State Representative Abel Herrero

Upcoming Town Hall Meetings

Please 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

• Thursday, March 11th
  5:30-7 pm: Tuloso-Midway Middle School Cafeteria, 9768 LaBranch, Corpus Christi

• Tuesday, 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

CORPUS 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 affilliate 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 2^nd 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

Corpus 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

Texas 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

Fish Fry Thank You

Thank you to all who made it to today’s Get Out the Vote Fish Fry at Nueces County Park in Robstown.  Your continued support is greatly appreciated.  Special thanks to gubernatorial candidate Bill White for stopping by to visit. 

Please remember you can vote early until February 26th. Primary Election Day is March 2nd. To find out when and where you can vote early, click here for the Early Voting Calender. 

Get Healthy Advice by Text Message

Healthy Families of South Texas is a program developed by Driscoll Children’s Health Plan. The program’s goal is to improve self-care for families by increasing their knowledge of better lifestyle choices with personalized educational advice through the use of text messaging.

You can register free by texting the word HEALTHY to 25827 and every now and then you will get a text message asking you a brief question about your health information needs. Over time, this system gets to know your unique health preferences and will begin to share with you on the latest health information available to help you reach whatever goals you have set for yourself or your family.

Once again the service is free, to register or learn more about the program text HEALTHY to 25827 or go to Healthy Families at www.hfstx.org.

New Allegations Reported at the Corpus Christi State School

Austin, Texas – Late this afternoon, Representative Abel Herrero (D-Robstown) was notified of new allegations of abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation at the Corpus Christi State School.  In response, Rep. Herrero released the following statement:

“Based on initial information, it is confirmed that there have been new allegations of abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation incidents involving incitement to fight between residents.  If these allegations are proven true, I’m gravely disappointed that agency officials have been ineffective in properly addressing these dire circumstances.  The general public, especially state school residents, are demanding agency officials to be more diligent, proactive and effective in ridding our state schools, once and for all, of these atrocities.  By only acting when new allegations arise or solely relying on others to report abuse, the state fails to effectively deal with the root of the problem and uphold its responsibility to prevent further abuse.  The state must exhaust every available resource and infinite amount of energy to ensure the safety and well-being of our most vulnerable population.” – Abel Herrero

Rep. Abel Herrero Files Legislation To Protect Domestic Violence Victims

Mary’s Law legislation brings the safety of domestic violence victims to forefront of session activity.

Austin, Texas – Rep. Abel Herrero (D-Robstown) filed HB 1506, Texas’ version of Mary’s Law, a bill that allows GPS monitoring of persons charged with domestic violence offenses.  If enacted, Texas will be the 12th state to allow courts to order a domestic violence offender to be fitted with a GPS tracking device as a condition of bond or a upon the issuing of a protective order.  The receiver may be given to the victim or a law enforcement agency. The victim is alerted when the offender is within a court-specified radius.

“The State of Texas has the utmost obligation to its citizens to ensure their safety and well-being.  By implementing HB 1506, Texas can further protect those that have fallen victim to domestic violence,” said Rep. Herrero.  “Unfortunately, time and time again, we have seen those who have had the strength and courage to ask for protection still harmed due to the lack of monitoring.  So, the state must be clear that it does not tolerate attempts to intimidate a victim and will monitor an offender’s action if necessary. “

Mary’s Law is named for Michigan resident Mary Babb, who was murdered outside her place of employment, by her estranged husband after filing a restraining order against him.  Research indicates that 69% of females and 81% of males are attacked after filing a protective order.

Rep. Herrero Appointed Vice Chair of Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government

General Government Subcommittee oversees crucial budgets affecting the Office of the Governor state agencies including the Water Development Board, Commission on Environmental Quality and Agriculture

Austin, TX – Representative Abel Herrero (D-Robstown) was appointed as Appropriations Subcommittee Vice Chair of General Government.  In response, Rep. Herrero released the following statement:

“I thank Chairman Pitts for his vote of confidence in appointing me as Vice Chair of the General Government subcommittee.  This appointment further allows me to address crucial issues in the district and across the state.  As subcommittee vice chair, we will direct appropriation recommendations to the full committee for services provided by the Office of the Governor and such agencies as the Water Development Board, Commission on Environmental Quality and the Veteran’s Commission.  The opportunities awarded me in this appointment allow me the ability to voice the priorities of my constituents that I hear and see everyday from providing basic water needs and improving our air quality to increasing Veteran’s benefits and progressing our efforts on cancer research.”

The General Government Subcommittee of the House Committee on Appropriations has jurisdiction over Article I, General Government, and Article VI, Natural Resources, of the State of Texas Appropriations Act for the 2010-2011 biennium.

Representative Abel Herrero to Serve on Influential Committees

Rep. Herrero to Serve on Appropriations, Redistricting and Human Services Committees

AUSTIN, TX– Rep. Abel Herrero (D-Robstown) was appointed to serve on the following committees for the 81st Legislative Session:  House Committee on Appropriations, House Committee on Redistricting and  as Vice Chair of House Committee on Human Services.  The long-awaited committee assignments allow for the legislation process to fully begin.

“I am thankful to Speaker Straus for his support and confidence in choosing me to serve on these influential committees because it furthers my ability to work on key issues affecting our communities and our state,” said Rep. Herrero.  “I am eager to assume these responsibilities and opportunities to once again work on the state budget, health issues and funding for needed services throughout the state.  Serving on the Redistricting Committee will prove to be critical in ensuring that our region continues to be well represented.”

The House Committee on Appropriations is responsible for legislation dealing with the official budget for the State of Texas for the 2010-2011 biennium. The Human Services Committee’s jurisdiction covers an array of services including oversight and development of welfare and rehabilitation programs and supervision of many state agencies, which provide health services, including state schools.  In addition to these committees, Rep. Herrero will serve on the House Committee on Redistricting, which is charged with amending and creating judicial, state and congressional legislative districts.

“As Vice-Chair of the House Committee on Human Services, I will continue to promote expanding the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and ensuring affordable, accessible and comprehensive health coverage for all hard-working families.”

The Speaker of the House appoints members to each House committee based on seniority and/or speaker preference.

Rep. Herrero encourages constituents to contact his office on the committee assignment process or any other issue of interest at (512) 463-0462 or via email at District34.Herrero@house.state.tx.us. Interested individuals can also view the Texas House of Representatives website at www.house.state.tx.us.