State Representative Eddie Morales is pushing the state to ensure that Texans get the Coronavirus vaccine first.
“It has come to our attention that non U.S. citizens and residents from Mexico are registering for and receiving vaccines in border communities,” Morales wrote to Dr. John William
Hellerstedt, Commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services. “These folks are crossing the border and receiving the vaccines before U.S. residents and U.S. citizens.”
Morales, was sworn in to represent District 74 Jan. 12, 2021. “Eight of the 12 counties in House District 74 share a border with Mexico,” he wrote.
“The folks in District 74 voted for me to go to Austin to work and fight for them,” Morales said in an interview Saturday afternoon. He said the issue came to his attention when constituents reached out to him about the situation.
“It’s not about racism or discrimination,” Morales said. “It’s not a Mexico vs Texas thing. If we had enough vaccines that would be another thing. But we have to prioritize but I think Texans should be at the front of the line in Texas. They pay into a system with their taxes and as long as vaccines are limited, Texans should come first.
In Val Verde County, about 3,800 citizens of 53,000 have been vaccinated.
“Once we have enough vaccines, I’m very open to working with our neighbors in Canada and Mexico,” he added.
“I must emphasize, this isn’t about racism. I was born in Mexico, I own a tortilla factory, (The Piedras Negras Tortilla Factory) this is about doing the right thing by Texans!”
Louis Owens, the Val Verde County Judge, said he’s extremely appreciative of Morales’ and State Senator Roland Gutierrez’s efforts on Val Verde County’s behalf.
“This is indicative of what they have been doing for us,” Owens said. “There has been nothing that we’ve asked these two for that they haven’t gone to bat for us.”
