AUSTIN – The Texas General Land Office (GLO) announced that $4,294,590 in U.S. Department of Housing and Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant for Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds had been awarded to Jim Wells County and the cities of Orange Grove and Premont for infrastructure projects. These awards were eligible to communities affected by the 2015 floods.

Jim Wells County received two grants totaling $1,635,500 for road and drainage improvements to reduce flooding risks in the Rancho Alegre and Meadow Ridge colonias.

The City of Orange Grove received two grants totaling $1,200,00 for drainage and sewer improvements.

The City of Premont received two grants totaling $1,459,090 for drainage improvements.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee and the lead budget author for the GLO’s budget during the past two sessions, Senator Hinojosa worked to ensure that the GLO is accountable for tracking the receipt and expenditures of all CDBG-DR funds received by the GLO.

Senator Hinojosa issued the following statement:

“After the devastating floods in 2015, I worked with the Texas General Land Office to ensure that the areas of our state most affected get the help they need to rebuild and to prevent future flooding damage to their communities. Several of our communities in Jim Wells County were heavily impacted, and I am pleased to see that they will receive over $4 million in grants for much need infrastructure projects.

The grants will go towards important flood mitigation measures in the cities of Orange Grove and Premont, and in the Meadow Ridge and Rancho Alegre colonias. These projects will improve these communities and make them more resilient against future storms.”

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, Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs and Transportation.

AUSTIN – Yesterday, the Texas Transportation Commission approved more than $4.16 million in grants from the Texas Mobility Fund for the Port of Corpus Christi to be used to improve intersections and construct a dedicated truck queuing lane on the Joe Fulton International Trade Corridor.

This grant is being awarded pursuant to a budget rider specifically for ports approved by the legislature the past two sessions. As Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa worked this session to secure $40 million from the Texas Mobility Fund to be allocated to provide funding for port capital improvement projects selected statewide by the Port Authority Advisory Committee and approved by the Texas Transportation Commission.

Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa offered the following comments:

“Congratulations to the Port of Corpus Christi on receiving a $4.16 million grant from the Texas Transportation Commission for the improvement of the Joe Fulton International Trade Corridor. This is an important project for Nueces County as we continue to expand our infrastructure, increase safety, and invest in our local transportation system.

I am proud to have played a significant role the past two sessions in securing funds for port capital improvement projects. We must continue to prepare for growth and to increase funding so that more projects may be supported. Dedicating critical investments to our ports is dedicating ourselves to a competitive and profitable economic future for all Texans.”

The grant award approved today, along with the previous grants funded by this rider, bring the total to almost $6 million in grant funding for the Port of Corpus Christi.

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, Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs and Transportation.

AUSTIN – Today, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved Local Parks Grants for the City of Alton’s Josefa Garcia Park Renewal and the City of Mission’s Tennis/Birdwell Park in the amount of $500,000 each.

The City of Alton’s grant will be used to expand Josefa Garcia Park from 5 to almost 30 acres and make improvements such as a splash pad, soccer fields, exercise stations, and hike and bike trails.

The City of Mission will use their grant to construct a new tennis center in Birdwell Park that will benefit both Mission and Sharyland school districts. The tennis center will allow Mission to host statewide college and US Tennis Association tournaments. The park will also receive upgrades such as a widened walking trail and an outdoor fitness area for handicapped individuals.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee and the lead budget author for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s budget during the past two sessions, Senator Hinojosa worked to secure over $60 million in state funding for Local Parks Grants.

Senator Hinojosa issued the following statement:

“In working with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, I am pleased that they have approved grants for park improvements in Alton and Mission. These funds will help these growing cities meet the recreational needs of their communities and improve the quality of life for their citizens.

Parks are a vital part of creating a livable community. They provide a number of benefits, such as offering a gathering place for families and friends of all ages and economic status, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and enhancing area property values. I applaud Alton and Mission officials for their efforts in not only improving these parks, but in also improving their communities.”

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, Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs and Transportation.

MCALLEN – This evening, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley will hold an awards dinner to recognize the 2018 Distinguished Alumni for their career achievements and commitment to improving their communities. Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa will be one of the honorees for his many contributions to UTRGV.

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest honor UTRGV alumni can receive. The award recognizes high-achieving individuals who stand out in their fields and have made significant contributions to society. Recipients of this award have honored the legacy of excellence at UTRGV and its legacy institutions through their accomplishments, affiliations, careers, and philanthropic endeavors.

Senator Hinojosa issued the following statement:

“I am honored and humbled to be recognized by my alma mater with the Distinguished Alumni Award. I have dedicated my legislative career to improving our education system and increasing access to higher education opportunities for our region. Education is the best equalizer we have in our society. Education gives you knowledge, and knowledge gives you the power to succeed.”

Upon returning from his service in Vietnam as a U.S. Marine, Senator Hinojosa enrolled at Pan American College and graduated in 1970 with a bachelor’s degree in political science.

In 1989, as a member of the Texas House of Representatives, Hinojosa was the lead sponsor of the legislation that merged Pan American University and Pan American University at Brownsville with The University of Texas System. At that time, Pan American University enrolled 11,200 students in Edinburg and 1,500 students in Brownsville.

In 1997, as a member of the Appropriations Committee in the Texas House, Hinojosa secured $30 million for the construction of the Regional Academic Health Center (RAHC) in Harlingen, paving the way for the creation of a medical school in the Rio Grande Valley.

As a state senator, Hinojosa has worked tirelessly and has secured millions of dollars in construction funds for UTRGV including: $39.7 million for the Fine Arts Complex at the University of Texas – Pan American, in 2006, and $30.6 million for construction of an interdisciplinary engineering academic studies building at the campus in Edinburg, in 2015.

Lastly, in 2013, Senator Hinojosa authored and passed Senate Bill 24, the legislation that merged UT-Pan American and UT-Brownsville  and created a free standing medical school. Since 1989, Senator Hinojosa’s efforts have expanded educational opportunities and created greater access to health care and improved the quality of life in the RGV.

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, Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs and Transportation.

AUSTIN – Today, at its February monthly meeting, the University of Texas System Board of Regents approved using $12.2 million in funding from the Permanent University Fund (PUF) for the construction of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) School of Medicine Team Based Learning Center at the Edinburg campus.

Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, author of the legislation that created the medical school, welcomes the expenditure by the UT System to build a new facility for the growing medical school:

“I am pleased that the UT System Board of Regents voted to approve $12.2 million in construction funds for the expansion of the Medical Education Building in Edinburg.

Confirming the allocation of these funds advances the goal of expanding access to educational opportunities and medical education which will increase access to health care for our Valley families and decrease our physician shortage. These construction projects continue to transform a dream into a reality to benefit all of South Texas,” Senator Hinojosa stated.

The Team Based Learning Center will be an extension of the existing Medical Education Building and is necessary to accommodate current and expected growth in the School of Medicine. The Center will house faculty and administrative offices, small group study spaces for the growing medical student population, flexible and general purpose classrooms, conference rooms, and support spaces. Projected substantial completion of this building is November 2019.

Since the passage of Senator Hinojosa’s historic legislation creating UTRGV and the School of Medicine, as well as allowing the use of PUF money, more than $50 million has been invested in South Texas for new construction.

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, Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs and Transportation.

McAllen, TX – Yesterday, the Agua SUD Board of Directors adopted a resolution authorizing a candidate filing fee of $1,000 for the 2018 Agua SUD Board of Directors election. Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa issued the following statement:

“Agua SUD’s candidate filing fee is equivalent to a poll tax for candidates and the incumbents are clearly attempting to limit the number of individuals who can run for office. They are trying to eliminate competition. This is an unnecessary obstacle for our residents who want to be candidates and serve their community. It is not only outrageous that a special utility district would require a filing fee at all, but to require a fee of $1,000 is disproportionately excessive.

Imposing a candidate filing fee is not allowed under Texas statutes for political subdivisions unless there is specific authority to do so. Agua SUD is governed by the Texas Water Code and the Special Districts Local Laws Code, neither of which give the district the legal authority to impose such a filing fee. Regardless, in cases where candidate filing fees are permissible, candidates who do not have the necessary funds have the authority to file a petition with signatures.

I am calling on Agua SUD to rescind this unfair filing fee as it is excessive and un-American.”

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 Finance Committee, and serves on the Senate Committees on Natural Resources & Economic Development; Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs; and  Transportation as well as the Sunset Advisory Commission.

AUSTIN, TX – Today, the City of Corpus Christi was awarded two grants totaling $6 million for a new water supply line for Naval Air Station Corpus Christi (NASCC) and perimeter fencing and access control gates for Army helicopter repair facilities at the Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD). Governor Abbott’s Texas Military Preparedness Commission selected NASCC and CCAD for military grants from the Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant (DEAAG) program. This is the first time ever Corpus Christi was selected for both grants.

The program is designed to aid communities negatively affected by federal Base Realignments and Closures (BRACs) as well as to assist defense communities to stay militarily valuable. Last session in 2015, Senator Hinojosa authored and passed Senate Bill 318 that raised the cap for grants that are awarded through the DEAAG program from $2 million to $5 million.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Hinojosa was instrumental this session in the legislature’s decision to appropriate $20 million to the DEAAG program in the state budget. Senator Hinojosa issued the following statement:

“It’s great news for the Coastal Bend that over $6 million in grant funding was awarded to the Corpus Christi Army Depot and Naval Air Station Corpus Christi through the DEAAG program. These grants are critical for our military installations to allow them to build up their infrastructure to increase the military value of their base and help avoid a potential BRAC closure. As Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, I am honored to have helped secure $20 million in state funding for the DEAAG program this past legislative session and pleased that the City of Corpus Christi was awarded two grants.

I thank Governor Abbott for his leadership and his Texas Military Preparedness Commission members for their hard work in protecting our military communities.”

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; and Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs.

McALLEN, TX — Today, Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, joined the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the community of Edinburg for the grand opening ceremony of the new Driver License Mega Center. The new driver license center will feature advanced technology that provides driver license customers with the option of reserving a spot in line before arriving at the driver license office using their smart phone, landline, or computer.  Reserving a spot in line before arriving significantly reduces the time customers have to spend in the office to receive services.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Hinojosa was instrumental in securing the funds for the construction of the driver license mega center during the 84th Legislative Session in 2015. Senator Hinojosa issued the following statement:

“Last session, we worked with the Legislature and DPS to ensure funding for a driver license mega center in Edinburg.  For years, the Driver License Division lacked sufficient office capacity in Hidalgo County to meet today’s demand for driver license services.

With the opening ceremony today, the new facility will significantly increase our capacity in the Rio Grande Valley by 60,000 transactions per year and will decrease wait times at all our locations in the Valley. I thank our community leaders, local public officials, and DPS, who all had a strong commitment on working together to shorten waiting periods for driver license applicants. I am happy to have been part of these efforts to improve services to the public.”

The new facility also will include space for class C driver license skills testing as well as two testing lanes for commercial driver license skills testing – a true asset for commercial motor vehicle drivers across the entire Rio Grande Valley. Commercial driver license applicants will be able to submit their application, take the written test and the road test all at this one new location.

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 Natural Resources & Economic Development; Transportation; Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs.

McALLEN – Today, Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa attended the Texas Workforce Commission Grant Award Ceremony where Commissioner Julian Alvarez presented a check for a Skills Development Fund Grant of $221,729 to South Texas College in partnership with a consortium of manufacturers to provide manufacturing job training for students in our region. Commissioner Alvarez also presented a check for a Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) Fund Grant of $342,740 to Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District to train high school students to learn manufacturing technology skills.

Senator Hinojosa issued the following statement:

“We in the Texas Legislature have been proactive in appropriating funding and making the necessary legislative changes to partner with our educational systems and the private sector, so we can adjust our education and training to develop the skilled labor force needed to sustain our changing economy. In working with the TWC and through Commissioner Julian Alvarez’s leadership and continued support of the Rio Grande Valley, these grants will do just that.

One of my priorities has always been to invest in our youth and workforce through education and skills training, and to create more jobs. These funds provide an excellent opportunity to expand career and technology courses, to give our students the skills they need to transition to a job in the manufacturing industry right out of high school, and to offer customized training opportunities for businesses and workers to increase skill levels and wages which will ultimately benefit all of our communities.”

In 2015, Senator Hinojosa authored and passed SB 1351 to transfer the JET grant program from the Comptroller’s Office to the Texas Workforce Commission and to allow grants to be awarded to high schools and not just community colleges. PSJA is the only school district in the entire state that has received a back to back JET grant since SB 1351 took effect.

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 as well as the Sunset Advisory Commission.

AUSTIN, TX — Yesterday, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick appointed Senator Juan “Chuy” to the Joint Interim Committee to Study State Judicial Salaries. The committee is charged with studying the creation of a formula to calculate state judicial salaries.

Senator Hinojosa issued the following statement on his appointment to this committee:

“Thank you to Lt. Governor Patrick for appointing me to the Joint Interim Committee to Study State Judicial Salaries.  Our judiciary is an equal branch of government, yet our judges are underpaid for the significant responsibilities they hold.  We continue to lose very experienced, responsible, and qualified judges to the private sector because of low pay. These judges make important decisions that impact our lives and result in serious consequences.  This issue needs a long-term resolution and we must develop a plan that fairly calculates state judicial salaries and adequately reflects the significant responsibilities our judges carry out each day.”

Other members of the committee include: Sen. Joan Huffman (Co-chair), Sen. Brian Birdwell, Sen. Sylvia Garcia, and Sen. Bryan Hughes.

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 as well as the Sunset Advisory Commission.