AFTER 34 YEARS OF RENE OLIVEIRA, THIS IS WHAT DISTRICT 37 FAMILIES HAVE TODAY:
*Number of people with less than high school education is 40,134, or about 41.7 percent compared to the statewide average of 18.4 percent.
*Persons in poverty numbered 65,090, or 39.1 percent compared to the statewide average of 7.7 percent.
*Likewise, per capita income was $13,416 compared to the statewide average of $26,513.
THIS TALK OF "SENIORITY" HAS GOTTEN OLD.
He boasts of ranking fifth in seniority in the Legislature. This is how his district ranks on family income with the other four:
1. Tom Craddick, Amarillo $32,938 10.9 percent in poverty
2. Sephonia Thompson , Houston $15,742 27.8 percent in poverty3. Harold Dutton, Houston, $19,867 24.5 percent in poverty
4. John Smithee, Amarillo, $27,603 12.4 percent in poverty
5. Oliveira, Brownsville (SPI), $13,416 39.1 percent in poverty
Yet, he is asking for another two years to "finish" the job. Hasn't he done "enough?"
HAS HIS DRINKING AND PHILANDERING INURED HIM TO THE MISERY AROUND HIM?
From 2007 to 2016, The Texas Monitor reported that "Oliveira has treated his constituents and associates to plenty of campaign-funded meals. Cobbleheads Bar & Grill tops the list, with $41,609.02 spent on 531 occasions. Other Brownsville restaurants where Oliveira has paid for meals include Madeira ($13,281.81) and Toscafino’s ($13,134.35).
(That's the same establishment he left April 27, two weeks ago, when he slammed into a woman from behind while driving under the influence and left the scene before police arrived. Police found the car at his house with both tires flat and extensive damage to the front end. He refused to take the alcohol blood test or a sobriety test and was arrested.)
"An examination of campaign fund expenditure...shows that the Democrat from Brownsville spent at least $16,105 at liquor stories between Jan. 1, 2007 and Dec. 31, 2016, with descriptions that include “beverages for capitol office” and “beverages for district office for constituents."
"Those expenditures, which include $6,228.33 at Jones Liquor and $5,730.54 at Ben’s Liquor, both in Brownsville, are part of a total of more than $250,000 Oliveira has spent out of his campaign funds over the past decade on extravagant living for himself and gifts for his constituents."
(P.S: This week, District 37 voters have an opportunity to help Oliveria stop his binging and perhaps save his life and the life of others who might get in his way when he is drinking and driving. Vote for his opponent, Cameron County Pct. 2 Commissioner Alex Dominguez and bring back sanity to our state representation. Early voting began Monday and ends this Friday. Election Day is Tuesday, May 22. Make your vote count.)