CHAMPIONING SMALL BUSINESS JOB CREATORS

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’ … Continue reading →

SUPPORTING THE ROLE COMMUNITY COLLEGES PLAY IN OUR ECONOMY

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 … Continue reading →

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

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 … Continue reading →

GIVING OUR CHILDREN THE EDUCATION NECESSARY TO COMPETE

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 … Continue reading →

TRANSFORMING THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY THROUGH HIGHER EDUCATION

Senator Hinojosa championed historic legislation with the passage of Senate Bill (SB) 24 which created the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), a top-tier university and medical school, and the second largest Hispanic-serving institution in the nation. SB 24 authorized the … Continue reading →

CRACKING DOWN ON WASTE AND MISMANAGEMENT IN GOVERNMENT

Our lawmakers have a responsibility to save taxpayers’ money by making government more efficient and to ensure the proper oversight of governmental entities. As a recent member of the Sunset Advisory Commission and the Vice Chair of the Senate Finance … Continue reading →

STANDING UP FOR HOMEOWNERS AGAINST UNFAIR WINDSTORM INSURANCE RAISES

Thanks to efforts of Senator Hinojosa and his colleagues, Nueces County families can no longer be slapped with excessive surcharges in the aftermath of a hurricane. In the 2009 Legislative Session, Senator Hinojosa led the negotiations to pass comprehensive Texas … Continue reading →

GIVING LAW ENFORCEMENT THE TOOLS NECESSARY TO SECURE THE BORDER

Senator Hinojosa has led the effort to properly equip the Department of Public Safety to combat drug traffickers and help ease the financial burdens that have been unfairly placed on border communities. Senator Hinojosa understands the importance of giving law … Continue reading →

EXPANDING THE COASTAL ECONOMY

As Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Hinojosa secured increased funding for Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, including first time funding for the new civil and industrial engineering program. Similarly, Senator Hinojosa obtained additional funds for Del Mar Community … Continue reading →

Texas Transportation Commission Awards $8 Million Grant to Rural Economic Assistance League, Inc.

Posted on March 28, 2025 by hinojosa

Yesterday, the Texas Transportation Commission announced an $8 million grant to the Rural Economic Assistance League, Inc. (R.E.A.L. Inc.) for the construction of a maintenance facility in Alice. This funding, which is part of the Federal Transit Administration program includes state resources to support public transportation needs in rural areas of Texas.

Among those present at the Texas Transportation Commission meeting were R.E.A.L. Chairman and Jim Wells County Clerk J.C. Perez, III; R.E.A.L. Executive Director Gloria Ramos, R.E.A.L. Director of Transportation Management Martin Ornelas-Mata, and Jim Wells County Judge Pete Trevino.

State Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa expressed his support for this funding, stating, “I commend the leadership of R.E.A.L.’s board of directors, their staff, and our local public officials for their tireless efforts to secure funding from TxDOT. It is important for the Coastal Bend region to have safe and reliable transportation options and the necessary facilities to meet the needs of our communities. I have consistently supported the funding from TxDOT to make R.E.A.L.’s projects a reality. I am grateful to the staff at TxDOT and the Texas Transportation Commission for their investment.”

To date, TxDOT has contributed nearly $2 million for R.E.A.L.’s planning and design phases, $12 million for the construction of a multi-modal and administration/operations facility, and now an additional $8 million for the maintenance facility. In total, this amounts to nearly $22 million in funding for R.E.A.L.

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