“I am honored to have the opportunity to lead COSTEP and work with its dedicated Board, team, and partners to further education and economic development in Rio South Texas,” said Gonzalez. Courtesy Image
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COSTEP is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting economic growth and development in the Rio South Texas region. The organization collaborates with the Texas Economic Development Corporation, private industry, EDO’s, workforce boards, institutions of higher education, and other key stakeholders of the region to attract new investment, fund educational programs, create jobs, and improve the quality of life for residents in Rio South Texas.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to lead COSTEP and work with its dedicated Board, team, and partners to further education and economic development in Rio South Texas,” said Gonzalez. “I look forward to building on the organization’s 50+ years of success and working with key stakeholders throughout the region to promote growth and prosperity.”
As CEO, Gonzalez will be responsible for overseeing all COSTEP’s and the Rio-South Texas Education and Community Development Foundation’s operations. Gonzalez’s appointment will be crucial in bringing together the public and private sectors to forge new paths for regional prosperity through various economic development initiatives and funding of educational programs.
McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos penned a letter to Texas Governor Greg Abbott, expressing support for two bills filed by Chairman Terry Canales (D-40) that support border security. Image for illustration purposes. Bgd USCBP Image.
Texas Border Business
McALLEN, Texas – McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos penned a letter to Texas Governor Greg Abbott, expressing support for two bills filed by Chairman Terry Canales (D-40) that support border security. The letter was also signed by the mayors of 21 of the 22 cities in Hidalgo County.
“I felt it was important to express support for Chairman Canales’ bills, which would be extremely beneficial to McAllen and all of Hidalgo County,” said Mayor Villalobos. “In fact, the Rio Grande Valley is strongest when we come together as a region, which is why my fellow mayors also felt it important to sign the letter.”
Chairman Canales has filed House Bill 3805, which would create a new category for funding Texas transportation projects focused on providing greater security in the movement of goods near the Texas/Mexico border. His other bill, House Bill 4422 is a study on enhancing border security through public safety, technology and transportation improvements near the Texas/Mexico border.
According to Mayor Villalobos, the “bills represent a bold new strategy in the effort to secure the border.” In the letter, Villalobos further expresses to Gov. Abbott “to revisit the state’s current approach to border security and consider the opportunities that Rep. Canales is proposing.”
“The City of Edinburg, alongside the rest of the Rio Grande Valley, heavily depends on the transportation of goods through our international ports of entry to maintain a healthy economy for our residents and the future of our city,” says Edinburg Mayor Ramiro Garza, Jr. “House Bill 3805 and House Bill 4422 would allow that to become a priority, while simultaneously securing our borders and acknowledging the developments along the Texas-Mexico border that need to be studied to improve supply chains. Cities in the RGV are impacted on a daily basis, and we hope that these efforts help in guiding border security in the right direction.”
“The City of Pharr stands alongside our Hidalgo County cities in supporting Chairman Canales’ HB 4422 and HB 3805, both of which would enhance our bridge operations, invest in new technology, and ultimately secure the border which is the driving force of our local economies,” said Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D.
“We are a border city, so border security is crucial for us. However, it is a regional concern. This is why local mayors have made a special effort to meet and discuss border security,” said City of Mission Mayor Norie Gonzalez Garza. “The Rio Grande Valley needs to be heard, and no better way than coming together and speaking as one. I believe this bill would help our efforts to secure the border and support Border Patrol and other agencies that are tasked with that.”
Today the state senate reconfirmed Chairman Steven P. Mach to the Public Safety Commission (PSC). Texas DPS Image for illustration purposes
Texas Border Business
AUSTIN, Texas – Today the state senate reconfirmed Chairman Steven P. Mach to the Public Safety Commission (PSC).
The PSC oversees the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). Its five members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the state senate for staggered, six-year terms. Current members include Nelda Luce Blair, Larry B. Long, Steve H. Stodghill and Dale Wainwright.
“I am humbled to have been reappointed by Governor Greg Abbott and confirmed by the Senate to serve another term. Our state’s leaders have made it clear that public safety is their number one priority, and I’m fortunate to work alongside fellow commissioners who understand there is no greater responsibility of government than protecting its citizens,” said Chairman Mach. “As our population continues to grow thanks to innovative businesses located here and our strong workforce, so will the challenges we face to protect and serve Texas. From securing our southern border as part of Operation Lone Star, expanding driver license services and so much more – I look forward to overcoming these challenges with the men and women of DPS, and I know they are up to the task.”
Mach has served on the PSC since November 2013 and was named Chairman by Governor Abbott in March 2017.
Mach, a fourth generation Houstonian, is the Vice President and CFO of Mach Industrial Group, LP. He has served as a trustee of his alma mater, Trinity University, since 2007. In his role as Chairman of the Public Safety Commission, he also serves as a statutory member of the Texas Racing Commission. Mach serves on the boards of The Kinkaid School, the Houston Symphony, the Sam Houston Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Foundation. An Eagle Scout, he was a 2019 recipient of the National Eagle Scout Association Outstanding Eagle Scout Award, and also completed Scouting’s Wood Badge leadership program.
In 2017, Mach was recognized by Crime Stoppers of Houston as the recipient of the Leiv Platou Award, which is given to a citizen who has made a significant contribution to public safety through volunteerism in the community.
Senator Ted Cruz and Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers have sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Jessica Rosenworcel asking for explanations regarding the FCC’s decision that blocked the Standard General-TEGNA transaction. Imgage fr illustration purposes. TEGNA Logo: Wikimedia Comms Public Domain. Rogers and Cruz Images; US House Office of Photography, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo Gonzalez
Senator Ted Cruz and Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers have sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Jessica Rosenworcel asking for explanations regarding the FCC’s decision that blocked the Standard General-TEGNA transaction. The lawmakers criticized the FCC’s decision to refer the transaction to an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearing without a commission-level vote. The lawmakers also raised concerns that outside interests may have played a role in the FCC’s decision to block the transaction, suggesting that the well-connected Democratic donor, Byron Allen, may benefit from the transaction’s cancellation. The lawmakers requested details on previous Hearing Designation Orders involving similar matters and the FCC’s handling of the Standard General-TEGNA transaction.
What is TEGNA? TEGNA Inc. is a publicly traded American media company that operates television stations and digital media properties in various US markets. It is headquartered in Tysons, Virginia. TEGNA’s television stations reach approximately 39% of US households, and its digital media properties receive more than 50 million unique visitors per month.
A new study conducted by experts at the price-monitoring website PriceListo has revealed the most expensive and most affordable US cities for a night out. Image for illustration purposes
Texas Border Business
A new study conducted by experts at the price-monitoring website PriceListo has revealed the most expensive and most affordable US cities for a night out. The experts collected cost-of-living data from each US city with a population exceeding 500,000 to find out the average price of a cocktail, cab fare (three-mile journey), a bottle of wine, and a pint of beer. In addition, data was analyzed from the hotel site Vio and to discover the median price for a one-night stay in a budget hotel for each city. The price of each category was then added together to discover an overall cost. Find the results below:
San Diego, CA, is the most expensive US city for a night out, costing an average $225.27.
Dallas, TX, is the most expensive city to purchase a cocktail.
San Antonio, TX, is home to the cheapest cocktails and beer.
Top 10 most expensive US cities for a night out:
1. San Diego – $225.27
2. Charlotte – $224.75
3. Austin – $221.23
4. Memphis – $216.25
5. Columbus – $212.47
6. Boston – $211.16
7. Seattle – $210.61
8. Washington, DC – $210.39
9. Houston – $209.54
10. Tucson – $203.39
The data revealed that San Diego is the most expensive US city for a night out. San Diego is home to the second most expensive pint of beer for $8.00 and the third most expensive hotel stay for $167.28.
San Francisco is the most expensive US city to buy a beer and a fast-food combo meal. A cold pint at the local pub will set you back $9.00, while a McDonald’s combo meal will cost $12.00 in San Francisco.
Dallas should be avoided when looking for an affordable cocktail bar, as one cocktail costs an enormous $25.00; that’s $17.00 more expensive than the same cocktail purchased in San Antonio.
Top 10 most affordable US cities for a night out:
1. Las Vegas – $120.76
2. San Antonio – $134.56
3. Oklahoma City – $136.98
4. San Francisco – $142.94
5. Fresno – $145.55
6. Albuquerque – $157.47
7. Jacksonville – $162.42
8. Philadelphia – $168.74
9. Fort Worth – $172.14
10. Chicago – $173.81
The data revealed Las Vegas to be the most affordable city in the US for a night out, mostly thanks to the city being home to the cheapest hotels, the median price being $62.73 for a one-night stay in a budget hotel.
If you are looking for the cheapest pint of beer and cocktails, San Antonio is the US city to visit. A pint of beer here will set you back just $3.27, and the most affordable cocktail is only $8.00.
Dallas is the cheapest US city for paying cab fares. A three-mile journey at the normal tariff will cost $5.41, that’s $11.11 cheaper than a cab ride in Philadelphia.
A spokesperson from PriceListo commented on the study:
“When planning a fun night out with your friends, the last thing you want to worry about is spending too much money. This study can help guide those trying to tighten their purse strings in the right direction when enjoying a night out with their friends.”
US cities with a population larger than 500,000 ranked by most expensive overall cost for a night out ($)
Information Source and for more information visit: pricelisto.com.
The US economy is currently enduring some major headwinds. Image for illustration purposes
Texas Border Business
Dr. M. Ray Perryman is President Chief Executive Officer of The Perryman Group
The US economy is currently enduring some major headwinds. High inflation persists even as the Federal Reserve raises interest rates. Fallout from the escalating interest rates is affecting a number of industries and individuals, with ripple effects throughout the economy. Geopolitical uncertainty is also a factor, with not only Russia-Ukraine, but several other areas showing signs of rising tensions. However, while there will almost certainly be some bumps along the way, I don’t anticipate a major meltdown. In fact, our latest projections call for notable growth over the next five years. Let’s briefly explore a few key issues.
Inflation has proven difficult to manage. Many analysts underestimated the inflationary power of massive stimulus packages and what would happen when people started trying to spend that extra bonanza even as the supply chain was reeling from the pandemic. Added to that pressure were the disruptions in energy and agricultural markets stemming from the invasion of Ukraine, a fire in a major South Korean semiconductor facility, and other assorted calamities. Markets for various items continue to be constrained at times, pushing up prices.
Though we are saddled with some of these pressures for a while, others are lessening. Inventories of many items are rising, which should tame price increases. The housing market has cooled to some extent (see below), helping with costs to buy or rent. Wholesale prices are also moderating, which is often a harbinger of things to come. Looking over a five-year horizon, I think we’ll see inflation at very manageable levels, though it will likely take a while to get there.
As the Federal Reserve has taken action to raise target interest rates, there has been significant fallout. The housing market is particularly sensitive to borrowing costs; in most areas, prices and new construction are down. Uncertainty about the economy is adding to real estate challenges, though there isn’t a massive structural problem such as we saw during the Great Recession. High-profile bank failures (largely due to poor management of interest rate risk and institution-specific issues) have made headlines, but no major systemic issues appear to be present.
For these and other reasons (such as tensions in several regions of the globe), concerns regarding the future performance of the economy are causing some retrenchment. It’s an unavoidable outcome of what the Fed is trying to do and the vagaries of the times. Growth in the near term will undoubtedly be curtailed, though I think the chatter greatly exaggerates the risk of a major downturn. Our latest forecast anticipates growth in real gross product at a 2.81% annual pace over the next five years, while employment rises by 1.73% per year. All things considered, that is not too bad. Stay safe!
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Dr. M. Ray Perryman is President and Chief Executive Officer of The Perryman Group (www.perrymangroup.com), which has served the needs of over 3,000 clients over the past four decades.
The City of El Paso is excited to announce that the Texas Municipal Courts Education Center (TMCEC) recognized the El Paso Municipal Court with the 2023 High Volume Municipal Traffic Safety Initiative Award. Courtesy Image
Texas Border Business
EL PASO, Texas – The City of El Paso is excited to announce that the Texas Municipal Courts Education Center (TMCEC) recognized the El Paso Municipal Court with the 2023 High Volume Municipal Traffic Safety Initiative Award.
The City’s Municipal Court was recognized for extraordinary efforts in educating the community about traffic safety. The Court participated in various community events such as Día de los Niños/Día de los Libros, Teentober Fest, and the El Paso Streetcar Read and Ride programs. Court staff also provided numerous presentations about the importance of traffic safety at area schools and colleges.
“Commitment to providing traffic safety initiatives to the community is something the Municipal Court team delivers throughout the year,” said Municipal Court Director Lilia Worrell. “Winning this award is a big achievement for our team, and it emphasizes the importance of the work we perform beyond the courtrooms for our community.”
Municipal Court also hosts a variety of youth-focused programs to include, Teen Court, a Summer Youth Program, Halloween Safety, and Youth Delinquency Prevention classes where students learn about traffic safety, the dangers of drinking and driving, distracted driving, and much more.
TMCEC, through its Texas Department of Transportation grant-funded Municipal Traffic Safety Initiative, recognizes Texas municipal courts that have made outstanding contributions to increase traffic safety and prevent impaired driving in their communities.
U.S. Border Patrol Agents from the Ysleta station encounter more than 140 smuggled migrants in two stash houses on Sunday. USCBP image for illustration purposes
Texas Border Business
EL PASO, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol Agents from the Ysleta station encounter more than 140 smuggled migrants in two stash houses on Sunday.
The first group was found during the early hours of Sunday near North Loop Drive and North Zaragoza Road. Ysleta Border Patrol Station agents received information regarding a possible stash house in that area. When agents arrived, they located 51 migrants inside the residence. The migrants were from Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala. All migrants were found to be in good health. Two of the migrants, Mexican nationals, were identified by agents as the caretakers of the residence. Both will be facing federal charges for the smuggling scheme.
The second group was found around noon when Ysleta agents along with the Texas Department of Public Safety encountered 94 smuggled migrants inside a second stash house. Agents received information, from interviews from the previous stash house, about the property possibly harboring migrants located near North Loop Drive and North Carolina Drive in El Paso, Texas. When agents arrived at the location, they encountered 94 migrants from Guatemala, Mexico and Ecuador. All migrants were found in good health despite being housed in deplorable conditions.
All migrants encountered were processed under Title 42 or Title 8 authority.
Fiscal Year 2023, El Paso Sector human smuggling interdiction teams have uncovered over 130 stash houses in the region with over 1,800 migrants.
“The citizens in our local El Paso community provide an important partnership to help us safeguard our city. We encourage anyone with information to report suspicious activity to our office. That one phone call could help save many lives,” said Anthony “Scott” Good, El Paso Sector Chief Patrol Agent.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens are encouraged to report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol while remaining anonymous by calling 1-800-635- 2509
This is an indictment about nothing based on non-crimes and politics. Imgage for illustrationpirposes. Trump Image Source: Shealah Craighead, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Judicial Watch
Washington, DC– Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton made the following statement regarding the unprecedented indictment of President Donald Trump by Democrats in New York:
What a sad day for America. And what a blow the rule of law and our republican form of government. President Trump and the American people were abused and victimized by New York Democrat politician Alvin Bragg, who abused his office to try to jail a man he must know to be innocent. This is an indictment about nothing based on non-crimes and politics. It is a rigged prosecution to rig an election. The courts must end this malicious prosecution before the nation is irreparably damaged. In the meantime, Congress must immediately investigate Bragg’s election interference and his political attack on Trump’s civil rights. Judicial Watch has already launched a series of Freedom of Information Act inquiries into this unprecedented attack on the American way.
Governor Greg Abbott today commended Texas banking institutions for helping provide support to Texas communities as a financial backbone at a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Texas Bankers Association (TBA) headquarters building in Austin. Photo: Office of the Governor
Texas Border Business
AUSTIN, Texas – Governor Greg Abbott today commended Texas banking institutions for helping provide support to Texas communities as a financial backbone at a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Texas Bankers Association (TBA) headquarters building in Austin. During the ceremony, Governor Abbott thanked TBA’s 400-member banking institutions for their work to ensure entrepreneurs across the state have the financial resources needed to succeed.
Governor Abbot with several members of the Texas Bankers Association. Photo: Office of the Governor
“Members of the Texas Bankers Association are a critical part of our booming economy,” said Governor Abbott. “These institutions serve as the financial backbone of many Texas communities and are a big part of the Texas economic juggernaut. Our economy is great for all Texans. With our strong, pro-growth economic agenda, we will remain the economic envy of America. I congratulate you on your new building and welcome you to the neighborhood.”
The Governor speaks with TBA Officials. Photo: Office of the Governor
The Governor was joined at the ribbon cutting ceremony by TBA President and CEO Chris Furlow and other TBA members.
TBA is America’s largest state-based trade association for bankers whose members represent the voice of the banking industry in Texas and the nation.
The Governor speaks with TBA Officials. Photo: Office of the Governor
