Transportation, Energy, Housing on Laredo’s Agenda Today
Austin Legislative Outreach Continues for a Second Day
(Austin, Texas) January 27, 2015— A positive meeting with newly elected General
Land Office Commissioner George P. Bush set the tone for a busy second day in Austin
for the Laredo delegation. Among the topics discussed with the Commissioner that
oversees education, energy, veterans and historical records and related programs were
the Burgos Basin and its potential effect on Laredo, as well as, the new Veteran’s clinic
in Laredo. All these discussions were aimed at an effort to tap into state resources at
the disposal of the General Land Office.
“Commissioner Bush was receptive to all of the suggestions brought up in our
discussion and he even committed to sponsoring a conference event in Laredo, the
Border Energy Forum, because of our key location for the future of energy sector
development between the United States, Texas and Mexico,” stated Mayor Pete Saenz
after the full day of meetings. “I think we started a productive relationship with the
General Land Office and many other state agencies today.”
Many other meetings followed including Texas Department of Transportation Aviation
Division, the Secretary of State Carlos Cascos, Texas Attorney General Deputy
Commissioner Steve Roddy, the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas,
Railroad Commission of Texas Chairman Christi Craddick, a site visit to the City of
Roundrock, and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Chairman Bryan W.
Shaw. A note-worthy discussion took place at the Texas Department of Housing and
Community Affairs.
“The City is supporting two applications to the Housing and Community Affairs office for
the low income tax credit program for the development of market rate and low to
moderate income high quality apartment units,” said Council Member Roque Vela, City
Council District V. “The discussion we had focused on agency feedback from Executive
Director Timothy Irvine on how to understand the application evaluation process now
and in the future.”
Among the other meetings, a fellow border connection was reinforced with the newly
appointed Secretary of State Carlos Cascos, who is from Brownsville. This was a large
group meeting, supported by Representative Richard Raymond, and he had some
poignant thoughts to share with the delegation as the official charged with Border and
International Relations for Texas.
“He gave us some good advice, calling Laredo and Brownsville close cousins because
of their similarities, yet considers all other border cities to be distinct from one another,”
commented Jesus Olivares, Interim City Manager. “He said the international bridges
are the economic engines of the region and we could not agree with him more. We left
with a true sense of support from this office and his commitment to follow up the
discussion with Governor Greg Abbott soon.”
Other notable activity today was when the House of Representatives applauded and
heard a resolution declaring Laredo Day and various members of the group were
recognized on the floor and in the gallery this morning. Representative Raymond and
King introduced Interim City Manager Jesus Olivares; Council Member Alex Perez, DIII;
Council Member Rudy Gonzalez, DI; Mayor Pete Saenz; Council Member Roque Vela,
DV; and Council Member Roberto Balli, DVIII to all the members of the House.
The third and final day of Laredo’s advocacy efforts continue tomorrow, Wednesday,
January 28, 2014, in conjunction with representatives of the Washington’s Birthday
Celebration Association and their ambassadors. Interviews and further information may
be obtained from Blasita J. Lopez or Jessica Newsome Harris, on site contacts with the
Laredo Delegation in Austin, Texas.
Blasita J. Lopez (956) 286-0227
Jessica Newsome Harris (956) 744-4048