make our institutions even better.”
Among some of the report’s highlights:
• Research expenditures at UT System institutions grew 36 percent since 2002 to more than $1.8 billion in FY 2006. And the total number of new inventions rose by roughly one-third, from 459 in 2001 to 613 in 2005. The UT System in 2004 ranked fourth nationally in the number of patent awards received.
• Enrollment at UT System academic campuses increased by an average of 17 percent from 2001 to 2005, and the proportion of Hispanic freshmen at those institutions (39 percent) exceeded the proportion of Hispanic students graduating statewide from high schools (35 percent).
• UT System institutions, which already account for about one-third of the degrees conferred in the state, awarded 23,167 undergraduate degrees in 2005, a 22 percent increase from 2001. Four institutions were among the top 10 in the nation in the number of undergraduate degrees they awarded to Hispanics.
• Twenty-five percent of all degrees conferred at UT System institutions were in the critical areas of science, technology, engineering and math, which was significantly higher than the national average of 17 percent.
• Faculty from UT System health institutions treated 79,262 patients in state-owned hospitals in FY 2005, up roughly one-third from the 60,785 they treated in FY 2001.
Other noteworthy findings revealed nearly half of undergraduate students received some form of need-based financial aid, which covered nearly 80 percent of their total academic costs. Also, all academic institutions improved six-year graduation rates from 2001 to 2005, five of them by four or more percentage points; and seven of eight four-year campuses showed gains in four-year graduation rates. Seniors at eight academic institutions performed at or above expected levels on the Collegiate Learning Assessment Performance Task scale.
“This report clearly shows progress across the board at our academic and health institutions, but we will continue to evaluate where improvement is most needed and adjust our efforts accordingly,” said Dr. Geri Malandra, interim executive vice chancellor for academic affairs and vice chancellor for strategic management.
The UT System Accountability and Performance Report is regarded as one of the top models for higher education accountability in the nation. The System was the first higher education body in the state to devise a comprehensive model for public accountability.
“We are proud of the progress our institutions have made and this study continues to serve us well in developing strategies to make our campuses even stronger,” said James R. Huffines, chairman of the UT Board of Regents.
Serving the educational and health care needs of Texans for more than 125 years, the UT System is one of the nation’s largest higher education systems with 15 campuses – including nine academic and six health institutions – and an annual operating budget of $10 billion (FY 2007). Student enrollment exceeded 190,000 in the 2006 academic year. The UT System confers one-third of the state’s undergraduate degrees and educates three-fourths of Texas health care professionals. With more than 76,000 employees, the UT System is one of the largest employers in Texas.
••••••
Sen. Hutchison cosponsors bill to create National Museum of the Latino
U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, chairman of the Republican Policy Committee, on Thursday, February 8, signed on as an original cosponsor of a bill to establish a commission on the National Museum of the Latino. The legislation, S.500, creates a 23 member commission and authorizes funding to help establish a national museum honoring Hispanic heritage.
“Since the very founding of our great nation, American society has benefited from the contributions of myriad cultures and backgrounds,” Hutchison said. “I am pleased to cosponsor this legislation to honor the heritage of our many Hispanic citizens. The museum would also serve as an educational resource for people interested in learning about Latino history and traditions.”
The legislation introduced today establishes a 23 member commission with appointments from the president and bi-partisan leaders from both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. It calls for the development of a fundraising plan with a national conference, and a report to determine location and governance for the museum. In addition, the legislation authorizes funds for use by the commission.
••••••
Lt. Gov. Dewhurst announces two new appointments to the Texas Ethics Commission
Lt. Governor David Dewhurst has announced the appointments of James Graham and Paula Mendoza to the Texas Ethics Commission.
Graham, a resident of Dallas, is currently an investment manager at Hunt Realty Corporation. He is a graduate of Miami University and George Washington University.
Mendoza, a resident of Houston, is owner of Possible Missions, Inc., a small business consulting firm. Mendoza is the Chairwoman of the Texas Association of Mexican-American Chambers of Commerce. She is a graduate of University of Houston.
The Texas Ethics Commission, created by Constitutional amendment in 1991, is responsible for administering and enforcing political contribution and expenditure laws, lobbyist activities, state officers’ financial disclosure statements, state officers’ salaries, and other ethics issues.
by Legislative Media | Jan 22, 2007 | Politics |
Mayor Pro Tem Noe Garza, featured third from left, helps Mayor Joe Ochoa, featured in dark jacket, on Thursday, January 18, as the city’s political and business leaders participated in the proverbial ribbon cutting at the $18.5 million, 117,000 square foot supercenter located at 2802 W. University Drive. Also included in the ceremony was Council member Alma Garza (no relation to Noe Garza), featured in the back row to the mayor’s left. With 40,000 items in stock, and an adjacent garden center, Lowe’s in Edinburg – which features appliances and products for home improvements – is predicted to create up to 175 direct and indirect jobs and have an annual economic impact of $25 million, according to Richard García, president of the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation. The store, which opened for business on January 13, helped Edinburg reach a record for new construction in 2006, said Ochoa. See story on the city’s construction activities later in this posting.
••••••
State Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr., D-Brownsville (featured center), proudly displays a plaque of appreciation from Dr. Shirley Reed, president of South Texas College, and Paul S. Moxley, president and secretary of the board of directors for Texas State Bank, during a legislative breakfast on Friday, January 19, at the STC campus in south McAllen. Lucio, Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, Rep. Aaron Peña, D-Edinburg, Rep. Verónica Gonzáles, D-McAllen, and Rep. Ismael “Kino” Flores, D-Palmview, were honored for their many contributions to STC by the STC Board of Trustee and area business and community dignitaries. Lucio was the author of the legislation in 1993 that created STC, along with then-Rep. Roberto Gutiérrez, D-McAllen, who sponsored the measure in the House of Representatives. STC, which was originally called South Texas Community College, has an estimated 18,000 students enrolled this fall, making it one of the largest institutions of higher education in South Texas.
••••••
Constructionin Edinburg sets new record with $191.7 million in 2006
Total construction activities in Edinburg during 2006 totaled almost $192 million, an increase of more than $22 million over the $169.3 million mark set 2005, the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation has announced.
The EEDC is the jobs-creation arm of the Edinburg City Council.
It is governed by a five-person board of directors, which includes Mayor Joe Ochoa,former mayor Richard García, who is the EEDC board president, and FredPalacios, Mike Govind, and George Bennack.
The construction level surpassed the previous record of $171.1 million, set in 2004.
New constructionof single-family homes and commercial buildings, not including government or religious facilities, led the way in 2006.
Single-family homes, which does not include apartments and other multi-family dwellings such as duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes, accounted for almost $70.5 million of the total construction activities last year, up from more than $66.2 million in 2005.
In 2006, 765 new single-family homes were constructed, compared with 742 new homes in 2005.
New commercial buildings valued at almost $70 million were built in 2006, up considerably from the almost $40.2 million level reached in 2005.
Multi-family residences in 2006 accounted for more than $18.7 million in new construction, compared with more than $31.7 million in 2005.
The values of the construction are listed in building permits issued by the city’s Code Enforcement Division.
Construction
activities of non-taxable facilities – government buildings, churches,
schools, not including UT-Pan American – reached almost $9 million
in 2006, compared with almost $17.5 million in 2005.
Building
permits are permits taken out in order to allow excavation and to protect
public safety.
Building
permits represent the estimated cost of construction, not the selling
price.
The building
permits do not include the price of the lot.
A start
in construction is defined as the beginning of excavation of the foundation
for the building.
A building
permit is permission issued by a city’s planning department to oversee
and approve any changes to structures.
They are
documents designed to guarantee that any construction work, from remodeling
to demolition to building a new home or business facility, meets the
city’s building codes.
•Doctors
Hospital expansion continues
The continuing
expansion of Doctors Hospital at Renaissance was reflected in its receipt
of the most valuable building permit in December.
The medical
complex, which is expected to invest as much as $150 million in its
second site, received a building permit valued at $5 million for a medical
facility, that is being built at 5502 S. McColl Road, in the Doctors
Center Subdivision.
Walgreen’s
was issued a building permit for the second-most valuable project in
December for a new facility, valued at $1.7 million, that is being
built at 1520 S. McColl Road in the Bond & Bond Subdivision.
The third-most
valuable project approved for construction in December is a commercial
building, owned by José Chapa, and valued at $720,000. It is being
built at 1623 W. University Drive in the West Manor Unit 1 & 3 Subdivision.
Developer
Juan Luis Alcorta received building permits in December for six multi-family
developments, each valued at $200,000, located in the Summer Winds and
Summer Winds II Subdivisions on Orlando, Phoenix, and Tampa streets.
The most
valuable home authorized for construction in December is being built
by Jaime Lozano. The house, whose construction value is listed at $200,000,
is located at 2301 Big Valley Circle in the Big Valley Subdivision.
For the
month of December, total construction activities, which include everything
from installing plumbing to building the structures, saw building permits
approved for $14,929,924 in governmental, residential and commercial
construction, up from the December 2005 figure of $6,588,675.
For 2006,
total construction activities were $191,782,397, compared with $169,589,043
in 2005.
A more
detailed breakdown of the December 2006 figures for Edinburg features
the following highlights:
•Commercial
construction
In December,
new construction of commercial buildings, not including multi-family
residences, was reported at $8,235,950, compared with $547,000
for the same month in 2005.
In 2006,
new construction of commercial buildings reached $69,775,422, compared
with $40,266,530 in 2005.
Commercial
alterations in December totaled $614,156, compared with $57,665 in December
2005.
In 2006,
commercial alterations reached $10,617,621, compared with $9,461,295
in December 2005.
•Home
construction
New construction
of single-family homes in December 2006 reached $3,324,600, compared
with $4,943,860 in December 2005.
In 2006,
building permits were issued for residential homes valued at $70,446,664,
compared with $66,205,764 in 2005.
In 2006,
building permits were issued for the construction of 765 single-family
homes, compared with 742 in 2005.
In December,
work began on 33 single-family residences, compared with 51 homes in
December 2005.
In December,
alterations for single-family residences were valued at $388,218, compared
with $108,150 for the same month in 2005.
In 2006,
building permits were issued for residential alterations valued at $5,564,650,
compared with $2,758,656 in 2005.
•Multi-family
residences
New construction
of multi-family residences in December reached $2,367,000, compared
with $867,000 for the same month in 2005.
In 2006,
new construction of multi-family homes totaled $18,745,740, compared
with $31,756,569 in 2005.
In 2006,
building permits were issued for 182 multi-family residences, or 406
units, compared with 320 multi-family residences, or 739 units, in 2005.
For the
month of December, building permits were issued for 21 multi-family
residences, or 54 units, compared with 19 multi-family residences, or
40 units, in December 2005.
•Alterations/repairs
Alterations/repairs
involving nontaxable facilities, such as churches and government buildings,
but not including UT-Pan American, totaled $7,636,300 in 2006, compared
with $1,654,229 in 2005.
The city
does not issue permits for construction work at UT-Pan American.
•Top
December construction projects
Highlights
of construction in December of commercial buildings, not including multi-family
residences, valued at $100,000 or more include:
•Doctors
Hospital at Renaissance, 5502 S. McColl Rd ($5,000,000);
•Walgreen’s,
1520 S. McColl Road ($1,700,000);
•José
Chapa, 1623 W. University Drive ($720,000);
•Dr.
De Dios Cans, L.P., 206 Conquest Blvd ($370,000);
•Eddy
Bentacourt, 1801 W. Trenton Road ($200,000).
Highlights
of construction in December of multi-family buildings (duplexes, triplexes,
fourplexes, and apartment buildings) valued at $100,000 or more include:
•Juan
Luis Alcorta, 1410 Phoenix Street ($200,000);
•Juan
Luis Alcorta, 1506 Phoenix Street ($200,000):
•Juan
Luis Alcorta, 1408 Tampa Street ($200,000);
•Juan
Luis Alcorta, 1525 Orlando Street ($200,000);
•Juan
Luis Alcorta, 1510 Tampa Street ($200,000);
•Raúl
Fabela, 1916 Upland Drive ($140,000);
•Raúl
Fabela, 1910 Upland Drive ($140,000);
•Juan
A. García, 2214 Candlelight Lane ($130,000);
•Thurmond
Reed, 622 Logan Drive ($130,000);
•Thurmond
Reed, 702 Logan Drive ($130,000); and
•Michael S. Campbell,
618 DFW Drive ($130,000).
Highlights
of construction in December of single-family homes valued at $100,000
or more include:
•Jaime
Lozano, 2301 Big Valley ($200,000);
•Eldwin
R. Vargas and Thelma Caballero, 1821 Fawn Circle ($190,000);
•Michael
Galola, 2611 María Luisa ($184,000);
•Jesús
Ramos, 706 Amistad ($160,000);
•Jaime
Lozano, 467 Dalabo Drive ($160,000);
•Carlos
González, 3721 Inez Street ($136,900);
•Rey
Benavidez, 419 Frio Drive ($120,000);
•Rey
Benavidez, 3823 Inez Street ($115,000);
•Pilar
Brito, 704 Steamboat Drive ($110,000);
•Pilar
Brito, 712 Steamboat Drive ($108,000);
•Gilbert
Vera, 3808 Inez Street ($105,000);
•Elias
Lozano, 2607 Denise Circle ($100,000);
•Elias
Lozano, 2613 Denise Circle ($100,000);
•Elias
Lozano, 2609 Benji Circle ($100,000);
•Randy
Rives, 3109 Kenyon ($100,000);
•Victor
López, 1320 Hickory ($100,000); and
•Javier
Moreno, 2624 Flipper Drive ($100,000).
Highlights
of repairs or additions in December of commercial buildings valued at
$100,000 or more include:
•Dan
Gerlach, 3102 S. McColl Road ($350,000); and
•Lowes
Home Center, Inc., 2802 W. University Drive ($135,956).
By DAVID A. DIAZ
[email protected]
For more information
on the people and politics that impact Edinburg, please log on to http://www.EdinburgPolitics.com
••••••
Three Valley senators
land plum spots on powerful Senate Finance Committee
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst
has appointed three Valley state senators to the powerful Senate Finance
Committee, which develops the state budget for the full Senate.
Sen. Juan “Chuy”
Hinojosa, D-McAllen, Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr., D-Brownsville, and Sen.
Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, whose district includes Starr County, were
put on the powerful money committee by Dewhurst on Friday, January 12.
Zaffirini was named vice-chair
of the Senate Finance Committee, while Lucio remained chair of the Senate
International Relations & Trade Committee. Hinojosa was also
named vice-chair of the Senate Jurisprudence Committee.
The Senate committee assignments
come in advance of the highly-anticipated move, possibly this week,
by Texas Speaker of the House Tom Craddick, to appoint House members
to their respective panels.
A legislator’s position
on certain committees can significantly increase their influence in
pushing measures for their home districts, such as more money for state
universities and roadways.
Hinojosa, Lucio, and Zaffirini’s
committee assignments follow:
• Hinojosa: Vice-chair,
Jurisprudence; Criminal Justice; Finance; Natural Resources; and Subcommittee
on Agricultural, Rural Affairs and Coastal Resources;
• Lucio: Chair, International
Relations and Trade; Business and Commerce; Finance; Subcommittee on
Emerging Technologies and Economic Development; and State Affairs; and
• Zaffirini, Chair, Subcommittee
on Higher Education; Vice-Chair, Finance; Administration; Education;
and Health and Human Services.
Dewhurst announced the
15 standing committees and five subcommittees, including a new subcommittee
to address the critical issues of flooding and evacuations in Texas.
“It was important
to me to get the Senate organized and moving forward by appointing committees
by the end of the first week of the session. After personally contacting
all 31 senators late Friday evening, I thanked them in advance for the
hard work they will put in over the course of the next five months for
the people of Texas. I believe the lineup of these committees puts the
right people in the right places to work toward making Texas a better
place to live, grow a business and raise a family,” Dewhurst said.
Senators serve on more
than one committee. The Valley senators committee appointments
follow:
••••••
What do Arnold Schwarzenegger
and Eliot Spitzer have that Rick Perry needs?
By State Sen. Juan “Chuy”
Hinojosa
Governors across the country,
including Texas’ own Rick Perry, are preparing their State of the State
speeches. In fact, the recently reelected governor of California and
the newly elected governor of New York have already delivered theirs.
And each of them took the opportunity to announce that affordable health
care will be top priorities for their administration in 2007, including
comprehensive children’s health care initiatives and efforts to reduce
the number of uninsured adults in their states.
What will we hear in Texas
about these issues? After all, more of our residents are uninsured than
anywhere else in the country and health care costs threaten to overwhelm
middle-class families, small business owners, hospitals, physicians
— and our future economic growth.
The need to fix our health
care crisis transcends partisan politics. Gov. Spitzer is a liberal
Democrat and Gov. Schwarzenegger – like Gov. Perry – is a conservative
Republican.
Nor is it a matter of geography.
California, Texas, and New York rank first, second, and fourth in the
number of uninsured working-age adults. They also rank first, second,
and fifth in the number of uninsured children. If anything, the problem
is more pervasive here because the percentage of Texans without insurance
coverage – 31 percent of working-age adults and 20 percent of children
– places us far ahead of every other state in the nation.
It isn’t because health
care providers haven’t raised the issue, either. In careful reports,
a coalition of the state’s medical schools, the Texas Medical Association,
and others have offered dire predictions if Texas fails to act now to
stop the vicious cycle of uninsurance.
But where health professionals
may have fallen short is in not partnering with the single most powerful
force in Texas politics: the business community. By failing to make
the business case for dealing with the uninsured, the issue was AWOL
from the 2006 elections and is still a non-issue today, as lawmakers
gather for the legislative session and Gov. Perry prepares for his third
term.
Gov. Schwarzenegger calls
his own state’s high number of uninsured residents “a hidden tax
on every person in this state” and “a terrible drain on our
economy.” Gov. Spitzer says that “expanding access to health
care will reduce state spending significantly in the long run.”
Here’s the situation in
Texas:
• One in every four Texans
– 5.6 million people – is uninsured. In Houston, one of every three
people has no access to basic health services.
• Taxpayers,
Texans with insurance, and employers who offer health benefits pay extra
for caring for the uninsured, adding $1,551 to the average Texas family’s
private health insurance premium.
• Some
79 percent of uninsured Texans either work themselves or live with a
family member who does. These employed but uninsured Texans work mainly
in small firms, which are the largest generators of new jobs.
• Uninsured
patients are more likely to forego or delay treatment for acute illnesses
or injuries, or to go without needed treatment for chronic conditions
or illnesses. For employers, that means their sick workers will get
sicker and be off the job longer.
• Many
uninsured patients are forced to get their health care in already overcrowded
emergency rooms at three times the cost of a physicians office and often
at taxpayer expense.
And here are a few steps
for Gov. Perry and our state leaders to consider:
• Expand the “three
share” pilot project in Galveston County, where employers, employees,
and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) are picking up equal
shares of health insurance premiums for workers in small businesses
that can’t otherwise afford to provide health care benefits.
• Encourage
doctor participation in Medicaid by raising reimbursement rates.
• Bring
home the dollars we deserve from Washington, D.C., where hundreds of
millions in available federal funds are waiting for us if we will simply
take advantage of the generous federal matching funds for Medicaid and
CHIP by enrolling all eligible Texans in those proven programs.
• Ease
the burden on local taxpayers by aggressively pursuing available federal
reimbursements for school-based Medicaid services.
• Invest
in proven nursing programs at state colleges and universities to address
the record nursing shortage.
• Pilot
test other innovations that would help uninsured working Texans buy
into various state-run insurance programs.
We don’t need to copy the
California or New York models. This is Texas, after all. We have unique
challenges and – of course – that huge share of our population without
health insurance. What we need is a Texas plan. And we need our state
leaders to champion it.
Without a comprehensive
initiative to solve the health care crisis, Texas will not be able to
sustain a healthy economy or build a future of progress and prosperity.
Other states are moving forward with bold initiatives to reduce their
uninsured. If Texas wants to remain an attractive place to do business,
we should, too.
Sen. Juan “Chuy”
Hinojosa represents Senate District 20, which stretches from the Coastal
Bend to the Rio Grande Valley.
••••••
Estella L. Treviño
honored by Legislature for her contributions on behalf of public housing,
elderly
Mrs. Estella Lane Treviño,
a statewide leader in public housing programs and for efforts to help
the elderly, has been honored for her many contributions to Texas by
the state House of Representatives.
House Resolution 57, authored
by Rep. Aaron Peña, D-Edinburg, hailed Treviño for her “exceptional”
work in helping tens of thousands of area and state residents during
a public service career that spans more than three decades.
Treviño, a political activist
and Edinburg icon whose career has included service as a justice of
the peace, has brought positive recognition to herself and her community.
The legislative resolution,
which was approved by the House of Representatives on January 11, reads
as follows:
H.R. No. 57
R E S O L U T I O N
“WHEREAS, Estella
L. Treviño received the 2005 Hall of Fame Award for Outstanding Service
from the Texas chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment
Officials in recognition of her exceptional contributions to public
housing in the Edinburg community; and
WHEREAS, For the past 32
years, Ms. Treviño has served as the executive director of the Edinburg
Housing Authority, where she has been a passionate advocate for public
housing and the elderly; and
WHEREAS, Through the Family
Self-Sufficiency Program, Ms. Treviño has broadened the agency’s mission
to encompass helping residents acquire marketable skills, and she has
enabled more than
60 families to achieve
the American dream of home ownership in the agency’s Sunrise Estates
subdivision; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Treviño has
further enriched the quality of life for area residents by incorporating
community rooms, learning centers, and educational and recreational
programs into Edinburg
public housing; in 1973,
she was instrumental in the development and construction of The Towers,
a 100-apartment complex designated for the elderly; and
WHEREAS, Under Ms. Treviño’s
leadership, the agency has been recognized with numerous honors, including
the Outstanding Services Award, the Specific Activity Award for Outstanding
Programs from the Drug Elimination Program, the Award for Excellence
in Youth Sports, the Family Self-Sufficiency Program Award, and the
Texas NAHRO Member of the Year Award; and
WHEREAS, “Ms. T,” as
she is affectionately known to her legion of friends and admirers, is
a long-standing member of the Texas Silver Haired Legislature; at the
age of 83, she remains committed to providing decent, affordable housing
and promoting the skills necessary to achieve home ownership to the
citizens of Edinburg; and
WHEREAS, Representative
Aaron Peña has justly recognized Estella Treviño by authoring this
resolution in her behalf during the Regular Session of the 80th Texas
Legislature; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That the House
of Representatives of the 80th Texas Legislature hereby congratulate
Estella L. Treviño on her receipt of the 2005 Hall of Fame Award for
Outstanding Service from the
Texas chapter of the National
Association for Housing and Redevelopment Officials and extend to her
deep gratitude for her years of service to the community; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official
copy of this resolution be prepared for Ms. Trevino as an expression
of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.”
••••••
Judge J.D. Salinas attends
Lyceum meeting in Midland
While most of us huddled
up in our homes during the recent cold weather snap, Hidalgo County
Judge J.D. Salinas braved the weather to travel to Midland this weekend
and attend a quarterly Texas Lyceum meeting.
Texas Lyceum, a non-profit,
non-partisan organization, is made up of 96 men and women from throughout
the state of Texas who have demonstrated leadership in their community.
The diverse group is comprised of government officials, business owners,
doctors, lawyers, academics and others who discuss and debate the most
pressing issues facing Texas.
“Group meetings like
this help us generate new ideas and help me make better decisions,”
Salinas said. “Some of them have tried the things we’re thinking
about doing and they know what works and what doesn’t.”
“The Texas Lyceum brings
together some of the best experts and many different opinions on the
most timely issues and helps us form an effective plan of action,”
Salinas said. “It’s a win-win situation for everyone who attends
and I appreciate both the opportunity to learn from their experiences
and the chance to tell them what works for us here.”
Houston Mayor Bill White;
Dr. George Martin, President, St. Edward’s University; David Gonzales,
Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility; and Dr. Mary Evans
Sias, President, Kentucky State University, will be among the speakers
Salinas was scheduled to hear this weekend.
••••••
State lawmakers conduct
tour of South Texas, Edinburg
A group of state legislators
visited Hidalgo and Starr counties, including Edinburg, from January
18 – 24, as part of a major tour, sponsored by the Rio Grande Valley
Partnership.
The visit was organized
to lobby, educate and inform state leaders about deep South Texas..
Several members of the
Rio Grande Valley legislative delegation, including Peña, Rep.
Verónica Gonzáles, D-McAllen, Rep. Ryan Guillen, D-Rio Grande City,
Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, and Sen. Eddie Lucio,
Jr., D-Brownsville, were on hand to personally escort many of their
fellow lawmakers.
“The Partnership does
a tremendous job every session putting this tour together,” said
Peña. “It is such an important tool in showing our colleagues
firsthand the tremendous potential and growth in the Rio Grande Valley.”
The Partnership scheduled
visits to the new Weslaco City Hall, McAllen’s Quinta Mazatlan World
Birding Center and South Texas College, the Food Bank of the Rio Grande
Valley in Pharr, Edinburg’s new Children’s Hospital and Museum of
South Texas History.
On Saturday, January 19,
the went to Mission to tour the Rio Queen Citrus processing facility,
the Los Ebanos Ferry, and then the historic plaza of Rio Grande City.
They wrapped up the evening visiting members of the Tamaulipas Legislature
atop the Weslaco-Progreso International Bridge for a “Fiesta
de Hermandad.”
Before departing back to
Austin on Sunday the legislators were scheduled to make a trip into
Cameron County to tour the Rio Grande Regional Seawater Desalination
Pilot Plant and the Port of Brownsville.
“The Rio Grande
Valley is set to assume a more prominent role in the leadership of this
Texas Legislature,” said Peña. “We have a unique opportunity
to ensure that our public schools and universities have the tools necessary
to keep producing world class leaders. We are going to continue working
hard to provide access to healthcare to the young and old. It is so
important to keep showcasing our rich cultural vibrancy and robust economy.
It is indeed a pleasure to welcome our colleagues to South Texas.”
The Rio Grande Valley Partnership
has been organizing these legislative trips since 1975. In 2005 the
legislators toured communities in the Cameron and Willacy Counties.
••••••
Gov. Perry calls on
Texans to “imagine the possibilities“
In his third gubernatorial
oath-of-office address, Gov. Rick Perry on Tuesday, January 16,
called on Texans to embrace the ideals of freedom, equality and selflessness.
He challenged Texans to imagine the possibilities of a Texas with limitless
opportunity.
“Imagine the possibilities
in a Texas where every child is educated, every graduate has access
to a good job and every life deemed precious. Imagine the possibilities
in a Texas blind to color, class and ethnicity and where no one is invalidated
because of their heritage, but valued because of their humanity. Imagine
the possibilities in a Texas where every man, woman and child is able
to put behind the past, to grab hold of their promise, to press on to
be who they were created to be,” Perry said.
Perry said that even though
Texas has not had a history of complete solidarity, he called on all
Texans to come together and embrace the common ideals of freedom, equality
and selflessness.
“My vision for Texas
is a tremendous tapestry of diversity woven together by common threads.
We are of many faiths, traditions, heritages but we are all Texans.
And in Texas, it is not your identity that matters most, but your ideals,”
Perry said. “And even when we disagree, we can engage our differences
in a discussion that unifies rather than divides and that lifts up the
hopes, dreams and aspirations of all people without casting a single
soul aside.”
The governor said that
a free society has a responsibility to those in poverty, the young and
the aged and to those who are sick and live with disabilities. He also
said we have a responsibility to future generations to leave them a
world that is safe, an environment that is healthy, an economy that
is strong and a government that is honest.
“Young Texans must
never be taught about rights without also learning about responsibilities,”
Perry said. “For more than a generation our culture has emphasized
a message of self-indulgence at the expense of social obligation. We
have reaped the consequences in the form of teen pregnancies, divorced
and broken families, and a cycle of incarceration that joins young men
with their fathers behind bars.”
“The fabric of our
society is not government or individual freedom; it is the family,”
Perry said. “And the demise of the family is the demise of any
great society.”
Perry addressed the divisive
issue of border security and immigration by quoting the prophet Isaiah:
“come now, and let us reason together.” “We are both
a nation of laws and immigrants; the former protect us, the latter enrich
us,” Perry said. “We must secure the border with manpower,
not unmanned walls. We must have a guest-worker program that recognizes
the economic contributions of foreign workers and the desperate conditions
that bring them here. And we must oppose amnesty because those who come
here illegally should not be able to receive citizenship ahead of those
who migrate here legally.”
Finally, Gov. Perry outlined
his bipartisan agenda for a new term. “Together, we must work to
make our border more secure and our neighborhoods safer. We must find
solutions to the high rate of the uninsured and to the high cost of
health insurance. We must commit to excellence in higher education as
it prepares the workforce of the future, and we must ensure that property
tax relief is not only substantial but long-lasting. We must pass budget
reforms that protect the taxpayers,” Perry said. “Texas is
better off when Republicans and Democrats work together because our
potential is too vast to be spoiled by a politics leavened with partisanship.”
••••••
Democratic Party leader
Radnofsky takes aims at alleged Republican missteps involving Hispanics
By Barbara Ann Radnofsky
While national Republicans
attempt to attract Hispanics to their party, Texas Republicans have
no joint strategy and attack each other with increasing frequency. They
start 2007 as the minority in DC, with loss of power base and torn between
factions, as they shoot themselves in the foot.
1. The Republican governor
of Texas hosted his good friend, singer Ted Nugent, as the finale for
his innaugural ball. The entertainer used machine guns as his props
as he wore the Confederate battle flag and attacked folks who don’t
speak English as their first language. The governor’s spokesman: “Most
people had a really good time and enjoyed the show.” Houston Chronicle,
Jan 18 2007. The governor is rumored to be seeking the Republican vice
presidential slot.
2. The two Republican senators
from Texas, finding themselves in the minority, now backtrack from their
repeated, on-the-record votes for a doubled walled border fence at the
borders with Mexico. They hosted mayors from Texas border areas who’ve
argued their areas from Brownsville to El Paso would be economically
devastated by the double walled fence for which their senators voted.
The senior senator is rumored to be seeking the Republican vice presidential
slot.
3. The chairwoman of the
Republican Party in Texas criticized favored RNC Chair-to-be Sen. Martinez,
who was born in Cuba, for his pro-amnesty positions. She was reported
as “definite Martinez ‘no’ vote.” (Houston Chronicle Jan 18,
07). No word on whether she also seeks the Republican vice presidential
slot. It should suffice for today that the Republican governor and senior
senator continue their long standing feud as they jockey for position
in Republican leadership. The governor’s campaign ads attacked the inability
of the state’s federal leaders to bring federal dollars to Texas.
Barbara Ann Radnofsky of Houston
was the Texas Democratic Party candidate for U.S. Senate in 2006.
••••••
Border leaders’ input
crucial to fence plan
By Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison
Securing our nation’s borders
should be among the highest priorities of the new congressional leadership
because continued failure to do so endangers our nation’s security.
This is not a question
that affects only states that share an international border; it demands
immediate attention because it affects every American.
Throughout last year’s
debate on comprehensive immigration reform, I stressed the need to secure
our borders — not only our border with Mexico, but also our northern
border with Canada, our maritime borders, coastlines and ports of entry.
I have consistently voted in favor of strong border security initiatives,
including reinforced fencing in strategic areas.
Other measures should be
taken as well, including the deployment of additional Border Patrol
agents, port of entry inspectors, immigration and customs personnel
and drug enforcement agents. I have also supported the purchase of additional
equipment, such as encrypted two-way radios, body armor and night-vision
goggles.
Not only fencing but additional
physical barriers are needed. Improved roads for patrols, lighting,
cameras, electronic sensors and other infrastructure upgrades are needed.
Only with such a multitiered, layered system will we be able to achieve
our objective.
It is essential that those
who know the border best are part of the process. Security measures
will be far more effective if those who live and work along the border
have a say in critical decisions, such as the location of fences. Congressmen
who live thousands of miles from the border have neither the expertise
nor background to make such decisions unilaterally.
In that spirit, I have
arranged for mayors from cities along the border to meet today with
Sen. John Cornyn, myself and Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff
to give the secretary insights that can be provided only by those immersed
in border issues every day.
The Secure Fence Act of
2006 authorizes 700 miles of fencing along our southern border, and
the mayors attending today’s meeting represent more than 2.1 million
Texans directly impacted by this law. It is imperative that the voices
of all Texans be heard, including those of state and local governments,
Indian tribes and private property owners.
Throughout the process
that led to passage of the Secure Fence Act, Sen. Cornyn and I were
frustrated that local officials representing areas specifically cited
in the act — particularly in the El Paso, Del Rio-to-Eagle Pass and
Laredo-to-Brownville sectors — did not have the opportunity to participate
in decisions regarding the location of fencing and other physical infrastructure
near their communities. We repeatedly attempted to remedy this omission
during the 109th Congress, and today’s meeting with Secretary Chertoff
is a result of those efforts.
Fencing has proven to be
an effective deterrent to crime along the Texas-Mexico border. For more
than a decade, we have had a border fence in El Paso, where apprehensions
decreased dramatically following fence construction.
More recently, in May 2005,
a fence was constructed in Laredo. About 1.2 miles of strategic fencing
has kept the students and faculty of Laredo Community College and local
residents safe from the perils of illegal narcotic trafficking.
Both fences were built
because local communities, in collaboration with their Border Patrol
sector chiefs, recognized the effectiveness of strategic fences in controlling
illegal entry and narcotic and human trafficking.
The United States is bound
to Mexico by ties of history, blood, culture and land.
Our expanding commerce,
growing trade and history with Mexico are like the Rio Grande, which
unites us. Our border should bring health and life to both sides. It
must be a shared resource from which we both benefit. It can be a symbol
of the heritage we will always share.
We do not need to isolate
ourselves from our friends. We can secure our borders with infrastructure
and technology that protect our sovereignty and citizens and that make
economic sense.
We have a historic opportunity
to repair our immigration system, and I look forward to playing a key
role in shaping comprehensive legislation in the 110th Congress. We
must secure our borders first; and to keep our borders secure and our
economy strong, we must work toward a solution that addresses the needs
of commerce.
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison is a Republican
U.S. senator from Texas
••••••
Lt. Governor Dewhurst
sworn in for a second term
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst
was sworn in on Tuesday, January 16, to a second term as Texas’
41st Lieutenant Governor. The Lieutenant Governor also serves as President
of the Texas Senate.
Dewhurst took the oath
of office in the State Capitol Tuesday morning, using Sam Houston’s
Bible and surrounded by his family. “When you elected me the first
time, it had to be an act of faith. This time I trust I’ve earned your
confidence,” said Dewhurst in his inaugural remarks.
Dewhurst has made putting
Texas Children First the cornerstone of his second term. He is asking
the Texas Legislature to pass tougher laws dealing with child predators,
put defibrillators in public schools and take illegal steroids out through
mandatory, random drug testing.
“Texas Children First
is a package of legislation based on a simple, unassailable premise–that
safe and healthy children learn. Safe and healthy children learn, they
grow, and they go on to lead lives that strengthen our state and make
us proud,” said Dewhurst.
Before taking office as
Lieutenant Governor, Dewhurst served as Texas Land Commissioner. Dewhurst
is a successful businessman, rancher and proud veteran. Before taking
public office he was a civic leader in his hometown of Houston. Dewhurst
has also served in the United States Air Force, Central Intelligence
Agency and the United States State Department. He is a graduate of the
University of Arizona.
To read his complete inaugural
address, please log onto, http://www.ltgov.state.tx.us/.
••••••
Congressman Cuellar
cosponsors bill to lower costs of student loans
On Wednesday, January 17,
Congress passed HR 5, the College Student Relief Act, which was cosponsored
by Congressman Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo/McAllen. This bill will
help make higher education accessible and affordable by cutting the
interest rates in half on certain subsidized student loans over the
next five years. Interest rates on subsidized student loans for undergraduates
would be cut from the current 6.8 percent to 3.4 percent.
“The cost of attending
college has continued growing at an unprecedented rate,” noted Cuellar.
“A college education is now out-of-reach for many working families.
The cost of public universities has increased by 41 percent after inflation
since 2001 and jumped by 17 percent after inflation for private universities.”
Once fully phased in, this
bill would save the typical borrower, with $13,800 in subsidized federal
student loan debt, approximately $4,400 over the life of the loan. Additionally,
cutting interest rates has widespread bipartisan support, with 88 percent
of the American public supporting interest rate cuts.
“Our economy relies heavily
on having a highly-skilled and well-educated workforce,” continued
Cuellar. “For America to remain the preeminent global economic player,
we must ensure that our students have access to all levels of education.
This bill is a step forward in helping working families send their children
to college.”
••••••
Congressman Hinojosa
hails cuts in interest rates for student loans
Congressman Rubén Hinojosa,
D-Mercedes, on Wednesday, January 17, ) addressed the U.S. House of
Representatives on H.R. 5, the College Student Debt Relief Act of 2007.
Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery:
Mr. Speaker, I am proud
to rise in support of H.R. 5, the College Student Debt Relief Act of
2007.
Last year the 109th Congress
cut $12 billion from the student loan programs. These savings were not
re-invested in helping low and moderate income families send their children
to college.
Instead, the $12 billion
from the student loan program was used to underwrite the irresponsible
deficit spending generated by tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans.
Those cuts severely hampered our nation’s ability to close the college
access gap for Hispanic and other low and moderate income students.
The 110th Congress has
a new set of priorities. HR 5 will cut in half the interest on subsidized
student loans by the year 2011. This legislation will save the average
borrower $4,400 over the life of the loan.
The student loan programs
have become an important piece of the access puzzle for Hispanic families.
This interest rate reduction is part of the solution.
Hispanic students borrow
less on average than other groups. The reluctance to assume debt that
could be difficult to repay has pushed many Hispanic students into attendance
patterns that jeopardize their ability to persist until graduation.
Nevertheless, according to the report, How Latino Students Pay for College,
Excelencia in Education, the average loan amounts exceeded the average
grant amounts by more than $1800.
It is of critical importance
to the Hispanic community that we provide assurances to borrowers that
there are protections to help them meet their student loan obligations.
We are committed to addressing
the other pieces of the access and affordability puzzle as well.
We will move forward to
ensure that academic preparation is no longer a missing piece of the
puzzle. Today, there are many gaps and leaks in the educational pipeline.
For Hispanic students, the on-time high school graduation rate hovers
around 50 percent and the college-ready rate is less than 20 percent.
We will make sure that
the early awareness of the financial aid piece of the puzzle is not
missing. A recent survey conducted by the Tomas Rivera Policy Institute
found that more than half of Hispanic parents and 43 percent of young
adults could not name a single source of college financial aid. Certainly,
we can do better.
Finally, and most importantly,
we will invest in the most important piece of the puzzle – the Pell
grant.
The Advisory Committee
on Student Financial Assistance estimates that in 2003, more than 400,000
college-qualified low-income students did not enroll in a four-year
college, and 170,000 did not enroll in any college at all because of
financial barriers.
The maximum Pell grant
has remained frozen for 4 years. That must change.
But first, with H.R. 5,
we will right a wrong and place savings from the student loan program
where they belong – with our low and middle income students.
I urge all my colleagues
to support this down payment on college access and affordability and
to vote yes on H.R. 5.”
••••••
Perry designates property
tax relief for senior citizens, tax rebates emergency items for Legislature
Gov. Rick Perry on Friday,
January 12 declared legislation authorizing property tax relief for
senior citizens and legislation authorizing state tax rebates as emergency
items for the 2007 legislative session. The emergency designation will
allow lawmakers to begin considering these issues in the initial 30
days of the legislative session.
“I want to see a constitutional
amendment on the May ballot so that seniors get the maximum amount of
tax relief on this year’s tax bill the same as other homeowners,”
Perry said. “Just because senior citizens have their tax rates frozen
doesn’t mean they should be left out in the cold when it comes to
additional rate relief.”
“To keep government fiscally
responsible, state leaders need the authority to rebate surplus funds
directly to taxpayers,” Perry said.
The text of the Governor’s
message to the House and Senate follows:
I, RICK PERRY, Governor
of the State of Texas, pursuant to Article III, Section 5, of the Texas
Constitution and by this special message, do hereby submit the following
emergency matters for immediate consideration to the Senate and House
of Representatives of the 80th Legislature, now convened:
Legislation authorizing
the reduction of ad valorem taxes that may be imposed for public school
purposes on the residence homesteads of the elderly or disabled to reflect
any reduction in the rate of those taxes.
Legislation providing that
state appropriations made for the purpose of directly reducing local
property taxes and state appropriations made for the purpose of returning
state funds to the public do not count against the constitutional state
spending limit and authorizing the legislature to provide for the grant
of public money for the purpose of returning state funds to the public.
Statement from Speaker
Tom Craddick
“I applaud the emergency
declaration by the Governor. This will allow the legislature to consider
these issues in an expeditious manner. If it is the desire of the members
to pass such legislation, the opportunity exists that such constitutional
amendments could be brought to the voters of this state for their consideration
on a May ballot.”
Statement from Rep.
Ryan Guillen, D-Rio Grande City
“I fully support the
effort to reduce school taxes on the residence homesteads of the elderly
or disabled. The property tax cut passed last year must be applied fairly
and equally to all taxpayers.”
••••••
Sen. Zaffirini wants
state, school districts to provide online sites to warn
young people of sexual predators
State Sen. Judith Zaffirini,
D-Laredo, has filed Senate Bill 120 to provide young people with Internet
sites to help them avoid being lured by sexual predators and child molesters.
Her legislation follows:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the prevention
and prosecution of and education concerning the offense of online solicitation
of a minor.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE
OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.
Title 1, Code of Criminal
Procedure, is amended by adding Chapter 5A to read as follows:
CHAPTER 5A.
ONLINE SOLICITATION OF
MINOR
Art. 5A.01.
EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS.
(a) The attorney general
shall maintain on the attorney general’s Internet website a link that
enables an Internet user to access free of charge information and educational
materials designed to prevent the commission of the offense of online
solicitation of a minor under Section 33.021, Penal Code, or any substantially
similar offense.
(b) The information and
educational materials described by Subsection (a) must be:
(1) appropriate for use
in a classroom setting in a public primary or secondary school; and
(2) designed to educate
minors concerning ways to avoid becoming a victim or perpetrator of
the offense of online solicitation of a minor under Section 33.021,
Penal Code, or a substantially similar offense.
(c) The Internet link maintained
under Subsection (a) may link the Internet user to information and educational
materials that are prepared by the attorney general, another state agency,
or a private entity that operates in the computer or computing industry,
including an Internet service provider or a computer software provider.
SECTION 2.
Section 37.083(a), Education
Code, is amended to read as follows:
(a) Each school district
shall adopt and implement a discipline management program to be included
in the district improvement plan under Section 11.252. The program must
provide for:
(1) prevention of and education
concerning unwanted physical or verbal aggression, sexual harassment,
and other forms of bullying in school, on school grounds, and in school
vehicles;
and
(2) prevention of the offense
of online solicitation of a minor under Section 33.021, Penal Code,
or a substantially similar offense by educating students concerning
ways to avoid becoming victims or perpetrators of that offense.
SECTION 3.
Section 33.021(f), Penal
Code, is amended to read as follows:
(f) An offense under Subsection
(b) is a state jail felony, and an offense under Subsection (c) is a
felony of the second degree, except that an offense under Subsection
(b) [or (c)] is a felony of the second degree and an offense under
Subsection (c) is a felony of the first degree if the minor is
younger than 14 years of
age or is an individual whom the actor believes to be younger than 14
years of age.
SECTION 4.
(a) The attorney general
shall post the Internet link required by Article 5A.01, Code of Criminal
Procedure, as added by this Act, not later than December 1, 2007.
(b) Each school district
shall modify its discipline management program to comply with Section
37.083, Education Code as amended by this Act, as soon as possible after
the attorney general posts the Internet link required by Article 5A.01,
Code of Criminal Procedure, as added by this Act, and not later than
the first day of the 2008-2009 school year.
(c) The change in law made
by this Act in amending Section 33.021, Penal Code, applies only to
an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act. An
offense committed before the effective date of this Act is covered by
the law in effect when the offense was committed, and the former law
is continued in effect for that purpose. For the purposes of this section,
an offense was
committed before the effective
date of this Act if any element of the offense was committed before
that date.
SECTION 5.
This Act takes effect September
1, 2007.
