On The Road Again

I'm heading out on a road trip again. This time it's to Brownwood, Texas, with a short layover in Austin.

Stopping in Austin for a little work and other essentials is perfectly understandable but Brownwood, Texas? What for you ask?

Brownwood is a small Central Texas city of about 19,000 people. It serves as the county seat of Brown County, Texas. The heritage of this community is agriculture, oil, railroad and military. People in Brownwood like to say that their city, "Feels like Home" and for at least four days that exactly what it will be for me ... home.

The Texas State Guard, of which I am a member, has it's annual training exercises in the city of Brownwood. Just outside the city is Camp Bowie, once the largest World War II training facility in the nation. In the forties, it grew to be one of the largest training centers of the state. It is therefore appropriate that the Texas military forces gather in this location for their annual training exercises.
I have never been to Brownwood and I'm quite frankly looking forward to it. It's about 140 miles to the Northwest of Austin in an area of Texas that I have not traveled much.

My first stop is Austin. I will arrive to participate in a small reception that supporters have organized for me this afternoon.

The following day it's on to Brownwood.

My Best to You this 4th of July Weekend

Enjoying the ever popular fireworks show on South Padre Island with the kids and grand kids. Priceless.

Special Session Is Over I'm Going Home

House Bill 1 and Senate Bill 2 passed. Senate Bill 3, which had the comprehensive development agreements tied to private toll roads, did not have the legislative support to get a floor vote. Therefore, our work here is done and it's time to go home.

Special Session Starts Today

UPDATE: We got trouble in River City: CDA's.

Lion Prides and Political Machines

Grits has an interesting write-up on a BBC article that discusses how lion prides act like street gangs. In reading the article I couldn't help but be struck by the similarity to another group.

Corrupt political machines and their individual participants fit into the article's observation. The article entitled "Lion prides form to win turf wars" is an appropriate observation, literally and metaphorically, in describing the behavior of certain groups of political animals that seem to work in packs.

Turf wars are nothing new to South Texas and the multitude of political machines, whose livelihood is holding on to the resources and patronage of a certain geographical region or "turf". In my opinion, they are all to often a hindrance to our social and political advancement as they are overly fixated on patronage and the hoarding of resources for the group and bring distrust to our political and civic institutions.

Please take note, I said corrupt. Organized groups that function ethically and within the law for the common good are not the target of my scorn. Sadly, South Texas like others parts of the state, has it's share of bad apples that bring disrepute on our community. Here is to the end of them at the ballot box.

Our first step forward is understanding. I recommend the read.

A Special Session Preview

Here is a brief preview of the issues to be brought up during the special session. I expect this special session to be over on July 3 if things work out as planned but certainly no later than 4 or 5 days long at the furthest extreme.

I continued my walking program this morning on the way to work here at the capitol so please excuse the casual dress. It is Sunday after all.

Made it to Austin

I've arrived in Austin in preparation for the upcoming special session beginning on Wednesday. The halls of the capitol are empty save the throngs of Summer tourists. Soon enough members of the House and Senate will have a brief reunion over some unfinished business.

I am expecting a special session that is short and sweet, with that hopefully I can make it back home for our city's 4th of July activities.

After a visit to the capitol office, I took a stroll outside to join the tourists.

It is hot! Good God it's hot! But oh, what a sight.

81st Regular Session Wrap Up

Addressing the American Legion State Convention

Took time to stop in McAllen at the state convention of the American Legion. It is not that often that you see a gathering of military veterans from around the state in the Valley.

I was invited, along with McAllen Mayor Richard Cortez, to address the convention. I expressed my appreciation and gratitude for their service and continued my pledge to work with them on the issues that confront our veterans and members of the active military.

Gov. Rick Perry was also on hand and spoke of some of the legislation we enacted this session for their benefit and that of their families, "Disabled veterans are now exempt from property tax, in-state tuition has been expanded to eligible family members of servicemen and servicewomen, and tuition has been waived completely for children of deployed service members", he was quoted in the Monitor as saying. He also spoke, as he did at the Penitas Walmart dedication, of the relatively good economy Texas enjoys in relation to other states in the union.

The governor's visit came a day after Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Schieffer made a campaign stop in the Valley. As I made note on my Twitter page, gubernatorial candidate Tom Schieffer paid me a surprise visit at a Dress for Success social on Thursday. U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison is also expected to place her name in the running.

My thanks to the members of the American Legion for their visit to deep South Texas and for allowing me to address them.

Our Community Remembers Mayor Al Ramirez

Moments ago the community came together to dedicate a building to Edinburg Mayor Al Ramirez who passed away recently. Ramirez was remembered by family and friends as a transformational and inspirational leader. Whether it was in his military service or civic service as Edinburg's first Hispanic mayor or the inspiration he transferred to multitudes Mayor Al Ramirez will be long remembered.

I did my part at the ceremony by presenting a memorial resolution for the late mayor.

Penitas, Texas Welcomes Walmart Supercenter

Traveling this morning to a growing community near the western part of my district.

Penitas, Texas is a small comunity with a little over a thousand people on the western edges of Hidalgo county, just 13 miles west of McAllen, Texas.

I was asked if I would on this day join Walmart employees, local dignitaries and Governor Rick Perry in the dedication of a Walmart Supercenter sure to double the population and tax base of the small town.

I am told that the new Walmart offers shoppers a layout and product assortment that is tailored to the local community. Another important benefit is that the new store will bring approximately 300 jobs to area residents as well as ongoing support to local non-profit organizations. With the high unemployment rate in Hidalgo County, these jobs will allow many families from the area to have a better standard of living. The average wage at Walmart for full-time hourly associates in Texas is approximately $11.05 per hour.



As part of Walmart's store-of-the-community program, the store was merchandised to meet the diverse needs of local customers. The store will make fresh corn and flour tortillas and chips daily. The bakery will offer fresh-baked bolillo and pandulce and the produce department will include an expanded selection of tropical fruits, fresh vegetables, chilies and spices. Customers can also pick up bulk packages of specially marinated meat, rice and beans.

In addition, the store features a La Flor de Michoacan juice bar that serves local favorites such as aquas frescas, paletas, ice cream and fruit cups.Store

As part of Walmart’s commitment to the communities in which they operate, the new store will provide $10,000 in grants from the Wal-Mart Foundation to local organizations. The La Joya School District will receive a $5,000 grant to help with its reading programs and attendance incentives. The Penitas police and fire departments are also receiving grants. The police department plans to use its grant to purchase bullet-proof vests and other needed equipment. The fire department will use its grant to upgrade its equipment.



If your interested in visiting this morning's event (scheduled for 10:30 a.m.) or want to stop by the store it is located at 1705 W. Expressway 83, approximately one mile north of the U.S. border with Mexico.

Stop by if your in town.

Legislative Update on the Edinburg Channel

Before I head off to Austin I made a quick stop across the street at city hall to give a legislative update to the citizens of our community. Rick Gonzalez served as the moderator of today's program. We visited on the regular session, the upcoming special session and plans for the future of our community.

The program was recorded and will air repeatedly in coming weeks.