EDINBURG – Criminal District Attorney Ricardo Rodriguez Jr. will remain vigilant during the current extreme cold weather conditions after Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez declared a local state of emergency. The Texas Business and Commerce Code prevents price gouging during a declared emergency and continues for 30 days after the date the declaration expires or is terminated. Governor Abbott issued a disaster declaration on February 12th, followed by the local state of disaster issued by Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez today. The declaration by the County Judge implemented controls to address price gouging during the cold weather. “I am very concerned ...