Texas Border Business
EDINBURG – Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez released more than 3,000 pages of documents on Wednesday in response to an inquiry by members of the Rio Grande Valley Legislative Delegation. The lawmakers asked how $151 million in federal funds that was sent to the county is being spent in its fight against COVID-19.
“I applaud the efforts by the local delegation to the Texas Legislature to stay abreast of the federal aid that was sent to us and shared with 22 municipalities in the county,” Judge Cortez said.
The request was made on July 31 and was signed by the seven-member delegation that represents Hidalgo County and parts of the greater Rio Grande Valley.
“We are writing to inquire about proposed uses by Hidalgo County of the Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) received from the federal government as part of the CARES Act,” the delegation letter said. “We know you and the Commissioners Court have worked hard to ensure our community is fully equipped to battle COVID-19 and we are appreciative of your efforts.”
The lawmakers used a provision of the state’s open records law that entitles members of the Texas Legislature access to information that is not accessible to the public. This could include trade secrets, confidential contract information or even personnel details.
Because of state privacy protections, Hidalgo County cannot disseminate much of the detailed information it released to lawmakers.
“We happily provide the details that you seek,” Judge Cortez wrote to the delegation. “Given your influence and that of the other members of the local delegation to the Texas Legislature, we hope this additional detail can be leveraged into much needed additional support by the state.”
