The Museum of South Texas History presents “Alfonso ‘Al’ Ramírez: 100 Years of Legacy,” a spotlight exhibit highlighting the life of the former Edinburg mayor, now on display until Sunday, Feb 26. Photo courtesy of the Margaret H. McAllen Memorial Archives for illustration purposes. Bgd: googlemaps
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EDINBURG, Texas — The Museum of South Texas History presents “Alfonso ‘Al’ Ramírez: 100 Years of Legacy,” a spotlight exhibit highlighting the life of the former Edinburg mayor, now on display until Sunday, Feb 26.
In celebration of what would have been Ramírez’s 100th birthday, the exhibit will feature parts of the Al Ramírez Collection. A true renaissance man, Ramírez was a veteran of World War II, a champion for bilingual education and the first Mexican American mayor of Edinburg. He also ran a publishing company, Nuevo Santander Press. His family understood the significance of his contributions to the community and, over the years, donated a large collection of artifacts, documents and photographs.
The tournament is scheduled on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at McAllen’s Champion Lakes Golf Course, 2701 S. Ware Road, McAllen, TX 78503. Courtesy Image
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On behalf of the VAMOS Board of Directors, we invite you to the 27th Annual VAMOS Golf Tournament, presented by DHR Health. The tournament is scheduled on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at McAllen’s Champion Lakes Golf Course, 2701 S. Ware Road, McAllen, TX 78503. Please join us to help raise scholarship funds for VAMOS Scholars.
Since its inception in 1996, the Annual VAMOS Golf Tournament has been the premier tournament in the Rio Grande Valley. In addition to raising scholarship funds, it also helps raise awareness of the financial need that is prevalent among many high school students in the Rio Grande Valley. Students in the Rio Grande Valley experience hardship year after year as the cost of tuition and related fees exceed a student’s financial aid award. Therefore, VAMOS Scholarships help students reduce some of the financial burdens and allow them to thrive academically and professionally.
The Governor’s Committee to Support the Military released their 2022 report with recommendations for policy changes and legislative action to improve education, health care, quality of life, workforce development, encroachment, and infrastructure as they relate to the military community of Texas. Image for illustration purposes
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AUSTIN, Texas – The Governor’s Committee to Support the Military released their 2022 report with recommendations for policy changes and legislative action to improve education, health care, quality of life, workforce development, encroachment, and infrastructure as they relate to the military community of Texas.
“Texas is the proud home to 15 military installations and the U.S. Army Futures Command,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “With over $114.2 billion in economic output, these U.S. military installations represent one of the state’s largest industries, supporting more than 622,790 direct and indirect jobs in communities across this great state. I am grateful for the Committee’s hard work in developing meaningful recommendations that will further enhance the military value of these installations and improve the quality of life for our military families. With the guidance from this Committee, we will continue working together this Legislative Session to achieve these important goals.”
The Committee’s recommendations include:
Mitigate the Impact of Lost Property Tax Revenue Due to the Disabled Veterans Residence Homestead Exemption: Explore options to mitigate the negative resource impact on communities and take action to ensure Texas military installations and the surrounding communities remain competitive for future mission and stationing decisions, as well as any future Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) actions.
Early Enrollment for Military Family Students: Modify the current Texas Code to change “10 days” to “90 days” to provide school districts proof of residence. This accounts for the long lead time to find housing and allows military family students to remain stable in school.
Military Child Education Coalition: Continue to ensure funding is appropriated by the Legislature to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) budget for the current $500,000 biennium funding for the Military Child Education Coalition in the TEA’s base appropriation request.
Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC): Continue to pursue the memorandum of agreement between TEA and DMDC for data and establishment of a reporting process for annual or semi-annual reporting that allows TEA to measure the military readiness component of College, Career, and Military Readiness outcomes.
Increase Integration between Texas Educational Providers and Military Installation/Industry Skill Requirements: Develop legislation to encourage Texas high schools, technical and community colleges, and universities to invest in programs supporting the growing demands in Texas for advanced manufacturing and technology skills.
Addition of Airfield Paving or Related Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Services to Interagency Contracts between TxDOT and the U.S. Military: Modify Texas Code to allow TxDOT to perform any TxDOT service on military installations, including airfield pavement projects to include runways, taxiways, and aircraft parking areas or related TxDOT services if the installation pays for the work.
Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant (DEAAG) Program: Fully fund the DEAAG program to $30 million to help enhance military installations in Texas while improving and protecting those installations and surrounding communities from potential negative impacts of any future BRAC or stationing decision.
Encroachment on Military Training: Ensure potential legislation considers encroachment effects on military installations and includes provisions to protect the military installations.
The Governor’s Committee to Support the Military was established in September 2018. The Committee is comprised of up to 22 individuals, including Texas-resident veterans, community leaders, and business leaders.
The Government Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded the City of Mission the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the fiscal year that ended September 30, 2021. Courtesy Image
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MISSION, Texas – The Government Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded the City of Mission the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the fiscal year that ended September 30, 2021. It honors government organizations that go beyond the minimum requirements to show transparency and full disclosure on the reports.
Members holding their Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting award. Courtesy Image
“Transparency is crucial for us. I am extremely proud of the Finance Department for their commitment to producing an impeccable financial report,” said Randy Perez, Mission City Manager.
Mission’s Annual Comprehensive Plan, judged by an impartial panel, met the program’s high standards by clearly communicating its financial story and making it accessible to those reading the report. This is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting.
“I am so proud and grateful for all the work and dedication our employees put forth in putting together our Audited Comprehensive Financial Report,” said Angie Vela, Mission Finance Director. “It is a lengthy annual process. I believe this honor makes us a better organization and is integral to providing the citizens of Mission with clear communication and accountability.”
“It is an honor and a huge accomplishment,” said Mission Mayor Norie Gonzalez Garza. “This is an excellent example of the high level of competence and commitment that exists in our Finance Department and the entire City.”
The City of Mission’s budgets, updates, and other reports are available on the city’s website by visiting missiontexas.us and selecting the “Fiscal Transparency” tab.
State Representative Sergio Muñoz, Jr. (Palmview) was appointed to serve as a member of the House Committee on Defense & Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee on Ways & Means by Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan. Image Source: house.texas.gov
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Austin, TX – On Wednesday, State Representative Sergio Muñoz, Jr. (Palmview) was appointed to serve as a member of the House Committee on Defense & Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee on Ways & Means by Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan.
Currently serving his seventh term in the Texas House of Representatives, Rep. Muñoz’s committee appointments give our region unparalleled representation on revenue-related aspects and veterans’ issues.
Committee on Defense & Veterans’ Affairs has jurisdiction over:
the relations between the State of Texas and the federal government involving defense, emergency preparedness, and veterans issues;
the various branches of the military service of the United States;
the realignment or closure of military bases;
emergency preparedness;
veterans of military and related services; and
the following state agencies: the Texas Military Department, the Texas Veterans Commission, the Texas Veterans’ Land Board, the Texas Military Preparedness Commission, the Texas Division of Emergency Management, and the Emergency Management Council.
Committee on Ways & Means has jurisdiction over:
all bills and resolutions proposing to raise state revenue;
all bills or resolutions proposing to levy state Texas or other fees;
all proposals to modify, amend, or change any existing state tax or revenue statute;
all proposals to regulate the manner of collection of state revenues and taxes;
all bills and resolutions containing provisions resulting in automatic allocation of funds from the state treasury;
all bills and resolutions proposing to permit a local government to raise revenue;
all bills and resolutions proposing to permit a local government to levy or impose property taxes, sales and use taxes, or other taxes and fees;
all proposals to modify, amend, or change any existing local government tax or revenue state;
all proposals to regulate the manner of collection of local government revenues and taxes;
all bills and resolutions relating to the appraisal of property for taxation;
all bills and resolutions relating to the Tax Code; and
the following organizations and state agencies: the [Office of] Multistate Tax Commission [Compact Commissioner for Texas] and the Comptroller of Public Accounts.
“I’m eager to start learning and addressing the various issues in these committees. I will aim to support policies that safeguard taxpayerpocketbooks and secure taxpayer interests. Similarly, improving veteran services is essential and I will prioritize ensuring that veterans have access to their healthcare needs,” commented Representative Muñoz.
Rep. Sergio Muñoz, Jr. has served in the Texas Legislature since 2011 and represents all or parts of the cities of Hidalgo, Granjeno, McAllen, Mission, Palmview, Alton, Palmhurst, and Pharr.
Earlier this week, Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa joined Senator Lois Kolkhorst as joint-author of Senate Bill (SB) 715 and Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 39, that if passed, would legalize sports betting in Texas. Images Source: Texas.gov for illustration purposes
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AUSTIN, Texas — Earlier this week, Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa joined Senator Lois Kolkhorst as joint-author of Senate Bill (SB) 715 and Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 39, that if passed, would legalize sports betting in Texas.
Senator Hinojosa released the following statement:
“Texans are all about freedom of choice. The Legislature should provide our voters the right to decide for themselves if they want to engage in legal sports wagering. Last session, I introduced legislation that would provide voters that choice. This session, I am honored to joint author SB 715 and SJR 39 with Senator Lois Kolkhorst to give voters in November the opportunity to determine if they want to legalize sports betting in Texas. If these bills are passed, the state would be able to regulate, license and tax sports betting activity, which would bring us in line with 36 other states. Texans are already placing illegal bets on sports to the tune of billions of dollars per year – in many cases offshore sports books that offer no protections against bad actors and leave Texans with no legal recourse. The current status quo is unacceptable. It is only right that we give Texans a voice on this important issue.”
Attorney General Paxton has joined an Alabama-led letter sent to Congressional leaders, requesting that they put an end to the Biden Administration’s liberal use of emergency powers, especially by the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) and the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”). Image for illustration purposes
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AUSTIN, Texas – Attorney General Paxton has joined an Alabama-led letter sent to Congressional leaders, requesting that they put an end to the Biden Administration’s liberal use of emergency powers, especially by the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) and the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”).
The Biden Administration has attempted to use the pandemic as a pretext for instituting a number of unrelated left-wing policy objectives. HHS and FDA have also abused the emergency powers to force vaccine injections, which can have severe, adverse side effects on young children and healthy adults even though they are the least likely to be impacted by Covid-19.
Despite President Biden previously saying that “the pandemic is over,” his Administration has used this same pandemic—and continues to use it—as the justification for unprecedented expansions of executive power.
It is incumbent upon Speaker McCarthy and the new Congress to help restore the Constitutional order in Washington by limiting President Biden’s authority to use these emergency powers. Such unchecked authority is dangerous, particularly when wielded by this Administration, which has shown an unprecedented willingness to unlawfully expand federal power.
The letter states: “While many local abuses of authority have subsided, the Biden Administration continues to abuse and attempt to expand its authority even today. Therefore, the new Congress should act swiftly to clarify and amend the various statutory emergency authority provisions which FDA and HHS have abused in their unrealistic and impractical quest to operate under emergency authority indefinitely.”
Living with Spastic Cerebral Palsy, Harym Guerrero fought through challenges to become an accomplished guitarist and author. STC Image
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By Joey Gomez
Growing up with Spastic Cerebral Palsy, aspiring musician and artist Harym Guerrero said she has always had to fight harder than most to make her dreams come true.
Now on the verge of receiving her associate degree in music, Guerrero explains how South Texas College has given her the extra push to overcome her challenges, even when those around her told her it couldn’t be done.
On the day of her interview, it was cold and rainy as she entered STC’s Cooper Center, but Guerrero said it was days like this that were the best time to create music.
“I have completed several STC ensemble courses, and we always love the ‘rainy-day stuff’, as we call it,” Guerrero said.
The 26-year-old was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at infancy and now uses a wheelchair to get around. She would go on to be diagnosed with Scoliosis and Epilepsy as a teenager.
Despite the challenges, however, Guerrero says she has never allowed her disabilities to affect her career aspirations and goals.
Her name inlayed in her guitar neck. STC Image
Now as an accomplished guitarist, music producer and author of at least three books Guerrero says tenacity, a love for life, friends and faculty at STC have enabled her to overcome any challenge that has come her way.
“I have had a very good experience here at STC. I changed my life here, and now I’m preparing to be done in December,” said Guerrero. “Everyone here has been beyond accommodating. A lot of people in my situation are always told that they’ll never be able to do this. But I was one of those who doesn’t listen to that.
Guerrero said she loves the guitar, and when she first decided to begin her journey as a guitarist no one wanted to teach her, but she eventually found an instructor in Florida who made it happen. All of her lessons were completed by Skype video conferencing.
Learning to play the instrument wasn’t easy, according to Guerrero. Her biggest challenge, she said, was finding a way to hold the guitar due to her limited hand control, but she soon discovered unique tunings that allowed her to form a chord easily.
She began to play the instrument like a piano across her lap with one finger across the neck.
Her family then custom-crafted a guitar stand that properly holds the neck of the guitar along with a blanket for the guitar body to prevent it from sliding around on her lap while she plays.
STC faculty have enabled her to grow as a musician, she said.
“Harym Guerrero is truly an inspiration and a reminder that anything is possible, overcoming adversity and doubts of many,” said Jaime Garcia, STC guitar instructor who has served as Harym’s mentor. “Her devotion, desire and discipline for music and the guitar are unmatched and key ingredients to accomplishing any goal. It has been a pleasure teaching and learning from Harym.”
Music Department Chair Daniel Cather, who instructed Guerrero in his piano and theory courses called her work and commitment inspiring.
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“Harym Guerrero demonstrates something intangible that far transcends simple tenacity to pursue her dream of learning music,” Cather said. “She goes about the work with a joyful spirit and in doing so knocks down barriers to the limitations for what she can accomplish. In her piano and theory courses, she has worked tirelessly to understand the material, and it has been an inspiring experience to partner with Harym in this journey.”
Today, Guerrero is sponsored by Austin-based Journey Instruments, a company specializing in travel guitars engineered for unique artists and musicians on the road. The company crafted Guerreo’s carbon-fiber guitar to her exact specifications.
“Accessibility is a big deal. If I can find accessibility with anything I do, then I’m going to do it. It’s the same with my writing,” she said.
Along with her music passion, Guerrero has published three books so far, including her memoires, a children’s book on proper service dog handling and her experience as a guitarist with cerebral palsy.
“There are people who are disabled but who are still doing incredible things out there, and STC helped me on my own journey to cross that mountain,” she said.
Maggie Solis is a staple at Texas Southmost College (TSC). She has been an accounting instructor at TSC for ten years, but her career spans 21 years, including the Texas Southmost College/University of Texas Brownsville partnership days. Courtesy Image
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Maggie Solis is a staple at Texas Southmost College (TSC). She has been an accounting instructor at TSC for ten years, but her career spans 21 years, including the Texas Southmost College/University of Texas Brownsville partnership days. As a TSC Accounting Technology program instructor, Solis is also the Program Coordinator.
As a TSC Accounting Technology program instructor, Solis is also the Program Coordinator. Courtesy Image
Countless students have acquired their start as accountants in her classes. Many residents in the greater community have also benefited from the free income tax assistance she provides through her volunteer work with United Way’s program, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA).
The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently recognized Solis for her longstanding dedication to providing this service to the community she serves. She has volunteered at VITA for twenty years.
IRS representatives Robert Kerner, Grace Torres, and Maria Bustamante, the United Way of Southern Cameron County’s VITA Coordinator Mayela Moreno, and CEO Traci Wickett, presented a certificate of recognition to Solis during this year’s opening of the VITA program at the International Technology, Education and Commerce Center (ITECC) in late January.
“What she does to give back to the community and the people here is priceless,” said IRS representative Grace Torres. “She has volunteered for many years. She has helped for many years by running this site and getting her students to do the same.”
Solis holder her award with others. Courtesy Image
During tax season, Solis and her students spend countless Saturdays volunteering to assist community members making less than $58K in preparing their taxes, and their efforts do not go unnoticed. When
Solis’ award photo was shared on TSC’s social media platforms, there was an outpouring of support and “thank yous” from students she has taught and mentored throughout her career as an instructor.
Solis is a firm believer in the VITA program. She strives to help the community she serves by guiding and educating them on the best practices to save money on taxes.
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“Not only do we provide the free income tax service, but in the process, we are educating the community,” said Solis. “Part of the education we provide is to inform them about the credits available, especially the Earned Income Tax Credit. When someone has dependents, that credit will give them a higher tax refund at the end.”
Solis’s students get valuable service-learning experience by working on real-life scenarios preparing individual taxes while at the same time fulfilling a community need.
“You get to see the students grow because it adds value to the understanding of what they are doing since these are real tax returns,” Solis said.
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IRS representatives agree with Solis and mention that in many cases, volunteer students with VITA credentials are recruited at a higher salary grade than entry-level because of the experience they have acquired volunteering in the program.
Maggie Solis and the accounting program can be reached at 956-295-3575 or via e-mail at maggie.solis@tsc.edu.
Dade Phelan, Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives announced House committee assignments for the 88th Legislature. Image for illustration purposes. Image Sources: Texas.gov
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AUSTIN, Texas — Dade Phelan, Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives announced House committee assignments for the 88th Legislature.
Senator Hinojosa released the following statement:
“Congratulations to all the House members of my Senate District 20 Legislative Delegation for their respective appointment as chairs and members of excellent committees. South Texas will be greatly represented by our members in powerful and key committees. I look forward to working with each one of them to push our priorities, pass legislation, and secure funding to improve the quality of life of Texans and keep the Texas economy strong.”
House Members in Senate District 20:
· Todd Hunter, Chair of State Affairs
· Terry Canales, Chair of Transportation
· Abel Herrero, Chair of Corrections
· Ryan Guillen, Chair of Homeland Security
· Oscar Longoria, Chair of Business & Industry
· JM Lozano, Chair of Urban Affairs
· Bobby Guerra, Chair of Resolutions Calendars
· Mando Martinez, Member of Appropriations; Vice Chair of Culture, Recreation & Tourism
· Sergio Munoz, Member of Ways & Means; Defense & Veterans Affairs
