MyRGV.com

The efforts of Rio Grande Valley legislators earlier this year resulted in the creation of a “COVID-19 Heroes and Memorial Day,” which will honor individuals who lost their lives to the coronavirus along with healthcare personnel, first responders and essential workers who labored through the pandemic.

The Brownsville Chamber of Commerce hosted a luncheon and update on the 88th Texas legislative session on the Thursday at the Brownsville Events Center.

McALLEN — How did the state legislature fare during the 88th Legislative Session earlier this year — a session overshadowed by the historic impeachment of the Texas attorney general, as well as pitched battles over border security, private school vouchers, property tax relief and restrictions on local control over elections?

Rio Grande Valley advocates played a role this regular state legislative session in the passage of a piece of legislation aimed at aiding the deaf and hard of hearing.

Although proponents of a push to reform South Texas ISD's funding structure say they intend to keep up the effort, the issue failed to gain traction in the 88th Texas Legislature and odds seem long for some kind of bill moving through a special session this summer.

HARLINGEN — After her first legislative session, State Rep. Janie Lopez, whose district includes Cameron and Willacy counties, is standing behind what she describes as one of the most productive sessions completed by freshman legislators.

Millions of state dollars will soon be headed to the Rio Grande Valley to fund several infrastructure projects that will bring wastewater service to several communities across Hidalgo and Cameron counties for the very first time.

State Rep. Janie Lopez’s bill aimed at streamlining big cargo is headed for Gov. Gregg Abbott’s desk to become law.

HARLINGEN — State Rep. Janie Lopez, whose district includes Cameron and Willacy counties, announced her legislation aimed at helping fund drainage projects is headed for Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk to be signed into law.

SAN JUAN — A few dozen people gathered inside the San Juan office for La Unión del Pueblo Entero, or LUPE, headquarters to show support for a delegation of LUPE members and other organizations who were in Austin this week to testify against Texas House Bills 7 and 800.

SAN JUAN — A few dozen people gathered inside the San Juan office for La Unión del Pueblo Entero, or LUPE, headquarters to show support for a delegation of LUPE members and other organizations who were in Austin this week to testify against Texas House Bills 7 and 800.

Two Republican Rio Grande Valley state representatives voted no on a resolution seeking to recognize Feb. 14, 2023, as Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce Advocacy Day at the State Capitol.

McALLEN — A group of a few dozen protesters with signs and the red and black United Farm Workers flags marched up and down the sidewalk just beyond the fenced perimeter of Covenant Christian Academy Wednesday evening.

HARLINGEN — Area leaders testified April 11 before lawmakers in support of legislation calling for revised funding criteria aimed at upgrading the low-income area’s drainage system.

The mayors of Hidalgo County are lending their support to two transportation bills whose goal would be to increase efficiency of cross border commercial traffic while enhancing border security.

Texas legislative bills targeting the eviction process pitted renters against landlords this week in Austin during committee hearings.

The Pharr-San Juan-Alamo school board approved last week a resolution calling on the Texas Legislature to reject any diversion of public dollars to private entities in the form of education savings accounts and vouchers, and is calling on other districts to join them in the push.

South Texas College is silent on two bills filed by state Rep. Sergio Muñoz, D-Palmview, that would give voters more say on the institution’s taxing capabilities and the amount of time elected trustees serve on its board.

Families of veterans pleaded with members of the Texas Defense & Veterans’ Affairs Committee t0 bring a veterans cemetery to Cameron County.

AUSTIN — The Texas House of Representatives has passed House Bill 300 by Representative Donna Howard, whose district includes Austin, and co-authored by state Rep. Erin Elizabeth Gámez, whose district includes Brownsville, relating to an exemption from sales and use taxes for certain family care items.

Homeowners and businesses could see some relief from their property taxes after the Texas Senate unanimously passed a package of bills on Wednesday, pending a statewide election.

Two bills filed this month by State Rep. Sergio Muñoz, D-Palmview, could remove South Texas ISD’s taxing authority if enacted.

In her first resolution authored for reading on the floor of the Texas House of Representatives, state Rep. Erin Gamez chose to honor Veteran Females United, a volunteer-driven nonprofit whose mission it is to equip veterans who are women to build successful lives.

HARLINGEN — After two months as the new House District 37’s first representative, state Rep. Janie Lopez is returning to her home base to update residents on her work pushing a series of legislative priorities, from proposed tax cuts to school safety measures and job creation along with health care and election reform.

As part of a regional effort to advance the Rio Grande Valley’s priorities with state lawmakers, officials with the city of Edinburg met with legislators last week as part of “RGV Day at the Capitol.”

City of Alamo staff and officials made a trip to Austin last week to meet with state legislators.

South Texas ISD will hold a Tuesday press conference on an ongoing legislative push to restructure its funding mechanisms.

“It’s no secret for the city of Edcouch that, for many years, we’ve had issues with our water plant,” Edcouch City Manager Victor Hugo de la Cruz said this week.

Dozens of officials from the Rio Grande Valley descended upon Austin this week for what has become a much-anticipated tradition at the state capitol — RGV Days — when local leaders get a unique opportunity to sit shoulder-to-shoulder with state lawmakers.

HARLINGEN — Area leaders on Wednesday are pitching state lawmakers funding requests for millions of dollars worth of projects during a three-day session focused on the Rio Grande Valley’s needs.

A Texas lawmaker has introduced a bill to allow liquor-based, ready-to-drink products to be sold in grocery stores.

The years-long effort to redevelop Brownsville’s downtown riverfront as a commercial and cultural destination took an important step Feb. 14, with the filing of duplicate companion bills in the two chambers of the Texas Legislature.

Three Hidalgo County legislators announced bills this week that focus on strengthening the rights of sexual assault victims, adding protections for law enforcement and first responders, and bolstering health care in the Rio Grande Valley.

State Rep. R.D. “Bobby” Guerra, D-McAllen, announced this week the filing of five new bills.

HARLINGEN — Thirty two questions.

Sports betting could soon become legal in Texas if a gamble made by a few state senators pays off.

The Rio Grande Valley legislative delegation has received its committee assignments.

The Senate Finance Committee held its first public hearing of the legislative session on Monday.

State Rep. Terry Canales filed his second package of bills for the 88th Texas Legislative Session on Wednesday that focuses on improving community life and providing new opportunities.

The Texas Senate committee assignments for the 88th Legislative Session have been announced.

A Rio Grande Valley state representative recently filed several bills proposing to diversify energy production sources, create transparency when purchasing concert tickets and changing opaque insurance policy contracts to protect the elderly.

Legislators from across the Rio Grande Valley weighed in on a legislative push launched by local school districts this week to eliminate South Texas ISD’s taxing authority, a move that could impact tens of thousands of dollars in funding the district receives annually.

In a once-in-a-decade rule, Texas senators in Austin drew lots to decide who is serving two-year terms and who is serving four-year terms.