By Desi Martinez, M.A.
Harlingen, Texas
What was not mentioned is that the 3 existing MPO’s would be dissolved and 1 regional MPO would be created with a set of bylaws that would have members (decision-makers) on the board determined by population.
What was not mentioned is that the 3 existing MPO’s would be dissolved and 1 regional MPO would be created with a set of bylaws that would have members (decision-makers) on the board determined by population.
2015 Census figures shows Hidalgo County population at 831,073 and Cameron County has 420,392 population for a total population of 1,251,465. Therefore, the proposal on the table is to have Hidalgo County with 66.4 percent board membership and Cameron County will have 33.4 percent board membership.
Now folks, there presently exists 3 MPO’s. Don’t you think that the Hidalgo County MPO could come up with a better partnership proposal that is fair to all 3 MPO’s?
Brownsville Mayor Martinez is correct. The present partnership proposal by the Hidalgo County MPO is a “no deal” and not a fair and beneficial partnership for the constituents he represents. This is also true for western Cameron County. The other elected officials should be more aware of what the “carrot at the end of the pole, string and hook” means.
Now folks, there presently exists 3 MPO’s. Don’t you think that the Hidalgo County MPO could come up with a better partnership proposal that is fair to all 3 MPO’s?
Brownsville Mayor Martinez is correct. The present partnership proposal by the Hidalgo County MPO is a “no deal” and not a fair and beneficial partnership for the constituents he represents. This is also true for western Cameron County. The other elected officials should be more aware of what the “carrot at the end of the pole, string and hook” means.
At this time, Mayor Martinez is only protecting the long term and fair participation for future generations in any regional strategy. Mayor Martinez is protecting the Greater Brownsville area, the largest populated city in the region, and the county seat. So don’t knock down the City of Brownsville and Mayor Martinez for being cautious and not over reactive on this issue.
Here’s a suggestion. If there is a counter proposal on the structure and organization of a possible
regional MPO it should be a board of directors with 1 member from each of the 3 existing MPO’s, 2
county judges, and 4 small cities (2 from Hidalgo and 2 from Cameron). The 3 existing MPO’s would
become councils and maintain their existing operations, funds, and project development in their council areas.
Here’s a suggestion. If there is a counter proposal on the structure and organization of a possible
regional MPO it should be a board of directors with 1 member from each of the 3 existing MPO’s, 2
county judges, and 4 small cities (2 from Hidalgo and 2 from Cameron). The 3 existing MPO’s would
become councils and maintain their existing operations, funds, and project development in their council areas.
Funding, of course, would conduit through the regional MPO. The regional MPO would have 1 of
the county judges to chair the board and this chairmanship position would rotate between the 2 county judges every 2 years. The regional MPO would appoint a representative to be on the State TxDOT Council that retains 10 percent-plus of the state and federal transportation funds for metropolitan discretionary projects.
the county judges to chair the board and this chairmanship position would rotate between the 2 county judges every 2 years. The regional MPO would appoint a representative to be on the State TxDOT Council that retains 10 percent-plus of the state and federal transportation funds for metropolitan discretionary projects.
It’s a big discretionary fund and maybe this 70-mile wide metro and coastal area should be at this state table and get 21 percent greater piece of the pie. But there should be a better way than offered by 1 of the 3 potential partners.
This suggestion may require state legislation and approval by the Governor. Therefore, Senator Eddie Lucio and area state representatives should submit a local bill or state bill and get it done in the next
legislative session coming up in 14 months, if needed. Part of western Cameron County has a state
legislator, Oscar Longoria, with an office in Penitas and La Feria, and representing part of Harlingen as well.
This suggestion may require state legislation and approval by the Governor. Therefore, Senator Eddie Lucio and area state representatives should submit a local bill or state bill and get it done in the next
legislative session coming up in 14 months, if needed. Part of western Cameron County has a state
legislator, Oscar Longoria, with an office in Penitas and La Feria, and representing part of Harlingen as well.
He lives in Hidalgo County. He should be in this discussion if there is a counter proposal.
This is “Texas Hold’em” at its best of South Texas elected officials. Greater Brownsville just passed.
Hidalgo County it’s your call or is this shelved until the next generations of leadership?
This is “Texas Hold’em” at its best of South Texas elected officials. Greater Brownsville just passed.
Hidalgo County it’s your call or is this shelved until the next generations of leadership?