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"My El Paso" entries

El Paso is a unique city that at times struggles to define itself at the state and national level.

The El Paso Times is interested in knowing what El Paso means to you.

Use the comments section of this blog to tell us how you would promote El Paso, what El Paso means to you, or what El Paso needs to do to draw more tourism and business.

As an added incentive, a lucky participant will win 2 tickets to the Hyundai Sun Bowl. We'll take the most unique entries and randomly select a winner on Dec. 27.

Submissions may be published in the El Paso Times print edition.

El Paso lawmakers on whether they would switch parties

Two Democratic members of the Texas House have switched parties in a move that gives Republicans the supermajority needed to further solidify their stronghold.

The Democrats — state Reps. Allan Ritter of Nederland and Aaron Peña of Edinburg — officially announced their defections in a news conference today with Gov. Rick Perry, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Speaker Joe Straus.

The move brings the total number of Republicans in the state House to 101. It gives the ruling party, if voting as a bloc, the ability to establish a quorum even if all the Democrats do not show up, approve a constitutional ammendment, and suspend the rules of the House whenever they choose.

Wondering whether El Paso lawmakers are considering or would consider switching parties? Below are their responses:

State Rep. Joe Pickett: "I'm not considering it. I'm going to finish the dance with those who brought me."

State Rep. Chente Quintanilla: "I would never consider that. I tend to be a little bit more conservative...but I would never defect my party because I still think we are the party of the people and not the party of the rich, which maybe Aaron Peña is rich."

State Rep. Marisa Marquez: "No, no, no, no, no. Ultimately, it's just a matter of communication. I don't think defection is necessarily the answer. You don't throw the baby out with the bath water but if we need to do a better job of communicating with our constituency then we need to do that."

State Rep. Naomi Gonzalez: "No ma'am. I am a Democrat. The Democratic Party is strong in El Paso County. It reflects the views of our community and switching over is not an option."

State Rep. Dee Margo ( responding to whether he would switch to the Democratic Party if they had the same advantage that Republicans now have): " No. They don't represent my values."

 

 

House speaker Joe Straus in El Paso

House Speaker Joe Straus was in El Paso today for a fundraiser with the business community and spoke during a luncheon at Western Refining.

Straus talked to business leaders and elected officials about the state's budget shortfall but did not give a specific number, according to some who attended the luncheon. He also told attendees that he knew El Paso's delegation had its differences in years past but that he was excited about the potential for the the group headed to Austin in January.

Straus faces opposition from some in the conservative faction of the House of Representatives. El Paso's  delegation has pledged to support Straus so that he may continue as speaker.

State Sen. Jose Rodriguez and state Reps. Marisa Marquez, Naomi Gonzalez and Dee Margo attended the fundraiser.

State Reps. Joe Pickett and Chente Quintanilla were not there but attendees were told that they should not read anything into their absence because the event was planned on short notice.

Both Pickett and Quintanilla, who were out of town, said they continue to support Straus and they do not intend to go back on their pledge.

 

State agencies asked to make more cuts

State agencies have been asked to scale back their budgets by another 2.5 percent this year.

The directive from Gov. Rick Perry, Lt. Gov David Dewhurst and House Speaker Joe Straus was announced today.

Earlier this year state agencies were told to cut five percent of their budgets. That meant a savings of about $1.2 billion after some exemptions.

Estimates for the state's budget shortfall have ranged from $10 billion to $24 billion.

 “Identifying these savings builds on our ongoing call to keep government spending in check so that we can balance our state budget without raising taxes and continue to attract businesses that create jobs for Texans," Perry said in a statement.

Freshman orientation for incoming representatives

Newly elected state lawmakers are in the Capitol this week learning about policies, procedures and the challenges they will face during the upcoming session.

The sessions will continue through the end of the week in an effort to help more than three dozen freshman get acclimated before they are sworn into office in January.

State Rep.-Elect Dee Margo, R-El Paso, said the orientation has been hectic but fruitful.

"It's been very interesting," Margo said. "It's the proverbial fire hose. They're hitting us with information all day long."

State Rep.-Elect Naomi Gonzalez, D-El Paso, echoed those sentiments.

"I've just been trying to get to know the other representatives and the people across the state," Gonzalez said. "It's been jam-packed full of information, very useful, of course we are all going to have to learn by doing but they are giving us a good foundation to start from."

One of the highlights so far for the representatives was drawing lots to find out their spot in line to pick an office from those that have not already been designated for more senior lawmakers.

Margo will be in office E1.316. Gonzalez was still waiting for her office Wednesday night.

Robert Grijalva says he will not seek state office in 2012 primaries

Below is a statement from Robert Grijalva, the chief of staff for state Rep. Chente Quintanilla:

There have been rumors for some time now that I had decided to file as a candidate in
State House District 77. In order to eliminate the uncertainty of the rumors, I am
informing the public that I shall not seek office in the 2012 primary elections.

After returning from my duties during each of the past 3 legislative sessions, I initiated a
process of evaluating my potential run for office. I had intended to do the same during
the summer months following this session. The process was nothing more than assessing
the political climate and my position in it. I shall not engage in this process after this
session.

It is unfortunate that a rumor arose from my regular political evaluation. In this case, the
rumor was given legs by overly enthusiastic friends or supporters. The rumor, and the
way it spread, created the impression that there was a foregone conclusion about my
intentions. This caused considerable angst among the El Paso delegation with the
potential of a serious rift; understandably so.

I was responsible for preventing the situation from escalating and I failed. For that I
apologize to the residents of District 77 and El Paso. I have spoken with the delegation
and issued an apology personally to each.

It is my hope that by making this definitive statement the delegation can put this in the
past and go forward with the session united.