The campaign season begins. In a democracy it is a necessary and good thing to have your work as an elected official reviewed by the people you serve. I have proudly served this community for the past six years. With the blessings of my neighbors, it is my intention to continue that service. I therefore place my name and legislative service before the community for consideration in the upcoming election.
By all accounts the previous legislative session, was for the Rio Grande Valley, by far one of the best in our history. Our community continues it's phenomenal growth and yet more is still to come. I am pleased we successfully accomplished the primary legislative directive given to me by city leaders, that being garnering the $5 Million dollars for the (RAHC) Regional Academic Health and Science Center. This center will certainly compliment our drive to bring a full fledged four year medical school to the Valley which in turn will compliment the VA Medical Hospital Center many of us have been fighting for. One related item that brings me great peace is to have obtained funding for a $3 million substance abuse treatment center in Hidalgo County that will fill an unmet need.
Next to the Regional Academic Health and Science Center is one of our office's early legislative achievements, the $26 Million Dollar UTPA Wellness Center. Along with a 13% increase in state spending for our local university and the $40 Million Dollar Fine Arts Center to be constructed I am more than satisfied with the success we have seen. Yet more is still to come.
Our Valley's Museum of South Texas History will see a $1.5 Million Dollar Will Looney Memorial Park that will compliment the growing museum which tells the rich history of our people. That success comes from the hard work our legislative office delivered in fighting for that funding through the tough appropriation process. That park will more than compliment the $156 Million Dollars delivered to our larger community to fund local and state parks for the enjoyment of our families and our children.
As for our children, one of the greatest successes of this legislative session was the $63 Million Dollar growth we brought to the (CHIP) Children's Health Insurance Program. I had the pleasure to be one of the key joint authors of House Bill 109 which is expected to add another 130,000 children to the program. Now our doctors and hospitals can deliver more health care to children in our community.
In our public schools we heard the concerns of parents and teachers; and, we passed legislation phasing out the TAKS test. We continue to make progress in raising the pay of our public school teachers by adding another increase to the $2000 pay raise we provided last session. Fulfilling a promise I made to local retired teachers, retirees can see a one-time supplemental "13th check". We additionally succeeded in eliminating shortfalls to the teachers' pension fund.
For our economic prosperity, the Rio Grande Valley Legislative Delegation delivered on numerous important local projects. The state budget includes $50 million for two regional DPS facilities, and a total of over $4.5 million for local parks and nature centers. We provided some property tax relief for the elderly and disabled, and we also set aside revenue for future tax cuts.
On a more personal note, the sacrifices of South Texas soldiers continue to inspire a nation. I had the honor of authoring and passing legislation awarding the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor, the state's highest recognition, to one of our local heroes. Freddy Gonzalez becomes the first soldier from the Valley to receive this honor.
In the last few days I was pleased to assist Edinburg's Housing Authority in receiving a grant that will benefit the elderly in our community to have affordable housing. 168 affordable housing units will soon be available to them.
With each session the voice of this community grows and yet the best is yet to come. I committed myself years ago to the service of this community. And although others may seek to cloud my intentions, make no mistake I am seeking re-election to the Texas House of Representatives.
I hope this post makes matters clear. I welcome all challengers.
6 comments:
Rep. I just read this on Capitol Annex. I thought you might find it interesting:
HD40: MAKE NO MISTAKE, PENA'S RUNNING
State Rep. Aaron Pena (D-Edinburg) is preparing for a vigorous campaign season following the Labor Day holiday, he notes over at his blog:
With each session the voice of this community grows and yet the best is yet to come. I committed myself years ago to the service of this community. And although others may seek to cloud my intentions, make no mistake I am seeking re-election to the Texas House of Representatives.
I hope this post makes matters clear. I welcome all challengers.
Some of the clouding Pena’s referring to probably stems from some talk late in the session that he might decide to retire. However, almost right after that came out and he acknowledged he had considered it, he announced he’d seek another term.
As far as challengers go, we’ve heard a couple of rumors here and there. Pena’s vote to support House Speaker Tom Craddick (R-Midland) is probably what is drawing the challengers out.
But, as we’ve said time and time again, primary challenges to some of the so-called “Craddick Democrats” should be considered carefully; that a Democrat voted for Craddick (as much as we certainly don’t like Speaker Craddick’s tactics) at the start of the 80th Session should by no means be the sole factor upon which a challenge hinges on. Indeed, it is a narrow tightrope to navigate.
Pena, in particular, is a very effective legislator for his district. Search around his blog and you can see some of the improvements he’s helped bring to the Rio Grande Valley. Other Democrats who cast votes for Craddick are criticized for a variety of reasons like inaccessibility, being inactive in their communities, and ineffectiveness. Pena’s none of those.
Too, these Valley districts aren’t like a San Antonio or Dallas or Houston district. The Valley, while still predominantly Latino and Democratic, is more conservative in its voting than it used to be. In particular, in the last generation there has been a major rise of an “upper middle class” and “middle class” in a region that was once predominantly two economic classes: rich and poor (with far more people in the latter than the former).
Pena, by far, is the best situated legislator among the “Craddick D’s” to withstand a primary challenger. Aside from the vote on the speaker’s race, his voting record is very much in line with the beliefs of his constituents. While we may not agree with every vote, it’s probably safe to say that his voting record is very much in harmony with that of his constituents’ beliefs.
There are a number of the “Craddick D’s” we could support a challenger for, should credible challengers emerge. However, Pena’s not one of them.
It’s no secret that we here at Capitol Annex are progressive, liberal, and left leaning in all respects with regard to our politics.
However, we’re also realists. In districts that are “centrist,” running out elected officials who are not as liberal as we may be simply isn’t a good strategy for Democrats right now. Now, in districts where a less-than-liberal or “centrist” Representative is clearly not reflective of his or her constituents beliefs, that’s another matter.
Furthermore, Pena has carried some pretty progressive legislation: voter verified paper trail bills, the Shield Law, legislation to strengthen the requirements for attorneys in capital cases, legislation that does more to ensure that the mentally incompetent are treated fairly in capital cases, and exemption of college textbooks from sales tax. And that’s only in the session just completed.
We’ve said it time and time again, and we’ll say it again: not every so-called “Craddick D” needs to be or should be “primaried.” In some instances, the “eating our own” strategy will backfire.
Pena deserves, and has earned, another term in the Legislature.
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Written by Vince Leibowitz
Rep. thats huge. Vince Leibowitz is the leader of a group of Texas bloggers. I think he's the chairman of the Texas Progressive Alliance. That's a big endorsement.
where can i pick up a yard sign for ya.
Good work Mr. Pena we will be there for you. Thanks for helping us to get the wellness excersise facility. It's awesome.
who would run against you. come on nobody's running.
We like you rep. because your not part of the Valley corruption that we see in some politicos. You also give a damn and have produced for our college. Give them hell!!!!!!
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