 |
| State Representative Armando Martinez, Weslaco |
Merging the University of Texas Pan American with the University of Texas at Brownsville was partly fueled by that thinking, but also the dangling carrot of a new medical school. While the politicians of the valley may feel empowered by acting sort of in unison, campus buildings eventually have to be located somewhere as well as control.
It now appears, for example, that the administrative offices for the new medical school, that is the control, will be in Hidalgo County.
What about the actual physical location of the new medical school? The Valley Morning Star quotes J.J. Garza, administrative assistant to State Representative Rene Oliveira, as saying:
“Education programs for medical students will take full advantage of existing facilities at UT—Pan American, UT Brownsville and the RAHC (Regional Academic Health Center in Harlingen).” Taken at face value, this sounds as if medicine will be taught in two places in buildings already constructed, at least for years one and two of med school. Garza's statement about the next two years of medical training is even more vague. According to the Morning Star, "Third and fourth year programs will be conducted throughout the region, Garza said."
Some have noticed that in all the discussions of operating regionally, the City of Brownsville is not receiving prominent mention. This is an old fear, put more succinctly by former Mayor Pat Ahumada: "McAllen is eating our lunch!"
While decisions are being hashed out concerning the location of higher education facilities in the area, there is now a push to regionalize mass transit, putting it also under some sort of regional control. State Representative Armando Martinez of Weslaco has sponsored HB 2423, described as "relating to the creation of regional transit authorities; granting the power of eminent domain; providing authority to issue bonds."
Concern about this bill was expressed by Norma Zamora, Brownsville Metro Director, at last Wednesday's public meeting of the Brownsville Metro Transit Advisory Committee. For Brownsville Metro, it would involve relinquishing some control in deference to regional direction. Some scary parts of the bill include the power of eminent domain, authority to issue bonds, etc.
A quick perusal of the 14 page bill text finds at least a couple areas of interest:
(c) An authority may hold, use, sell, lease, dispose of, and
acquire, by any means, property and licenses, patents, rights, and
other interests necessary, convenient, or useful to the exercise of
any power under this chapter.
Also, this on an the authority being a "taxing entity":
(1) "Taxing entity" means a rapid transit authority, a
regional transit authority, including a subregional transportation
authority, or a municipal mass transit department created under
Chapter 451, 452, [or] 453, or 463, Transportation Code, or a
coordinated county transportation authority created under Chapter
460, Transportation Code, that has adopted a sales and use tax under
the law authorizing the creation of the entity.
As written, the bill, if passed by 2/3 majority, seems to take immediate affect:
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2013.
Say, what of the old cuss, Dagoberto Barrera? Ain't seen him posting comments lately. Wonder why?
ReplyDeleteDags.
I'm told that at the age of 85, he doesn't do internet.
DeleteFor many years it has been known that the RGV had the capability to be one of the most influential regions in Texas.....except, in order to have that power the local entities of the RGV would have to cooperate. The "la jaiba" culture in the Valley prevents the local governments from cooperation and general progress. Each city wants to control its own destiny and each is unwilling to compromise for the sake of progress. Instead of one regional airport, we have three or more. Each county and city wants its own bus system, on security forces, etc. The failure of the communities to cooperate leads to lack of progress. Hildalgo County and McAllen are far ahead of Cameron County and Brownsville/Harlingen in terms of new businesses, new restaurants, new retail because they (Hidalgo Co. and McAllen) are willing to make financial committments to attract these businesses....while Cameron County and Brownsville cannot get local contributions and we hold out for freebies or what falls off the table in the upper valley. We have a Port which still cannot free itself of receiving taxes from the public to carry on its business....can't operate (we must assume) without holding on to the public tit. No leadership in Cameron County and Brownsville.
ReplyDelete