Valley gets big projects

AUSTIN — The Rio Grande Valley comes away from the 140-day legislative session with millions of dollars in special projects, modest raises for teachers, more money for doctors, and a little help for low-income electric customers.

Budget-writers included enough money for school districts to give teachers about $430 raises for the next two years. The amount varies by district, and each district will decide whether to use the money for teacher raises.

“They are ecstatic,” Rep. Ruth Jones McClendon, D-San Antonio, said of teachers. She was one of six Democratic allies of House Speaker Tom Craddick who appeared at a news conference Monday to tout the session’s accomplishments.

Not all teachers agree. In a statement, the Texas Federation of Teachers called the raise “measly,” especially in a time of record surplus, and pointed out that districts could divert the money to other uses.

The Legislature also approved millions for park development projects in the Valley and a $45 million Department of Public Safety regional headquarters in McAllen. Millions more are earmarked for health, public safety and education projects in the Valley.

Low-income customers will get help with their utility bills again. Electric customers pay at least 65 cents a month toward the System Benefit Fund, which helps low-income customers pay their bills.

In recent years this money has been diverted to the state’s general fund. The Legislature reinstated the fund this year, so for the next two years about $200 million of the $300 million collected will go for its intended purpose.

Rep. Ryan Guillen, D-Rio Grande City, said he was pleased with the $108 million approved for border security funds. Of that, $20 million will go to Gov. Rick Perry for grants to local law-enforcement agencies. Another $43 million will go to the grants, but only if Perry first exhausts federal funds.

“We believe this is going to go a long way in helping stopping the crime that is spilling over on our side of the border,” Guillen said.

Guillen, Rep. Aaron Peña, D-Edinburg; and Rep. Ismael “Kino” Flores, D-Palmview, appeared with other Democrats who supported Craddick to discuss how much they accomplished this session.

The session was marked by an open rebellion against Craddick that culminated in at least 40 of his critics in both parties walking out early Monday, bringing business to a halt. Craddick has drawn widespread opposition for his leadership style, but refused for three days to allow the House to vote on whether to oust him.

Some passionate fights arose over abortion, immigration and children’s health care. But in the end, the Legislature passed the budget, the only thing it must do when it meets every two years.

The Legislature also:

H Left intact the 10 percent rule for university admissions

H Spent millions of dollars to increase reimbursement rates for doctors who provide Medicaid

H Revamped the Texas Youth Commission, which includes the Evins Regional Juvenile Center in Edinburg

H Failed to pass a statewide smoking ban

H Added an estimated 127,000 kids to the Children’s Health Insurance Program

The Valley was thought to have done better than at any time in recent memory, helped by the fact that all three senators who represent the Valley were on the Senate budget-writing committee. Rep. Eddie Lucio III, D-Brownsville, sat on the House budget-writing committee, and Guillen, helped negotiate the final version of the budget.

“This budget is a significant step forward for South Texas and shows that we are making significant progress in the legislative arena,” said Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen.

Hinojosa cited the DPS headquarters, money to relocate Boeye Reservior in McAllen farther from the airport, and the reorganization of TYC.

Sen. Eddie Lucio, D-Brownsville, said he was pleased at the $10 million for the South Texas Hospital in Harlingen, $43 million in bonds approved for colonia improvements and other projects.

“It doesn’t meet every need that I would like to see met,” Lucio said of the budget. “However, we have set aside funding to improve or continue valuable programs that will provide housing, water and wastewater services, increased health care programs and funding for future expansion of medical facilities in South Texas.”