TWDB APPROVES PRIORITIZED PROJECT LIST FOR 2020 FLOOD INFRASTRUCTURE FUND CYCLE INCLUDES PROJECTS IN ALICE

Posted on September 17, 2020 by hinojosa

AUSTIN, TEXAS — Today, the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) approved the prioritized project list for the 2020 Flood Infrastructure Fund (FIF) inaugural cycle and establishing the amount of funds available for applications, the structure of financing, and the terms of the subsidy. The action taken represents step two of the five-step process, which will eventually provide funding for future flood mitigation projects in the City of Alice.

For the 2020 Abridged Application Prioritized Project List, TWDB approved 285 abridged applications requesting a total of $2,390,567,776. However, only applications from entities with projects ranked within the available funding. As of today, $770 million is available for projects, of which $231 million (30%) is allocated to grants and $539 million (70%) is allocated for loans. Among the 285 eligible applications that made the first cut, the 2020 Abridged Application Prioritized Project List includes 2 projects (listed below) submitted by the City of Alice.

As part of step three of the process, starting tomorrow the TWDB will begin inviting entities to submit complete financial assistance applications and Letters of Intent to Apply. Letters of Intent to Apply will be distributed to all applicants within the available funding as well as those below the line, which will form a waiting list should funds become available. Should funds become available due to invited entities declining to apply, invitations will be sent in ranked order down the prioritized list to applicants that met the TWDB’s Intent to Apply deadline. After complete applications are reviewed, TWDB will make a financial assistance recommendation to be considered by the Board in public meetings this upcoming Fall and Winter.

The 2019 Texas Legislature passed several bills related to flooding, including Senate Bill 7 which lead to creation of the FIF program. The new FIF program provides financial assistance in the form of loans with an interest rate of 0% and grants for flood control, flood mitigation, and drainage projects. As Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee and a co-author of Senate Bill 500, Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa was instrumental in securing funding to start the FIF program through a one-time transfer of $793 million from the “Rainy Day” Fund.

Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa issued the following statement:

“As the state continues to deal with ramifications of COVID-19, we cannot forget the flood disasters our state has dealt with in the past. I appreciate our local officials on completing the first step of the process by submitting their abridged applications earlier this summer. We must also move forward with investing in flood mitigation projects to prepare for future flood events. With today’s action by the TWDB, the state takes another step towards mitigating the damage caused by future flood events. The Flood Infrastructure Fund Program was established for this purpose and I am glad to see the process is moving forward despite the current economic downturn.“

Ranked Position

Entity Name

Project Name

Amount Requested

Eligible Grant %

Eligible Grant Amount

Eligible Loan

Amount (or Entity’s

Funds)

Alice

Master Drainage Planning Study

$241,500

90%

$217,350

$24,150

Alice

Pintas Creek at Sunset Dr. & Virginia St. Drainage Improvements

$372,500

77%

$286,825

$85,675

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, Vice Chair of the Senate Redistricting Committee, and serves on the Senate Committees on Natural Resources & Economic Development; Transportation; Agriculture, and Texas Ports.

TWDB APPROVES PRIORITIZED PROJECT LIST FOR 2020 FLOOD INFRASTRUCTURE FUND CYCLE INCLUDES PROJECTS IN NUECES COUNTY

Posted on September 17, 2020 by hinojosa

Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa issued the following statement:

Ranked Position	Entity Name	Project Name	Amount Requested	Eligible Grant %	Eligible Grant Amount	Eligible Loan Amount (or Entity’s Funds)
7	Driscoll	Master Drainage Planning Study	$150,000	90%	$135,000	$15,000
24	Nueces County Drainage & Conservation District #2	Master Drainage Planning Study	$550,000	100%	$550,000	N/A
32	Nueces County	Nueces County Regional Drainage Master Plan Study	$2,250,000	75%	$1,687,500	$562,500
52	Nueces County Drainage & Conservation District #2	Casa Blanca Drainage Improvements	$810,000	46%	$372,600	$437,400
71	Nueces County Drainage & Conservation District #2	Flood Early Warning System	$612,500	76%	$465,500	$147,000
92	Nueces County Drainage & Conservation District #2	Bosquez Rd. / Avenue J Drainage Improvements	$2,453,731	46%	$1,128,716	$1,325,015
93	Nueces County Drainage & Conservation District #2	Ditch “A” and Bluebonnet Drainage Improvements	$1,312,000	36%	$472,320	$320,318,931

HECTOR P. GARCIA DAY — SEPTEMBER 16, 2020

Posted on September 14, 2020 by hinojosa

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – Wednesday commemorates the legacy of Dr. Hector P. Garcia, a Mexican-American civil rights leader who founded the American GI forum and fought for the rights of Hispanics in this country. In 2009, Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa designated the third Wednesday in September as Dr. Hector P. Garcia Day through Senate Bill 495. The bill authorized the observance of the day by schools and state agencies to honor Dr. Garcia and teach our younger generations about his legacy. Senator Hinojosa also passed a resolution naming a portion of State Highway 286 the Dr. Hector P. Garcia Memorial Highway in Corpus Christi.

Dr. Garcia was a legendary physician and World War II Veteran who fought for the rights of Hispanics and veterans who were denied educational, medical and housing opportunities. He also fought for labor rights, voting rights, and justice system reform. He selflessly served and advocated for the most vulnerable and underserved portions in our communities.

Dr. Garcia was the first Mexican-American to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, our country’s highest civilian honor, and earned a Bronze Star and six battle stars for his military service. He served as an advisor to Presidents John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson and Jimmy Carter and served as the first Hispanic on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.

Senator Hinojosa commented on the value of commemorating Dr. Garcia’s contributions:

“All Texans should remember Dr. Hector P. Garcia, an extraordinary man who dedicated his life to public service and the equal treatment of all. Dr. Garcia courageously fought for the civil rights of veterans and Hispanics, breaking down the barriers they faced to education, health care, fair labor practices, and housing. He demonstrated leadership and sacrifice in his fight to protect our liberties and ensure that all Americans are treated with dignity and respect.

Dr. Garcia embodies the spirit of selflessness and public service. As a private American citizen, he exercised his constitutional rights to elevate awareness about the plight of neglected Americans. As a physician, he provided access to medical care to underserved communities. As a soldier, he demonstrated valor and sacrifice as he fought to protect our liberties. Dr. Hector P. Garcia never wavered in his commitment to the United States Constitution and equality for all.”

SENATOR HINOJOSA ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR NEW TXDOT PROJECTS IN PHARR DISTRICT

Posted on August 27, 2020 by hinojosa

AUSTIN, TX — Today, the Texas Transportation Commission (Commission) approved more than $135.7 million in new authorization for construction projects in Hidalgo County as well as $23.1 million in funding adjustments for previously approved projects. The Commission also approved $30.7 million in increased funding for a total of $88.9 million to upgrade US 281 in southern Brooks County to interstate standards. The projects are included in the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) 2021 Unified Transportation Program (UTP) adopted unanimously by the Commission earlier today. The UTP includes all transportation projects that TxDOT is developing for construction over the next ten years and guides the development of those projects.

The following are some of the newly authorized projects and funding adjustments approved for Hidalgo and Brooks Counties:

$96 million for Phase 1 of the International Bridge Trade Corridor (IBTC) from 365 Tollway and FM 493 to IH 2. (New Authorization)
$30.7 million in increased funding to upgrade US 281 in southern Brooks County to interstate standards.
$5.5 million to widen SH 364 in Mission from FM 2221 to FM 676 (New Authorization).
$11.1 million in increased funding to widen FM 676 in Alton from SH 107 to Taylor Rd.
$12 million in increased funding to widen FM 676 in Alton from SH 364, East to SH 107.
$19 million to widen FM 2061 in McAllen from Bus 83 S to Hall Acres Rd. (New Authorization)
$9.2 million to widen FM 3362 in Pharr from Bus 83 S to SH 495. (New Authorization)

Additionally, the Commission also approved $30 million in Rider 11(b) funds, which as Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee I have secured in the budget to fund border infrastructure projects, and $46 million in Coordinated Border Infrastructure funds. These funds will be used for the expansion of the Anzalduas Port of Entry to make improvements to southbound inspection facilities and construct northbound facilities to enable loaded and empty commercial traffic in both direction. The funds will also be used for SH 365 to reduce congestion on Cage Blvd and serve traffic traveling from the international bridges and trade zones.

These projects adopted in the 2021 UTP are in addition to construction projects currently underway including the $303 million Pharr Interchange reconstruction project, $46 million Bicentennial Project in McAllen, and the $155 million US 83 La Joya Corridor project.

Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa issued the following statement:

“As we continue dealing with the Coronavirus pandemic, we must also move forward with investing in our transportation infrastructure. Infrastructure is key to continue the economic growth of the Rio Grande Valley and to help us rebound quickly from the economic downturn. I appreciate the Texas Transportation Commission’s unanimous vote today to approve the 2021 Unified Transportation Program.

The RGV legislative delegation has been working closely with the Commission, TxDOT leadership, and RGVMPO, including Chairman and Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, who played a key role in prioritizing the IBTC project. Together, we will work to make our priorities known and to continue advocating for additional investments in transportation infrastructure projects in South Texas. The newly authorized projects and increased funding in the 2021 UTP will greatly help our transportation needs in the Rio Grande Valley.“

TEXAS TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION APPROVES 2020 UTP INCLUDES PROJECTS IN CORPUS CHRISTI DISTRICT

Posted on August 27, 2020 by hinojosa

AUSTIN, TX — Today, the Texas Transportation Commission (Commission) met and took action on items that benefit Nueces and Jim Wells Counties. The projects are included in the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) 2021 Unified Transportation Program (UTP) adopted unanimously by the Commission earlier today. The UTP includes all transportation projects that TxDOT is developing for construction over the next ten years and guides the development of those projects.

The Commission unanimously approved the 2021 Unified Transportation Program which includes the following projects:

Nueces County:

$30 million to widen SH 286 in Corpus Christi from SH 358 to Horne Rd. (New Authorization)
$18 million to widen FM 624 in Corpus Christi from CR 73 to Wildcat Dr. (New Authorization)
$40 million funding maintained to upgrade SH 286 to freeway standards in Corpus Christi from FM 43 to South of FM 2444.
$35 million funding maintained for freeway ramps at SH 358 in Corpus Christi from Nile Drive to Staples St.

Jim Wells County

$90 million funding maintained to upgrade US 281 in Alice to freeway standard from Business 281R N to Business 281R S.
$25 million funding maintained to upgrade US 281 in Alice to freeway standards at US 281 at CR 116 & 117 intersection.

These projects are in addition to the ongoing $1 billion Harbor Bridge replacement project, the $50.7 million SH 358 (SPID) eastbound ramp reversal in Corpus Christi, the $118 million US 77/I 69 Driscoll Relief route, and the $72 million for the US 281 interstate upgrade/relief route in Premont in Jim Wells County.

Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa issued the following statement:

“As we continue dealing with the Coronavirus pandemic, we must also move forward with investing in our transportation infrastructure. Infrastructure is key to continue the economic growth of the Coastal Bend and to help us rebound quickly from the economic downturn. I appreciate the Texas Transportation Commission’s unanimous vote today to approve the 2021 Unified Transportation Program.

The Coastal Bend legislative delegation has been working closely with the Commission and TxDOT leadership to make our priorities known and to continue advocating for additional investments in transportation infrastructure projects in our region. Our efforts have led to more than $1 billion in ongoing construction projects in the region and with the additional projects authorized today, the Commission and TxDOT leadership continue to show their support and commitment to Corpus Christi and the counties in TxDOTs Corpus Christi District. These state investments create jobs, strengthen our economy, and advance our transportation infrastructure for future growth.“

TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION AWARDS LOCAL PARK GRANTS FOR THE CITIES OF EDINBURG AND PALMVIEW

Posted on August 27, 2020 by hinojosa

AUSTIN — Today, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved Local Parks Grants for the City of Edinburg’s Chapin Road Hike-and-Bike Trail and the City of Palmview’s Nature Park. Funding for this grant program comes from a portion of the state sales tax attributable to sporting goods and from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund Stateside Assistance Program.

The City of Edinburg was approved for $606,617 to develop the Chapin Road Hike-and-Bike Trail. The grant money will go towards a 1.15-mile long hike-and-bike trail; 25 solar lights; 6 benches; parking lot extension providing 30 additional spaces along with ADA ramps; engineering services; and an irrigation and landscaping system, including native trees and landscaping around the pond for safety.

The City of Palmview will receive $300,000 for the development of Nature Park. The grant money will go towards the acquisition of 10 acres of land and recreational facilities such as paved trails (typically used for walking and jogging) and unpaved trails (primarily for mountain biking and nature hikes). The project will also include a basketball court, playground, adult (bench) swings, picnic units, sheltered benches, and exercise stations. Typical support elements such as parking, solar lighting, and drip irrigation will be included.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Hinojosa worked to secure over $36.1 million in state funding for Local Parks Grants for the 2020-21 biennium.

Senator Hinojosa issued the following statement:

“I am pleased that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission has approved grants for park improvements in both Edinburg and Palmview. These funds will help these growing cities meet the recreational needs of their communities and improve the quality of life for their residents.

Local 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 and enhance area property values. Local parks also help contribute to the physical, social, and mental well-being of its residents. I applaud Edinburg and Palmview officials for applying for these grants and for their efforts in improving their respective 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.

CHAMPIONING SMALL BUSINESS JOB CREATORS

Posted on August 12, 2020 by hinojosa

Senator Hinojosa recognizes that small businesses are what fuels Texas’ economic engine, as they employ one out of every two Texans. As Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Hinojosa has put small businesses at the forefront of Texas’ economic future. In the 2019 legislative session, as Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Hinojosa was instrumental in securing $16 million to the Jobs and Education for Texans Program (JET) fund for the development of career and technical education programs at 10 public junior colleges, public technical institutes, and ISDs.

In addition to supporting small business funding, Senator Hinojosa has advocated for numerous pieces of legislation benefiting small businesses:

Passed SB 1748 (85R) help reduce unemployment and increase Texas’ pool of skilled laborers by allowing for economic development corporations (EDCs) of Hidalgo County to use tax revenues for skills training programs;
Authored SB 154 (85R) which led to a pilot program administered by the Texas Workforce Commission called the “Workforce Career & Technical Education Outreach Specialist Pilot Program.” The program places local Workforce Career Specialists in area middle and high schools (grades 6-12) to provide career guidance and workforce information to students. The mission is to ensure students get the exposure and awareness to career resources today that empower them to gain degree certifications, graduate with marketable skills, and minimize student debt in the future;
Voted for HB 32 (84R) which permanently reduced the primary Franchise tax rates from 1.0 to 0.75 percent and from 0.5 to 0.375 percent of taxable margin (for entities engaged in retail or wholesale trade);
Authored SB 100 (84R) to allow small businesses to participate in the Texas Enterprise Zone Program (TEZ), one of Texas’ most successful economic development programs. The program provides sales-tax refunds and credits to businesses that create jobs and invest in economically distressed communities;
Authored SB 1351 (84R) to transfer the administration of the JET program to the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) in an effort to bolster the TWC’s capacity-building mission and better prepare out-of-work Texans for jobs;
Passed HB 3714 (83R) to create the Office of Small Business Assistance Advisory Task Force to identify barriers that hurt Texas job creators and to propose measures to improve small business creation in Texas;
Voted for HB 4765 (81R) which the total revenue amount at which a small business would ow no Franchise tax to $1 million from $300,000. This legislation nearly tripled the franchise tax exception for small businesses;
Passed HB 3519 (81R) allowed the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to coordinate and administer the Texas Career Opportunity Grant Program. The purpose of this program is to help ensure a qualified workforce to meet the needs of this state by reducing financial barriers to postsecondary career education and training for economically disadvantaged Texans by providing grants to eligible students attending an eligible career school or college; and
Authored HB 1125 (68R) (the Texas Enterprise Zone Act) which created the Texas Enterprise Zone Program that stimulates statewide investment.

SUPPORTING THE ROLE COMMUNITY COLLEGES PLAY IN OUR ECONOMY

Posted on August 12, 2020 by hinojosa

As the demand increases for middle-skilled jobs that require more than a high school diploma, Senator Hinojosa recognizes that community colleges fill a critical role in the effort to prepare Texans with the work skills they need to compete for higher paying jobs. Career Technical Education (CTE) can also provide those skills needed for those jobs through career postsecondary programs, employer-based training, and industry-based certifications. To this end, Senator Hinojosa has passed numerous pieces of legislation and, as Vice Chair of the Senator Finance Committee, helped secure significant funding for community colleges.

In the most recent legislative session in 2019, Senator Hinojosa successfully advocated for $33 million for Del Mar Community College, $84 million for South Texas College, and $4.6 million for Texas Innovative Adult Career Education Grant Program during the 2020-2021 Biennium.

In prior legislative sessions, Senator Hinojosa has fought for significant victories for community colleges, such as:

Supported the legislation to create the ‘Texas Innovative Adult Career Education Grant Fund’ (ACE Fund) and, as Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, secured $5 million for the new ACE Fund to invest in high-skill training to fill high-demand, high-wage jobs in Texas;

Secured $4 million in community college scholarships;
Helped pass legislation that allows South Texas College to offer a bachelor’s degree program in applied technology;
Expanded legislation that teams up community colleges in South Texas with local high schools on dropout recovery programs;
Supported legislation that allocated $154 million for community college health insurance costs;
Passed HCR 82 creating a joint interim committee to study education policy as it relates to developing a skilled workforce and to explore topics like curriculum requirements, opportunities for new education-workforce partnerships, and the impact of emerging industrial sectors;
Secured millions of dollars for the Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) Program, designed to help put Texans back in the workforce; and
Sponsored HB 2169 (81R) establishing additional job incentive programs that use the skills development fund as an incentive to lure new businesses to Texas. By distributing money to prospective employers in return for the commitment to establishing a place of business in Texas, to provide workforce training in an effort to create and retain employment opportunities in Texas.

Senator Hinojosa also passed the legislation that established a center for public safety training in the Rio Grande Valley to provide specialized training and continuing education that law enforcement personnel locally. South Texas College administers the regional center in partnership with political subdivisions and participating school districts in the Rio Grande Valley. The training provided at the regional center provides officers with college credit toward either an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree.

ESTABLISHING AN ENGINEERING PROGRAM AT TEXAS A&M-CORPUS CHRISTI

Posted on August 12, 2020 by hinojosa

It is estimated that over 2 million jobs are being created in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math. To help meet that need in our region, Senator Hinojosa worked with A&M Corpus Christi and community leaders to secure the first $2 million in state funds for mechanical engineering in 2009 then electrical engineering in 2015. Since then, Senator Hinojosa has secured a total of $26 million for engineering at A&M Corpus Christi.

The mechanical engineering program specializes in teaching engineering as it relates to the Gulf of Mexico, including offshore platforms and offshore mapping. The engineering program has been extremely successful and is critical to the growth of the region. Engineers will be available for area industries and will enhance local economies. During the 2017 session, Senator Hinojosa secured $4.2 million to support engineering programs, including mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and the STEM pipeline initiative. This past session, Senator Hinojosa secured $2.3 million in new funding to establish the Civil & Industrial Engineering Program.

In addition to the funding for the engineering program, in 2019 Senator Hinojosa helped secure significant funding for Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. For the 2020-2021 Biennium this included:

$139.4 million for Texas A&M-Corpus Christi ($8.4 million increase from 2018-19 Budget);
$4.2 million for Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Engineering Program; and
$2.3 million in new funding to establish the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Civil and Industrial Engineering Program.
$7 million for the Unmanned Aircraft Systems for a total of $21 million since 2015.

GIVING OUR CHILDREN THE EDUCATION NECESSARY TO COMPETE

Posted on August 12, 2020 by hinojosa

Education is the ticket to our children’s future. With more education comes more opportunities to compete for higher paying jobs. But as our school populations are exploding, and college tuition keeps rising, we cannot balance the budget on the backs of Texas schoolchildren. During the 2019 Legislative Session, Senator Hinojosa voted for House Bill (HB) 3, a sweeping and historic school finance bill that greatly increases the state’s investment in our students and teachers.

The highlights of HB3 include:

An increase in the state’s portion of education funding from 38% to 45%, reducing the burden on local property taxes;
$6.5 billion statewide for transformational education reform;
Educator pay raises, including an increase in the minimum salary and a new Teacher Incentive Allotment that provides between $3,000 – $32,000 per year, per high-performing teacher, with higher incentive funding going to high poverty and rural campuses;
- The prioritization of Early Literacy, which requires elementary school teachers to attend the reading academies and be trained on the science of teaching reading;
Increased access to Full-Day Pre-Kindergarten for all eligible 4-year-old children, with funding through an Early Education Allotment;
Improving College, Career, and Military Readiness by increasing funding for college prep exams, industry certification exams, career and technical education (CTE) including computer science, and funds innovative high school models designed to help students graduate with an associate’s degree; and
More equitable funding with increased funding for low-income students in the highest poverty areas.

Throughout his time in the Texas Legislature, Senator Hinojosa has championed education. He co-authored Senate Bill 22 in the 85^th Legislative Session which established a work-based, dual-credit education program designed to make more tech-related college courses available to high school students around the state. Through the P-TECH (Pathways to Technology Early College High School) Program, partnerships between high schools, community colleges, and industry enable students to obtain both a high school diploma and associate’s degree or certification in six years. He also sponsored House Bill 728 which created a program to allow computer science courses to count toward a student’s required advanced math or advanced science credit, encouraging students to develop valuable skills that would expand opportunities after high school.

Previously, Senator Hinojosa has supported legislation to reform public school education by reducing the number of high-stakes tests from 15 to 5 that students must take to graduate and changes the courses needed to earn a diploma. He believes that students should focus on learning in the classroom and teachers should not have to just teach to the test.

Senator Hinojosa supports Career Technical Education (CTE) because the workforce has great demand for “middle jobs” that require no bachelor’s degree but necessitate training beyond high school. CTE provides those skills needed for those jobs through employer-based training and industry-based certifications. Similarly, Senator Hinojosa passed legislation to create a joint interim committee to study education policy as it relates to developing a skilled workforce and to explore topics like curriculum requirements, opportunities for new education-workforce partnerships and the impact of emerging industrial sectors.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Hinojosa has worked across party lines to protect teacher jobs and keep a college education within reach of working families.

During the most recent legislative session, Senator Hinojosa helped craft a budget which increases public education grants for the 2020-2021 Biennium. This includes:

$61 million for Communities in Schools ($22.2 million difference from 2018-19 Budget);
$11 million for Teach for America; and
$4.5 million for Texas Academic Innovation and Mentoring (AIM).

Further, Senator Hinojosa has consistently supported financial aid. In 2019, he helped secure $866 million in financial aid for the TEXAS Grant program to ensure 70% of eligible students receive a $5,000 award for 2020-2021 biennium ($80 million increase from 2018-2019 biennium). In 2015, Senator Hinojosa helped secure $786 million in financial aid for the TEXAS Grant program to serve 92% of all eligible residents ($71 million increase from 2014-2015 biennium). In 2013, he helped restore $724.6 million in funding for college financial aid through Texas Grants for 2014-2015 biennium, an increase of $145 million from the prior budget.