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Brownsville Mayor Meets Senator Cornyn to Address Water Security, Mobility, and Trade Priorities 

Brownsville Mayor John Cowen stands with U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and Rio Grande Valley leaders following a regional meeting focused on water security, transportation planning, and economic development. Courtesy image

Brownsville Mayor John Cowen met with U.S. Sen. John Cornyn to discuss water security, regional mobility, trade under the USMCA, and continued economic development in Brownsville and the Rio Grande Valley. 

According to Mayor Cowen, the meeting focused on long-term water solutions, including plans for a future desalination plant. A desalination plant is a facility that removes salt and other minerals from seawater or brackish water to produce fresh drinking water. Such projects are often considered in coastal regions facing water supply challenges, as they provide an additional source of potable water independent of rainfall. 

Regional transportation planning was also discussed in coordination with the Rio Grande Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization, commonly known as the RGV MPO. A Metropolitan Planning Organization, or MPO, is a federally required regional body responsible for transportation planning and allocation of certain federal transportation funds in urbanized areas. MPOs coordinate among cities, counties, and state agencies to develop long-range transportation plans and prioritize infrastructure projects. 

Brownsville Mayor John Cowen meets with U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and Rio Grande Valley leaders at the conference table to discuss water security, regional mobility, and economic development priorities. Courtesy image 

The meeting also addressed the impact of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA. The USMCA is the trilateral trade agreement between the United States, Mexico, and Canada that replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement in 2020. It governs trade rules across North America, including provisions affecting manufacturing, agriculture, labor standards, and cross-border supply chains. For border communities such as Brownsville, trade policy directly affects economic activity, logistics, and employment. 

“These are the kinds of conversations that help move real solutions forward for our residents, our businesses, and our region. Proud to keep working, across all levels of government, to deliver forBrownsville,” Cowen said. 

Local and regional officials participated in the discussion, including Donna Mayor David Moreno; Edinburg Mayor Omar Ochoa; Mission Mayor Norie Garza; Alamo Mayor JR Garza; Mayor Ricardo “Rick” Guerra of San Benito; Mayor Todd Day of Rancho Viejo; Xavier Salinas, Weslaco City Manager; Paco Sanchez, CEO of the RGV Partnership; and Rogelio Chanes, Intergovernmental Relations Manager for the City of Brownsville. 

The meeting highlighted coordination among municipal, regional, and federal leaders on infrastructure, trade, and economic development priorities affecting Brownsville and the surrounding Rio Grande Valley communities. 

What Really Lowers Prices: Supply, Costs, and Competition

Americans across the country are feeling the strain of higher prices—for groceries, housing, insurance, health care, and energy. Policymakers understandably want to act quickly to ease that pressure. But history shows that some well-intentioned responses can actually make affordability worse. Image for illustration purposes
Americans across the country are feeling the strain of higher prices—for groceries, housing, insurance, health care, and energy. Policymakers understandably want to act quickly to ease that pressure. But history shows that some well-intentioned responses can actually make affordability worse. Image for illustration purposes

By Neil Bradley
Executive Vice President, Chief Policy Officer, and Head of Strategic Advocacy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Americans across the country are feeling the strain of higher prices—for groceries, housing, insurance, health care, and energy. Policymakers understandably want to act quickly to ease that pressure. But history shows that some well-intentioned responses can actually make affordability worse.

The most effective way to bring down prices sustainably is by increasing supply and reducing unnecessary costs imposed by government policy—not heavy-handed government interventions. When supply increases and fixed costs are reduced, competitive markets do what they’re meant to do—drive prices down.

The Key to Affordability: Increase Supply and Reduce Fixed Costs

• Sustainable affordability comes from two core strategies:

Increasing supply. When supply is constrained, prices rise. When supply expands, prices fall. • Even the credible signal of future supply growth can help reduce prices today by improving market expectations.

• Reducing external fixed costs. Costs imposed by government policy—things like tariffs, permitting delays, litigation, and regulatory complexity—raise prices without improving products or services. Policy reform can help lower these costs.

Applying these principles across key sectors can deliver meaningful relief for consumers.

Government Intervention is Not the Answer

Some suggested policy responses focus on treating the symptom rather than the cause:

• Government subsidies increase demand without addressing supply constraints, which can push prices even higher.

• Price controls and cost shifting fail to reduce costs—price controls discourage investment and constrain supply, while cost shifting simply moves costs from one payer to another, often leading to shortages or lower quality.

• These approaches may offer short-term political appeal, but they can quickly lead to shortages and even higher prices.

A Blueprint for Affordability Solutions:

Below we offer some suggestions as to how policymakers can improve affordability in key areas of the household budget.

Food

Food prices remain elevated in part because supply is constrained and costs are artificially inflated.

Increase supply: Address the farm worker shortage, including by expanding the H-2A visa program and extending it to sectors like dairy. According to the USDA, roughly 40% of crop workers in 2022 lacked legal immigration status, underscoring the scale of the labor challenge. Last year, a shortage of farm workers led to some crops going unplanted and others going unharvested. This reduces supply.

Reduce fixed costs: Expand tariff exemptions to cover all food products and fertilizers. In 2024, the federal government imposed tariffs of a little under $3 billion on food and fertilizer. In the first 11 months of 2025, tariffs on the same products totaled nearly $11 billion—an $8 billion food tax.

In November, the Trump administration moved to lift previously imposed tariffs on food items not generally grown in the United States. Expanding tariff relief to all food products and agricultural inputs like fertilizer would remove upward pressure on prices.

Food generally makes its way from the farm to our local grocery store via truck. Shipping costs make up a sizeable portion of the final price paid in the grocery store. Everything that increases shipping costs from fuel to truck insurance ends up pushing prices at the grocery higher. A recent study commissioned by the Chamber found that reforming litigation around commercial truck accidents would lower insurance costs by enough to reduce food inflation by up to 15% over ten years.

Auto Insurance

Rising repair costs and legal expenses have led to higher premiums for drivers.

Reduce fixed costs: The cost of frivolous lawsuits involving auto accidents and repairs ultimately shows up in the premiums we all pay for auto insurance. States that have worked to reform their legal and insurance system to discourage frivolous litigation have seen a direct reduction in insurance premiums. This includes recent premium reductions in Florida ranging from 4% to 15%, and Michigan, where it is estimated drivers saved $357 over five years.

Tariffs imposed on auto parts increase the costs of repairing vehicles after an accident, which in turn results in higher auto insurance premiums. In 2024, the federal government collected $3.2 billion in tariffs on auto parts. In the first 11 months of 2025, that tax had increased to $11.1 billion. Reducing tariffs on auto parts would further lower repair costs and ease pressure on insurance premiums.

Electricity

Demand for electricity is growing rapidly, particularly from data centers and advanced manufacturing, putting upward pressure on prices.

Increase supply: Electric utilities and AI companies have committed to investing billions of dollars to expanding electricity generation. One barrier to quickly bringing this new power online is the length of time it takes to get new generation and distribution permitted. Reforming the permitting process can help speed the construction of new generation and reduce pressure on prices.

Similarly, maintaining an all-of-the-above energy strategy by keeping existing generation online and completing projects already under development, such as offshore wind, will help meet demand.

Housing

Housing affordability is fundamentally a supply problem. Too few houses were built over the past two decades resulting in millions of lost housing units, putting upward pressure on prices.

Increase supply: Congress should complete the work it has begun on housing legislation that makes it easier for state and local governments to improve zoning and permitting laws which currently serve as a barrier to building new homes. A recent study found that large metro areas that added at least 10% to their housing stock between 2017 and 2023 saw significant reductions in rental prices.

Building new housing will also require more construction workers. Legal immigration reform can ensure that we have the workers needed.

Reduce fixed costs: Beyond labor, a major cost of a new home is construction material. Many of these materials, including softwood lumber and drywall, are imported. The tariffs on lumber, drywall, roofing, and cabinets more than doubled between 2024 and 2025. Removing the new tariffs on these products would remove the upward pressure on prices.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs are increasing for a variety of reasons, including workforce shortages, regulatory friction, and litigation risk.

Increase supply: America has a persistent shortage of nurses and physicians. Today, we partially meet our healthcare workforce needs by allowing qualified foreign-trained professionals to practice in the U.S. Expanding these pathways, including through H-1B visas and a dedicated nurse visa program, will help address the workforce shortage, especially in rural areas. In addition, expanding telehealth services and medical licensure and practice reform can help put downward pressure on prices.

Reduce fixed costs: The cost of frivolous litigation is ultimately borne in the prices we pay for health services and insurance. Medical liability reform and reforms to the False Claims Act could both help lower prices for consumers.

AI has the potential to speed-up clinical trials and improve medical record keeping and physician visits, but only if there is regulatory certainty around the use of AI, including a preemption of conflicting state laws. Congressional action could provide such certainty, helping reduce costs on everything from doctor visits to new drug approvals.

The Bottom Line

Addressing affordability starts with proven economic principles. When policymakers focus on increasing supply and reducing unnecessary costs, prices come down and consumers benefit.

That goal requires moving beyond short-term fixes and embracing structural reforms that expand supply and reduce fixed costs—the kind of disciplined policy choices that strengthen the economy and improve everyday life for American families.

Information source: US Chamber of Commerce

Edinburg’s Late Fire Chief to be Honored at 2026 National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend

Chief Snider’s name will be added to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial during the annual observance in Emmitsburg, Maryland, on May 2–3, 2026. Courtesy image. Bgd for illustration purposes
Chief Snider’s name will be added to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial during the annual observance in Emmitsburg, Maryland, on May 2–3, 2026. Courtesy image. Bgd for illustration purposes

EDINBURG, Texas – The City of Edinburg announces that its late Fire Chief, Shawn Michael Snider, will be honored during the 2026 National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, a tribute hosted by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to recognize firefighters across the country who gave their lives in dedicated service to their communities.

Chief Snider’s name will be added to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial during the annual observance in Emmitsburg, Maryland, on May 2–3, 2026. 

Chief Snider passed away in May 2023 after a courageous battle with cancer. His strength, resilience, and steadfast commitment to his duties throughout his illness reflected the character and leadership he brought to the Edinburg Fire Department for so many years.

“Chief Snider devoted his life to building and strengthening this department. Having his name added to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial is a tremendous honor—not only for his family, but for every firefighter who served alongside him,” said Edinburg Fire Chief Omar Garza. “His leadership and dedication shaped our organization, and we are proud to see his service recognized with such distinction.”

Being included in this revered memorial means that Chief Snider’s legacy of leadership, courage, and dedication to public safety will be celebrated on a national stage. Chief Garza, along with members of the Snider family, will attend the Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend to honor his memory during the moving ceremony.

Information source: City of Edinburg

Students Network With Industry Leaders at STC IT Expo

Hundreds of students gathered at South Texas College’s Pecan Campus for the 14th annual Information Technology Expo, designed to connect aspiring tech professionals with regional industry leaders and career opportunities in one of the nation’s fastest-growing fields. STC image
Hundreds of students gathered at South Texas College’s Pecan Campus for the 14th annual Information Technology Expo, designed to connect aspiring tech professionals with regional industry leaders and career opportunities in one of the nation’s fastest-growing fields. STC image

By Joey Gomez

McALLEN, TEXAS – Hundreds of students gathered at South Texas College’s Pecan Campus for the 14th annual Information Technology (IT) Expo, designed to connect aspiring tech professionals with regional industry leaders and career opportunities in one of the nation’s fastest-growing fields.

Hosted by STC’s IT program, the Expo brought together representatives from local businesses, school districts, hospitals, municipalities and financial institutions, offering students a chance to network, explore careers and gain insight into the skills needed to succeed in a modern technology-driven workforce.

The Expo serves as a valuable feedback loop between education and industry according to Ali Esmaeili, Ed.D., dean of Math, Science, Information Technology and Bachelor’s Programs. By engaging directly with employers, faculty can better understand workforce demands and align curriculum, he said.

Employment in Computer and Information Technology occupations is projected to grow much faster than average over the next decade with approximately 317,700 openings each year and a median annual wage of more than $105,000, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. STC image

“Our goal is to introduce students to cutting-edge technology that they may have never seen before,” he said. “By interacting with these companies and learning from them, they expand their horizons and help us shape the curriculum to meet future demands.”

Employment in Computer and Information Technology occupations is projected to grow much faster than average over the next decade with approximately 317,700 openings each year and a median annual wage of more than $105,000, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Angelita Teniente, STC Information Technology department chair, said the Expo has evolved significantly to meet this demand since its launch in 2012. What began as a small networking effort has grown into a highly anticipated annual event that draws strong support from the region’s technology community.

“Anybody interested in IT, whether they are looking for a career, an internship or just learning about the field should take advantage of learning from our local professionals,” Teniente said. “You don’t have to travel to Austin or Silicon Valley. There are so many opportunities right here because technology touches every industry. I hope students leave this event with new knowledge and a new sense of how important IT is in our everyday lives.”

For faculty like Nicholas Hinojosa, assistant professor of Computer Science at STC, the Expo serves as a critical bridge between classroom learning and career readiness.

“It’s really important to be able to network with IT industry leaders from our region,” said Hinojosa, who also serves as principal investigator for the college’s Cybersecurity Clinic.

Hinojosa had Cybersecurity Clinic students conducting presentations for attendees that focused on emerging cybersecurity threats and led workshops introducing attendees to ethical hacking and red-team security testing.

“Everyone is gathered here today, so it’s good for students to be here and learn who the innovators are in our industry,” Hinojosa said. “By having major events like this Expo, students will know exactly who to reach out to once they graduate because many of our guests here may be their future employers.”

STC alumnus Jonathan Mungia said the Expo represented a professional milestone as well as homecoming. A 2023 graduate now working with TRiNet International, a managed IT and cloud services firm in McAllen, Mungia returned to campus to encourage students to take advantage of similar opportunities.

“All I can tell students is to take every opportunity you can,” Mungia said. “You never know when you will meet someone who opens the door to your next opportunity. One connection can lead to many others.”

Lawsuit Filed Over Sale of Medical Chest Binders to Minors

Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against a venture-capital backed online retailer based out of New York City, Lola Olivia, Inc. (“Lola Olivia”), for selling chest binders to Texas girls as young as nine-years-old to “transition” them. Image for illustration purposes
Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against a venture-capital backed online retailer based out of New York City, Lola Olivia, Inc. (“Lola Olivia”), for selling chest binders to Texas girls as young as nine-years-old to “transition” them. Image for illustration purposes
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Image: X

AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against a venture-capital backed online retailer based out of New York City, Lola Olivia, Inc. (“Lola Olivia”), for selling chest binders to Texas girls as young as nine-years-old to “transition” them.

Lola Olivia sells the chest binders to young girls without informing them that they could be subjected to no less than twenty-eight different medical conditions, including permanently harming their breasts, causing back and chest pain, shortness of breath, and even rib fracture. Chest binders have also been shown to compromise lung function and cause difficulty breastfeeding later in life. Lola Olivia’s malicious actions expose Texas kids to irreparable bodily harm, yet that has not stopped the company from turning a profit by harming girls and causing long-lasting damage.

“‘Transitioning’ a minor is child abuse, and any corporation doing it will face swift and unrelenting justice,” said Attorney General Ken Paxton. “It’s unconscionable that there are people in this world who are trying to make a fortune by hurting kids, but that’s exactly what’s going on here. I will be bringing the full force of the law against Lola Oliva for misleading Texans about the extreme harm that its products cause our kids.”

Chest binders are classified as Class I medical devices regulated by federal law and pose a significant threat to girls’ health, yet Lola Olivia illegally markets its chest binders as “safe and effective” for young children. Lola Olivia has violated Texas’ consumer protection laws banning false, misleading, or deceptive advertising by, among other illegal actions, refusing to disclose safety risks to children. Attorney General Paxton is seeking a temporary restraining order, injunctive relief, and over $1,000,000 in monetary relief, including civil penalties. To read the lawsuit, click here.

This week, Attorney General Paxton also filed a landmark lawsuit against Children’s Health System of Texas (“Children’s Health”), the country’s seventh-largest pediatrics hospital, and Jason Jarin, a Dallas-area pediatric doctor, for hurting kids by performing illegal “transition” procedures and engaging in Medicaid fraud in violation of Texas law.

Texas DPS Launches Oilfield Theft Investigations Training in Midland

Law enforcement officers and oil industry personnel gather in Midland to hear remarks from Kevin Sparks and Freeman F. Martin during the Texas DPS Oilfield Theft Investigations training course on February 19, 2026. Courtesy image
Law enforcement officers and oil industry personnel gather in Midland to hear remarks from Kevin Sparks and Freeman F. Martin during the Texas DPS Oilfield Theft Investigations training course on February 19, 2026. Courtesy image

Texas Border Business

On February 19, 2026, the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division Oilfield Theft Prevention Unit presented a newly developed Oilfield Theft Investigations training course to law enforcement officers and oil industry personnel in Midland.

The course is designed to strengthen investigative skills and increase awareness of oilfield theft trends among patrol officers and investigators. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the training focuses on improving participants’ ability to identify, investigate, and respond to oilfield theft and related crimes.

Kevin Sparks and Freeman F. Martin attended the event and spoke with those in attendance.

The Texas DPS Oilfield Theft Prevention Unit was created by House Bill 48, signed into law by Greg Abbott last year. The legislation formally established the unit within the Texas Department of Public Safety and provided the framework for a coordinated response to oilfield theft and related fraud. Under the law, the unit works with law enforcement agencies and industry partners to combat oilfield theft and fraud across West Texas and Southeast New Mexico.

Texas DPS thanked its local, state, and industry partners for hosting the training and contributing to its success.

Senator Gutierrez Raises Concerns Over Use of Texas Resources in Immigration Enforcement

Texas State Senator Roland Gutierrez demanded the Texas Department of Public Safety answer questions on whether Texas state resources are being used to target and harass Latinos under the guise of enforcing immigration law. Image: senate.texas.gov. Bgd for illustration purposes
Texas State Senator Roland Gutierrez demanded the Texas Department of Public Safety answer questions on whether Texas state resources are being used to target and harass Latinos under the guise of enforcing immigration law. Image: senate.texas.gov. Bgd for illustration purposes

AUSTIN, Texas – Texas State Senator Roland Gutierrez demanded the Texas Department of Public Safety answer questions on whether Texas state resources are being used to target and harass Latinos under the guise of enforcing immigration law.

“Texas Latinos and immigrant children are being targeted by brutal and barely trained ICE agents. They are terrorizing U.S. citizens, separating families, deporting months-old babies, and raiding the dorms of whistleblowers. This cruelty and inhumanity has no place in our Nation, let alone our great state,” said Senator Gutierrez.

“I am demanding a full account of the Texas Department of Public Safety’s involvement in the targeting of Latino communities and immigrant children in our state. I will not stand by or be silent while our communities are being traumatized by the people currently in power.”

Senator Gutierrez has demanded in an open records request that Texas DPS provide the following information:

• Any and all documents concerning immigration enforcement strategies targeting Latino communities in Texas in the last 120 days;

• Any and all documents concerning immigration enforcement strategies targeting recipients of Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals (DACA) in the last 120 days;

• Any and all documents concerning immigration enforcement strategies targeting immigrant children in Texas schools in the last 120 days;

• Any communications from, to or between DPS and the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or any federal agency within DHS concerning immigration enforcement strategies in Texas targeting Latino communities, DACA recipients, or immigrant children in Texas schools;

• Any communications from, to, or between DPS and the Office of the Governor of Texas concerning immigration enforcement strategies in Texas targeting Latino communities, DACA recipients, or immigrant children in Texas schools.

Senator Gutierrez’s open records request can be viewed here in full.

Port of Brownsville Provides Update on Potential High‑Tech Shipyard Project

Recently, there has been public discussion regarding a potential high-tech shipyard project under development at the Port of Brownsville. While confidentiality agreements prevent the release of specific details, we can confirm that Port of Brownsville leadership is spearheading this effort. Image courtesy of the Port of Brownsville
Recently, there has been public discussion regarding a potential high-tech shipyard project under development at the Port of Brownsville. While confidentiality agreements prevent the release of specific details, we can confirm that Port of Brownsville leadership is spearheading this effort. Image courtesy of the Port of Brownsville

BROWNSVILLE, Texas — Recently, there has been public discussion regarding a potential high-tech shipyard project under development at the Port of Brownsville.

While confidentiality agreements prevent the release of specific details, we can confirm that Port of Brownsville leadership is spearheading this effort. This initiative is being advanced strategically and in coordination with regional partners as part of the port’s long-term vision for economic growth. This is a highly competitive project, and the Port of Brownsville is actively positioning our region to successfully compete at the highest level.

Projects of this scale and nature reflect the Port of Brownsville’s core mission to attract transformative investment, create good-paying jobs, and expand economic opportunity for the residents of the Brownsville Navigation District and the Rio Grande Valley.

As discussions continue, our focus remains on ensuring that any project we advance delivers long-term, sustainable economic impact and positions our region for continued growth.

We will share additional information at the appropriate time and through the proper channels. Thank you for your continued support.

Information source: The Port of Brownsville

Former NFL Player Ran Multi‑Million‑Dollar Genetic Testing Scam, Prosecutors Say

A federal jury in Dallas convicted a Texas laboratory owner and former NFL player for his role in a $328 million cardiovascular genetic testing fraud scheme. Image for illustration purposes
A federal jury in Dallas convicted a Texas laboratory owner and former NFL player for his role in a $328 million cardiovascular genetic testing fraud scheme. Image for illustration purposes

U.S. Department of Justice

A federal jury in Dallas convicted a Texas laboratory owner and former NFL player for his role in a $328 million cardiovascular genetic testing fraud scheme.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Keith J. Gray, 39, of McKinney, Texas, orchestrated a scheme to bill Medicare for medically unnecessary genetic tests designed to evaluate the risk of various cardiovascular diseases and conditions. Gray, the owner and operator of two clinical laboratories, Axis Professional Labs LLC (Axis), and Kingdom Health Laboratory LLC (Kingdom), offered and paid kickbacks to marketers in exchange for their referral of Medicare beneficiaries’ DNA samples, personally identifiable information (including Medicare numbers) and signed test orders from medical providers authorizing the medically unnecessary genetic tests. As part of the scheme, the marketers engaged other companies to solicit Medicare beneficiaries through telemarketing and to engage in “doctor chase,” i.e., to obtain the identity of beneficiaries’ primary care physicians and pressure them into approving genetic testing orders for patients who purportedly had already been “qualified” for the testing during telephone calls conducted by non-medical personnel at one of the companies retained by the marketers — not by their physicians.

In an effort to conceal the kickback payments, Gray used sham contracts and invoices that purported to charge for “marketing” hours but that in reality were reverse-engineered to match the amounts agreed to under the illegal per-sample kickback arrangement. Gray also sought to conceal the scheme by, among other things, referring to the payments as being for “software” and loans that never existed. Evidence at trial included text messages between Gray and his co-conspirator becoming giddy over the amount of money they were making from Medicare. For example, Gray’s co-conspirator stated, “$ent, you should have it any minute if you don’t already. Get it?” Gray responded, “Sorry I was filling my bathtub with ones. Yes lol.”

Axis and Kingdom billed Medicare approximately $328 million for the false, fraudulent and kickback-tainted genetic testing claims, of which Medicare paid approximately $54 million. Gray laundered some of the proceeds by purchasing expensive luxury vehicles, including a Dodge Ram truck worth more than $142,000 and a Mercedes Benz SUV worth more than $145,000.

The jury convicted Gray of conspiracy to defraud the United States and to pay and receive health care kickbacks, five counts of violating the Anti-Kickback Statute and three counts of money laundering. He is scheduled to be sentenced at a later date. Gray faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on each count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock of the FBI Dallas Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Jason E. Meadows of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s (HHS-OIG) Dallas Region; Chief William Marlowe of the Texas Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU); and Special Agent in Charge Kris Raper of the Department of Veteran’s Affairs Office of Inspector General (VA-OIG), South Central Field Office, made the announcement.

The FBI, HHS-OIG, MFCU and VA-OIG investigated the case.

Trial Attorneys Ethan Womble and Adam Tisdall of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.

The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of eight strike forces operating in federal districts across the country, has charged more than 6,200 defendants who collectively billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $45 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

Updated February 20, 2026

Misson’s Martin Garza Appointed to Texas Board of Criminal Justice

Governor Greg Abbott appointed Martin Garza to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice for terms set to expire on February 1, 2031. Image: Image @CityofMissionTX via Facebook. Bgd for illustration purposes
Governor Greg Abbott appointed Martin Garza to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice for terms set to expire on February 1, 2031. Image: Image @CityofMissionTX via Facebook. Bgd for illustration purposes

Governor Greg Abbott appointed Martin Garza and reappointed Faith Johnson and Sichan Siv to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice for terms set to expire on February 1, 2031. The Board provides confinement, supervision, rehabilitation, and reintegration of the state’s convicted felons.

Martin Garza of Mission is retired. He previously served as chief of police and city manager for the City of Mission, as city manager of the City of Weslaco, and as chief of staff for Hidalgo County Precinct 3. He is the chairman of the Mission Redevelopment Authority/Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1.  Garza received an associate degree in Law Enforcement from Laredo College (formerly known as the Laredo Junior College) and a bachelor’s degree in Police Administration from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UT) (formerly known as UT – Pan American).

Faith Johnson of Dallas is senior judge of the 363rd Judicial District Court. She is a member of the State Bar of Texas, Texas Bar Foundation, Dallas Bar Association, and the J.L. Turner Legal Association. Additionally, she is a Board member and the secretary for The Potter’s House of Dallas, Inc., committee member and secretary of the Women’s Leadership Summit, and member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Johnson received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Education in Community Counseling from Georgia State University and a Juris Doctor from Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law.

Sichan Siv of San Antonio is a former United States Ambassador to the United Nations and is an author. He also served as Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State. He is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Civil Air Patrol, a trustee with the San Antonio Museum of Art and the World Affairs Council, and a deacon at First Presbyterian Church San Antonio. Siv received a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University.