Eagle Pass Day celebrated Feb. 19-20th at Texas Legislature
By: Ricardo E. Calderon
An Exclusive Eagle Pass Business Journal News Story/Copyright 2013
A delegation of over 25 community public representatives, business men and women, educators, veterans, and citizens participated in the biennial “Eagle Pass Day” during February 19-20, 2013, at the 83rd Texas Legislature at the State Capitol in Austin, Texas, announced Eagle Pass Mayor Ramsey English Cantu.
Eagle Pass and Maverick County concerned officials and citizens presented the salient issues and needs of our community to state lawmakers and state officials with various state agencies.
The Eagle Pass delegation was led by Eagle Pass Mayor Ramsey English Cantu and Maverick County Judge David Saucedo. The Eagle Pass delegation were greeted at the state capitol by Texas House of Representative Alfonso “Poncho” Nevarez (D-Eagle Pass) on Tuesday, February 19th, and took the traditional group picture on the steps of the state capitol with Representative Nevarez. The Eagle Pass delegates visited various state senators and representatives during the afternoon of February 19th to present them the needs and issues important to our community.
The Eagle Pass delegation met with Colin Parrish, Advisor of Budget, Planning and Policy of Texas Governor Rick Perry’s office, attended a presentation by the Texas Historical Commission regarding the Main Street Program and Public Library renovation projects, and were given a reception in their honor at a local restaurant in Austin during Tuesday, February 19th.
On Wednesday, February 20th, the Eagle Pass group will be hosted for breakfast at the Austin Club by Texas State Senator Carlos Uresti (D-San Antonio), be presented and recognized on the Texas House of Representatives floor by State Representative Poncho Nevarez and the Texas Senate floor by State Senator Carlos Uresti, and participate in discussions concerning transportation, water, and public education issues. Jesus “Chuy” Gonzalez, Legislative Liaison of the Texas Department of Transportation will present the transportation issues, Isaac Jackson, Legislative Liaison of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality will present the water issues, and Michael Berry, Deputy Commissioner for Policy and Programs of the Texas Education Agency will present the public education and school issues discussion.
“It is important that Eagle Pass and Maverick County public and private representatives visit our Texas legislators and officials to highlight the issues and needs facing our community on the Texas-Mexico border,” said Mayor Ramsey English Cantu.
“We impressed upon the state legislators the need to reverse Texas decision not to expand Medicaid to our citizens under the Affordable Care Act of 2010 as we are an underserved health community and over 40% of our residents in Maverick County are uninsured,” said J.M. “Chuco” Farias, Chairman of the Maverick County Hospital District. “Texas needs to participate in the expansion of Medicaid because it stands to receive over $100 Billion in federal Medicaid funds over the next 10 years, benefitting more than 1.5 million Texans,” said Farias.
