The Texas Tribune hosted “Inside The Interim With Rio Grande Valley Lawmakers” last Wednesday at the Doctor’s Hospital at Renaissance Conference Center in Edinburg.
The event was moderated by the CEO of the Texas Tribune Evan Smith where he asked local state representatives questions on the upcoming 2023 session.
Local representatives in attendance included State Sen. Chuy Hinojosa, D-McAllen, State Rep. Oscar Longoria, D-Mission and State Rep. Armando Martinez, D-Weslaco.
After introductions, the first topic discussed was the passing of the “Heartbeat Bill”.
Smith asked Hinojosa about abortion being illegal in Texas,
“This is the last day Abortion will be legal. Sen. Hinojosa, what if anything do legislatures do about that? What do you think about that fact as a legislature heading into tomorrow?”
Hinjosa responded,
“I think a majority of people support Roe versus Wade…that’s an issue that the general public needs to speak up about.”
Martinez was asked what he thinks about the bill.
“Well I think whoever the majority is, is going to control the narrative…They are going to continue to push social issues instead of entertaining and looking at the issues that really concern Texans.”
According to an article written by the Texas Tribune, a poll conducted by the University of Texas at Austin showed that as of May 4, 78% of respondents believed that abortion should allowed in some form while only 15% thought that it should not be allowed at all.
The discussion then moved to the state’s electrical grid.
Smith reminded the guests that the grid collapsed back in Feb. of 2021and asked if the grid should be required to be weatherized. Longoria answered
“I think energy, especially in Texas, is something that always needs to be kept in check. My understanding a lot of those plants were set up for hurricanes…when you have weatherization based on hurricanes, it looks very different then based on extreme cold”.
To watch the event in its entirety, visit the Texas Tribune YouTube channel.
According to the Legislative Reference Library, the next Texas legislative session will begin Jan. 10, 2023.
This is Rodolfo Alvarado for Vaquero Radio.
