The Texas Hospital Association recently announced their endorsement of State Representative Pete P. Gallego for Texas House District 74. The Texas Hospital Association represents 85 percent of the state’s hospitals and health care systems, which employ over 340,000 health care professionals statewide. Their endorsement is based upon Representative Gallego’s willingness to work with hospitals to address health care issues, his positive voting record, and input from local hospital representatives.

Today, 47 Texas House Democratic lawmakers called on Governor Rick Perry to restore $154 million cut from the state budget for public community and junior colleges.

Earlier this summer, Perry used line-item veto authority to strike higher education employees group insurance contributions for public community and junior colleges from the fiscal year 2009 funding. The veto has drawn harsh criticism from leaders all across the state. Without the funds, community and junior colleges may be forced to raise local taxes, tuition and fees, and/or cut instructional services.

In a joint-letter to Perry, Democratic House members requested that the he use his legal authority to reverse the veto’s effect and restore the funds needed by all 50 Texas public community colleges. The letter compares Perry’s veto to a “tax increase on middle-class Texans who are working hard to build better lives by obtaining a community or junior college education.”

“Texas must truly invest in public education if we want to secure a better tomorrow. Governor Perry’s unwise decision to veto these funds will harm hard-working Texas families,” House Democratic Caucus Chair Jim Dunnam said. “With so many community leaders across Texas calling on him to act responsibly, hopefully he will see the light and correct his mistake.”

The governor, in conjunction with the Legislative Budget Board (LBB), has the statutory and constitutional authority to replace the $154 million. House Speaker Tom Craddick and Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst, as the Joint-Chairs of the LBB, must also agree to restore the funds. There is ample time for the governor and LBB to take action since the vetoed funds were appropriated for the 2008-2009 school year. However, community and junior colleges will soon begin to set their budgets for that year and, with the governor’s veto of these critical funds, may be forced to plan for increasing taxes or cutting educational services.

Read the letter to Governor Perry.

Posted in Press Releases, Legislation

Austin–State Representative Pete P. Gallego (D-Alpine) voted on an amendment that will save electricity customers in Texas millions on their electricity bills. The amendment requires residential electric providers to reduce the price of electricity by 15 percent in so-called deregulated areas of the state. Rep. Gallego’s district has been particularly vulnerable to rising electricity costs.

“Rising electricity prices are hitting Texans in the pocketbook,” said Rep. Galego. “Yesterday, I proudly voted for a bill that will provide relief to those of us who are shocked at the high electric bills we’ve been getting over the last few years.”

Rep. Gallego said the bill will help homeowners by reducing electricity rates by 15 percent. As the summer approaches, that will mean significant relief for consumers in the area.

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Posted in Press Releases

Many West Texas cities along the proposed “La Entrada al Pacifico” route view the development of a new highway favorably. However, Marfa, Alpine, and Fort Davis understandably do not. At present, these cities have no truck bypasses or highway loops. Thus, any commercial truck traffic must pass directly through the center of town.

My position has always been that the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) must create alternative routes around Marfa and Alpine and must avoid routing traffic through Fort Davis. This was a fundamental part of the original negotiations regarding “La Entrada.” In addition, Texas must make a significant investment in upgrading the rail line between Presidio and San Angelo, which could provide a viable alternative to commercial trucking.

TxDOT has already committed funds to construct a Highway 349 reliever route around Midland to accommodate truck traffic destined for Lubbock and Amarillo. TxDOT has also conducted a study for a proposed bypass around Lamesa and for the expansion of Hwy 349 south of Lamesa to Midland. However, TxDOT has not yet followed through with its commitment to protect the quality of life in Alpine, Marfa, and the tri-county region.

Speaker of the House, Tom Craddick, authored House Bill 2115, a trade bill designating a trade route through West Texas. As leader of the House of Representatives, Tom Craddick is the driving force behind much legislation. Speaker Craddick is interested in protecting the economic development in West Texas and the quality of life in the area. I am sure he will use his position as House leader and work with me to resolve the concerns of West Texas.

I agree with local leaders that there must be alternative routes. These alternative routes would promote growth and economic development in those cities that encourage the La Entrada Trade Corridor, divert unwanted truck traffic from those who don’t, and address the environmental, social, and economic concerns of Alpine, Marfa, and Fort Davis.

Posted in Notes, Press Releases

AUSTIN — State Representative Pete P. Gallego (D-Alpine) proposed an amendment that would require Texas Supreme Court justices to reveal campaign contributions in a timely fashion. The amendment would have required that justices list their contributions 15 days after the deadline for accepting such contributions.

The issue arose after Justice Nathan Hecht of the Texas Supreme Court raised $340,000 this past year from political donors to cover personal legal expenses incurred in helping the White House defend his friend, U.S. Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers. Justice Hecht has refused to identify his donors until his next campaign filing — which comes in July.

“It is always important to know who gives what to who - especially where judges are concerned. Transparency must be part of the process if people are to have faith in our system. Judges must avoid even the appearance of impropriety. It makes no sense to require the public to wait months to review public information that can be made available now.”
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Posted in Press Releases