Del Rio’s Democratic state rep eyes 2nd special session

Today, the 2nd Called Special Session begins. There is a lot on the call, including critical flood relief for Texans impacted by catastrophic flooding across Central Texas, bills that would allow our local governments to apply for grant opportunities to update their flood warning systems and emergency communications. There is important work that needs to be done on behalf of the people of Texas, not political agendas.

Here’s the truth: the first bill to come to the House Floor during the 1st Special Session was not flood relief or property tax relief. For over a week, the only bill on the calendar was HB 4, congressional redistricting. Only in the final days of the 1st Special Session were flood relief bills put on the calendar.

While many of my colleagues used a historically protected constitutional maneuver to break quorum to prevent this unprecedented mid-decade gerrymander, I remained in Austin to voice my opposition and make sure every voice across House District 74 was represented, Democrats, Independents, and Republicans alike.

I believe Democrats and Republicans in our district both believe in the importance of flood relief for Central Texas. Both believe that property taxes are too damn high, continue to be a burden for homeowners, and prevent our younger generations from buying their first home. Both believe that THC should remain legal and well-regulated. Both believe that we need to put Texans first.

For over 20 years, Republicans from top-down have been the majority party in our state. If this were an issue they cared about, this would have been done long ago. We find ourselves here because President Trump made one phone call to Governor Abbott, telling him to get five more Republican seats in U.S. Congress – the same way he called Georgia asking them to “find him 11,000 more votes” when he lost his re-election bid in 2020.

What is shameful is that Texas leadership not only bent the knee to this request, but they put it ahead of the critical aid to our communities in need. Over 135 of our fellow Texans died, and thousands of livelihoods were uprooted. It is unconscionable that a redistricting bill would be put ahead of fellow Texans.

I will continue to urge Governor Abbott, Lt. Governor Patrick, and Speaker Burrows to put flood relief FIRST on the calendar. If they do, my colleagues will be on the House Floor to step up for our fellow Texans and equip our communities with the resources necessary to ensure Texas never sees the loss of life that we saw on July 4th.