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Thursday, February 13, 2025
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McAllen
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McAllen Delegation for McAllen Day in Austin

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A delegation of City of McAllen leaders, including elected officials, city manager and department representatives, along with partners from the McAllen Chamber of Commerce and McAllen Economic Development Corporation is in Austin to meet with state lawmakers and agency officials to advocate for key priorities that will impact the future of McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley. Image courtesy of The City of McAllen
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A delegation of City of McAllen leaders, including elected officials, city manager and department representatives, along with partners from the McAllen Chamber of Commerce and McAllen Economic Development Corporation is in Austin to meet with state lawmakers and agency officials to advocate for key priorities that will impact the future of McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.

Among the top issues to be discussed are:

• Infrastructure and Transportation: Seeking state funding and support for major roadway expansions, drainage improvements, and transit initiatives to enhance mobility and reduce congestion.

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•Economic Development: Promoting policies that attract business investment, support small businesses, and create job opportunities in McAllen and the surrounding region.

•Education: Advocating for increased funding for local schools, workforce development programs, and higher education opportunities, including collaborating with UTRGV to create unique educational programs and partnerships, through the development of Quinta Mazatlán’s Center for Urban Ecology.

•Health Care: Addressing the need for expanded medical services, improved access to health care, and funding for hospitals and emergency response initiatives.

More from McAllen Day in Austin:

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Q & A session with Jim Darling,  past  Chairman of the Board, McAllen Chamber of Commerce and Honorable Bryan Daniel, Chairman & Commissioner Representing the Public Texas Workforce Commission. Discussion focused on developing opportunities in emerging industries by developing a prepared workforce. 

Jim Darling And Bryan Daniel. Courtesy image

Texas Senator Adam Hinojosa, District 27 and Luis Saenz, President, Texas Public Affairs discussed the upcoming legislative session and the priorities for projects that will provide jobs and recommendations growth, while collaboration with Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa on projects to benefit the region.

Luis Saenz And Sen. Adam Hinojosa. Courtesy image

Discussions with key legislators

• City leaders will engage in discussions with key legislators, including members of the Texas Rio Grande Valley delegation, as well as state agencies to highlight the needs of McAllen and explore potential partnerships and funding opportunities.

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Senator Adam Hinojosa with City of McAllen Commissioners Tony Aguirre, Joaquin Zamora, Seby Haddad, Rudy Castillo, Pepe Cabeza de Vaca, Isaac Tawil, McAllen City Manager, Javier Villalobos, McAllen Mayor, Hershal Patel. McAllen Chamber of Commerce Chairman of the Board and Pablo Tagle III, McAllen Chamber of Commerce Board Member.

Driving Tourism 

• Leigh Wooldridge,  Vice-President, Visit McAllen and Adriana Cruz, Executive Director,  Governor’s Office of Texas Economic Development & Tourism discuss the value and partnership between local communities and the Governor’s Office to help drive Tourism.  

Leigh Wooldridge And Adriana. Courtesy image

Culture and recreational activities play a crucial role in economic development which helps attract business, investment and talent to the community.

Healthcare Advocacy

• Moderators Laura Disque, CEO of Rio Grande Regional Hospital and Brenda Ivory, CEO of South Texas Health System Heart Hospital discuss Healthcare issues with Sara Gonzalez,  Vice-President of Advocacy and Public Policy of Texas Hospital Association.  

Laura Disque, Brenda Ivory, Sara Gonzalez. Courtesy image

Among issues important for hospitals in the Rio Grande Valley include workforce development to help grow the medical care available throughout the region and partnering with local governments to help develop and grow healthy communities.

Representative Guillen

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 Texas Representative Ryan Guillen, District-31, addressed the delegation briefly, thanking the leadership of McAllen for the growth of the Rio Grande Valley.

Education Panel

Moderator Veronica Gonzales,  Sr. Vice-President for Governmental & Community Relations for UTRGV discusses top educational issues with Mike Morath, Commissioner of Education for Texas Education Agency. 

Veronica Gonzales And Mike Morath. Courtesy image

Key issues addressed included attracting and keeping qualified teachers, by providing substantive training and proper compensation. Additionally, addressing college readiness for Rio Grande Valley students, from elementary through high school, is key to create an educated workforce. Other key programs that Rio Grande Valley educational institutions are focusing on are expanding vocational training programs to better prepare students for workforce.

Transportation as Economic Development 

Juan Olaguibel and Alex Meade. Courtesy image

McAllen Assistant City Manager and Superintendent of Bridges Juan Olaguibel talks to Commissioner Alex Meade of the Texas Transportation Commission for Texas Department of Transportation. Meade, a  Rio Grande Valley native, provides a voice for the region to promote the importance of transportation as economic development, as well as regional development.

Energy Resources

 Eric Kennedy and Courtney Hjaltman. Courtesy image

Eric C. Kennedy, Business Development Manager/Employee Owner for SpawGlass and Commissioner Courtney Hjaltman, Public Utility Commission of Texas discussed growing energy resources, including challenges,  opportunities, as well as resilience and reliability.

Discussion on Water Issues

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Mayor Villalobos, Assistant City Manager Joe Vera, Assistant City Manager Juan Olaguibel and City Manager Isaac Tawil meet with Sen. Charles Perry, Chair of Senate Committee on Water and Rural Affairs and Tracy Morehead, TX Public Affairs to discuss various water issues for McAllen.

Discussion with Representative Armando Martinez

Mcallen Delegation with Rep. Martinez. Courtesy image

Commissioners Seby Haddad and Pepe Cabeza de Vaca, along with McAllen EDC Chairman Dr. Pablo Tagle III, Chamber Vice President of Membership Blanca Cardenas and McAllen Chamber of Commerce and McAllen Economic Development Corporation CEO Elizabeth Suarez met with Representative Armando Martinez, District-39, to discuss issues critical to McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley, including transportation,  infrastructure, education and healthcare. 

Discussion with Dustin Burrows Chief of Staff

Mayor Villalobos, Isaac Tawil and Bob Duncan. Courtesy image

Mayor Villalobos and City Manger Isaac Tawil met with Bob Duncan, Chief of Staff to Speaker of the House Representative Dustin Burrows , discussing issues important to McAllen and the region including water, transportation and infrastructure.

Meeting with Governor’s Office

Mayor Villalobos, Isaac Tawil, City Manager, Juan Olaguibel ACM, Joe Vera ACM. Courtesy image

Discussions with Robert Black, Chief of Staff to Governor Abbott, centered on water, energy and infrastructure pertinent to the City of McAllen and the region.  

Senator Juan Chuy Hinojosa and Senator Adam Hinojosa Receive Delegation

McAllen Delegation with Senator Hinojosa. Courtesy image

Senator Juan Chuy Hinojosa,  District-20, his wife Amanda and Senator Adam Hinojosa received the McAllen delegation, led by Mayor Javier Villalobos,  City Manager Isaac Tawil, McAllen Economic Development Corp Chairman of the Board Dr. Pablo Tagle III, McAllen Chamber of Commerce Board Chairman Hershel Patel, McAllen Chamber/MEDC CEO Elizabeth Suarez, to discuss issues important to McAllen and the region, including water, transportation and infrastructure.

iscussions with Chiefs of Staff

Chiefs of Staff for Canales, Longoria and Munoz. Courtesy image

Commissioners Aguirre, Cabeza de Vaca, Castillo, Haddad and Zamora met with the Chiefs of Staff of Representatives Terry Canales, Oscar Longoria and Sergio Munoz, discussing healthcare, education and quality of life programs to benefit McAllen and the entire region.

Speaker of the House meets with Delegation

Burrows addresses McAllen Delegation. Courtesy image

Speaker of the House Dustin Burrows took a moment out of his day after the conclusion of the House session to discuss the importance of McAllen in leading issues of energy, transportation and water. 

These issues are not only important for McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley, but also the entire state.  Rep. Sergio Munoz also met with the entire delegation after the session, reiterating support for McAllen and the region.

McAllen Day in Austin

McAllen Delegation at TX Capitol. Courtesy image

The McAllen delegation, led by MEDC Board Chairman Dr. Pablo Tagle III, MEDC/McAllen Chamber of Commerce CEO Elizabeth Suarez, City Manager Isaac Tawil, Mayor Javier Villalobos and McAllen Chamber Board Chairman Hershel Patel had a productive day meeting with state elected officials and agencies, discussing issues important to McAllen and the region.  McAllen leaders will continue their advocacy efforts with state officials who reacted positively to the issues presented by the entire delegation.

Senate Floor Resolution

Mcallen Delegation on the Senate floor. Courtesy image

Commissioners Pepe Cabeza de Vaca, Rudy Castillo, Joaquin Zamora, Tony Aguirre and Seby Haddad were on the Senate Floor for a resolution in honor of McAllen Day in Austin. 

House Floor Resolution

 McAllen Delegation on The House Floor House floor. Courtesy image

McAllen City Manager Isaac Tawil, Mayor Javier Villalobos and Assistant City Mangers Joe Vera and Juan Olaguibel were recognized on the House floor in honor of McAllen Day in Austin. 

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