AUSTIN, Texas - Brownsville City Commissioner Linda C. Macias has highlighted her city’s top legislative agenda items for the 89th legislative session.
The District 2 commissioner did so during a panel discussion hosted by the Mexican Consul General’s Office in Austin. The event was part of Brownsville Day at the Capitol.
Macias said the top three items are more funding for Brownsville Public Utilities Board’s desalination project, more funding for the city’s street traffic synchronization efforts, and more funding for local road projects.
On desalination, Macias said: “The first thing that we came to advocate for was our desal plant… there is a lot of talk about water draught. We're supporting them (Brownsville PUB) 100% because it (the desal project) is heavily needed. So, we came (to Austin) to just have that on the radar to ask for the funding of it.”
On traffic synchronization, Macias said: “We are a growing city. During the last year we've had approval for about 3,000 permits, small businesses, residential homes, apartments, duplexes, you name it. We're getting it in abundance. But with that growth also comes growing pains. And so definitely… traffic synchronization is so important, to ensure that the commute, we’re getting to work faster and on time. In the RGV we are the least synchronized city.”
On road improvements, Macias said: “Roads are extremely important from a safety perspective. Currently, we have International being done by TxDOT. It is blocking a lot of our small businesses and entry into them. So, a lot of them have declined. I’ve even seen a business close down because of it as well. So, we came to (Austin) to push forth on that and State Highway 4.”
State Highway 4 is the road that connects to SpaceX’s rocket launching facility at Boca Chica.
“We have 2,500 employees going in and out from SpaceX, as well as the tourism. It's full of potholes. We've seen some crashes. And so, we came to advocate that as well. So, we need more light synchronization, our desal plant, as well as roads. That’s what we came here to ask for. Funding is very important. We hear it from our constituents. We're hearing the community. We need to get things done.”
Texas Association of Business
One of the other panelists was Glenn Hamer, president and CEO of the Texas Association of Business. Hamer said he would like to piggyback on Commissioner Macias’ comments.
“Think about the space industry. It's one of the fastest growing industries out there. It's about $600 billion now. McKinsey is predicting it'll go to $1.8 trillion over the next ten years or so. And you're the epicenter of the whole thing in Brownsville, the Gateway to Mars,” Hamer said.
“So, we have an interest on the state level to make sure that we support the infrastructure necessary so SpaceX can continue to floor flourish. Eighty-five percent of the stuff that goes up in space is connected to SpaceX. So, your needs in Brownsville need to be put on our agenda, and you couldn't have a better champion than Esmy to carry the message, so that the first launch to Mars, the gateway to Mars, is from Brownsville.”
Brownsville Chamber of Commerce
The “Esmy” Hamer was referring to was Esmy Villarreal, president and CEO of Brownsville Chamber of Commerce and moderator of the panel discussion. Villarreal gave the chamber’s legislative agenda.
“When we first started this conversation, we had like 20, 30, different things (for our legislative agenda). Learning and collaborating with… our elected officials, working with others, with TAB, they have great resources. We were able to (finalize) particular priorities. They (lawmakers) were direct, and they went straight for the ask. And so, we actually came together in delegation with four different asks. And it mirrors exactly what Commissioner Macias was stating,” Villarreal said.
“We came together as a unified voice, and we spoke about infrastructure, energy, connectivity, as well as economic and community development, healthcare and water supply. Those were the different things we were talking about when we were visiting yesterday.”
Editor's Note: Here, below, is a video recording of Brownsville City Commissioner Linda Macias explaining her city's legislative agenda. Macias made her remarks during a panel discussion hosted by the Mexico Consul General's Office in Austin. Also featured in the video are Brownsville Chamber of Commerce President Esmy Villarreal and Texas Association of Business President Glenn Hamer.
