RGIPA cites Hinojosa’s “Dedication and Relentless Support” in Endorsement

(Senate District 20) — On August 26, 2012, the Rio Grande Valley Independent Pharmacy Association (RGIPA) endorsed Senator Hinojosa as their candidate of choice in Senate District 20. RGIPA serves and represents the interests of over 138 local independent pharmacies in South Texas. RGIPA along with American Pharmacies earlier named Senator Hinojosa “Friend of Texas Pharmacy.”

Dr. John P. Calvillo, President of RGIPA issued the following statement:

“Senator Hinojosa’s dedication and relentless support of initiatives that promote the health and well being of our residents motivates us to continue to support his re-election bid. As an agent of progress and change, we rest assured that Senator Hinojosa’s experience will once again prove invaluable to our residents and all Texans.”

Senator Hinojosa issued the following statement on RGIPA’s endorsement:

“I am honored and humbled to have the full backing and support of our local pharmacists. This endorsement is particularly important because I believe RGIPA knows that they cannot operate and provide their important healthcare services under the policies that my opponent supports. I will continue to fight for our local independent pharmacies so that their doors remain open.  As small businesses, these local independent pharmacies create jobs. As health care service providers, these local independent pharmacies increase access to essential health care and medical needs to our neighbors. There is too much at stake in this re-election and I am proud to have the endorsement of this important community organization.”

South Texans’ Property Rights Association Throws Weight Behind Sen. Hinojosa

(Senate District 20) — Senator Hinojosa’s campaign for re-election has earned the endorsement of yet another prominent local group in South Texas. The South Texans’ Property Rights Association (STPR-PAC), in a letter dated August 20, 2012, announced their support for Senator Hinojosa’s re-election bid. STPRA serves and represents private landowners of over five million acres of private property.

Susan Durham, Executive Director of STPRA, issued the following statement on STPRA’s endorsement of Senator Hinojosa:

Senator Hinojosa has been a champion of property rights and his work with us on border security, landowner liability, Texas Trans Corridor, and other regional and local issues has earned him our resounding endorsement. Private property owners and managers need and count on Senator Hinojosa’s leadership and experience to stand up to those who would infringe on our property rights. It is clear that Senator Hinojosa is the best candidate in the race to advocate on the behalf of all property owners.

Senator Hinojosa issued the following statement regarding STPRA’s endorsement:

Since the founding of our Nation and the days of Thomas Jefferson, property rights have been the cornerstone of our liberty and freedom. To own private land is to own a piece of the American dream and that is worth protecting. The dominion that is one’s land deserves protection from the infringement of trespassers and sometimes even government. I am honored to have earned the endorsement of STPRA and will continue to fight for the preservation of property rights and against the infringement of those rights.

For Immediate Release
August 15, 2012
Contact: Jennifer Saenz (512) 463-0120 office
(512) 497-9411 cell

AUSTIN – Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, a long-time supporter and friend of the Texas Association for Home Care and Hospice (TAHC&H), will be presented with the People’s Choice Award at the organization’s annual meeting today in Galveston, Texas.

The award is presented each year to a visionary and highly principled lawmaker who has introduced bills that would enhance the quality of life for Texans through home care services and who works against those changes which would have an adverse effect on the quality of care and services provided.

Senator Hinojosa expressed his appreciation for the award and remarked on the importance of cooperative efforts to meet Texas’s growing health care needs.

“I am extremely grateful for TAHC&H’s generosity in honoring me with this award. Significant challenges continue to face lawmakers in health care policy today and collaborative efforts are needed to recognize and solve barriers in providing quality care. I want to thank TAHC&H for their hard work in supporting the growth of much-needed home care services and in their ability to partner with lawmakers to work effectively and successfully,” Hinojosa said.

TAHC&H has championed the collective interests of Texas home care agencies, organizations, service and supply companies, and individual professionals since its founding in 1969. Representing over 1,300 members, TAHC&H speaks with a strong unified voice for the interests of home care throughout Texas and gives home care providers a strategic pathway to key state lawmakers and health care regulators.

“Senator Hinojosa’s prudent actions during the 82nd session of the Texas Legislature regarding funding for community care programs and home care rates will ensure the continuation of cost-effective support of home care clients of all ages. The admirable efforts of him and his staff to serve as a resource to health care providers and their clients in his district and throughout the state merit this prestigious award,” said Rachael Hammon, Executive Director of TAHC&H.

“I disagree with Governor Perry rejecting outright the expansion of Medicaid and the offer of the federal government to pay 100% for the first three years and then 90% afterwards.
The Supreme Court ruled that Medicaid expansion is constitutional and we need to find ways to give Texans access to healthcare. We have 6.2 million uninsured people in Texas — that’s 25% of our population.

At the end of the day, our Texas taxpayers are already indirectly footing the bill for uncompensated care through emergency rooms. Those are our tax dollars that we send up to Washington, D.C., so we need to look at ways of making this work for Texas. The state needs to carefully study the Medicaid expansion to minimize the cost to taxpayers before rejecting the federal funding outright.”

McALLEN, Texas (June 19, 2012) –– Today, Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa announced he has received the endorsement of the Business and Commerce Political Action Committee (BACPAC), the political arm of the Texas Association of Business.

“Senator Hinojosa has a proven record of promoting a better business climate for our state through his leadership in the Texas Legislature,” said Bill Hammond, TAB President and CEO. “We are proud to endorse his campaign for re-election to the Texas Senate, and we look forward to continuing to work with Senator Hinojosa to grow the Texas economy.”

Senator Hinojosa, who is running for re-election to Senate District 20, said in order to grow the business climate in Texas, the state must be prepared for the challenges of the future.

“The Texas Association of Business has recognized that adequately funding public and higher education, along with maintaining a strong supply of skilled workers to fill Texas jobs, are both crucial to the future of our state’s economy,” Senator Hinojosa said. “I look forward to continuing our work together to encourage policies that stimulate the economy and bring prosperity to Senate District 20 and the rest of Texas,” he said.

As Vice-Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Hinojosa was instrumental in restoring funds for public schools, college financial aid, and institutions of higher education. Working across party lines, he helped tackle the state’s $25 billion deficit while reminding policymakers that in an information-based economy, educational investments must remain a priority.

Founded in 1922, the Texas Association of Business is a broad-based, bipartisan organization representing more than 3,000 small and large Texas employers and 200 local chambers of commerce.

Senate District 20 encompasses one of the fastest-growing regions in the nation. Taking in all or part of four South Texas counties, the area stretches from the beaches of the Gulf Coast through the coastal plains and brush country of interior South Texas, to the international border with Mexico.

This dynamic district includes the major cities of Corpus Christi, McAllen and Edinburg, and the regional centers of Alice, Robstown, Mission, and many others. With a total population of more than 700,000 according to the 2010 census, SD 20 plays a vital role in the future of Texas’ economy.

As you may have heard, the McAllen Driver’s License office will be closed for renovations beginning this Friday, June 1st. It is expected to reopen in September 2013. The renovation work is meant to provide expand services and reduced waiting times in the future.
While construction is underway in McAllen, the Department of Public Safety will reopen its Edinburg office on Monday, June 4, to accommodate customers from the entire area. That office just completed its own renovation and expansion. Many DPS services are available online if you wish to avoid the drive to Edinburg. Visit DPS online here: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/

DPS customers also may visit the Palmview or Weslaco offices, or any Driver’s License office across the state. The full list of DPS office locations can be found here: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administration/driver_licensing_control/rolodex/search.asp.

I will keep you apprised of updates as they become available.

This weekend, please join me in honoring our veterans.
On Monday, Memorial Day, I will be the keynote speaker at the Memorial Day program at the Veterans War Memorial of Texas in McAllen, starting at 9 a.m. McAllen Mayor Richard F. Cortez will give the welcome address and vocalist Stephen Lopez will sing patriotic songs during the program. The roll call of our fallen Valley heroes who lost their lives in Iraq & Afghanistan will also be read.

The Veterans War Memorial of Texas is located at 29th St. & Galveston, just east of the McAllen Convention Center. The public is invited to attend this ceremony to honor and remember all our nation’s fallen heroes. For further information visit: http://www.mcallen.net/veterans/default.aspx

Later that day at 6 pm, I will be a guest speaker at the unveiling of the new statue honoring Medal of Honor recipient Jose Lopez. Please join me for that event and the reception to follow at Mission Historical Museum, 900 Doherty, Mission.

Let us honor our nation’s heroes of yesterday and today.