AUSTIN — Today, the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), at their regularly scheduled board meeting approved the City of Alton’s request for $8.5 million in financial assistance from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) to finance the planning, acquisition, design, and construction of a drainage improvements project. Funding from the CWSRF provides below-market interest rate loans for wastewater management projects.

The proposed project is intended to relieve the frequent flooding of several neighborhoods. During rain events, floodwaters create inflow and infiltration issues for the City’s wastewater collection system. This issue increases the cost and capacity required to treat wastewater when the sewer and treatment systems become overwhelmed by the increased amount of stormwater. The stormwater runoff in the project area typically takes about a week to recede.

Senator Hinojosa issued the following statement:

“It’s great news that the City of Alton was approved for $8.5 million in financial assistance and I thank the TWDB for approving this loan.  This wastewater management project is greatly needed to improve the management of stormwater in Alton during flood events. Knowing the frequency of flooding within Alton, I commend city officials for taking action to help the people living in the identified flood prone areas.” 

Construction for the proposed project is scheduled to start July 1, 2022 and is expected to be completed July 1, 2023.

Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa proudly represents the counties of Nueces, Jim Wells, Brooks, and Hidalgo (part). Senator Hinojosa currently serves as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, and serves on the Senate Committees on Property Tax; Natural Resources & Economic Development; Transportation; Agriculture; and Select Committees on Redistricting and Texas Ports.

Contact: Senator Hinojosa – (512) 463-0120
Rep. Herrero – (512) 463-0462
Rep. Hunter – (512) 463-0672

AUSTIN, TX – Today, at the direction of the Coastal Bend Legislative Delegation, James Bass, Executive Director of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) released a letter to the Citizens of the Coastal Bend explaining their decision to direct Flatiron/Dragados LLC to remove FIGG Bridge Engineers from the main spans of the New Harbor Bridge Replacement Project. This letter is in response to questions our offices were receiving about this issue and to provide an update on the status of the project.

As your state elected officials, we have made clear that public safety and transparency are a priority. It is important for the public to know TxDOTs reasoning for their decision to direct the removal of FIGG from the main spans part of the project. We expect Flatiron/Dragados to find a replacement engineering design firm soon and remain confident in TxDOTs commitment to construct a safe bridge.

We have asked TxDOT leadership to provide us an update on the completion timeline and potential cost impact as soon as possible. Any questions from the public or the media can be made to Rickey Dailey with the TxDOT Corpus Christi District Office at (361) 808-2544.

South Padre Island, TX – Today, Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa was presented the “Border Super Hero Award” by the Border Prosecution Unit at their Region 3 Training in South Padre Island. The Border Prosecution Unit (BPU) is an initiative involving the Texas Department of Public Safety and each of the district attorneys in the border jurisdictions of Texas. In each of these offices, an assistant district attorney is assigned to handle a specialized caseload of border crime cases.

Senator Hinojosa was instrumental and led the effort alongside Governor Rick Perry in 2009 to create and fund the BPU for the purpose of providing dedicated prosecution resources in aid of state border security operations. As Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Hinojosa secured the initial $2 million to be administered as a trusteed grant program through the Criminal Justice Division in the Office of the Governor.

In 2015, Senator Hinojosa joined State Representative Oscar Longoria in authoring and passing House Bill 12 which formalized the duties and responsibilities of the BPU and designated it to be a unit in the Office of the Governor. In 2019, Senator Hinojosa continued his commitment to the BPU and successfully fought to secure an additional $3 million from the previous budget for a total of $15 million for the 2020-21 budget.

Senator Hinojosa expressed his appreciation for the honor of this award:

“I am honored to receive the Border Super Hero Award from the Border Prosecution Unit. For the past ten years, I have witnessed the BPU’s key role in combating crime and securing our communities. Our border prosecutors face unique challenges dealing with large numbers of drug trafficking, human smuggling, and money laundering cases with limited resources. I’m pleased that the initial investment of $2 million I secured in 2009 has now transformed to $7.5 million per year for training law enforcement, providing investigators, and improving coordination of prosecution efforts all along the border. I appreciate the leadership and work of Jaime Esparza, BPU Project Director, Tom Krampitz, General Counsel, and Hidalgo County District Attorney Ricardo Rodriguez and look forward to continue working together to fight against criminal organizations and keep Texans safe.”

Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa proudly represents the counties of Nueces, Jim Wells, Brooks, and Hidalgo (part). Senator Hinojosa currently serves as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance and the Senate Committee on Redistricting, and serves on the Senate Committees on Property Tax; Natural Resources & Economic Development; Transportation; Agriculture; and Select Committee on Texas Ports.

AUSTIN — On Friday, the Texas General Land Office (GLO) announced that the City of Corpus Christi’s grant application for $1,319,559, to be used to conduct a buyout program that targets homes that are the most vulnerable to flooding, has been approved by the GLO. The City of Corpus Christi may use these funds to buyout or acquire eligible homes at a pre-storm or post-storm fair market value to move homeowners out of harm’s way to a lower-risk area.

The GLO allocated $275 million to the Local Buyout and Acquisition Program from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant for Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR). The GLO allocated the funds to regional Council of Governments’ (COGs) based on a HUD approved needs assessment. The locally-led COGs then conducted methods of distribution (MODs) for determining buyout and acquisition amounts for cities and counties within each jurisdiction.

This past session, Hurricane Harvey was a priority and the Texas Legislature passed several bills related to funding flood mitigation projects. As Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa was instrumental in securing funding to help local communities plan for future flood events. Senator Hinojosa was a co-author of Senate Bill 500, which authorized a one-time transfer of $793 million from the “Rainy Day” Fund to the Flood Infrastructure Fund created under another bill also co-authored by Senator Hinojosa, Senate Bill 7.

Senator Hinojosa released the following statement:

“I commend the City of Corpus Christi Mayor Joe McComb, the Corpus Christi City Council, and all city staff for applying for this grant. It takes teamwork and requires our local, state, and federal leaders working together to find solutions and be better prepared for future flooding events. These funds will improve safety and protect what is usually a person’s biggest investment, their home, by giving the selected families an opportunity to sell and move from an area that is vulnerable to flooding to somewhere less at risk. 

Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa proudly represents the counties of Nueces, Jim Wells, Brooks, and Hidalgo (part). Senator Hinojosa currently serves as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, and serves on the Senate Committees on Property Tax; Natural Resources & Economic Development; Transportation; Agriculture; and Select Committees on Redistricting and Texas Ports.

Houston, Texas – Today, the Texas State Association of Fire Fighters (TSAFF), honored Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa with the 2019 TSAFF Senator of the Year Award for the 2019 Legislative Session at the organization’s annual conference. He was honored with this award for his leadership in authoring Senate Bill 2551 and his extraordinary efforts on behalf of Texas firefighters.

Senate Bill 2551 made it easier for a firefighter to file for worker’s compensation if diagnosed with one of eleven specified cancers. Before the bill was passed, there was a question about what types of cancers would be covered or not covered. This bill clarifies it and establishes a defined procedure by which they will receive their benefits without having to go through a long process.

Senator Hinojosa expressed his appreciation for the honor of this award:

“I am thankful and humbled that the Texas State Association of Fire Fighters has recognized me with this distinguished award. Senate Bill 2551 addresses the challenges faced by firefighters trying to get compensation for work-related injuries or health issues. Our firefighters have earned and deserve our support. These brave men and women do not hesitate to enter into a burning building to save lives and property. Firefighters incur a higher risk of being diagnosed with certain cancers due to exposure while on the job. By identifying specific cancers in statute that have been proven to cause cancer, the bill reduces the hurdles and ambiguity faced by our firefighters when they are fighting for their benefits they have earned.”

Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa proudly represents the counties of Nueces, Jim Wells, Brooks, and Hidalgo (part). Senator Hinojosa currently serves as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance and the Senate Committee on Redistricting, and serves on the Senate Committees on Property Tax; Natural Resources & Economic Development; Transportation; Agriculture; and Select Committee on Texas Ports.

AUSTIN — Today, the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), at their regularly scheduled board meeting allocated $349,606.25 from the Flood Infrastructure Fund to McAllen to meet its local match requirement for the federal funds previously awarded under FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance grant program.

In May 2018, FEMA had accepted McAllen’s application for a federal grant of $1,048,818.75 for a drainage mitigation project. The federal grant provided through this assistance is funded through FEMA and then distributed by the TWDB. However, the grant program can require up to a 25 percent local match from the city in order to receive the federal funds. In some circumstances, cities are unable to provide the local match which results in federal dollars going unused or reallocated to other states.

This past session, the Texas Legislature passed several bills related to funding flood mitigation projects. As Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa was instrumental in securing funding to help local communities plan for future flood events. Senator Hinojosa was a co-author of Senate Bill 500, which authorized a one-time transfer of $793 million from the “Rainy Day” Fund to the Flood Infrastructure Fund created under another bill co-authored by Senator Hinojosa, Senate Bill 7. Using the Flood Infrastructure Fund, the Legislature authorized the TWDB to use the funds to provide eligible political subdivisions with grants to satisfy the local match requirements in a federal program for flood projects. As a result of the action taken today by the TWDB, the City of McAllen and its taxpayers will not have the financial burden to meet its local match requirement to receive the federal funds previously approved by FEMA.

Senator Hinojosa released the following statement:

“I was proud to support the funding that allows the state to provide grants for our local governmental entities that will help cover the local match requirement for federal funding. The flooding events we have had the past few years show how vulnerable our communities remain to flooding. I commend the City of McAllen Mayor Jim Darling, the city commission, and their staff for applying for this federal grant for a drainage mitigation project, and am pleased the state is doing its part to eliminate the burden of the local match to provide flood control for our communities.”

Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa proudly represents the counties of Nueces, Jim Wells, Brooks, and Hidalgo (part). Senator Hinojosa currently serves as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, and serves on the Senate Committees on Property Tax; Natural Resources & Economic Development; Transportation; Agriculture; and Select Committees on Redistricting and Texas Ports.

Leadership – Experience – Results

Austin, TX – After putting South Texas at the forefront of critical state budget negotiations as Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa filed for re-election for a sixth term in the Texas Senate. Senator Hinojosa intends to continue his work for Senate District 20 by providing for an educated and healthy workforce, investing in critical infrastructure, creating jobs, and furthering economic development.   Senator Hinojosa issued the following statement:   “With the incredible population and economic growth in our South Texas communities, our region is increasingly playing a larger role in shaping our state’s future. Although we had a great session benefiting all Texans, we still have issues and challenges that need to be addressed next session. This past midterm election proved that elections have consequences and we must continue to support leaders who have the courage to put people over politics and govern with compassion.   I am honored to serve the people of Senate District 20. I have not stopped working and I will continue fighting to make Texas a better place to live for all our families. Semper Fi.”   Hinojosa is known for his ability to work across party lines to get things done for our families. He takes a fair and balanced approach to public policy, fights tirelessly for his district and uses his knowledge and experience to navigate the legislative process. This past session, Hinojosa was again able to play a critical role in securing funding for Senate District 20 priorities including:

• Public Education Funding: We invested an additional $11.5 billion in public education. The minimum per-student amount the state uses to fund schools will increase from $5,180 per student to $6,160. Senate District 20 area school districts will see an increase in funding of over $272 million for the next two years.
• Teacher Pay Raise and Retired Teacher Pensions: Allocated $2 billion to increase compensation for teachers, counselors, librarians, and nurses. An additional $1.1 billion will go towards the pension plan, the Teacher Retirement System (TRS), to ensure actuarial soundness. Additional funding was also provided to TRS-Care for health insurance, so that our retirees will not see a health insurance premium increase in 2020. Also, provided funding for a much needed one-time 13th check capped at $2,000.
• Property Tax Relief: By increasing the state’s share of public school funding from 38% to 45%, school property taxes will be reduced by $5 billion while at the same time capping property taxes at 2.5% for schools. The passage of Senate Bill 2 will help slow the growth of property tax rates by setting a 3.5% trigger for cities and counties, anything above that would have to be approved by the voters.
• Higher Education: Texas A&M Corpus Christi will receive $139 million from the state which is an increase of $8.4 million from the previous session. This includes $2.3 million in first time funding for a much needed civil and industrial engineering program. Del Mar College will receive an increase of $1.2 million and South Texas College an increase of $3.9 million in state funds. The UTRGV School of Medicine will receive $69 million from the state which is an increase of $12 million from the previous session. This includes $2 million in first time funding for the Cervical Dysplasia Cancer Immunology Center.
• Port Infrastructure: $40 million for infrastructure to improve access to and from our Texas Ports.
• Harvey & Flood Control: $3.5 billion to help the Gulf Coast recover and rebuild from Hurricane Harvey and prepare for future disasters. This includes an investment of $990 million to initiate the development of a statewide flood plan, the construction of flood control infrastructure, and critical dam repairs.
• Border Infrastructure and Security: $5 million for the South Texas International Airport in Edinburg to expand an airport hangar for emergency and first responders; $1 million in grants for border zone fire departments; $500,000 for the Texas Transnational Intelligence Center in McAllen; and, operations funding for the Center for Public Safety Excellence from the Governor’s Border Security Grants.
• Mental Health: $7.8 billion in total behavioral health spending across 23 state agencies including $100 million for the Texas Child Mental Health Consortium to provide early intervention for students at risk of suicide, substance abuse, or becoming a danger to themselves or others.
• Level 1 Trauma: $17 million to strengthen trauma system infrastructure statewide of which at least $6 million of the funds will go towards ensuring that South Texas has a life-saving Level 1 trauma center in the near future.
• Military Communities: $30 million to help our military communities protect their facilities from closures or reductions. This is critical to Corpus Christi who is home to the Corpus Christi Army Depot, the world’s largest military helicopter repair facility that accounts for over 6,000 jobs in the Coastal Bend.
• TWIA: Reformed the Texas Windstorm Association by requiring hurricane damages paid for beyond one year trigger the next level of formula funding. This will help prevent unnecessary rate increases and lead to more reasonable, fair, and affordable rates.

Senator Hinojosa has received the prestigious honor of being named “Top Ten Best Legislators” for Texas Monthly magazine three times, and named “Top Ten Legislator” by Capitol Inside three times. Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa proudly represents the counties of Nueces, Jim Wells, Brooks, and Hidalgo (part). Senator Hinojosa currently serves as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Redistricting, and serves on the Senate Committees on Property Tax; Natural Resources & Economic Development; Transportation; Agriculture; and Select Committee on Texas Ports. Senator Hinojosa is also a member of the Texas Commission on Judicial Selection.

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Political advertisement paid for by Senator Hinojosa Campaign.

AUSTIN — Today, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick appointed Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa to the Texas Commission on Judicial Selection to conduct an interim study on how the state should select its judges in the future. The 15-member Commission will review the method by which appellate court judges and trial court judges having county-wide jurisdiction are selected for office in Texas. The study must consider the fairness, effectiveness, and desirability of selecting the judges through partisan elections, as well as judicial selection methods proposed or adopted by other states.

Senator Hinojosa issued the following statement on the importance of this study and the need for a non-partisan, consistent, fair, and highly qualified judiciary:

“I appreciate the appointment to the Texas Commission on Judicial Selection,” said Senator Hinojosa. “Texas is one of only six states that uses partisan elections to select all of its judges. The judiciary is an equal branch of our government. Judges undertake an essential role in our society that requires their consistency and objectivity to the rule of law and resolution of disputes. To maintain trust in our courts, judges must apply the law in an impartial and competent manner to achieve the fair dispensation of justice. I look forward to working with the members of the Commission to study this issue and make recommendations for the next legislative session.”

Based on the findings of study, the Commission will prepare a report with recommendations on methods for selecting judges that ensure a fair, impartial, qualified, competent, and stable judiciary. The Commission must report its findings and recommendations by December 31, 2020. Any major reform resulting from the recommendations would require a constitutional amendment, which can only be passed with two-thirds support of each chamber of the legislature and majority approval of the voters.

Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa proudly represents the counties of Nueces, Jim Wells, Brooks, and Hidalgo (part). Senator Hinojosa currently serves as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance and the Senate Committee on Redistricting, and serves on the Senate Committees on Property Tax; Natural Resources & Economic Development; Transportation; Agriculture; and Select Committee on Texas Ports.

AUSTIN, TX — Today, the Texas Transportation Commission (Commission) met and took action on items that benefit the Corpus Christi area. First, the Commission approved the 2020 Unified Transportation Program (UTP) which authorizes projects involving highways, aviation, public transportation, and state and coastal waterways for construction, development and planning activities. Second, the Commission appointed Sean Strawbridge, CEO of Port Corpus Christi, to the Port Authority Advisory Committee.

The Commission unanimously approved the 2020 Unified Transportation Program which includes the following projects in Nueces County:

• $40 million ($21.5 million increase from previous UTP) – to upgrade SH 286 to freeway standards.
• $35 million – SH 358 for freeway ramp improvements.
• $16 million – To begin planning for intersection improvements between Aquarius St. and Whitecap Blvd.

These projects are in addition to the ongoing $1 billion Harbor Bridge replacement project, the $50.7 million SH 358 eastbound ramp reversal in Corpus Christi, and the $118 million US 77/I 69 Driscoll Relief route.

Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa issued the following statement:

“I appreciate the Texas Transportation Commission’s unanimous vote today to approve the 2020 Unified Transportation Program and for their appointment of Sean Strawbridge to the Port Authority Advisory Committee.

Infrastructure is key to continue the economic growth of the Coastal Bend. The more than $1 billion in ongoing construction in the region and with the additional projects approved today, the Commission and TxDOT leadership continue to show their support and commitment to our Port, Corpus Christi, and Nueces County.  These state investments create jobs, strengthen our economy, and advances our transportation infrastructure.”

Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa proudly represents the counties of Nueces, Jim Wells, Brooks, and Hidalgo (part). Senator Hinojosa served as the Senate President Pro Tempore of the Texas Senate in the 84th Texas Legislature. Senator Hinojosa currently serves as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, and serves on the Senate Committees on Natural Resources & Economic Development; Transportation; Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs.

AUSTIN, TX — Today, the Texas Transportation Commission (Commission) approved more than $388 million for new construction projects in Hidalgo County. The funds will come from TxDOT under the 2020 Unified Transportation Program (UTP) which authorizes projects involving highways, aviation, public transportation, and state and coastal waterways for construction, development and planning activities.

The following are some of the newly authorized projects approved for Hidalgo County:

• $ 194 million – US 281 in Hidalgo County – Upgrade to interstate standards
• $ 180 million  ($124.4 million increase from previous UTP) for SH 68
• $ 11.4 million – Anzalduas International Port of Entry

Also, at the request of Senator Hinojosa, State Representative and House Transportation Committee Chairman Terry Canales, Pharr Mayor and MPO Chairman Ambrosio Hernandez, and Hidalgo RMA Chairman David Deanda the Commission re-authorized the funding for SH 365 and SH 550, after TxDOT’s initial staff recommendation to remove the projects from the 2020 UTP.

Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa issued the following statement:

“I appreciate the Texas Transportation Commission’s unanimous vote today to approve the 2020 Unified Transportation Program. Once again, the revised and approved UTP, continues to invest in our fast growing region. Infrastructure is key to continue the economic growth of South Texas. I appreciate the Commission and TxDOT leadership for working with me and our community leaders to continue their support of our transportation needs not only by re-authorizing the SH 365 and SH 550 projects but also for the additional $388 million in new funds for transportation projects in Hidalgo County including upgrading US 281 to interstate standards. The 2020 UTP will greatly help our transportation needs in the Rio Grande Valley.”

Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa proudly represents the counties of Nueces, Jim Wells, Brooks, and Hidalgo (part). Senator Hinojosa served as the Senate President Pro Tempore of the Texas Senate in the 84th Texas Legislature. Senator Hinojosa currently serves as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, and serves on the Senate Committees on Natural Resources & Economic Development; Transportation; Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs.