Eagle Pass Police Association Endorses Eddie Morales For House District 74
The Eagle Pass Police Association is honored to announce that it is our privilege to endorse State Representative Candidate Heriberto Eddie Morales
A lifelong product of Eagle Pass, Eddie Morales has served the community with focus and integrity throughout his career as an attorney, a businessman, and an investor. With over 20 years of experience, and a devoted focus to strengthening the community, Eddie is ready to bring the same transparency and responsibility to District 74.
With a thorough background on issues that our district demands, Eddie has invested his hard work ethic, educational experience, and passion into our community. The blessings that Eddie has received from the community have allowed him the opportunity, financial stability, and experience to represent not only the largest, but the most important district in Texas.
With his daughters Kassandra and Alexandra having recently graduated from Texas State University, and his son, little Eddie, now a freshman at the University of Texas, Eddie is prepared to bring the same values, and energy, to this next stage of his life. Eddie pledges to listen and take the views of every community in our district when making decisions for the betterment of District 74.
The 3rd called special session of the 87th Legislature is #sinedie! Hellen & I want to thank our staff, colleagues, HD74 elected officials, and our constituents for the ongoing support! We are looking forward to returning to the District and preparing in the interim for the future needs of the new HD74 district that will now include portions of El Paso. Together we are stronger! #txlege #HD74 #sinedie
Late last night the Texas Legislature voted for final passage of Senate Bill 8, which appropriates the funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, to be used across Texas. A critical piece of this legislation includes $15.5 million dollars to fund a permanent United States Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) Inspection Station in Presidio to serve the South Orient Rail Line, which crosses the international border in Presidio and continues all the way to Dallas. Representative Morales spoke on the House Floor about the importance of this inspection station not just to Presidio, but for the rest of the state.
The City of Presidio suffered a fire in 2008 that burned down their International Bridge. A loss of commercial traffic, including rail imports and exports, was detrimental to the border community of Presidio, as well as the entire West Texas region. Now, thirteen years later the bridge is operational, allowing commercial and non-essential travelers to visit both Presidio and Ojinaga, once again. However, since the bridge had been out of service for so long, many of the improvements that needed to be made to the USCBP facilities had lapsed. Needs include an X-Ray Machine, as well as lighting, fencing, and other miscellaneous improvements to ensure that rail imports and exports can move through safely and efficiently.
Earlier this year, Presidio was successful in obtaining $17.5 million in federal funds for their new USCBP station, however, TxDOT needed $15.5 million to complete the inspection station that would allow for international trade to take place in an underserved region that would benefit greatly from this investment.
Representative Morales formed a coalition with other Representatives from West Texas to impress upon their colleagues from other areas of the state how important this project is for the region and for Texas as a whole. Representative Morales was able to ensure that these $15.5 million dollars were appropriated to TxDOT to fund the USCBP inspection. Representative Morales had this to say:
"Thank you to Chairman Bonnen and Representative Drew Darby (R-San Angelo) for working with me to ensure that these funds were appropriated for the Presidio CBP Station to expand trade opportunities. This bi-partisan support for these funds shows that we can do more for Texas when we work together and reach across the aisle. The City of Presidio can once again utilize the South Orient Rail Line to bring back rail trade to their community. This is a critical piece of trade infrastructure for the State of Texas, and the United States as a whole. I look forward to the growth and prosperity that this region will inevitably see in the near future."
NOTICE: A 10 mile stretch of Highway 118, South of Elephant Mountain, will be closed for approximately 30 minutes, beginning at 2:15 this afternoon. This closure is in conjunction with the Terlingua Shelby Charity Run. This event benefits numerous organizations in the area.
Proposition 2 would amend the Texas Constitution to authorize counties to issue bonds to fund the development of transportation and infrastructure projects in blighted areas. The amendment prohibits counties that issue bonds for such purposes from pledging more than 65% of the increase in ad valorem tax revenues to repay the bonds. It would also prohibit the funds from the bond issue to be used for constructing, operating, maintaining, or acquiring a toll road.
Currently, the state constitution authorizes incorporated cities and towns to issue bonds for infrastructure and transportation projects in blighted areas. Cities and towns were first authorized to issue bonds for such purposes in 1981 with the passage of Proposition 1.
As our state continues to grow, we must prioritize quality infrastructure to reduce traffic and improve safety on Texas roads. Proposition 2 will help meet the demands of a growing state by giving counties the authority to finance road and bridge projects without creating new taxes, additional fees, or devoting any more money to toll roads.
I hope you’ll join me in voting YES on Prop 2.
#TxLege
