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Austin, TX
This past week the Texas House of Representatives tackled critical House Bills, such as House Bill 5 regarding public education reform and House Bill 4 relating to plans for financing water management strategies. House Bill 5 addressed long time concerns of excessive high-stakes testing and focused on improving students curriculum to allow for more flexibility for students when choosing what classes they want to take in high school. House Bill 5 would eliminate the requirement that End of Course exams count as 15% of a student's grade and instead leave it to the discretion of that particular school district to decide how an End of Course exam should affect a student's final grade. The bill also revamped the Minimum, Recommended, and Advanced programs and replaced it with the Foundation Program and the Distinguished level of the Foundation program. Under the Foundation Program and Distinguished level, all students would be eligible to apply for a Texas public four-year university, as opposed to under the current law, where students under the Minimum program are not eligible to apply to a state public four-year university. "Public education is one of the most important issues facing this State," states Nevárez. "It is critical that we stop over-testing our children and allow our teachers the flexibility to spend more time teaching and less time testing." Representative Nevárez also helped pass a significant piece of legislation Wednesday that would use $2 billion to start funding water projects in the state. House Bill 4 would create a water bank that would offer loans for projects like new water reservoirs, pipelines and conservation projects contributing to an ongoing fight with the drought. The bill requires prioritization of the state projects where regionalization will be a key factor of the process bringing the West Texas region into high consideration. "Water conservation is a necessity in this State because of the cards Mother Nature has dealt us," Nevárez states. "I am happy that the West Texas region will be strongly considered during the prioritization process because that is a portion of the state that has been hit hard by the drought and I am honored I could contribute to pass this bill." Nevárez faces another important piece of legislation next week when the Texas House takes on Senate Bill 1, which includes the state's appropriations. This bill includes both Sul Ross State University at Alpine and Rio Grande campus' funding.
Representative Poncho Nevárez is currently serving his first term in the Texas House of Representatives. He represents District 74. He also serves on the House Culture Recreation and Tourism, International Trade & Intergovernmental Affairs and Rules and Resolutions Committees.
TEMPLE, TX
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Salvador Salinas announced that $1.6 million in disaster assistance is available to help with recovery after the historic droughts and wildfires that plagued much of the state in recent years. Funds are being made available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), which provides both financial and technical assistance to install measures that reduce post-fire damage and aid in the rehabilitation process. “Many parts of Texas were affected by historic drought and wildfires over the last two years,” said Salinas. “Loss of vegetation not only affects production, livestock and wildlife; it also makes the land vulnerable to erosion by wind and water.” “Our assistance will enable landowners and livestock producers to accelerate the recovery of the health and vigor of the affected grazing and forest land," Salinas said. Although EQIP sign-up is continuous, applications for this first funding period will be accepted in the County NRCS offices through April 29. In order to apply, landowners must visit the local NRCS office to fill out an application. Applications will be ranked and those approved for funding will be offered an EQIP contract. Producers in 35 counties in Texas are eligible for the sign-up. Those counties are: Bailey, Baylor, Bee , Brooks, Dallam, Duval, Edwards, Fisher, Hartley, Haskell, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Jones, Kenedy, Kinney, Kleburg, Knox, Lamb, Maverick, Nueces, Parmer, San Patricio,Schleicher, Shackleford, Starr, Stone Wall, Sutton, Throckmorton, Val Verde, Wichita, Wilbarger, Willacy, Young, Zapata. A priority will be placed on land affected by wildfires with an emphasis on conservation practices that will help restore plant health and condition, prevent soil erosion, and address soil quality and water quality. On grazing land, practices such as grazing deferment, cross fencing, reseeding and water development are effective post-fire strategies to help reduce erosion and re-establish wildlife. Salinas suggests landowners consult with their local NRCS district conservationist to develop a conservation plan, which can be an effective strategy for rangeland recovery and mitigating the effects of the prolonged drought Texas is experiencing. NRCS services and programs are voluntary and offered without a fee to all agricultural producers. NRCS helps landowners and land managers protect and improve the natural resources on their property, including soil, water, air, plants, and animals. For further assistance in evaluating your land and planning practices, or to address concerns following a wildfire, contact your local NRCS or Soil and Water Conservation District. USDA Service Center offices are located in almost every county and are listed in phonebooks under federal and state government, or online at www.tx.nrcs.usda.gov.
TEMPLE, TX
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Salvador Salinas announced that $1.6 million in disaster assistance is available to help with recovery after the historic droughts and wildfires that plagued much of the state in recent years. Funds are being made available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), which provides both financial and technical assistance to install measures that reduce post-fire damage and aid in the rehabilitation process. “Many parts of Texas were affected by historic drought and wildfires over the last two years,” said Salinas. “Loss of vegetation not only affects production, livestock and wildlife; it also makes the land vulnerable to erosion by wind and water.” “Our assistance will enable landowners and livestock producers to accelerate the recovery of the health and vigor of the affected grazing and forest land," Salinas said. Although EQIP sign-up is continuous, applications for this first funding period will be accepted in the County NRCS offices through April 29. In order to apply, landowners must visit the local NRCS office to fill out an application. Applications will be ranked and those approved for funding will be offered an EQIP contract. Producers in 35 counties in Texas are eligible for the sign-up. Those counties are: Bailey, Baylor, Bee , Brooks, Dallam, Duval, Edwards, Fisher, Hartley, Haskell, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Jones, Kenedy, Kinney, Kleburg, Knox, Lamb, Maverick, Nueces, Parmer, San Patricio,Schleicher, Shackleford, Starr, Stone Wall, Sutton, Throckmorton, Val Verde, Wichita, Wilbarger, Willacy, Young, Zapata. A priority will be placed on land affected by wildfires with an emphasis on conservation practices that will help restore plant health and condition, prevent soil erosion, and address soil quality and water quality. On grazing land, practices such as grazing deferment, cross fencing, reseeding and water development are effective post-fire strategies to help reduce erosion and re-establish wildlife. Salinas suggests landowners consult with their local NRCS district conservationist to develop a conservation plan, which can be an effective strategy for rangeland recovery and mitigating the effects of the prolonged drought Texas is experiencing. NRCS services and programs are voluntary and offered without a fee to all agricultural producers. NRCS helps landowners and land managers protect and improve the natural resources on their property, including soil, water, air, plants, and animals. For further assistance in evaluating your land and planning practices, or to address concerns following a wildfire, contact your local NRCS or Soil and Water Conservation District. USDA Service Center offices are located in almost every county and are listed in phonebooks under federal and state government, or online at www.tx.nrcs.usda.gov.
SOUTH TEXAS— As the busy spring holiday travel season kicks-off, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is reminding travelers to be prepared by educating themselves on the rules and regulations relating to international travel.
“CBP strives to make our entry processes as efficient as possible while maintaining the highest levels of security,” said CBP Acting Chief Operating Officer Thomas S. Winkowski. “The traveling public can assist by being aware of the requirements when getting ready to travel to the United States.”
CBP reminds travelers that certain traditional items may be prohibited or subject to CBP regulations. For example, traditional Easter/Holy Week agriculture items, such as colorful eggshells known as cascarones, are regulated: travelers can legally import up to 10 cascarones, but they must be completely clean and be presented for inspection.
CBP is undergoing modernization efforts to streamline the traveler’s inspection process, increase officer efficiency and reduce operating costs in order to provide better services and a more welcoming environment for all travelers entering the United States. Advances in technology and automation in the passenger processing environment and increased participation in trusted traveler programs such as Global Entry, SENTRI and NEXUS will help make entry into the U.S. faster and more efficient for travelers.
CBP continues to experience longer wait times than usual due to sequestration, and is working to minimize these impacts, while maintaining the highest standards of security.
Travel Requirements for U.S. Citizens
Individuals traveling abroad must have approved travel documents when returning home. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requires U.S. and Canadian citizens, age 16 and older to present a valid, acceptable travel document, such as a passport, a U.S. passport card, a trusted traveler card (NEXUS, SENTRI, Global Entry or FAST/EXPRES), permanent resident card or an enhanced driver’s license that denotes both identity and citizenship when entering the U.S. by land or sea. U.S. and Canadian citizens under age 16 may present a birth certificate or alternative proof of citizenship when entering by land or sea. All travelers must have a passport book for international air travel.
Travel Requirements for Visitors to the U.S.
All nationals or citizens of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries are required to have an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization, or ESTA, prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the U.S. under the VWP. ( ESTA ) ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel, and once approved, generally will be valid for up to two years or until the applicant’s passport expires, whichever comes first. Authorizations will be valid for multiple entries into the United States. CBP recommends ESTA applications be submitted as soon as an applicant begins making travel plans.
Travel Checklist
□ Have all the required travel documents for the country you are visiting, as well as identification for re-entry to the United States. Passports are required for air travel. Visit www.travel.state.gov for country-specific information.
□ For citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries, make sure that you have an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before boarding. For those traveling by air or sea on a visa, CBP has automated the Form I-94 removing the need for travelers to fill out a paper copy. Travelers will still be able to obtain their I-94 number and/or a copy of their I-94 at www.cbp.gov/i94.
□ Have a completed Customs Declaration form (6059b) upon reaching CBP processing. Declare everything you are bringing from abroad, even if you bought it in a duty-free shop. Know that things bought abroad for personal use or as gifts may be eligible for duty exemptions. If you are bringing them back for resale, they are not.
□ Know the difference between prohibited merchandise (which is forbidden by law to enter the U.S.) and restricted merchandise (items needing special permit to be allowed into the U.S.). For more information, please visit the Restricted/Prohibited section of the CBP website.
□ Do not attempt to bring fruits, meats, dairy/poultry products and/or firewood into the United States without first checking whether they are permitted. For more information, please visit the Bringing Agricultural Products Into the United States section of the CBP website.
□ Build additional time into trips due to increased wait times under sequestration and understand that CBP must conduct a thorough inspection of the nearly one million travelers entering the country each day in order to maintain the highest standards of security.
□ Understand that CBP officers can inspect you and your personal belongings without a warrant. This may include your luggage, vehicle, and personal searches and is meant to enforce our laws as well as protect legitimate travelers.
□ Monitor border wait times for various ports of entry. Travelers are encouraged to plan their trips during periods of lighter traffic or to use an alternate, less heavily traveled port of entry. For more information, travelers can find up to date wait time information on the CBP website.
□ If you are a frequent international traveler and haven’t already become a member of a trusted traveler program, sign up now. For more information, please visit the Trusted Traveler section of the CBP website.
□ Familiarize yourself with the “Know Before You Go” brochure or section of www.CBP.gov.
-CBP-
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
Annual Study Gives Texas Comptroller Nation’s Only “A” Grade for Online Disclosure
March
Texas received an “A” and bested all other states when it comes to government spending transparency, according to “Following the Money 2013: How the States Rank on Providing Online Access to Government Spending Data,” the fourth annual report of its kind by the TexPIRG Education Fund. “I have led the transparency initiative in Texas since taking office in 2007 because taxpayers expect and deserve to know how government is spending their money,” said Texas Comptroller Susan Combs. “We are always looking for ways to shine a light on spending in Texas. Currently, we are working with state lawmakers to expand transparency for local government debt and spending, which would allow residents to fully understand how much they’re on the hook for.” “State governments across the country have become more transparent about where public money goes, providing citizens with the information they need to hold elected officials and businesses that receive public funds accountable,” said Phineas Baxandall, senior analyst for tax and budget policy with the TexPIRG Education Fund. “But Texas still has room for improvement.” Officials from Texas and 47 other states provided the researchers with feedback on their initial evaluation of state transparency websites. The leading states with the most comprehensive transparency websites are Texas, Massachusetts, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, and Oklahoma. Based on an inventory of the content and ease-of-use of states' transparency websites, “Following the Money 2013” assigns each state a grade of “A” to “F.” The report describes Texas as a “leading state” in online spending transparency. The Comptroller’s user-friendly website allows visitors to monitor the payments made to vendors through contracts, grants, tax credits and other discretionary spending. The website also provides some access to information on municipal expenditures and spending at off-budget agencies. One way in which Texas’ website could improve is by providing information on economic development tax credits in a fully searchable format. Texas topped all other states, receiving 95 points out of 100 and the only straight “A” among all 50 states. This is the third consecutive year that Texas’ transparency website has earned an “A” level grade but the only time that it has stood alone as best ranked in the nation. Since last year’s “Following the Money” report, there has been remarkable progress across the country with new states providing online access to government spending information and several states pioneering new tools to further expand citizens’ access to this data. One of the most striking findings in this year’s report is that all 50 states now provide at least some checkbook-level detail about individual government expenditures. In 48 states—all except California and Vermont—this information is now searchable. Just three years ago, only 32 states provided checkbook-level information on state spending online, and only 29 states provided that information in searchable form. Thirty-nine state transparency websites now include tax expenditure reports, providing information on government expenditures through tax code deductions, exemptions and credits—up from just eight states three years ago. “Open information about the public purse is crucial for democratic and effective government,” said Baxandall. “It is not possible to ensure that government spending decisions are fair and efficient unless information is publicly accessible.” The states with the most transparent spending stand out partly because they are comprehensive about the kinds of spending they include, such as data on economic development subsidies, expenditures granted through the tax code, and quasi-public agencies. At least six states have launched brand new transparency websites since last year’s report, and most made improvements that are documented in the report. The best state transparency tools are highly searchable, engage citizens, and include detailed information—allowing all the information to be put to good use. States that have created or improved their online transparency have typically done so with little upfront cost. In fact, top-flight transparency websites can save money for taxpayers, while also restoring public confidence in government and preventing misspending and pay-to-play contracts. “The Comptroller should be commended for her ongoing efforts to improve transparency in Texas. Transparency standards improve each year and she will need to keep improving. For instance, off-budget agencies like toll roads and yearly diversions between state funds should become more fully transparent,” said Baxandall. “Given the state’s difficult budget choices, Texans need to be able to follow the money.”
AUSTIN
Gov. Rick Perry was joined by Texas A&M System Chancellor John Sharp, Dr. Brett Giroir and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Vaccines Senior Vice President Antoon Loomans to announce a major partnership creating a state-of-the-art influenza-vaccine manufacturing facility in College Station. This $91 million facility will anchor the Texas A&M Center for Innovation in Advanced Development and Manufacturing (CIADM), which will play a major role in securing our country from bio-terrorism and global pandemic through the rapid development and manufacturing of vaccines to protect human life. “Over the past decade, we have invested in innovative programs to prioritize research in our state at both our universities and in the private sector. This combined with Texas’ workforce and business climate have made us a leader in high-tech innovation, research, development and commercialization,” Gov. Perry said. “Not only will this center keep Americans safer from epidemic, it will bring in more than $41 billion to the state over the next 25 years and contribute to the creation of more than 6,800 jobs in Texas.” This announcement builds on a series of significant investments the state has made over the last decade to elevate Texas to the forefront of biotech research and development, beginning in 2005, with the Texas Institute for Genomic Medicine at Texas A&M University. Later, the National Center for Therapeutics Manufacturing was established to create a skilled bio-pharmaceutical workforce proficient in therapeutics manufacturing. “We are honored to welcome GSK to Texas A&M as a key partner in the Center for Innovation,” Chancellor Sharp said. “GSK’s dedication to public service is well-aligned with the Texas A&M tradition of serving the nation and defining its future through research and scholarship. Equally important is the cultural and philosophical match between GSK and the A&M System, as reflected by GSK’s desire to collaborate with academia and the U.S. government, and their ongoing commitment to helping address global health scourges such as pandemic influenza and malaria.” The foundation established by these investments helped create the infrastructure necessary for Texas A&M to be designated by the U.S. Health and Human Services Department as one of three centers for Innovation in Advanced Development and Manufacturing aimed at enhancing the nation’s emergency preparedness against emerging infectious diseases. The Texas A&M CIADM represents the largest commitment of a global biopharmaceutical company to partner in Texas, and is the only one of the three centers to be led by an academic institution. “GSK is privileged to deepen our commitment to U.S. public health, as part of this unprecedented public-private collaboration to protect against pandemics and bio-threats,” Loomans said. “In Texas A&M we have found a partner with a rich tradition of service, and with pioneering technologies that will benefit the entire pharmaceutical industry in making vaccines available and accessible to all in need.”
BOERNE, Texas
Birders of all skill levels will have a chance to hone their abilities and contribute to the study of ornithology during April and May at the Cibolo Nature Center & Farm. Master birders Tom and Patsy Inglet will offer tips and tricks that will help identify birds by their songs and sounds during Birding by Ear from 9 a.m. to noon April 20 in the CNC auditorium at 140 City Park Road. Participants will learn to recognize subtle difference between bird songs that help to determine which species they are hearing. The workshop will introduce many of the common bird calls heard in the Hill Country and will include time in the field practicing bird call identification. Register online at Cibolo.org/calendar. The workshop costs $25, $20 for CNC members, and is free for those who volunteer to help with the upcoming Breeding Bird Point Counts. Birders from beginners to old hands are invited to join the Inglets and other knowledgeable birders to conduct a breeding bird census throughout the Cibolo Nature Center’s four native habitats for three Breeding Bird Point Counts from 7 to 10 a.m. April 30, May 9 and May 14. The citizen-science survey techniques used to conduct this census can be used wherever birds breed. Collected data will be provided to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology through eBird, Cornell’s online bird database. Participants should bring binoculars and a field guide. Participation is free, with interested birders asked to sign up online at Cibolo.org/calendar. Celebrating its 25th year, the non-profit Cibolo Nature Center & Farm in Boerne is located on 162 acres of natural lands at Boerne City Park off Highway 46 just west of the Kendall County Fairgrounds. The mission of the CNC is conservation of natural resources through education and stewardship. Call (830) 249-4616 or visit www.cibolo.org.
SAN ANTONIO
PRNewswire
The city that encourages us to remember is bringing together some notable icons of Texas baseball to host what should be a memorable Big League Weekend at the Alamodome. AstroTurf®, whose roots in Texas baseball go back nearly 50 years to the historic opening of the Houston Astrodome, will furnish San Antonio's showcase venue with a custom synthetic turf system designed specifically for the stadium's baseball conversion. Ryan-Sanders Baseball, a group founded in part by Baseball Hall of Famer and Texas legend Nolan Ryan, is responsible for running the event that will pit the Texas Rangers against the San Diego Padres in two exhibition games, March 29th and 30th. Since it opened in 1993, the Alamodome has hosted its share of sporting spectacles, from Final Fours to NFL Football, professional bull riding to bowl games, NBA Champions to championship boxing. But it has yet to add baseball to its prolific resume of events, until now. In order to transform the behemoth into a Major League ready ballpark, the Alamodome has added dugouts, fencing, bullpens, and features a 133,000 square foot custom-made AstroTurf field. "AstroTurf is thrilled to see baseball in the Alamodome," said AstroTurf President Bryan Peeples. "We are so proud to be involved with these two superb ball clubs and to be a part of this historic event." Baseball may be our cherished national pastime with a fan base that spans multiple generations, but this is not your grandfather's AstroTurf. The field installed will be an AstroTurf GameDay Grass™ 3D52 Diamond synthetic turf system. This third generation artificial playing surface incorporates a few distinct and advanced elements that make it truly unique. The "grass" is a diamond shaped monofilament fiber used primarily in baseball fields for its playability and natural feel. The proprietary RootZone™ is a patented thatch system of textured nylon which holds the sand and rubber infill in place and radically reduces cleat penetration, leading to a faster and more consistent playing surface with a cleaner look. The artificial turf will be tailored to the dimensions of the baseball configuration and include a warning track and infield cut-outs to enable the players to bat and slide on good old fashioned dirt Good old fashioned Texas hard ball might be one way to characterize the aggressive style of play exhibited by Nolan Ryan, Major League Baseball's all-time leader in strikeouts and no-hitters. Setting records must be in the bloodline. Under the stewardship of Founder and CEO Reid Ryan, Nolan's son, Ryan-Sanders Baseball acquired a minor league ball club in 2000 that became the Round Rock Express and promptly broke the Texas League attendance record in only its first season of existence. The group has continued to grow over the last 13 years and it now counts two thriving minor league teams, a baseball school, a sports turf services division, and a lucrative entertainment company under the Ryan-Sander umbrella. Big picture success doesn't come without focused attention to detail, and when the group was tasked with the Big League responsibilities of putting on the first ever baseball games in the Alamodome, choosing the right playing surface was crucial. "Running a major baseball event like Big League Weekend starts with the field of play," said Ryan-Sanders Baseball CEO Reid Ryan. "AstroTurf's state-of-the-art turf system gave us the look, feel, and play of natural grass with the adaptability of a customized field to meet the specific demands of our project." With endorsements like this one and countless others, it's no wonder AstroTurf carries the title of Official Synthetic Turf of Major League Baseball. But more than rave reviews, AstroTurf fields carry scientific approval. An independent study at Michigan State University, funded by NFL Charities, found that AstroTurf GameDay Grass systems looked and performed more like natural grass than any other synthetic product measured. In extensive testing, AstroTurf GameDay Grass systems performed most like natural grass in specific categories such as ball roll, slide resistance, and the biomechanical function of cleats penetrating and releasing properly. The results mean that AstroTurf's fields excel when it comes to speed, performance, playability and safety. It's the caliber of field you'd expect when some of the best ballplayers in the world come together to compete in an historic event. Big League Weekend will feature two world-class teams with Lone Star flavor. The Texas Rangers have taken the state and the nation by storm recently, winning back-to-back American League championships in 2010 and 2011. Known for a potent lineup from top to bottom with proven stars Adrian Beltre, Nelson Cruz and Ian Kinsler as well as exciting up and comer Elvis Andrus, the Rangers can also show off their arms when Yu Darvish, Neftali Perez or Derek Holland take the mound. Their ranking as third highest home attendance in all of baseball last year –behind only the Yankees and the Phillies - speaks to their wild popularity. In the other dugout we find the San Diego Padres, a ball club whose home base may be California, but whose stars get their seasoning in the Alamo City. The Padres are led by Chase Headley, the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger award-winning third baseman who led the National League with 115 RBIs last year. As a member of the 2007 Texas League Champion San Antonio Missions, Chase wowed the San Antonio crowds with his Player of The Year performance. Known for their occasional camouflage uniforms, the Padres score major points for patriotism as the first national sports team to institute an annual military appreciation day, which they did back in 1996. Also scoring major points is Kevin Swank and his Texas-based team at AstroBuilders who handled installation of the custom designed AstroTurf field for Big League Weekend. Working with an abbreviated timeframe due to the busy event schedule at the Alamodome, the experienced installers laid the synthetic turf down in eight days, or roughly one third the time of a standard project. It's another typically stellar performance from the crew that's no stranger to custom AstroTurf surface installation, having worked on several similar projects including the recent convertible system at Reliant Stadium in Houston.
Gilbert Gracia
We knew it was coming, we just didn't know it would be this soon.
Pete Gallego, the Alpine-based Democrat whose sprawling congressional district extends from San Antonio to El Paso, didn't make it out of the supposed honeymoon phase of his freshman congressional term before drawing a 2014 challenger.
Dr. Robert Lowry, a Fair Oaks Ranch physician, filed a “statement of candidacy” with the Federal Election Commission on March 7 for Gallego's District 23 seat.
A gangly, slow-talking acolyte of Ron and Rand Paul, Lowry, 52, has fancied the District 23 seat for several years. In 2010, he ran a surprisingly strong race in the District 23 Republican primary, drawing more than 22 percent of the vote and finishing a solid third in a five-candidate field.
When the two top finishers — former CIA agent Will Hurd and local attorney Francisco “Quico” Canseco (the eventual winner) — made it to a runoff, Lowry's endorsement was much-coveted, and he threw his support behind Hurd.
Lowry also flirted with an intraparty challenge to Canseco last year, announcing his candidacy in January 2012, and changing his mind two months later.
While the prospect of a Lowry candidacy surely won't make Gallego cower in fear, the doctor's filing looks like the first salvo in what should be a lively, high-stakes battle for the District 23 Republican nomination.
How do we know it will be lively? Because District 23 is perpetually up for grabs. Neither party can claim more than a temporary hold on it, and neither party will ever go down without a nasty, well-funded fight.
Simply put, San Antonio has two types of congressional representatives. Joaquín Castro and Lamar Smith have their seats for as long as they want them; Gallego, on the other hand, lives on the hot seat.
Representing District 23 means an acceptance that the fickle finger of political fate can turn on you at any moment. It means that you best avoid signing a long-term lease in the Beltway.
With that in mind, Gallego seems to be relishing Lowry's challenge and using it as a fundraising tool. On Saturday, Gallego broke the news in an email to his supporters (subject line: “I already have an opponent”), casting Lowry's entry into the race as a sign that “extremists are already threatened by the example we are setting.” Gallego urged supporters to “make a donation of $3, $15, $25 or more so that we can continue our work.”
Lowry is a strict constitutional conservative who showed in 2010 that he appeals to tea party activists and the libertarian wing of the GOP, although he's probably too innately independent to attach himself completely to any movement.
In 2010, then-U.S. Rep. (and libertarian darling) Ron Paul embraced Lowry's candidacy, with a from-one-doctor-to-another endorsement. Paul vouched for Lowry's small-government bona fides by calling him a “Ron Paul guy all the way” and dismissed Canseco (who served one congressional term before Gallego ousted him last November) as a “party parrot” and a “useful idiot.”
Well, at least he gave him credit for being useful.
By Sen. Carlos Uresti and Sen. Glenn Hegar
Google recently brought its self-driving car to the Capitol and gave lawmakers and state transportation officials a spin into the future. But although the hybrid Lexus is packed with technology that lets it maneuver without a human behind the wheel, it can't go anywhere without roads. Multi-lane urban expressways, interstate highways and state and county roads are just as important to our freedom of mobility as the vehicles we drive, or someday, may drive us! That's why one of our top priorities for the 83rd Legislature is transportation infrastructure. Texas has done a good job at building and maintaining its highway system. According to a report by the Reason Foundation, we increased transportation spending per mile by 174 percent over the last 20 years, more than any other state. The study, reported by the Dallas Morning News, cited improvement in all major categories, except the number of rural primary roads considered too narrow. Rural and county roads present a problem all their own — particularly in energy producing regions — and it's not just because they're narrow. Over the last several years, large oil patch trucks have pummeled county roads that were built for cars, pickup trucks, and farm equipment. County roads in the Eagle Ford Shale, Barnett Shale, and Permian Basin regions are deteriorating under the wheels of these heavy trucks, and counties need help with maintenance and repair. The Texas Department of Transportation says it needs an additional $4 billion a year to expand and maintain Texas' highway system. Unfortunately, only about $6 million of TxDOT's biennial budget is dedicated to county roads, while there is currently a demonstrated need of more than $700 million. Most Texans have never driven on a county road, few of which are even paved. But because of their importance to agriculture and the energy industry, we must take better care of them. The day after Google's driverless car was put on display in Austin, an economist with the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas said that Texas' booming energy industry is helping the Texas economy grow faster than that of the nation. He told the San Antonio Express-News that petroleum jobs helped put Texas at No. 3 in terms of job growth. Only North Dakota, No. 1; and Utah, No. 2, are growing faster, thanks to their own shale plays. Because of the great benefits the oil boom is bringing to working Texas families, counties, and communities, and because of what it means to our economy and the freedom granted by mobility, we must plan carefully for the future. We don't want to kill the golden goose that has brought so much prosperity, and that means taking care of our roads. Exactly how we acknowledge, quantify, and ultimately fix the damage to our roadways is the million-dollar question — or more accurately, many, many millions — that the Legislature must now answer. The mechanics of this complex equation are still being debated. One approach contemplates the use of rainy day funds, while another would alter property tax calculations in recognition of the explosive growth in shale plays across the state. Either way, we are determined to bring forth a solution to the unwelcome and very significant safety and structural issues that Texas' 21st Century oil boom has brought to our great state. The Legislature has a rare opportunity this session to address all of our transportation infrastructure needs — from the widest superhighways to dusty caliche roads. Fortunately, there is a growing bipartisan consensus that we must make this investment. There are many roads to the future, and we have to maintain them if we're going to get there.
