Pharr Advocates for Passage of TxDOT Permitting Process Legislation for Bridges Located Over the Rio Grande

by media | May 27, 2021 | Featured News, Media Releases

Pharr Advocates for Passage of TxDOT Permitting Process Legislation for Bridges Located Over the Rio Grande

The City of Pharr has successfully advocated and led the efforts for the passage of Senate Bill 2243 in the Texas Legislature, a bill that amends the Transportation Code by providing an exemption from commission approval for the reconstruction or improvement of existing bridges over the Rio Grande, including the Pharr International Bridge. Today, the bill was passed in the House of Representatives and is on its way to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk for signature. Both Senators Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa and Eddie Lucio, Jr. as well as State Representative Terry Canales worked with the City of Pharr to get the bill passed through their respective chambers. It should be noted that this bill was filed unprecedentedly late as an emergency bill in the Texas Senate and made its way to passage in a record time of 21 days. Particularly, Senator Hinojosa is responsible for taking the lead so quickly, ensuring the buy-in from Senate Committee on Transportation Chairman, TxDOT leadership, and the Lieutenant Governor’s Office. The bill would not have been possible without the support and advancement through the Texas House and the Transportation Committee without the hard work and dedication of Chairman Terry Canales. The City of Pharr is thankful for the support and dedication of our elected officials who lead the efforts to pass this important legislation.

“This is a true testament to our elected officials working together cohesively to get the job done in record time,” stated Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez.

A strong economic engine for the City of Pharr, the region, our state, and the nation, our local ports of entry and bridges along the Texas-Mexico border are key contributors to the economies of the U.S. and Mexico. Trade between Texas and Mexico has grown rapidly over the last two decades, increasing by 267 percent from $58 billion in 1994 to $213 billion in 2019. Our international bridges cannot afford to wait years for approval to enhance infrastructure as it would severely impact trading operations.

In the City of Pharr’s case, for example, they submitted an application for a Presidential Permit Amendment to the Department of State on September 30, 2020, and the White House issued the Presidential Permit on December 31, 2020. The Expansion Project was broadly supported by both the United States and Mexican federal governments and agencies. Typically, a permit process can take multiple years before approval; Pharr’s application was fast-tracked due to the dedicated efforts of city leaders and staff, consulting engineers Structural Engineering Associates, Inc., and others, who prioritized this project and worked diligently with U.S. and Mexican officials, despite the challenges of being in the midst of a global pandemic.  The Presidential Permit issued for the Expansion Project was only one of three approved by the White House, where two were private rail projects, in 2020 under new Executive Order 13867.

“The City of Pharr has been working on improvements and expansions at the Pharr International Bridge, which took years of planning, strategizing, and permitting to even begin the process,” said Hernandez. “Our bridge and city team worked together to get the expansion moving however, we soon realized that this process could be improved in terms of permitting processes at the state and federal levels, which further delay the process, are complicated, and can take years to receive approval,” he added. “We are appreciative to have reached out and received the help of Senator Hinojosa, Senator Lucio, and Transportation Chairman Canales as we aimed to make improvements to the state permitting process,” he continued.  “With their drive and determination for this bill, the South Texas Delegation came in strong for the additional support needed to cross the fast-approaching finish line,” stated Hernandez.

Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa offered these remarks: “Our ports of entry are gateways to the Texas economy and supporting our international bridges has been one of my priorities this session. I authored SB 2243 to provide relief to the City of Pharr from having to obtain both a federal and state permit eliminating duplication, saving taxpayer funds, and expediting construction of the expansion of the Pharr bridge. I appreciate Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez for bringing this issue to our attention and to his staff for working with us to get this bill to the Governor’s desk.”

S.B. 2243 amends the Transportation Code to exempt a political subdivision authorized to construct or finance the construction of a bridge over the Rio Grande from the requirements to obtain approval from the Texas Transportation Commission and from the United States under federal law for the construction of the bridge and to submit to the commission a report that details the feasibility, location, economic effect, and environmental impact of the bridge and any other required information if the project meets the following criteria: the project is for the reconstruction, improvement, expansion, or maintenance of an existing bridge; and the project has received approval from the United States under federal law authorizing the project.

“By allowing an exemption for existing bridges, who have the permit and have already undergone the process, this will expedite the rate at which we can work on improvements, reconstruction, or construction at our current bridges,” stated Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. “Overall, this will help us address infrastructure needs at our international bridges, so that we may keep up with the supply and demand of trade and continue to be a key leader in the movement of goods between the U.S. and Mexico,” added Senator Lucio.

This legislation applies to expansions of existing international bridges as well as new bridges, and there is no provision that allows TxDOT to grant exemptions. This amendment to the statute will serve to align the state process with the new federal process and also spare both project sponsors and TxDOT the time, resources, and effort of processing State Permits for expansions of existing bridges. This amendment does not affect the project being subject to all other applicable laws and regulations.

“The expansion of the Pharr International Bridge is important to not only this City of Pharr, but also the entire region,” said Representative Canales. “Pharr’s port of entry is currently responsible for billions of dollars in trade that benefits our entire state’s economy, and expanding the Pharr International Bridge will only amplify these benefits for South Texas,” he added. Thank you to Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, Senators “Chuy” Hinojosa and Eddie Lucio, Jr., and the Pharr City Council for working with our office to move this project forward, ensuring this economic expansion for our region,” he continued.

S.B. 2243 was one of three major bills that were filed in this legislative session that revolved around the Pharr International Bridge that sets precedent and paves the way for the future and neighboring ports of entry along the South Texas Border. The City of Pharr Government Relations Team led by Cynthia Garza-Reyes and Michael Vargas worked closely with the legislative staffers of the South Texas Legislative Delegation and corresponding Transportation Committees to ensure that these bills were successful in passage. All three bills will be signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott in the coming days.

Pharr Works with Legislators to Continue Funding the Trade Agricultural Inspection Grant Program

by media | May 24, 2021 | Featured News, Media Releases

Pharr Works with Legislators to Continue Funding the Trade Agricultural Inspection Grant Program

The City of Pharr has once again successfully led the efforts for the passage of House Bill 1371/Senate Bill 1566 in the Texas Legislature, a bill that provides continued congestion relief at ports of entry along the South Texas-Mexico border by extending the Trade Agricultural Inspection Grant Program, better known as the South Texas Assets Consortium (STAC) Program, through 2025. The bill has now been sent to Texas Governor Greg Abbott for signature. Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. and Representative Bobby Guerra both worked with the City of Pharr and the South Texas Legislative Delegation to get the bill passed through their respective chambers.

The City of Pharr and the Pharr International Bridge have worked closely with the Texas Legislature for the last three legislative sessions to advocate for the continuation of the STAC Program. Historically, this grant program was originally signed into law during the 84th Legislative Session, with Representative Guerra and Senator Lucio as the original co-sponsors. The program has helped to alleviate long wait times along the Texas-Mexico border port of entries.

“The Trade Agricultural Inspection Grant Program is vital to keeping our ports of entry moving, ensuring that our produce is free of invasive pests and helps solidify our trading capacity by efficiently and expediently continuing the flow of products through our bridge,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D.

As the only full-service commercial port of entry in the area, the Pharr International Bridge continues to be an economic engine for the region, as one of the busiest ports of entry in the state and nation. Currently, the bridge ranks third in the nation for trade with Mexico, the seventh-largest, fastest-growing land port of entry nationally, the number one crosser of produce, and the top exporter of automotive, technology, and petroleum gas. The Pharr Bridge now crosses 65% of the nation’s produce imported from Mexico and has reported over $36 billion in annual trade.

Agricultural inspections are critical to guarding both the agriculture industry and Texas consumers. The coupling of population increase and an upsurge in demand for fresh and healthy produce has put a burden on the agricultural inspection procedures at the South Texas-Mexico ports of entry. The shortage of agriculture inspectors at the Texas-Mexico border causes congestion—significant due to the slowdown of commerce and the delayed inspection of perishable produce. The existing Trade Agricultural Inspection Grant Program—administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture—reduces wait times for agricultural inspections at ports of entry along the Texas border.

When fresh produce crosses the US border, it must be inspected for compliance to US growing regulations, potential foreign pests, and diseases that could devastate domestic agriculture, as well as for compliance with trade legislation. These duties fall to the US Customs & Border Protection (CBP) Agriculture Specialists.

The industry has seen a tremendous impact, almost immediately. As soon as the grant program was enacted, the number of fresh produce trucks that had to wait overnight for inspections dropped dramatically.

“With STAC in place, the risk is eliminated for trucks to be halted and left at the inspection docks overnight only to be processed the following morning,” said Cindy Garza-Reyes, Director of External Affairs for the City of Pharr and the Pharr International Bridge. “What is key about this project is that not only are local community stakeholders invested in this program but communities and private business outside of our region are also invested in eliminating any disruption within the supply chain process,” she added. “This project will help alleviate wait times and increase our economic trade capacity,” Garza continued.

“I am proud to have garnered wide support on a bipartisan basis in the Senate to pass legislation important to the State of Texas, especially to the Rio Grande Valley,” said Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. “The Trade Agricultural Inspection Grant Program is important to our border communities, Texas farmers, and for consumers at grocery stores like H-E-B,” added Lucio.

The continued implementation of the program will allow our Texas ports of entry to build the personnel and the efficiencies needed to protect our Texas farmers, encourage the growth of the Texas fruit and vegetable industry, and help our Texas economy grow by creating a partnership where local communities alongside the state government can fund necessary personnel resources needed for the successful flow of trade.

“The Agricultural Inspection Grant is integral to successful trade at our southern border,” said Representative Bobby Guerra. “Previous success of this program illustrates that it is an inexpensive and effective tool that keeps our grocery stores stocked with fresh produce while stimulating economic growth and job creation in Texas,” he added.

“On behalf of the City of Pharr we commend Senator Lucio and Representative Guerra for their dedicated efforts in working to expediently get this vital legislation approved through their respective chambers,” said Mayor Hernandez. “As our elected official representing Pharr, Senator Lucio has always understood the significance of the Pharr International Bridge,” said Hernandez.

“He continues to be one of the most powerful advocates in Austin for South Texas,” Hernandez added. “The South Texas Legislative Delegation has been instrumental in keeping vital funding for this program to continue the economic prosperity and vitality of our region and our state,” stated Hernandez.

Pharr Takes Lead in Creation and Successful Passage of HB 2843 / SB 1334 in Texas Legislature to Enhance Bridge Funding

by media | May 24, 2021 | Featured News, Media Releases

Pharr Takes Lead in Creation and Successful Passage of HB 2843 / SB 1334 in Texas Legislature to Enhance Bridge Funding

The City of Pharr has successfully led the efforts for the passage of House Bill 2843 / Senate Bill 1334 in the Texas Legislature, a bill that addresses funding mechanisms to invest in our ports of entry infrastructure. Today, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed the bill into law, a bill that is effective immediately and will benefit both city- and county-owned ports of entry like the Pharr International Bridge. Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa and State Representative Terry Canales both worked with the City of Pharr to get the bill passed through their respective chambers.

As international ports of entry continue to evolve with increased supply and demand crossing our borders every day, the Pharr International Bridge continues to increase its overall crossings annually by 3-5% and remains one of the top ports of entry in most major commodities such as produce and automotive.  With this continued growth, ports of entry processes currently in place to maintain infrastructure via federal regulatory areas and guidelines have changed over time. HB 2843 / SB 1334 amends the Transportation Code to authorize a county bordering the Rio Grande to use negotiable bonds or the proceeds of the sale of the bonds to construct, improve, enlarge, or equip in whole or in part a toll bridge or a related building, structure, or other facility. The bill authorizes the county to use those bonds or the sale of the bonds to acquire such a building.

This bill provides cities and county-owned toll bridges another funding tool to invest in ports of entry infrastructure. A strong economic engine for the City of Pharr, the region, our state, and the nation, our local ports of entry and bridges along the Texas-Mexico border are key contributors to the economies of the U.S. and Mexico. Trade between Texas and Mexico has grown rapidly over the last two decades, increasing by 267 percent from $58 billion in 1994 to $213 billion in 2019.

“The city of Pharr prides itself on remaining proactive and innovative when it comes to infrastructure development at the Pharr International Bridge,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “The bridge now crosses 65% of the nation’s produce imported from Mexico and over $36 billion in annual trade, and I am happy to see that our state leaders recognize that it is vital to continue prioritizing infrastructure needs for our port of entry,” he added.  “Senate Bill 1334 will allow for local government entities to invest in port of entry infrastructure that can provide greater efficiency of cross-border movement of people and goods and to better accommodate future growth,” stated Hernandez.

The City of Pharr has been proactive in infrastructure investment and development at the Pharr International Bridge. In collaboration with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. General Services Administration, Pharr was the first port of entry to be part of the Donations Acceptance Program (DAP). The DAP program is a partnership mechanism with the CBP to explore and implement tangible solutions to trade and travel challenges, under the Cross-Border Trade Enhancement Act of 2016.   DAP allows city-owned ports of entry to donate a monetary value inside the federal footprint allowing infrastructure projects to be expedited and therefore increasing the amount of commercial truck output for all ports of entry.  Currently, every major city-owned port of entry along the Texas-Mexico border is participating in the DAP program. Since the establishment of the DAP program, 41 partnerships have been created with a $218 million dollar investment in U.S. Ports of Entry.

SB 1334 was filed by Senator Hinojosa and sponsored in the House of Representatives by Rep. Terry Canales, Chair of the House Transportation Committee, at the request of Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D., and city officials.

“I appreciate Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez for his leadership and for bringing this issue to my attention,” said Senator Hinojosa. “We will recover our investments and more, by growing our economy, creating new jobs, and making the movement of people and goods at our bridges more efficient. This is a common-sense bill that will help cities and counties that own bridges leverage their local dollars to expedite bridge projects which will strengthen our economy and the safety of our ports of entry.”

Under current law, cities and counties are not permitted to issue bonds to invest in facilities, technology, or other infrastructure to donate to the federal government for port improvements. This discrepancy in the law created a roadblock that prevented entities from enhancing bridge infrastructure and establishing key partnerships between local agencies and municipalities to share resources that enhance ports of entry.  “It was important to the city that our state legislatures remain cognizant of the fact that city-owned bridges are identified as formal city departments and require significant maintenance, as do other city facilities,” stated Hernandez.

“This legislation will better allow communities like the City of Pharr to leverage their local dollars to strengthen our state’s economy and bolster the safety of our ports of entry,” said Rep. Terry Canales. “Thank you to Pharr for advocating for legislation that will have such an incredible impact on our ports of entry up and down the Texas-Mexico border,” he continued. “This is an important bill that will have a major impact on the Rio Grande Valley, the State of Texas, and the entire nation,” added Canales.

Pharr has prioritized five (5) DAP projects that total the largest financial investment along the Texas-Mexico border and are currently categorized as in the “financial procurement” phase of the DAP process. The DAP program works to foster a symbiotic relationship amongst agencies, entities, and municipalities which further enhances and solidifies our economic footprint and continues to establish us as a critical trading spot in the nation.

“On behalf of the City of Pharr and the Pharr International Bridge, I want to thank Senator Hinojosa and Chairman Canales, who represent our South Texas region on their respective Committees on Transportation, for sponsoring this bill and getting this done for our border communities,” Hernandez said. “They worked tirelessly to make this happen, advocating on our behalf and we are very grateful for their dedicated efforts,” he added. “We would especially like to thank all our Rio Grande Valley Delegation for their work and our state leaders for recognizing the important economic impact of the DAP program which will benefit ports of entries throughout our region,” he said.

City of Pharr to Kick-Off Opening of Pharr EMS Department Headquarters TODAY @ 5:30 pm

by media | May 13, 2021 | Featured News, Media Releases

City of Pharr to Kick-Off Opening of Pharr EMS Department Headquarters TODAY @ 5:30 pm

The City of Pharr will host the Kick-Off Opening of the Pharr EMS Headquarters to celebrate the launch of the city’s newest department. The event will take place at 5:30 pm TODAY, Thursday, May 13, 2021, at the Pharr Events Center (3000 N. Cage Blvd.).

“We are proud to celebrate the launch of the Pharr EMS Headquarters and welcome our newest city department,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “Pharr EMS will enhance our public safety and medical efforts throughout the city, providing faster and life-saving response times to our citizens,” he added.

The Pharr EMS Headquarters will now be housed at the former Pharr Events Center, which has been repurposed to accommodate all Pharr Emergency Medical Services personnel, its ambulance fleet, and the RGV Angel Flight.

All media and the public are invited to attend. Ambulances will be onsite for b-roll.

DETAILS
WHAT:  Kick-Off of Pharr EMS Department Headquarters
WHEN: TODAY, Thursday, May 13, 2021, at 5:30 pm
WHERE: Pharr Events Center (3000 N. Cage Blvd., Pharr, TX 78577)