Sen. Hinojosa commends Gov. Abbott for efforts on behalf of region

By David A. Díaz
Special to the Hinojosa

Sen. Juan Hinojosa, D-McAllen, commended Gov. Greg Abbott for his efforts on behalf of deep South Texas as part of his introductory remarks on behalf of the governor during the first-ever Rio Grande Valley Economic Summit on Thursday in Edinburg.

The event, which featured other state legislators, state agency leaders, county officials from throughout the Valley, mayors representing numerous cities, and area economic development experts, was held in the Bert Ogden Arena.

Co-hosted by the Rio Grande Valley Partnership and the City of Edinburg, the RGV Economic Summit brought together policymakers and business leaders from throughout South Texas to unite behind the common goal of regional economic development.

As the keynote speaker for the gathering of about 450 business and community leaders, Abbott hailed Texas’ investment and critical infrastructures in the Rio Grande Valley, such as broadband expansion and health care.

“As one of fastest growing areas in the entire state and home to our most important port, the Rio Grande Valley is where the economic future of Texas lies,” said Abbott. “Thanks in part to the hardworking Texans here in the Rio Grande Valley, our state now ranks as the eighth-largest economy in the world.”

Before the governor made his presentation, Hinojosa gave credit to Abbott for the governor’s many trips to deep South Texas.

“His focus has been on us. I’ve never seen a governor with that kind of commitment as I have with Gov. Greg Abbott, and I’ve served under at least four or five different governors,” Hinojosa said. “Every time we have asked him for help, he delivers for us here in the Valley.”

According to Hinojosa, among the achievements for the Valley in which the governor has played vital roles were:

• Supporting and providing millions of dollars in state funding that led to the establishment of a Level One Trauma Center at DHR Health in Edinburg. A Level One Trauma Center provides the highest level of surgical care to trauma patients.

• The establishment of the Rio Grande Valley Metropolitan Organization (MPO), which is responsible for overseeing the metropolitan transportation planning process, encouraging economic development, strengthening transportation systems throughout the region, and allowing deep South Texas more funding opportunities for infrastructure projects.

• Directing the Texas Transportation Commission and Texas Department of Transportation to provide $150 million in the Unified Transportation Program to support the construction of the International Bridge Trade Corridor project.

The IBTC is a proposed non-tolled, four-lane divided roadway that would provide direct interstate access for several international ports of entry and improve the movement of goods and freight through the border region.

• Approving $205 million in state funding for two hospital facilities in the Valley aimed at expanding capacity for mental health services.

• Hinojosa also said Abbott was doing more than the federal government to help protect the state’s and nation’s borders from the humanitarian and economic costs of undocumented immigrants seeking asylum in the United States.

“This is important. This is about border security. A nation that doesn’t define its border, doesn’t protect its border, doesn’t defend its border, that nation will cease to be a nation,” Hinojosa said. “Gov. Greg Abbott has stepped up and taken the lead. Where the federal government has failed to secure our borders, he’s secured our border.”

The governor also pointed out in the audience the presence of Rep. Terry Canales, D-Edinburg, Rep. R.D. “Bobby” Guerra, D-McAllen; Rep. Ryan Guillén, R-Rio Grande City; Sen. Morgan LaMantia, D-Port Isabel; and Rep. Janie López, R-San Benito.

'The delegation from this region, individually is good, but collectively is a force to be reckoned with in the Capitol, and as a force can get things done for the RGV,” Abbott said.

Abbott was also joined at the summit by Commissioner of the Texas Transportation Commission Alex Meade, Rio Grande Valley Partnership Chairman Patrick McDonnell, and other local economic leaders.

During the summit, Abbott signed the Rio Grande Valley Alliance Compact with 21 regional mayors and three county judges, declaring a shared commitment to investing in the region’s growing economy and talented workforce that will ensure a bright future for all of South Texas.

Abbott lauds role of small businesses

A week earlier, Gov. Greg Abbott celebrated Texas’ record- shattering jobs economy and the role small businesses play in keeping Texas a national economic leader at the Governor’s Small Business Summit in McAllen.

“Small businesses are a key part of the Texas economic juggernaut,” said Abbott, who was in town on Aug. 10.

He said that by providing small business owners with the tools and resources they need to succeed, “we are charting a course toward an even brighter economic future for all of Texas. I looked forward to bringing the 2023 Governor’s Small Business Summit to McAllen.”

Delivering the keynote address to a crowd of more than 250 current and aspiring small business owners, Abbott highlighted the critical role of entrepreneurs in helping Texas lead the nation in job creation and small business job growth.

Joined by McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos and other state and local business leaders, the governor recapped signing Texas’ historic property tax cut into law on Aug. 9, noting that the new laws will increase Franchise Tax exemptions and appraisal caps for small businesses.

Texas is home to 3.1 million small businesses — more than 99% of Texas businesses — that employ nearly half of all working Texans.

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Díaz’s email is Legislativemedia@aol.com