Senator Hinojosa Encourages SD 20 Local Leaders to Apply

AUSTIN, TX — Today, the Texas General Land Office Commissioner George P. Bush announced that the new Commissioner’s Coastal Resiliency Advisory Group (CCRAG) application process has begun. This is a regional advisory group that will consist of 15 local government, business, and industry leaders to offer advice on how to best safeguard and improve our Texas coastline.

Senator Hinojosa offered the following statement:

“The Commissioner’s Coastal Resiliency Advisory Group is an excellent opportunity for our local community and business leaders in Senate District 20 to have a voice in reviewing and evaluating state policies and programs regarding coastal issues.

It is great to see Commissioner George P. Bush creating a coalition of local leadership of men and women who live and work along the coastline every day, and know first-hand our priorities and challenges. I encourage those interested to apply for this important advisory group to be able to make key recommendations to preserve our Texas coast and to ensure a dynamic coastal economy”

The CCRAG will be made up of 15 members — 3 members from each of the five coastal regions –and will serve two-year terms. Region 20 includes Brooks, Jim Wells, and Nueces County; and Region 21 includes Hidalgo County. Those interested can download the application at http://www.glo.texas.gov/coast/coastal-management/forms/index.html. The deadline is April 11, 2016.

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

AUSTIN – Today, Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa announces his intention to file legislation this coming session to create a Texas Burn Pits Registry for our veterans so we can begin helping those suffering from exposure to burn pits while having served in foreign lands.

Texas is home to over 1.6 million veterans who have bravely served our country. Tragically, many of our returning soldiers have come home with an unknown enemy to fight — illnesses caused by toxic exposure on the battlefield. This new Post 9/11 New Agent Orange Crisis is resulting in medical misdiagnosis, a denial of benefits, and financial hardship for veterans and their families.

A lack of awareness and confusion surrounds this new type of disease. There is a critical need for an online resource tool to gather information from service members, medical providers, military families, and stakeholders to examine this new Agent Orange type exposure.

“Our goal is to create a registry that will serve as an outreach tool as well as a resource to accurately gather information, determine to what extent our military men and women have been affected,  and to ultimately show proof to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that this is a “real” disease so they will allow our veterans to receive benefits,” stated Senator Hinojosa.

“While there is still much work to be done in carefully crafting this legislation, we are successfully moving in the right direction to raise awareness and begin helping our Texas Veterans and their families.”

Senator Hinojosa has been working with State Rep. Abel Herrero as well as with Rosie Torres, Executive Director and founder of the BurnPit360 Organization, which was established in 2010 after discovering a community of service members all suffering from illnesses due to toxic exposure. State Rep. Abel Herrero intends to file the same legislation in the Texas House. For more information please visit www.Burnpits360.org

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, Criminal Justice, Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs as well as the Sunset Advisory Commission.

AUSTIN, TX – This past Friday, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board awarded a total of $12 million in funding to several Senate District 20 hospitals and The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Medical School to expand their Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs. This funding is critical to ensure that Texas has the number of practicing physicians we need.

Research indicates that of students who complete their medical school and residency in Texas, close to 90% choose to remain, practicing close to the area in which they completed their residency. This is especially important for South Texas, an area known to have a shortage of doctors and access to care difficulties for our families.

Senator Hinojosa issued the following statement:

“It is great news that several Senate District 20 hospitals and the UTRGV Medical School were awarded $12 million in funding to expand residency programs and residency slots.

This funding was made possible by the Legislature’s increased commitment to GME, and I was proud to joint-author Senate Bill 18 that promotes residency expansion programs and places emphasis on Texas’ most critical shortage areas. The goal of this legislation is to ensure that a residency slot is available for every Texas medical school graduate so that our students learn, train and ultimately practice here in Texas. 

I will continue to advocate for continued GME support and growth to keep our doctors practicing right here in South Texas so that we can reduce our physician shortage, provide more care for our families, and ensure that our medical school is successful.”

Senate Bill 18 combines and streamlines existing residency programs and establishes a long-term funding source by creating a permanent endowment to support GME. This bill also encourages non-hospital entities, such as rural community clinics, to provide new residency programs by allowing them to partner with schools and hospitals to navigate the accreditation process.

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, Criminal Justice, Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs as well as the Sunset Advisory Commission.

Today, Governor Greg Abbott appointed Julian Alvarez of Harlingen to the Texas Workforce Commission. He will serve as one of three Commissioners charged with overseeing and providing workforce development services to employers and job seekers in Texas.

Mr. Alvarez previously served as president and CEO of the Rio Grande Valley Partnership fostering relationships and coordinating programs to advance regional economic development. I have worked with Mr. Alvarez over many years and I am confident that he has the experience and leadership to effectively guide the agency.

Julian Alvarez has invaluable knowledge that will be a tremendous asset for the Workforce Commission. I look forward to working with Mr. Alvarez on finding solutions to serve the workforce development needs of Texans.

We are proud to have a Rio Grande Valley native represented on such a critical state agency. Congratulations Mr. Alvarez!

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, Criminal Justice, Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs as well as the Sunset Advisory Commission.

AUSTIN, TX – Today, Calallen ISD was unanimously granted membership into District 30-5A at the University Interscholastic League (UIL) District Realignment Committee appeals hearing in Austin. Calallen ISD had previously been placed into District 29, a new placement that would have created an extreme travel hardship by having to play new district opponents three times as far as they do now, as well as less time in the classroom for students, increased safety risks while traveling late at night, and a significant financial burden on families.

Senator Hinojosa issued the following statement:

“It is great news that Calallen ISD’s appeal was granted by the UIL and that they will be admitted into District 30-5A. Thank you to the UIL for your consideration and prompt response during the appeals process. Thank you also to State Rep. Abel Herrero and Chairman Todd Hunter for their support and efforts for Calallen ISD.

Our students deserve the best opportunities we can give them to succeed academically. While the demands of balancing academics with athletics is often difficult, the previous realignment would have unnecessarily created an undue burden on students, their parents, and schools administrators and officials.

The UIL has traditionally focused on academics first, and the appeals decision today is consistent with that goal. This is a common sense solution that prioritizes the academic success and safety of our students.”

The granted appeal means that District 30-5A will now consist of 11 teams, which is extremely rare and had only been created once almost 30 years ago.  District 30-5A will consist of the six Corpus Christi ISD schools, along with Alice, Calallen, Flour Bluff, Gregory-Portland and Tuloso-Midway.

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, Criminal Justice, Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs as well as the Sunset Advisory Commission.

AUSTIN, TX – Today, Alice ISD was unanimously granted membership into District 30-5A at the University Interscholastic League (UIL) District Realignment Committee appeals hearing in Austin. Alice ISD had previously been placed into District 29, a new placement that would have created an extreme travel hardship by having to play new district opponents three times as far as they do now, as well as less time in the classroom for students, increased safety risks while traveling late at night, and a significant financial burden on families.

Senator Hinojosa issued the following statement:

“It is great news that Alice ISD’s appeal was granted by the UIL and that they will be admitted into District 30-5A. Thank you to the UIL for your consideration and prompt response during the appeals process.

Our students deserve the best opportunities we can give them to succeed academically. While the demands of balancing academics with athletics is often difficult, the previous realignment would have unnecessarily created an undue burden on students, their parents, and schools administrators and officials.

The UIL has traditionally focused on academics first, and the appeals decision today is consistent with that goal. This is a common sense solution that prioritizes the academic success and safety of our students.”

The granted appeal means that District 30-5A will now consist of 11 teams, which is extremely rare and had only been created once almost 30 years ago.  District 30-5A will consist of the six Corpus Christi ISD schools, along with Alice, Calallen, Flour Bluff, Gregory-Portland and Tuloso-Midway.

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, Criminal Justice, Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs as well as the Sunset Advisory Commission.

AUSTIN, TX — Today, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick appointed Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa as a member of the Senate Select Committee on Texas Ports. The committee will study the economic benefit of the Panama Canal expansion to Texas ports and will focus on what our ports must do to remain competitive in this new era.

Senator Hinojosa offered the following statement regarding his appointment:

“I thank Lt. Governor Patrick for creating and appointing me to this committee. It is critical that we focus on the importance and contributions of our Texas ports that generate $270 billion a year in economic development and $6 billion in state and local taxes per year. Our ports also create 1.4 million jobs generating $82.8 billion in personal income.

Commerce and trade are vital to the development and prosperity of our modern economies. Here in Texas we are blessed with a beautiful stretch of coastline offering our economy and businesses greater access to trade and commerce through our seaports. With the expansion of the Panama Canal, more and larger ships will be in transit to and from our Texas ports.

We must also study the economic benefits of our border ports of entry as they are critical in facilitating trade with Mexico — Texas’ largest trading partner at $200 billion a year. It is essential that all our ports are primed and ready to receive increases in commerce efficiently.”

Other members of the Committee include Chairman Brandon Creighton, Senators Jose Menendez, Lois Kolkhorst, Eddie Lucio, Jr., Jane Nelson, and Larry Taylor.

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

AUSTIN, TX- Today, at the Texas Transportation Commission (TxDOT) meeting, $60 million was committed to border districts for border infrastructure and transportation projects as a result of a rider authored and placed in the state budget by Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa.

Rider 11b in the Transportation bill pattern of the state budget for 2016-17, also known as the Border Infrastructure Rider, directs TxDOT to allocate funds for improvements designated to facilitate traffic and improve the efficiency of border inspection and security processes at land ports of entry along the Texas-Mexico border. Today the Commission announced that the amount of funding associated with this rider would be $60 million and will formally be approved at next month’s meeting.

Senator Hinojosa was in attendance at the hearing today to offer his thanks to TxDOT and as well as to highlight the importance of the border to our Texas economy:

“I thank the Commission for taking action on Rider 11(b) and allocating $60 million for border infrastructure funding. Continuing to invest in border infrastructure to fund improvements designated to facilitate the movement of people and goods is an important investment for the future of all Texans since transportation is the lifeblood of our economy.

Our border bridges facilitate trade with Mexico and is Texas’ largest trading partner at $200 billion a year. This is a significant benefit to our state, and the people from Mexico who come into our communities to shop, eat, and spend money increases the sales tax to our local communities as well as to our state.

I encourage TxDOT to continue supporting investment in border infrastructure and future projects as it is the future of Texas.”

 Senator Hinojosa also proudly introduced many individuals from along the border  who were also in attendance to support the funding for border infrastructure:

• Pete Sepulveda, Cameron County Judge
• Bobby Villarreal, Representing Hidalgo County Judge Ramon Garcia
• Jim Darling, Mayor, City of McAllen
• Rigo Villarreal, McAllen Superintendent of Bridges
• Mathew McElroy, El Paso Bridge Director
• Jesse Hereford, Border Trade Alliance
• David Guerra & Gerry Schuekel, Representing IBC Bank
• Ryan Rapelye, Assistant City Manager, City of Del Rio
• Randy Sweeten, Chairman, Hidalgo County Regional Mobility Authority

 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, Criminal Justice, Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs as well as the Sunset Advisory Commission.

AUSTIN, TX – At their quarterly meeting on Thursday, January 21, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) will honor Texas A&M University -Corpus Christi (TAMUCC) with a “Recognition of Excellence” award for The College of Nursing and Health Sciences’ eLine Military Program. The innovative program gives college credit to members of the military and veterans for their medical experience in the service.

The eLine Military Program’s unique mission fills two critical needs in our state, a nursing shortage and civilian employment for military veterans. Often when individuals leave the military, their training and experience does not translate easily to civilian life, particularly those who served in a medical capacity as medics or corpsmen. Through this program, their hands-on experience can be given college credit and translate into the credentials needed or recognized in the civilian world.

Senator Hinojosa issued the following statement:

 “Congratulations to Texas A&M University -Corpus Christi for achieving such a Recognition of Excellence. The eLine Military Program is a unique solution to many of the challenges our military and veterans face when returning to civilian life. As a Vietnam Veteran, I appreciate the great benefits this program has for our servicemen and women who are looking to further their education and employment. The program also has a significant impact to our communities by reducing our statewide nursing shortage so that more nurses and healthcare providers are available to treat our families.” 

In 2006, to address the shortage of nurses, particularly in South Texas, Senator Hinojosa worked to secure $45 million from the Legislature for a new 165,000 square foot nursing, health sciences and kinesiology facility at TAMUCC. In 2007 there were 1,089 students in the nursing program; by 2010 when the new building opened, there were 2,081 students, Thanks to the funding to make the new facility a reality, TAMUCC doubled their students to educate nurses to serve in our communities.

The recipient of the 2013 American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) “Innovations in Professional Nursing Education Award”, the eLine Military Program started in 2010 and has repeatedly been recognized by the White House and the Department of Defense as a model that can be used by other nursing schools across the country.

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, Criminal Justice, Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs as well as the Sunset Advisory Commission.