City of McAllen to honor five members of the Rio Grande Valley legislative delegation

McAllen, TX--Mayor Richard F. Cortez and the McAllen City Commission will honor five members of the Rio Grande Valley legislative delegation today with a proclamation and award at the regular City Commission meeting, this afternoon at 4 p.m.

Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, Representative Veronica Gonzales, Representative Sergio Munoz, Representative Armando "Mando" Martinez and Representative J.M. Lozano will be recognized by the mayor and city commission at the ceremony today. Senator Eddie Lucio,Jr., Representative Aaron Pena, Representative Ryan Guillen, Representative Eddie Lucio III and Representative Rene Oliveira will be recognized on Oct. 10 or another future date.

The delegation worked diligently with the City of McAllen on several major pieces of legislation that impacted the residents of the city including, with Senator Hinojosa spearheading, helping bring $800,000 to expand the UTPA Teaching Site in McAllen. University and City officials are already meeting on how to leverage the funds to expand the school's footprint in McAllen to offer more opportunities.

Senator Hinojosa and Representative Gonzales also led the city's effort, with the support of the delegation, to save taxpayers millions of dollars with the takeover of Hidalgo County Water Improvement District No. 3. While the effort was ultimately unsuccessful because Governor Rick Perry vetoed the legislation, the delegation fought the good fight for months to do what was right for the residents of McAllen.

Their efforts with these projects and many others, in what was very difficult legislative session, for all involved should not go unrecognized.

“We are extremely proud of our Valley legislative delegation for their dedicated service and unwavering support in the 82nd Texas Legislature,” said McAllen Mayor Richard F. Cortez. “On behalf of the City of McAllen and its residents I commend them and thank them for a job well done.”

Hispanic Heritage Month

Dear Friends,

This weekend marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, the national recognition and celebration of Hispanic culture and the contributions of Hispanic Americans in the United States. The commemoration lasts from September 15 to October 15 every year. This celebration is particularly important to the Rio Grande Valley because of our large Hispanic population and our significant contribution to the growth of Texas. The 2010 Census numbers indicate that Hispanics in Texas accounted for 65% of our State's population growth in the last ten years, with much of this growth occurring in South Texas.

However, the Hispanic population has suffered in many ways as a result of the 82nd Legislative Session. Most noticeably, the current redistricting plan negatively impacts Hispanic voters, despite such a tremendous increase in the Hispanic population. The redistricting maps were drawn statewide so as not to allow for the creation of minority opportunity districts, including Hidalgo County, where an additional state representative and congressional seat could have easily been added.

My own current district, District 41, was redrawn by the Legislature to include less than 2% of my original district. However, I am committed to continue the fight to ensure that the Valley receives adequate funding and a strong voice in our State’s decision making. This is why I have chosen to run in my newly-created district, District 40, which includes parts of Pharr, Edinburg, Hidalgo, San Juan, Linn and San Manuel.

Hispanics will continue to suffer as the effects of the 2010 election and 2011 legislative session budget cuts are implemented. Higher education grant programs were severely cut by $1 billion, while the financial aid program TEXAS Grants was reduced by about $59 million compared to the last biennium. Of the thousands of students who benefit statewide from these programs, the majority are Hispanic. These grants have made college and career goals more attainable for our Hispanic families and by eliminating such a large amount of funding there will be a detrimental effect on our students.

Hispanic Heritage Month allows us to celebrate Hispanic culture but also reminds us that we need to work together to elect lawmakers who will protect the interests of the Hispanic community. Your vote is your political voice, a voice that is the first step in solving our State's education, healthcare and budget problems.

Sincerely,

Veronica Gonzales
District 41

Low Cost Pet Vaccinations - H.E.B. (Trenton & 10th)

Saturday, September 17th from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

in front of H-E-B
901 Trenton Road, McAllen, TX 78504
(for safety, please have your pets on a leash or in a carrier)

Package A (dog & cat):
Rabies 1 Year....$10
Rabies 3 Year....$20(Where Approved)

Package B (dog):
Rabies, DHLPPV.....$25

Package B (cat):
Rabies, FVRCPC....$21

Package C (dog):
Rabies, DHLPPV, Bordetella....$37

Package C (cat):
Rabies, FVRCPC, FeLV....$38

Package D (dog):
Rabies, DHLPPV, Bordetella, Canine Influenza....$61

Package D (cat):
Rabies, FVRCPC, FeLV, FIV....$59

Now Available - Canine Influenza Vaccine
Canine Influenza causes respiratory illness in dogs. Symptoms can be coughing, sneezing, fever, nasal discharge and ocular discharge. It is easily transmitted by direct contact, cough or sneeze, or via contaminated surfaces. It is recommended for all dogs that are taken to places where multiple dogs will be. Examples would be shelters, kennels, boarding facilities, pet stores, adoption groups, doggie daycares, breeding facilities.
Microchips...$38

Ask us about our Heartworm Specials

Due to changing prices in medications, please phone the hospital for the current price - (210)-653-3660.

Health Care News

Dear Friends,

We can all agree that saving money is important, including when it comes to our health care coverage. I want to share the good news with you as we continue to see the benefits of the Affordable Care Act, which gives millions of Americans, including hundreds of thousands in the 15th District of Texas, access to affordable, high-quality health care.

The Department of Health and Human Services announced that starting September 1, health insurers seeking to increase their rates by 10 percent or more must submit their request to state or federal reviewers to determine whether the increase is reasonable.

This rate review program was created by the Affordable Care Act and will bring greater transparency, accountability, and, in many cases, lower costs for families and small business owners who struggle to afford coverage.

In many states, federal agencies now have the authority to deny or reduce rate hikes found to be excessive. Insurers with double-digit rate increases are required to justify their actions.

The Affordable Care Act holds companies that have not been reviewed accountable. This mandate brings teeth into the system to ensure their actions that directly affect you are justified, including when rates are increased. This marks the beginning of a new era of health care insurance costs that our American families can afford.

As of September 1, insurers proposing double-digit increases will have to provide clear information that indicates what factors are causing the proposed increases. Reviewers and experts in the field of health insurance will closely examine information about the underlying cost trends in health care to flag instances when insurance companies are unjustly raising costs.

Starting in mid-September, consumers in every state can go to www.HealthCare.govto view easy-to-access, consumer-friendly disclosure information explaining proposed increases that are 10 percent or higher than last year’s rates. Consumers will see a summary of the key factors driving rate increases and an explanation provided by insurance companies for why the proposed increase is needed.

For more information on significant state achievements with rate review, please visit: http://www.healthcare.gov/news/factsheets/ratereview09012011b.html.

As always, it is my honor to represent you in Congress. If I can be of any assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact our offices in Edinburg, Beeville, or in Washington, D.C.

Sincerely,

Ruben Hinojosa

9/11 Freedom Stands Tall Display at McAllen Civic Center

In remembrance of everyone who lost their lives in the September 11th attacks, the City of McAllen has planned a 9/11 display, “Freedom Stands Tall”, at the McAllen Civic Center, at 10th Street and Expressway 83, this weekend.

Two 100-foot tall cranes, symbolizing the World Trade Center towers, will fly two 20’ X 30’ American flags, beginning September 9 at 10 am through Sunday, September 11th at 5pm.

The community is invited to stop by and remember our loss, remember our national pride and remember that freedom stands tall.

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Friday, September 9th, at 10 am
to Sunday, September 11th at 5pm
McAllen Civic Center
10th Street and Expressway 83