AUSTIN, TX – Today, the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) approved $5.4 in financial assistance for the City of Edinburg. Funding for this loan comes from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund which provides low-cost financial assistance for planning, acquisition, design, and construction of water infrastructure.

These funds will be used to finance the expansion of the City of Edinburg’s West Water Treatment Plant as well as for the planning, design and construction of the reservoir system improvements.

Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa issued the following statement:

“I applaud Edinburg Mayor Richard Garcia and city commissioners for working together with the state to invest in infrastructure for the city’s future growth and provide safe drinking water to the citizens of Edinburg.

Clean water and wastewater services are essential to the development and health of our communities. The impact of this infrastructure improvement will promote economic development and safeguard against public health concerns.”

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 – Yesterday, Premont Independent School District received word that state academic standards were met for the first time since 2011. The Commissioner of Education had offered an abatement to the district last December after a notice of TEA’s intent to shut it down was issued in November 2015. At that time, Premont ISD was informed its accreditation was revoked. The school district sought an informal review of the revocation. The commissioner has not issued a final response and offered to abate the review process until preliminary academic and financial accountability ratings were released.

Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa issued the following statement:

“It is great news that Premont ISD has met student achievement and accountability standards for the first time since 2011! The primary concern is always our children and that they receive a good education. It is evident that Premont has been making the necessary changes to their system and financial structure to ensure their future success.

The entire Premont community has come together for the benefit of their students. Thank you to Superintendent Eric Ramos, the School Board, administration, teachers, and students on working together to achieve success.”

Premont ISD School Board President Michelle McCleery also commented:

“The students and staff have accomplished a monumental feat and we need to celebrate their success. But we recognize there is still work to be done and the journey is not over — Because success is always the journey.”

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.

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX –  Today, Governor Greg Abbott, Senator John Cornyn, State Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, and the Coastal Bend legislative delegation joined the Texas Department of Transportation and the community of Corpus Christi for an historic groundbreaking ceremony of the new Corpus Christi Harbor Bridge. The new Harbor Bridge will feature a 205 foot vertical air clearance, opening the door to larger vessels and increased economic activity to the region.

For the past ten years, as Vice Chair of Senate Finance, Senator Hinojosa has been instrumental in working with TxDOT and local stakeholders to secure funds for the Harbor Bridge which is estimated to cost over $900 million.

Senator Hinojosa issued the following statement:

“With the historic groundbreaking today of the new Harbor Bridge, we are seeing over a decade of planning and development come to reality. Replacing the Harbor Bridge ensures that Corpus Christi will continue to have a striking presence and will thrive as a local and international port promising economic growth, prosperity, jobs and opportunities for years to come.

I thank our community leaders, local public officials, TxDOT, and the private sector who all had a strong commitment to this project over the past few years. The new Harbor Bridge will be considered one of the largest investments ever in our economy and will secure the Coastal Bend’s economic future and put us on the global map for international shipping and tourism.

I am honored to represent the people of South Texas and be a part of this historic project as we are literally bridging the Coastal Bend to the rest of the world and to the future.”

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 – Texas’s highly successful annual Sales Tax Holiday is scheduled this year for Friday, August 5th through Sunday, August 7th and will offer Texans an opportunity to save millions in sales tax on clothing and various back-to-school items. With the new school year almost upon us, the timing is perfect for students of all ages to stock up on clothes and supplies.

“The back-to-school season is an excellent economic driver in Texas. Parents are looking for bargains and low prices on the supplies and clothes their children need for school, while businesses are competing for those dollars. I encourage our Texas families to take full advantage of the tax holiday and save more of your hard earned dollars by shopping during this weekend,” Senator Hinojosa stated.

Texans who shop during this weekend will not have to pay taxes on clothing, school supplies, or footwear priced under $100 and includes such items as baby clothes, diapers, and work uniforms. Items sold online as well as layaway plans also qualify. The following link to the Texas Comptroller’s webpage will provide more information and a complete list of tax-free items:

http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxpubs/taxholiday/d/index.html

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, Texas –  Today, The Texas A&M University System and Driscoll Children’s Hospital System announced the creation of a Hispanic Health Institute to focus on clinical and public health research, education and programs that will improve the population’s access to clinical trials.

The Texas A&M & Driscoll Children’s Hospital Global Institute for Hispanic Health will be established at Driscoll’s Corpus Christi hospital. The reach of the program will include all of South Texas through DCH clinics, the university’s academic units as well as outreach activities of Texas A&M such as its Colonias program and AgriLife Extension.

John Sharp, Chancellor of The Texas A&M University System stated, “Hispanics disproportionately suffer from hypertension, diabetes and cancer, and we know some groundbreaking treatments react differently for them. If they are to benefit fully from clinical research, we must consider the special needs of this population such as genetics, lifestyle, and risk factors. With Driscoll and Texas A&M’s one-of-a-kind reach in South Texas, we hope to change the landscape of clinical trials and Hispanics.”

Senator Hinojosa commented, “Driscoll Children’s Hospital and the Texas A&M System are well known by South Texans for their service in healthcare, education, and research. The Global Institute for Hispanic Health will greatly increase the involvement of Hispanics in medical research and clinical trials resulting in far better healthcare treatments and life-saving therapies. Thank you to these two institutions’ investment in the well-being of our South Texans families.”

Hispanics are the most under-represented group in the nation’s clinical research. A widely-quoted report by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration said several years ago that Hispanics represented only about 1% of clinical trial participants, despite their significantly growing population. Texas A&M, and Driscoll will identify physicians, researchers, health providers and organizations interested in working with the Institute to expand clinical research focused on the needs of the Hispanic population.

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, the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) approved $8.3 million in financial assistance for the City of McAllen consisting of a $7.1 million loan and $1.2 million in loan forgiveness. Funding for these grants comes from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund which provides below-market interest rate loans for wastewater management projects.

These funds will be used to finance the construction of wastewater system improvements for McAllen’s North Wastewater Treatment Plant, including preparations for the forthcoming 2,500 acre Tres Lagos master-planned community.

Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa stated, “It’s great news that the City of McAllen was approved for $8.3 million in financial assistance and I thank the TWDB for approving such a large loan. This wastewater management project is greatly needed to improve the water infrastructure of McAllen and to better serve the public while simultaneously protecting the environment.”

McAllen Mayor Jim Darling also commented, “Our growth in McAllen is significant and we are excited with the approval of this loan to help facilitate improvements to our wastewater treatment system. This funding from TWDB is very appreciated and is critical to our community’s development.”

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, at the Texas Transportation Commission (TxDOT) meeting, the Commission granted final approval of a $42.2 million State Infrastructure Bank (SIB) loan for the Hidalgo County Regional Mobility Authority (HCRMA) to be used for the State Highway 365 Project. TxDOT and HCRMA have been proceeding with the development of the SH 365 project in Hidalgo County that includes three segments of both toll and non-toll improvements. The $42.2 million will pay for costs of right-of-way, utility relocation, and construction of SH 365 to better prepare the Rio Grande Valley for commercial trade.

Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa was in attendance at the hearing today to offer his appreciation to TxDOT as well as to highlight the importance of this project:

“I thank the Commission for approving the $42.2 million SIB loan for the Hidalgo County RMA and for working with us throughout the lengthy process. The SH 365 Project is critical for our region because this is the corridor that will facilitate the flow of commercial traffic coming in from Mexico, and get the trucks off our city streets. We generate $200 billion in trade with Mexico every year, which is key, not only here in the Valley in terms of creating jobs, but for the entire state of Texas. This is an important investment for our future since transportation is the lifeblood of our economy.”

TxDOT Chairman Lewis offered his remarks:

“As a result of the hard work by leadership from the HCRMA and other legislative and local officials from the area, the Rio Grande Valley will have a very important international freight and congestion relief corridor, State Highway 365. Investment such as this is crucial to the future of the Valley and our state’s economic growth. I am glad that we have been able to work with our partners at HCRMA to further this important corridor.”

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 Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, along with Comptroller Glenn Hager and State Representative Drew Darby, held a press conference announcing the first ever sales tax holiday for water efficient products intended to encourage water conservation. This Memorial Day Weekend, beginning Saturday, May 28 through midnight on Monday, May 30, Texans can purchase water conservation products and/or a WaterSense product without paying a sales tax.

This past legislative session, Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa authored and passed SB 1356 to add water efficient products to the already existing tax free weekend for energy efficient products to incentivize consumers statewide to make smart choices in conserving water. Water efficient products save consumers money and reduce consumption rates for our state’s valuable water resources, which are even more valuable in the event of a drought.

Senator Hinojosa issued the following statement:

“Although Texas is currently experiencing heavy rains and dangerous flooding, we must remember that many of our state’s regions are “water-challenged” and often experience long periods of drought which can have devastating impacts to our state. I’m proud to have passed legislation to help our families statewide get a tax break as they do their part to conserve water and utilize water efficient products.

This tax free weekend is estimated to save our hard-working Texans almost $5 million in sales tax by buying these products over the Memorial Day weekend. We hope to raise public awareness about the importance of water conservation through this tax free weekend highlighting the steps that Texans can take to make smart water choices in an effort to have more water available during times of drought.”

Tax free items include shower heads, a soaker or drip-irrigation hose, mulch, plants, trees, and grasses, rain barrels, a moisture control for a sprinkler or irrigation system, and others. There is no limit on the number of qualifying items you can purchase. The following link to the Texas Comptroller’s webpage will provide more information:

http://comptroller.texas.gov/taxinfo/taxpubs/tx98_1018.html

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, the Texas Supreme Court ruled that the Texas school finance system is constitutional. Senator Hinojosa issued the following statement:

“I am disappointed with the Texas Supreme Court’s ruling that Texas’ school finance system is constitutional. Education is the best equalizer we have in our society and we cannot succeed as a state if we do not make smart investments in our students, teachers, and schools.

The state’s funding formula fails to provide adequate funding and to distribute it fairly among school districts. Our children and families should not be penalized because of their neighborhood. Each child should receive an equal amount of funding regardless of where the child lives. Texas must provide an equal playing field to ensure comparable access to educational funds for every public school system. Our children deserve better.”

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 –  This week, the Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPW) Commission approved Community Outdoor Outreach Grants to youth programs in the cities of Corpus Christi and Edinburg. The recipients of these grants are (1) the Boys and Girls Club of Edinburg, (2) the City of Corpus Christi Parks and Recreation-OSO Bay Wetlands Preserve and Learning Center, and (3) South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center.  Funding for these grants comes from the state sales tax on sporting goods.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Hinojosa was instrumental in the legislature’s decision to appropriate $90 million to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission for critical park repairs, new projects for local parks, and outdoor youth programs across Texas.

“I thank the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission for the $133,000 in funding to give our South Texas youths the opportunity to participate in outdoor and nature programs learning more about their environment. These programs will provide our children with education, hands-on experiences, and more time enjoying nature,” stated Senator Hinojosa.

Boys & Girls Club of Edinburg – $35,500 grant for 500 youth to study nature through interactive lessons in birding, environmental conservation and more. These children will also visit state parks and the World Birding Centers.

City of Corpus Christi Parks and Recreation-OSO Bay Wetlands Preserve and Learning Center – $48,033 for a new youth program that will increase students’ environmental literacy fostering future environmental stewards. By utilizing the new Oso Bay Wetlands Preserve and Learning Center, students will study biodiversity, overfishing, ocean acidification, and pollution.

South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center – $49,216 for low-income youth to experience a week long summer camp for free that includes a three day birding program and nature photography.

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.