I have heard from many of you about the recent increase in property appraisal values, which could increase your property taxes for next year. 

Property taxes fund essential programs such as local infrastructure, emergency services, and schools; however, they can’t come at the expense of the livelihoods of the people they are supposed to benefit. 

Although I do not have jurisdiction over local and state matters as your U.S. Representative, I am able That is why I sent letters to Governor Greg Abbott urging him to use his authority as governor to freeze property taxes for the next calendar year. We cannot ask families to do more with less, especially as the costs of everyday items continue to rise.  

I was happy to report that the Governor recently called for a special session to address the rise of property taxes. Rest assured that I will continue to monitor this important issue.  

You can read my most recent letter to Governor Abbott here. 

On Wednesday, May 31, 2023, I voted to keep our economy strong and American credit reliable by voting to pass H.R. 3746, the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023. This bill was signed into law by President Biden on Saturday, June 3, 2023, avoiding catastrophic consequences for our economy, families, and global standing.  

Last week, my office and I welcomed South Texans at the annual RGV to D.C., where local leaders and officials met with federal officials and representatives to advocate for the Valley’s needs. 

They heard from Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, fellow Texans like Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz and Congressman Henry Cuellar, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, and representatives from the Economic Development Administration, the Department of Education, and the Small Business Administration— just to name a few.  

It’s important that our businesses and local leaders  come to the nation's capital and advocate for the needs of our community. 

On Wednesday, June 7, I met with the Guatemala Chamber of Industry to discuss the importance of the relationship between Guatemala and the U.S., which is marked by diplomatic collaboration, cooperation on counter-narcotics efforts, and mutually beneficial trade relations. It is time to focus investment in Guatemala to create good jobs and lessen migration. 

The Rio Grande Valley is an international community  made stronger by our small businesses and their work  at home and abroad. We understand that developing home-grown businesses is how we strengthen our region and create a better future for South Texans. I am glad I had the opportunity to  discuss how we can grow our international business community. 

I had the pleasure of meeting with the City of Alamo this week during their visit to Washington, D.C. From investing in education, drainage infrastructure, and broadband; there are several opportunities in the works to support Alamo’s growth. 

Great news: the Federal Communications Commission recently announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the National Competitive Outreach Program (NCOP), a sub-grant of the Affordable Connectivity Program. The NCOP will be accepting applications now through 5:00 p.m. CDT/6:00 p.m. EDT on June 30, 2023. 

This grant is available to a variety of organizations and government levels to support broadband deployment to bridge the digital divide, especially for low-income households and communities. 

Find out if you’re eligible for the National Competitive Outreach Program here. 

I’m happy to announce the Brownsville Community Health Centers has received $1,736,120 in continued funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services! This funding is the second payment of a larger grant designed to assure access to comprehensive, high-quality primary health care services. Community Health Centers are integral to the well-being of our community, providing a multitude of services ranging from dental care to chronic disease management and more. 

Great news! The Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement (VIDA) received a $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to help address the ongoing shortage of healthcare professionals in the Rio Grande Valley. I was proud to write a letter of support for VIDA to help them secure this grant. This funding will support a five-year project for approximately 725 Rio Grande Valley residents as they pursue degrees or other programs in the healthcare field. 

Unsubscribe