Latest News
Healthcare Reform Forum
August 4th, 2010The Center for Public Policy Priorities (CPPP) will hold two forums. The first presentation will focus on the role of Texas in shaping access to coverage, best practice models for implementing health reform, and details regarding Medicaid, health insurance regulation reforms. This session is recommended for public policy and healthcare professionals and those organizational leaders whose work will be impacted by healthcare reform. The second presentation is titled “Healthcare Reform and You.” It will provide an overview of the legislation, the basic building blocks of healthcare reform, timelines for major changes, how Texans will be impacted, the role of Texas government in reform. This session is recommended for the general public.
The National Rifle Association Endorses Rep. Abel Herrero
August 3rd, 2010“I am honored and pleased to receive the support from the National Rifle Association of America Political Victory Fund, an organization that has historically helped protect and preserve our Second Amendment rights,” stated Rep. Herrero.
In a written statement, NRA State Liaison, Tara Reilly Mica stated, in part, “I am pleased to announce your [Rep. Abel Herrero] ‘A’ rating and endorsement for the 2010 election cycle.”
Lawsuit against top officials to proceed
May 4th, 2010Representative Abel Herrero recently commented on a U.S. District Judge’s decision to deny request from four state officials to be dropped from a lawsuit involving the former Corpus Christi State School.
“There is some evidence to show that the fight club incidents at the state school may have been prevented if those with supervisory authority had acted expeditiously, decisively and thoroughly in addressing the systematic deficiencies they knew — or should have known — existed at the time.” – Rep. Abel Herrero
Read the full article at the Austin Statesmen website: ‘Fight club’ lawsuit against top officials to proceed
Rep. Herrero Public Service Announcement for Veterans Benefits
April 22nd, 2010Representative Abel Herrero reminds veterans ages 65 and older to contact their local Texas Veterans Commission to find out if they are eligible for pension benefits. Watch Rep. Abel Herrero’s public service announcement by clicking here:
Rep. Abel Herrero Public Service Announcement for Veterans Benefits
Nueces River Cleanup
April 6th, 2010Rep. Abel Herrero recently participated in a boat ride along the Nueces River. The representative is partnering with the City of Corpus Christi and Nueces County officials to help river cleanup efforts. Rep. Herrero spoke to the Caller Times about the team effort needed to effectively improve river quality.
“The collaborative efforts of all stakeholders involved, including all levels of government agencies and obviously the private property owners, can enhance the natural beauty of the river but also potentially create an eco-tourism destination and clean up the source of water that Corpus Christi so desperately depends on,” – Rep. Abel Herrero
Read the full article at the Caller Times website: Nueces River focus of big cleanup effort
Be Counted in the 2010 Census
March 15th, 2010Rep. Herrero was on hand for the 2010 Census Kickoff at the Del Mar College Center for Economic Development. The event featured a number of community leaders who highlighted the significance of the census. Read the full article at the Caller Times website here: Community leaders rally behind 2010 census effort
Upcoming Town Hall Meetings
February 26th, 2010Please join us to address issues concerning you and your family for the upcoming 82nd Legislative Session. I encourage you to contact my office with suggestions or ideas you may want discussed during this series.
Meetings
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Thursday, March 25th
5:30-7 pm: Calallen HS Cafeteria, 4001 Wildcat Drive, Calallen
For more information, please call (361)882-2277 or email zulema.zapata@house.state.tx.us.
Rep Herrero Endorsed By NRA/Texas State Rifle Association
February 26th, 2010CORPUS CHRISTI— The National Rifle Association state affiliate, the Texas State Rifle Association (TSRA), endorsed incumbent State Representative Abel Herrero (D-Robstown). ”I am proud to receive the endorsement of our state affiliate of the NRA whose organization protects the and preserves the rights of responsible gun owners across Texas,” stated Rep. Herrero.
In a written statement, TSRA PAC Legislative Director, Alice Tripp, stated, in part, “the NRA state affiliate is pleased to announce to its members and all Texans that you [Rep. Abel Herrero] are the ‘A’ rated and endorsed candidate for the 2010 election cycle.”
“As a fellow gun owner, I fully support the constitutionally protected right for Americans to responsibly bear arms,” said Rep. Herrero. “I proudly stand with law-abiding Americans to protect their right of gun ownership.”
The TSRA has a proud heritage spanning over 80 years. Its 40, 000 members play an essential role in preserving the rich heritage of the 2nd amendment, and promoting education and training for responsible firearm usage. Representative Herrero looks forward to working with TSRA in the future.
Conservation group grades legislators, Herrero Endorsed by Texas League of Conservation Voters
February 23rd, 2010Corpus Christi Caller Times
The Texas League of Conservation Voters, a pro-green group devoted to conservation, released its annual score card ranking Texas lawmakers based on how they vote for issues such as clean air, clean water, access to public lands, water, fish and wildlife.
Abel Herrero, D-Robstown, Yvonne Gonzalez Toureilles, D-Alice, and Tara Rios Ybarra, D-Brownsville, received A-plus grades, 100 percent. Solomon Ortiz, D-Corpus Christi, earned an A.
To read full article please click here, Caller Times .
New Statewide Fuel Quality Program
February 23rd, 2010Texas Department of Agriculture
AUSTIN – Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples today strengthened consumer protection in Texas by launching a new statewide fuel quality program targeting contaminated fuel. Until now, there has not been a state agency in Texas with the authority to protect drivers from receiving tainted fuel.
“When Texas drivers top off their tanks, they need to know that the fuel they pay for is of the highest quality,” Commissioner Staples said. “The Texas Department of Agriculture is committed to consumer protection, and this new authority now allows our inspectors to not only make sure drivers receive the amount of gas they purchase, but also the quality of gas their vehicles require.”
Under Commissioner Staples, the Texas Department of Agriculture requested, and was granted, the authority to regulate fuel quality and increase penalties for repeat violators. House Bill 2925, authored by Rep. Abel Herrero and sponsored by Sen. John Whitmire, gives TDA the responsibility to test fuel for water and other contaminants, and to determine whether it meets nationally recognized standards.
“I am pleased to have worked with Commissioner Staples and Representative Herrero to give the Texas Department of Agriculture the enforcement tools they need to ensure the quality of fuel sold in Texas,” Sen. Whitmire said. “Texas consumers will now have greater protections against the sale of contaminated or harmful gasoline.”
“In efforts to maintain consumer confidence at the pump, we worked closely with all stakeholders to implement and enhance protections through fuel quality testing,” Rep. Herrero said. “With already strained finances for many hardworking families, we needed to assure them they were getting the best quality for their money.”
Under the new initiative, fuel quality inspections will be conducted based upon a three-pronged approach: complaint initiated; risk-based analysis; and routine monitoring.
“This model will ensure the most efficient use of resources and best results for consumers,” Commissioner Staples said. “The good news is, the fuel industry already conducts its own quality testing, so by working as partners we will be able to better focus our efforts on higher risk areas.”
“The Texas Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association supports the Texas Department of Agriculture’s goal of ensuring petroleum products meet certain standards for quality,” Chris Newton, TPCA president, said. “While instances of inferior fuel quality are few, it is imperative that consumers have confidence in the high quality of fuels for sale in the state of Texas. TDA’s fuel quality testing program is a key component of maintaining this confidence. Our members look forward to working with the department on this important issue.”
In addition to granting TDA authority to regulate fuel quality, HB 2925 also gives the agency the authority to:
Assess penalties – up to $5,000 per fuel quality violation
Issue stop sales – stopping the sale of fuel that is contaminated or does not meet national quality standards
http://www.agr.state.tx.us/agr/media/media_render/0,1460,1848_17053_36231_0,00.html