Juan “Chuy” hinoJosa Senator

Juan “Chuy” hinoJosa

CAPITOL update

82nd legislature in review - fall 2011

Iwant to sharewith you a story about hope andsuccess. A story about one man who brought acommunity together, offering a better future to ouryoungergenerations-Texas’ future. IfyouattendedPharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent SchoolDistrict(PSJA ISD)beforeDr.DanielP.King arrived, youencountered a school district plagued by a dropoutratedoubletheTexasaverage.Today,PSJAistotallydifferent. ThankstotheeffortsofDr.Kingandthecommunity’sresponse, PSJA ISD reduced its dropout rate by 80percent and increased the number of graduates byalmost90percent in threeyears,exceedingthestateand regional averages. Since 2007, 1,400 previous

Laying a Path to SuccessCreating a Brighter Future for our State by Opening the Doors of Opportunity for our Youth

By the Numbers✯ High School dropouts cost the State $9.6 billion

in lost revenueandexpensesassociatedwith lostwages,welfarepayments, incarcerationcostsanddiminishedtaxrevenue.

✯ A high school dropout is more likely to earnpoverty-level wages of about $14,500 a year.That’s at least $7,000 less than someone with ahighschooldiploma.

✯ Nearly75percentofstateprisoninmatesarehighschooldropouts.

✯ African-AmericanandHispanicstudentsdropoutofschoolattwicetherateofAnglostudents.

Senator Hinojosa with (L to R) Nick Gonzalez of South Texas College, Dr. Shirley Reed, President of South Texas College; Dr. Daniel King, Superintendent of PSJA ISD; and Dr. Rebecca Wolfe with Jobs for the Future.

Dr. King shaking hands with one of his many graduates. Picture courtesy of Gabe Hernandez with the Texas Tribune.

I authored Senate Bill 975, the Statewide DropoutRecoveryBill, todo just that:make thePSJAmodelavailabletostudentsandparentsthroughoutTexas. An increased investment in education is the besteconomic development toolwe have. Education canempower the youth in South Texas to improve theirlivesandthoseoftheirfamilies.ThePSJAmodelgivesus theblueprint for something that reallyworks. Dr.King’sprogramconnectsyoungTexanstoanattainablegoalintheirfuture.ThoseyoungTexanscanbethefirstintheirfamilytoreceiveahighschooldiploma. Thebestgiftwecangiveourchildrenisaneducation,particularlyinanincreasinglyglobalizedworldwherestudentsarenotonlycompetingwiththeirneighborsbutwithpeoplefromallovertheworld.Mybillcreatesa secondchance for students. Asecondchance thatbenefitstheirparentsandthecommunity,allofwhomwanttoseethesekidsgraduatefromhighschool.dropouts have graduated high school,most of them

withanaverageofsixcollegecredithours. Education drives economic growth and right nowTexansarefeelingthepain. Nationally,Texasranks43rd in graduating students and 36th in educationalachievement.Texasdropoutscostoureconomy$9.6billion in lost revenue and expenses associatedwithlost wages, welfare payments, incarceration costs,and diminished sales tax revenue. These costs areunsustainableandunacceptable. Texans with a high school diploma bring betterreturnstothestate,sociallyandeconomically,withanincreasedopportunitytoenrollincollege.OtherschooldistrictsinSouthTexas–Edinburg,LaJoya,Hidalgo,Sharyland,andMission–haveimplementedadropoutrecoveryprogram.Auniformprogram,however,willallow for statewide implementation. This session,

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Increasing Mobility – Harbor Bridge and U.S. 281 Corridor

Any discussion about economic development inSouthTexasrequirestheinclusionofinvestinginourtransportationsystem.TransportationisthebackboneoftheTexaseconomy;billionsofdollarspassthroughourportsofentryandmovealongourroadways. Isecured$790millionforinfrastructureimprovementsinthelastthreeyearstobeginandcompletetransportationprojectsinSouthTexas. Thisincludes$127.7millionforU.S.281and$500millioninleveragefundsfortheHarborBridgeinCorpusChristi. Connecting our local markets to the interstatesystemhastobeapriority. Thatconnectivityisvitaltoexpandingreturnsoninvestments.Improvedroadsmovepeopleandproductsfaster,easetrafficcongestion,andallowforsafertravel.TheHarborBridgeisaprimeexample. Thatbridgeis thefocalpointofcommercein Corpus Christi – the main channel for trade andtourism.ThecityandtheCoastalBendregionneedabridgeupgradetokeepupwiththedemandforgreatertradeandmobilityinthearea.

Keeping up with Demand As the population grows, so does the need ofconsumers and industry. Our state needs to dowhatearliergenerationsofTexansdid-investedinupgradestovitalinfrastructure. I authored Senate Joint Resolution 4, creatingProposition 2 on the November ConstitutionalAmendmentBallot.Texanswillhavetheopportunitytoauthorize$6billioninrevolvingwaterbondstohelpcities,counties,andwaterserviceprovidersfundwaterprojects.Thesebondswillfundinfrastructureandwaterconservationprojectsatareducedcosttoratepayers.

Fueling the Economic Engines of Texas

Senator Hinojosa speaking to students from Texas A&M - Corpus Christi.

Putting Texas Back to Work Productivityreliesonavailabilityofwork.Texas’skilled workforce is ready for the challenge ofbuildingtheeconomyofthefuture. I worked harder than ever on obtaining $5millionfortheJobsandEducationforTexans(JET)Program, designed to retrain Texans so they canrejointheworkforceinfast-growing,high-demand,andhigh-payingfields thatrequire technicalskills.These funds transitionTexanswho are looking forworkintoworkstationsthatneedcapablehands. Ialsocreateda joint interimcommittee tostudytheeconomicbenefitsofaddingacruiseshipporttotheSouthTexasCoast.Earlyestimatessuggestthatasmuchas$2billioninrevenuescanberealizedbyopeningupanewport.

Higher Education: Texas’ Best Asset

An educated workforce attracts jobs andinvestment. Public and private interests want tolocate new enterprises where capable employeesand research resources are readily available. Thissession, I directed $800,000 to the University ofTexas-Pan American for the American TeachingSite’soperationsinMcAllen.Asecondinjectionoffunds–$500,000–wenttotheEngineeringProgramatTexasA&M-CorpusChristi. These funding streams give residents of SenateDistrict 20 greater access to college resourcesand social development. Increased educationalachievement strengthens our ability to train andmaintainacompetitiveworkforce.Ouruniversitiesgrowtheprofitabilityofourcommunitiesbyluringcompanies and entrepreneurs to South Texas.Collectively,weimproveourqualityoflifethroughhighereducation.

Texasfacedanestimated$27billionshortfallbeforethestartofthelegislativesession.Salestaxrevenuesremaindepressed,andloopholesinourTaxCodeallowcertaintaxpayerstoskipoutontheirtaxliability.Still,thefutureremainsfullofopportunity.Texashasayoung,able,andwillingworkforce.Ourprivatesectorhasaninnovativeandentrepreneurialspirit,andTexas’workethicissecondtonone.

Harbor Bridge in Corpus Christi. Compliments of the Texas Department of Transportation.

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Honoring Our Heroes AsaVietnamVeteran, Iunderstand thedifficult,painful sacrifices thatmilitary familiesendureonadailybasis.Thousandsofbravemenandwomen,manyofwhomarefromSouthTexas,risktheirlivesforus.Manyhavemadetheultimatesacrifice,payingforlibertywiththeirlives.Veteransandactive-dutyservicepersonnelarealwaysclosetomyheart,andthissessionImadesurewememorializedthecommitmentmadebyourarmedforcesoftheVietnamgeneration.SemperFidelis,myfriends.

Tribute Corner

Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa with State Senator Steve Ogden and a member of the Monument Committee observing the Texas Capitol Vietnam War Monument model on the floor of the Texas Senate during the 82nd Legislative Session.

Giving Back to the Community Therearepeople inourcommunities thatmakeanenormous impact. Dr.RamiroCassoandDr.HectorP.Garciaarethosetypesofpeople.Theirgenerousnaturecontinuouslyinspiresmeinmywork. OneofthemoresignificantchangescomingtoSouthTexasistheexpansionofmanagedcareintothearea.Iaddedproviderandpatientprotectionstothischange,whichallowsforamoreseamlesstransition.Accesstoqualityhealthcareisessential togrowingpopulationslikeoursinSouthTexas. That’swhyIalsoworkedtopreservefundingforDriscollChildren’sHospital.

Dr. Ramiro Casso-Amandedicatedtoprotectingand serving the most vulnerable up to his last days,Dr.RamiroCassowasatirelesschampionofthepoor,minorities,andtheunderserved. Alife-longeducatorandlegendarySouthTexasphysician,Dr.Cassotouchedthelivesofthousands.IadmireDr.Casso’slegacyofserviceandwisdom,butmostlyhisdedicationtodoingthe right thing. Heopenedamedical clinic for farmworkersandfoundedtheHidalgoCountyHealthCareCorporation and the nursing program at SouthTexasCollege. He is personally credited with expandingaccess tohealthcareat every levelofneed. Hewillcertainlybemissed.

Dr. Hector P. Garcia Day -Dr.Garcia’s lifewasoneofpublicservice.HecaredforpatientsnooneelsewouldtendtoandestablishedtheAmericanGIForum,improving the lives of Mexican-American veterans.Dr. Garcia led the civil rights campaigns of his age,fightingforHispanicrights,veterans,andotherswhowere denied educational opportunities and healthcare.It’snotasurprisehewasthefirstHispanictobepresentedwiththeMedalofFreedom–trulyalegacyworthhonoringtoday.

Dr. Ramiro Casso.

Texas Capitol Vietnam War Monument Thissession,IaddedaridertotheTexasHistoricalCommissionbudgetsotheagencycouldstartamatchingfund up to $500,000 for the Capitol Vietnam WarMonument. Themonument dedication is tentativelyscheduledforearly2013.Thismatchingfundwillhelpusstayonschedule. ThemonumenthonorsTexasVietnamandVietnam-eraveterans.Forsome,thewarisahistoricalreferencepoint.Formany,thewarcontinuestoimpacttheirdailylives.HelpuscommemorateourTexasheroes–thosewhoareneverforgotten.Visitwww.buildthemonument.orgformoreinformation.

Hector P. Garcia Memorial Highway.

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Protecting our Borders

Making Government More Efficient As theonlySouthTexas representativeon the12-memberSunsetCommission, Iworkhard to ensureourcommunitieshaveavoicewhendecisionsaremadeabouttheefficiencyofstategovernment.BelievemewhenIsaythattherearenoblankchecksinthisprocess;wemakeTexasworkforyou.TheSunsetprocessisthorough,checkingthegrowthofbureaucracytomaximizetaxdollarsandeliminatewaste.TheSunsetprocesshelpsusidentifythosestateagenciesthatarefulfillingtheirintendedpurposesandwhichagenciesarenolongernecessary. Thissession,wemergedtheTexasYouthCommissionandtheJuvenileProbationCommissionintotheTexasJuvenile JusticeDepartment to save taxpayersmoney and tomake the systemwork better for juveniles.Wefocusedoncommunity-basedandjuvenileprobationtreatmentratherthanincarceration,keepingkidsclosetohomewhilestillholdingthemaccountable. OtherSunsetBillsIcarriedthissession:

✯ Texas Water Development Board-TherapidgrowthinSouthTexasandstatewideandtherecentdroughtshighlight the importance of theWater Development Board’s financing assistance. The Board helps Texascommunitiesfundwastewatertreatmentplantsandfloodcontrolprojects,andimplementwaterconservationplans.WaterinfrastructureimprovementssavewaterandmoneyforfuturegenerationsofTexans.

✯ The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs-Thedepartmentaidscommunitydevelopmentthroughaffordablehousingfinancing,energyassistanceprograms,anddisasterrecovery.Thedepartmentwillundergoasecondreviewnextsessiontobetterdefine the state’s lead agency role in disasterresponsesituations.

✯ Texas Department of Transportation - Mypriority in taking the lead on TxDOT wascreatinga21stCenturytransportationsystem.Maximizing our economic output requiresefficientmobilityofpeopleandgoods.Tobecompetitive,Texasmustbeagileandflexible.The TxDOT Sunset bill and correspondinginvestmentinhighway/roadprojectsrampsupTexas’commitmenttocommerce. U.S. 281 Highway - Ben Bolt Project. Courtesy of the Texas Department of

Transportation.

Ranger Recon Team.

As a former Vietnam Veteran for the UnitedStates Marine Corps, I understand the needs of lawenforcement. One of my priorities this session wasto secure funding to help our law enforcement andhomelandsecurityeffortshereathome. Iallocatedover$72.5millionforacomprehensivebordersecuritypackagethatexpandsthetoolsourlawenforcementagentshaveattheirdisposaltomakeourcommunitiessafe.Thefundsarebeingusedfortacticalequipment,weapons,operatingcosts,andextraman-hours. Thereisstillworktobedone,buttheseeffortswilladdress the security issues affecting SouthTexas byincreasing our border security and law enforcementpresencealongtheriver.

Tools for Law Enforcement✯ $800,000forvesselsusedintacticaloperationsonthe RioGrande.

✯ $133,333foroperatingcosts.

✯ $9millionforaHighAltitudeSurveillanceAircraft.

✯ $56millionfora9-hourworkdayforDPStroopers-equivalentto300additionaltroopers.

✯ $266,667forweapons.

✯ $4millionfortheBorderProsecutionUnit.

✯ $2.5millionfornewgas-tank-ratedFiber-opticscopes.

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Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa in the Senate Chamber.

A Personal Note from the Senator After more than two decades of public service,the 82nd Legislative Session proved to be one ofthe toughestcycles. We facedamulti-billiondollarrevenue shortfall, a growing population, a nationaleconomicslowdown,andnewpoliticalforcesatplay.You could say this session was about defense. Asvice chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Idedicatedmyself to reducing thebudget cutson themostcrucialservicesTexasprovidestoitsresidents.Wewon some important battles, protecting fundingforTexasA&M-CorpusChristiandtheUniversityofTexas-PanAmerican. WealsolostgroundonsecuringaccesstoservicesforthemostvulnerableTexans.Healthcareandpubliceducation funding took a back seat to tax loopholeclean-up and eliminating tax giveaways. We couldhave beenmore fiscally responsible, but the arrivalofnewpoliticaltrendssubstitutedrashjudgmentforgoodpublicpolicy. TheTexasSenatehasalonghistoryofbipartisanship,ahistory threatenedbyretailpolitics. IamproudofmyworktostemthetideofrecklessbudgetcutsandIwillcontinuetopushfortaxpolicyreform.Smalland

The Word on the Street

Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa receiving the Casa “Big Voices for Little Texans” award from Andrea Sparks, Director of Governmental Affairs for Texas CASA.

Larry Raper presenting Senator Hinojosa with the Veteran’s Recognition Plaque.

✯CASA :SenatorHinojosareceivedCASA’s“MakeaDifferenceAward”andwasnamedoneofTexasCASA’s“BigVoicesforLittleTexans,”formakingchildrenwhoareinthecareandcustodyofChildProtectiveServicesapriority.

“SenatorHinojosashouldbenamedoneofthebest.Heunderstandsthatchildreninthestate’scustodyduetoabuseandneglectallegationsshouldbethestate’spriority.HewasinstrumentalinfundingChildProtectiveServicesandCASAprogramsdespitethedifficultbudgetsituation.HetookextraordinarystepstoseethatCASAcancontinuetogrowtoprovidemorevolunteersformorechildren.”

Andrea Sparks–Director of Governmental Affairs, Texas CASA

✯ Transportation Advocates of Texas:PresentedSenatorHinojosawith an award forhis significant contribution togoodtransportationpolicyduringtherecentlyconcludedlegislativesessions.

“YouareoneoffourmembersoftheHouseandfourmembersoftheSenatewhowefeelwentaboveandbeyondthecallworkingtoimprovetransportationpolicyinTexas.”

Jim Reed–Chairman of the Board, Transportation Advocates of Texas

✯In Country Motorcycle Club:A501(c)(19)non-profitveteran’scharitableorganizationwhosemembersservedonthegroundorintheterritorialwatersofVietnampresentedSenatorHinojosawiththeVietnamVeteran’sRecognitionPlaque.

“Senator Juan ‘Chuy’Hinojosa, abrother-in-arms,hasblazed thepathway for theVietnamVeterans tobeproperly

rememberedandhonoredinTexas.Theplaqueisasmallpaymentonthedebtweowehim.” Larry Raper–State President, In Country Motorcycle Club

mid-sized businesses are paying a disproportionateshare of the tax burden. Working families are stillforcedtomakedecisionsbetweenmakingendsmeetandofferingtheirchildrenacollegeeducation. After more than 20 years, I’ve learned one thingabout public policy. The future is now. The policydecisionswemaketodayarefeltinrealtime.That’swhyweneed towork together tomake tomorrowabetterrealityforallTexans.

TEXAS SENATORJuan “Chuy” HinojosaP.O. Box 12068Austin, Texas 78711-2068

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAge

PAiDPeRmiT NO. 2468AUSTiN, TexAS

The Texas senaTe is an equal OppOrTuniTy emplOyer and dOes nOT discriminaTe On The basis Of race, cOlOr, naTiOnal Origin, sex, religiOn, age Or disabiliTy in emplOymenT Or The prOvisiOn Of services.

TEXAS SENATORJUAN “ChUy” hiNoJosA

Fall 2011 updateCAPITOL

Senator HinojoSaeStamoS en ContaCtoContact ho

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AuSTiNP.O. Box 12068Capitol Station

Austin, Texas 78711(512) 463-0120

Fax: (512) 463-0229

McALLEN612 Nolana, Suite 410-BMcAllen, Texas 78504

(956) 972-1841 Fax: (956) 664-0602

CORPuS ChRiSTi 2820 South Padre Island Drive

Suite 291Corpus Christi, TX 78415

(361) 225-1200Fax: (361) 225-0119

Follow us on Twitter: @TxChuy Toll Free: (866) 259-5016

http://www.senate.state.tx.usjuan.hinojosa@senate.state.tx.us

Semper Fidelis