Touring the 27th Congressional District

Victoria and the entire Crossroads area is still enjoying relatively good economic times despite the slump in the oil and gas industry. I was the featured speaker at the regular Tuesday morning meeting hosted by the Victoria Economic Development Corporation (VEDC), and shared the good news (and the bad) coming out of Washington. I told attendees about the problems I saw with the President’s proposed deal with Iran, talked about border security and how I expect Congress to address issues like E-verify (an online system to verify a person’s eligibility to legally work in the United States) this September. I also took questions from the audience on topics including efforts to defund Planned Parenthood and what legislation the House passed before the August constituent work period to defund lawless and so called “sanctuary cities."

I also visited and toured the Port of Victoria where I discussed transportation issues and Texas’ energy revolution with port leaders, including Commissioners Robby Burdge and Don Pozzi. I was impressed by the expansion and growth since my last tour. What’s even better, they recently had 400 acres designated as a McCallum Sweeny Certified Large Site for industrial development and they have more big plans including additional barge docks and a rail extension. I look forward to helping with all of these projects.

At a small business round table in Victoria, I discussed ways Congress can support small business owners, who are the backbone of our economy. At the round table, we talked about many issues including the negative impact Dodd-Frank and other banking regulations have on small businesses and different proposals for welfare reform. I've always said that it should be more profitable to work than not to work. Dale Fowler from the VEDC also reminded the group that Victoria is doing well with a 2015 unemployment rate of less than 4 percent, which is basically full employment.

Victoria County is also veterans friendly. Unfortunately, despite having a Veterans Administration Outpatient Clinic, Victoria lacks a Vet Center to provide a broad range of counseling, outreach, and referral services to combat veterans and their families. In order to get the ball rolling and prove to the VA such a center is needed, my office is working with Victoria County Commissioners Gary Burns and Danny Garcia, Frank Torres with the Disabled American Veterans, the Corpus Christi Vet Center, and others in setting up a Vet Center-like facility in the Pattie Dodson Community Health Center. I took a look at this space last week and am excited by the possibilities. J.D. Kennedy from my office was successful in setting up a similar facility as part of his work with now-retired Congressman Buck McKeon, and is spearheading this project for me.

I spent Thursday in Caldwell County. One of my visits was with Emergency Management Coordinator Martin Ritchey to see the damage from the March floods and talk about ongoing recovery efforts to find the two children still missing. Martin showed me debris along the river and damage to public and private property. Remember that those who have experienced property damage have until August 27 to file for individual FEMA assistance.

I also had a great Smitty’s Barbecue lunch with the Chamber of Commerce in Lockhart, and visited with community bankers in Luling who once again pointed out the devastating effects Dodd-Frank is having on small banks and their customers.

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