Tim Zielenbach/Caller-Times Because of redistricting, State Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr., D-Brownsville, (left, shown here with Sen. Juan ‘Chuy’ Hinojosa before a swearing-in ceremony Jan. 14) picks up Kleberg and Kenedy counties in his Senate district.

Out-of-town legislators

Non-residents Hinojosa, Lucio, Zaffirini can look at the Coastal Bend with fresh eyes

February 1, 2003
By J.R. Gonzales
Caller-Times

Some Hidalgo County leaders refuse to believe Corpus Christi residents lost out when South Texas residents elected Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa to office.

"He may end up doing more for you all than he’ll do for us," said Mike Allen, president and CEO of the McAllen Economic Development Corp.

Hinojosa, a longtime McAllen Democrat, took office Jan. 14 as this region’s newest state senator. He replaces Carlos Truan, a Democrat who has served as the state senator from Corpus Christi since 1977.

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Locally, Hinojosa said his main focus is area growth and education. He said in an interview he wanted to make sure area colleges provide students with job skills that are attractive to businesses that may want to move to the area.

He’s seen it happen before, at South Texas Community College in McAllen.

"They provide courses that have the flexibility to quickly change to provide the skills that employers need," Hinojosa said. "We’ve created hundreds of new jobs in the (Rio Grande) Valley through this process, and I know there’s the same thing in Corpus Christi. We just need to expand it and provide the tools to your educational institutions."

He also supports port expansion.
"We need to improve the roads and infrastructure to the Corpus Christi port and expand its facilities to, again, expand the economy there and provide more jobs and continue to improve the quality of life," Hinojosa said.

Hinojosa’s election isn’t the only change in this area’s representation in Austin.

Since the state Legislature last met, this area lost one of its districts in the House of Representatives, elected a new state senator and added two more state senators through redistricting.

In the House, some lawmakers have downplayed the significance of losing a state representative to redistricting. For the Coastal Bend delegates to the 78th Legislature, it represents a dramatic shift in political power compared to the last legislative session.

In 1951, the 20th Senate district was created by the Legislature. Since then, every senator elected has been a Democrat from Corpus Christi.

Hinojosa’s election to the State Senate marks the first time in District 20 that Corpus Christi’s voice in the Texas Senate will come from the Rio Grande Valley.

At the time Hinojosa, a state representative from McAllen, was elected, many felt he would have to bridge divisions created during the campaign.

"It was a tough campaign," Hinojosa said. "There were some tough feelings."

The state senator chalked that up as part of the political process.

Former representative
The McAllen attorney has served as a state representative on two occasions since 1981. Before his move to the Senate, he was a member of the House Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence.

During the 77th Legislature, Hinojosa authored or co-authored 55 bills, mostly pertaining to criminal law. Five of them were signed into law.

In recent years, Hinojosa authored legislation that created the Regional Academic Health Center in the Rio Grande Valley.

While a representative, Hinojosa was twice named one of the state’s 10 best legislators in Texas Monthly and a legislator of the year by the Texas Game Wardens Coalition.

Hinojosa said he plans to visit his district once a week, usually while shuttling between McAllen and Austin. Although he welcomes feedback from his constituents, a response from him usually is the responsibility of one of his staffers.

"I cannot do it by myself," he said.

Allen said Hinojosa has supported some issues that helped to spur economic growth. One of them was supporting a plan to award tax credits to companies that would relocate to high poverty areas or areas with low per capita income.

Pushed for job funds
He also pushed for more funds for job training and sought additional highway money for parts of the Rio Grande Valley, Allen said.

One of Hinojosa’s Valley colleagues said the state senator doesn’t resort to strong-arm tactics when seeking help with legislation.

"He solicits your support but will, in a sense, inform you," said state Rep. Jim Solis, D-Harlingen. "He’s more tactful in his approach."

Hinojosa and Allen, the McAllen economic development official, have disagreed on the issue of open meetings. As president of the economic development corporation, Allen said he prefers to have some meetings closed, especially when it comes to business dealings.

"He’s really a stickler with open meetings," Allen said. "He supports open government."

Both Hinojosa and local leaders are upbeat about the area also picking up two more state senators. Because of redistricting, State Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr., D-Brownsville, picks up Kleberg and Kenedy counties in his senate district. Those areas previously belonged in Truan’s district.

San Patricio County now falls into Laredo-based State Sen. Judith Zaffirini’s district. Her district also includes Bee, Duval, Live Oak, and McMullen counties.

Zaffirini, who is fourth in seniority in the Texas Senate, said she’s no stranger to area leaders. In the past she worked with Truan to develop a Laredo-Corpus Christi corridor.

Pleased with Zaffirini
John LaRue, executive director of the Port of Corpus Christi, said he’s pleased with the influence Zaffirini will bring to the Texas Senate. And Lucio has already proven his support for port interests by authoring a bill during the 77th Legislature that created a program supporting water port projects to improve commerce and trade. Lucio’s district includes the Port of Brownsville.

Kingsville Mayor Phil Esquivel said that how well Lucio will represent Kleberg County depends upon how well local leaders make the needs of the area known.

Officials there have already given Lucio a tour of that county, in the hope that he will keep them in mind when in Austin.

"We can sit back and cry about the change or we can become proactive," Esquivel said.

Because Lucio represents part of the Rio Grande Valley and the lower Coastal Bend, he is part of an area that is rapidly growing, Esquivel said. Therefore, Lucio has the potential to carry some clout in the Legislature.

Port officials will also have to contend with three different state representatives looking out for their interests.

A newly redrawn House District 32 placed former state Rep. Judy Hawley, D-Portland, in the same district as Republican Gene Seaman, who defeated San Patricio County Judge Josephine Miller for the seat. In Dec. 2001, Hawley announced she would not run for re-election.

Three voices in House
That leaves representatives Seaman, Jaime Capelo and Vilma Luna as the port’s primary mouthpieces in the House. Seaman and Luna are senior members of the House.

"That is a tremendous loss to this area," Seaman said. "It means that Luna and Seaman have to carry a lot of the weight."

Seaman said he will be busy with insurance reform issues while Luna will be involved with funding needs because of her position on the House Appropriations Committee.

"The issues that are important to the community will get the treatment they deserve," Capelo said.

He doesn’t expect discord among the local House of Representative delegates because all three have come out in support of House Speaker-apparent Tom Craddick, R-Midland. That, along with Hinojosa’s experience as a state legislator, ensures this area’s needs are met, Capelo said.

Having Lucio and Zaffirini represent portions of the Coastal Bend will make up what this region lost in redistricting.

"I think it will work to our benefit this session," Capelo said. Both Lucio and Zaffirini will make extra attempts to prove themselves to their new constituents and win over naysayers.

Hinojosa said the influx of out-of-the-area state senators, himself included, will give them a chance to bring a different perspective to meeting the area’s needs, while staying away from local political entanglements.

"I don’t like to get involved with various factions," he said.

Contact J.R. Gonzales at 886-3779 or gonzalesj@caller.com