From the Senator's Desk
September 16, 2005
Senator Shapleigh's notes and observations will keep you updated on what is happening behind the scenes in Austin and El Paso.
Written by Eliot Shapleigh, www.shapleigh.org
On the Senator's Desk:
On Thursday, Senator Shapleigh and El Paso Mayor John Cook presented the city's top honor, the Conquistador Award, to retiring Senator Gonzalo Barrientos from Austin. Shapleigh said the award was being given for Barrientos 30-plus years of public service and in particular his work in the areas of civil rights, education and the needs of working Texans, not just in his home district of Austin but across the state.
"For 30 years, Gonzalo lived by his creed that government is the highest calling," Shapleigh said. "Each day on the Senate floor, he fought for open government by and for the people, not just the privileged few. Our friend will long be remembered as one of our best public servants."
Those who visited:
State Representative Mike Villareal, D-San Antonio, visited Senator Shapleigh in El Paso this week. Senator Shapleigh showed the Representative some of El Paso's sites, taking him to see the Medical School, UTEP and our emerging international port.
Upcoming Events:
Next Wednesday, September 21st, the Legislative Budget Board, the joint committee of the Texas Legislature that determines emergency recommendations for appropriations, was supposed to meet to consider the Governor's Budget Execution Proposal. The budget execution order includes $295 million for health, foreign language and fine arts textbooks, and $48.5 million to fund operations at the Irma Rangel Pharmacy School in Kingsville and the Texas Tech Medical School in El Paso. There is no indication how the Board will vote on the various orders, particularly with growing concerns about the cost of Katrina support.
Late on Friday afternoon, Lt. Governor Dewhurst and Speaker of the House Craddick announced a postponement of the hearing until October until the costs of Katrina can better be determined.
