Courtesy TxDot,
AUSTIN –TxDOT  announced that it is planning on leveraging as much as an additional $2 billion over the next two years to facilitate construction on some of the states’ high priority projects. The additional funding comes from more efficient and effective ways of managing tax dollars and an anticipation of future federal funding.
After an intensive several month effort of scrubbing project budgets, analyzing federal funding opportunities, and embracing best practices in money management, the agency estimates it can bring online approximately …

Courtesy U.S. Customs and Border Protection,

LAREDO, TEXAS – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists at the Laredo Port of Entry this week uncovered a deluge of quarantine significant pests, intercepting nine wood-boring pests in nine hours in solid wood packing material at the port’s two cargo lots.

The interceptions all occurred during a nine-hour period on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012 at the import lots at World Trade Bridge and Colombia-Solidarity Bridge . CBP agriculture specialists conducted examinations of wooden pallets from commercial …

Courtesy Will Krueger,
(AUSTIN, TX) — Senator Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, on Thursday (Feb. 16) received the Horizon Award from the Christian Life Commission, the policy agency of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, for her leadership in promoting access, affordability and excellence in higher education.
“As Chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee, I am delighted to accept this award and to champion higher education opportunities for all,” Zaffirini said. “It’s my pleasure to share Texas Baptists’ goals of increasing high school graduation rates and ensuring that Texas students are college ready.”
Senator …

Courtesy Richard Pauza,
 LAREDO — Effective immediately, travelers may once again bring fully cooked eggs into the U.S. from Mexico .  In March 2011, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) informed CBP that APHIS was adding restrictions to live bird and poultry imports to protect the United States from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).  This rule also amended existing regulations related to exotic Newcastle disease (END).  These changes meant that egg and egg products from HPAI or END regions would need a Veterinary …

Courtesy Will Krueger,
(AUSTIN, TX) — Senator Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, announced today (Jan. 16) that Texas A&M University will receive $225,000 for the first year of a five-year grant from the Texas Council on Developmental Disabilities (TCDD) to develop an inclusive postsecondary education program for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. “As Chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee, I am delighted that persons with disabilities pursuing postsecondary education will benefit from this funding,” Zaffirini said. “Specifically, they will receive specialized support and services not usually offered at higher education institutions, …

Courtesy David Leo,
Chairman Raymond’s Committee Monitors Policy to Protect Texas Families
 AUSTIN, Tx-House Health and Human Services Committee Chairman Richard Peña Raymond (D-Laredo) has been asked by Speaker Joe Straus to oversee the managed care rollout as part of his committee’s interim charge responsibilities.
 For the first time, beginning March 1, 2012, Medicaid clients living within the 10-county Hidalgo Service Area will begin receiving managed health care services.  Counties included in the managed care expansion area include: Cameron, Duval, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Maverick, McMullen, Starr, Webb, Willacy, and Zapata.
 “It is vital that …

Courtesy Timothy Franciscus-Timm,
(Laredo, Tx)-What defies gravity, cuts through the air with stunning accuracy and sends vintage airplanes soaring heavenward?  That would be the WBCA Air Show spectacular Sponsored by CPL Retail Energy, A Direct Energy Co. This impressive event showcases paratroopers and precision pilot teams. Spectators will be thrilled and chilled with an up-close and personal look at aviation that’s simply without parallel. 
Don’t miss this spectacular event taking place this Sunday, February 12, 2012.  Show starts at 11:00 a.m. tickets are $5 for adults  children 12 yrs. and under enter free.   …

Courtesy U.S. Customs and Border Protection,
 EAGLE PASS, TEXAS – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and agents at the Eagle Pass Port of Entry seized $333,000 in unreported currency from a vehicle driven by a local man in a routine examination.  The currency seizure occurred on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012, at Eagle Pass Bridge I. CBP officers and agents and Maverick County sheriff’s deputies were conducting outbound examinations when a CBP officer referred a 2009 Lincoln MKS driven by a 67-year-old U.S. citizen from Eagle Pass for a secondary examination. …

Courtesy U.S. Customs and Border Protection,
AM Radio System Installed to Inform Land Border Crossers
 WASHINGTON – U.S. Customs and Border Protection today announced the installation of a pilot AM radio broadcast system, aimed to better inform the border crossing public. CBP has installed AM radio frequency transmitters at two ports of entry on the southwest border, Ysleta in El Paso , Texas and Lincoln-Juarez Bridge in Laredo , Texas in order to communicate important border crossing information to travelers.
 The pilot radio station in Laredo is 1610 AM and is currently airing …

Courtesy Richard Pauza,

LAREDO, TEXAS – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Laredo Port of Entry this weekend apprehended an East Texas man wanted on an outstanding warrant for homicide in Brazoria County , Texas .

The apprehension occurred on Feb. 7, 2012 at Lincoln-Juarez Bridge . A CBP officer conducting examinations of arriving bus passengers referred passenger Felipe Daniel Flores, a 20-year-old male U.S. citizen from Alvin , Texas for a secondary examination after discovering he was a possible match to an …