Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 91, No. 18, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 29, 2004 Page: 8 of 8
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The Rio Grande Herald-Thursday, April 29,2004, Page 8
CAPITOL
COMMENT
U.S. SENATOR
KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON
Rebates
Continued from Page 1
Securing our Railways
On December 16, 1836, the Firsi Congress of the Republic of Texas
chartered the Texas Rail-Road, Nav.gation, and Banking Company. Just
10 years after the first public railroad was chartered in the United States
and a mere nine months after the Texas Declaration of Independence was
penned, our founders knew that a comprehensive rail system was critical to
the future growth and stability of our stale. Railroads ultimately made the
development of Texas possible and for .years, economic growth paralleled
railroad expansion.
Ensuing decades brought new modes of transportation to the American
people, but trains remain important to our nation. They also present a security
challenge as America faces the new enemy of terrorism in the 21st century.
Congress addressed the most glaring transportation security issues
identified by the September 11 attacks. But most of the improvements have
logically focused on aviation. Rail security remains vulnerable. Passengers
are rarely required to show identification to buy tickets or board trains. Their
baggage is hardly ever scrutinized. Worse than that, thousands of tons of cargo
are transported by rail every day and the containers in which it is moved from
ship to train or airplane are not secured.
Our economy relies heavily on rail and our country cannot afford a dev-
astating loss of mobility, or worse - American lives - like the recent attack in
Madrid, Spain. A statewide or national rail shutdown would be catastrophic.
Communities depend on railroads to carry a huge quantity of cargo, nearly
42 percent of all intercity freight, including 65 percent of coal shipments, 30
percent of grain and important public safety supplies. For example, service
disruptions following the 2001 terrorist attacks caused emergencies for several
cities av.aiting rail deliveries of chlorine for water purification.
The U.S. must develop an aggressive, proactive approach to security
requirements that ensure safety without crippling the industry. Standards to
address passengers and their baggage are a good start. In addition, param-
eters must be developed between the Department of Homeland Security and
affected cargo carriers. It may not be realistic to expect we can physically
screen every container on the move in our nation's vast economy. But instead
of leaving immense amounts of cargo completely unchecked, we should lay
out a systematic plan to coordinate and expand on existing technologies.
Safeguarding rail infrastructure is an important goal. In the last month
an explosive device was found buried in the bed of a French passenger line,
and a partially assembled bomb was discovered under a high-speed rail line
south of Madrid. In our country, Anitrak serves more than 500 train stations
and owns just 135 of them. The remainder and overwhelming majority are
owned by cities and states. All of the system's trains travel in close proxim-
ity to homes and schools across the country, and a train traveling through a
major metropolitan area, such as Dallas, is just as vulnerable as one traveling
in the Northeast Corridor from Boston to Washington, D.C.
I recently introduced a comprehensive cargo container security bill to
better safeguard shipments in the four major modes of our interconnected
transportation network: aviation, highways, maritime and rail. Intermodal
tracking systems that connect the dots from packaging to delivery are criti-
cal to securing our overall transportation infrastructure. Commercial ship-
pers should be held responsible for the contents of packages they choose
• to transmit, value established relationships and use available technology to
determine whether items are safe.
Sealed, so-called, "smart" boxes can play a key role in limiting the
costs of widespread screening. My legislation would coordinate information
collected by "smart" containers, so those which have been deemed safe need
not be re-inspected without a specific reason, saving millions of dollars. I
want to ensure that trains traveling Texas railways are loaded with goods
and products to keep America's economy moving - not weapons that would
bring it to a grinding halt.
I will continue to work toward increasing transportation security across
the network. It is my hope Congress will develop bolder, more effective
standards to address 21st century rail, air cargo, and maritime container
security needs.
million, an increase of 7.3 percent
compared to the April 2003 figure
of $15.5 million. For the calendar
year to date, county sales tax
allocations are 6.7 percent higher
than in 2003.
Another $7.4 million went to 81
special purpose taxing districts
around the stale, a 0.2 percent
decrease compared to April 2003.
Texas' six Metropolitan Transit
Authorities and three City Transit
Departments received a total of
$71.8 million in sales tax rebates,
up 14.4 percent compared to April
2003.
The state's share of sales tax
reported in March 2004 was $1.18
billion, an increase of 17.2 percent
compared to March 2003.
"This tremendous jump is a direct
result of my recommendation to the
legislature to have a tax amnesty
plan to bring dollars into our state
coffers," Strayhorn said.
Early returns from "Project: Pay
Up," a tax amnesty period from
March 11-31, helped boost sales tax
revenue. The final results of
"Project: Pay Up" are still being
tallied. During the amnesty period
authorized by the 78th Legislature,
businesses owing delinquent taxes
had an opportunity to pay their tax
debt without facing penalties and
interest nomally assesed against
delinquent taxpayers.
On A|..il 9, a total of $295.1
million was delivered in monthly
sales tax rebates to Texas cities,
counties, transit departments and
special purpose taxing districts, an
increase of 11.4 percent-compared
to April 2003. So far this calendai
year, local sales tax rebates are up
8.2 percent compared to the first
four months of 2.003.
The April 2004 sales tax rebates
for Starr County cities amounted to
$245,134.53, an increase of 12.44
percent from the April 2003 total of
$217,999.77. Thus far in 2004. the
three Starr County cities have
received rebates amounting to
$1,105,546.15, an increase of 0.53
percent from the $1,099,697.48
received during the same reporting
period of 2003.
Closures
Continued from Page 1
complained. "If some of our clients
had a computer, they would not
know how to use it. Do we expect
the elderly to learn to use a
computer at age 80 in order to
obtain these services?"
Flores warned, "Closings of the
Rio Grande City and Roma offices
will cost 87 jobs. This accounts for
a payroll of $1.8 million. The
economic impact will be
devastating, including in local
stores. This will be the most radical
change ever in the administration of
iifesaving and life-sustaining
programs in Texas. This is too
poorly planned, too radical, too
poorly explained, and too fast."
Flores concluded, "Twenty two
Texas counties so far have passed
resolutions against House Bill
2292."
Rattlers
Continued from Page I
Rio.
The Lady Rattlers stand at 29-1
for the year and will play in Area
against the winner of Corpus
Christi Moody or Laredo Alexander.
Rio's game date, time and site will
be posted in The McAllen Monitor.
Alvarez emphasized, "We ask
anyone in the community that
might be affected by these changes
to attend the Edinburg hearing (in
April 30. It would take three hours
for people to get a simple yes or no
answer by phone. We ask for the
support of local and city leaders."
"The more entities that pass
resolutions like we're proposing,
the better the chance for the
governor to declare a special session
to reconsider these changes."
suggested Flores. "Many clients in
these programs need help in filling
out applications."
Rio Grande City Mayor Pro Tern
Manuel Canales commented, "We'll
have a resolution before the city on
May 6 concerning this situation.
We'll do our best to try to help
you."
Soldiers
Continued From Page 4
encourage and to support. Share
your faith and trust with them so
they may be encouraged and
edified by your faith.
Remember that God loves you!
And so do I.
Offers Expires April 29 2004
texasTRUC Kfesti val
at Rio Motor Company!
Your Chevrolet & GMC Dealer
wr
Stock #4789
2004 Chevy
Cavalier 4-Door
2.2 Liter D0HC 4 Cylinder Engine
4-Speed Automatic • Cruise Control
Power Locks w/Remote Keyless Entry
AM/FM Stereo w/CD
and More
MSRP $16,785
Rio Oisc. -790
Rebate -4,000
Instant Value Cert. -1,000
liiTnio Price: $10,995
Stock #4791
2004 Chevy
Trailblazer LS
Vortec 4200 Inline 6 Engine
4-Speed Auto w/OD & Elec. Control
Running Boards • OnStar
Power Driver Seat
and Much Mere
MSRP $31,200
Rio Disc. -3,205
Rebate -3,000
Bonus Cash -1,000
rrrrrm
io Price: $23,995
Stock #4665
2004 Chevy
Monte Carlo SS
3 8 Liter V6 • 4-Speed Auto w/OD
OnStar Communications
Electric Sunroof
6-Way Power Driver Seat
AM/FM Stereo w/CD
MSRP $27,235
Rio Disc. -2,240
Rebate -3,000
it Value Cert. -1,000
pG3(ffl[33l2Ii3
Price: $20,995
Stock #4526
2004 Chevy
Tahoe
Vortec 5300 V8 Flex Fuel Engine
4-Speed Automatic Transmission
Frount Hi-Back Bucket Seats
Littgate/Littglass
and Much More
MSRP $37,205
Rio Disc. -4,610
Rebate -3,000
Bonus Cash -1,000
io Prlce$28,595
Stock #4653
2004 GMC
Sierra Reg. Cab
Vortec 4300 V6 Engine
4-Speed Auto w/OD & Elec. Control
Lockking Rear Differential
Power Door Locks
and Much More
MSRP $22,754
Rio Disc. -2,259
Rebate -2,500
„ Bonus Cash -1,000
BGD(©MB —
Price: $16,995
Stock #4707
2004 GMC
Yukon XL
Vortec 5300 V8 Flex Fuel Engine
4-Speed Auto w/OD & Elec. Control
XM Satellite Radio & 6 CD Changer
Assist Steps • OnStar
And Much, Much More
MSRP $41,890
Rio Disc. -5,295
Rebate -3,000
Bonus Cash -1,000
Price^32,595
it Rebate in lieu of low APR. Rebates assigned Io dealer All prices plus tax, title, license and fees. All vehicles are subject to
presale Artwork tor illustration purposes only, actual vehicle may differ. See Rio Motor Company for additional details
Come home! To Rio Motor Company.
487-2596 • 1-800-509-0003 • www.riomotors.com
CHEVY
L MOTOR CO
Uio Ijjrande City
GMC TRUCKS
We'ie Professional Grade
AN AMFRICAN
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K .1
Sir^l
I
RMS Seventh Grader of March
Pictured above is Ringgold Middle School 7th Grade student Ramona
Lara, and 7th Grade Principal Mariselda Tanguma. Ramona is being
presented with a certificate for having been selected Student of the Month
for March. Along with the certificate, she also received a commendation
letter from the Principal, Mr. Jorge Recio, and a coupon for a large pizza
compliments of Peter Piper Pizza. She was congratulated for a job well
done.
Utility
%/
Continued from Page 1
we can provide additional
information or guidance during this
transition."
The memo advised that Alvarez's
termination was effective as of 8:00
a.m. on Friday, March 26.
Mayor Baldemar Garza recently
commented, "All 1 know is that he
(Alvarez) has been terminated. The
City Administrator has far more
details and specifics. The specifics
and details have not been brought
before the board."
City attorney Rene Montalvo
stated recently that city
administrative staff had been
considerably more involved in
dealing with the situation
The Rio Grande Herald attempted
to contact Alvarez Tuesday
afternoon, but was unable to reach
him.
Border Patrol seizes 1 1/2 tons
of marijuana near Falfurrias
DRIVING TEXAS
At approximately 6:15 a.m. on
Thursday morning, April 22, a
white Ford pickup with a load of
doors entered the U.S. Customs and
Border Protection (CBP) Falfurrias
checkpoint.
The pickup and trailer it was
pulling both displayed the name and
logo of a nationally known
building supply store. As the CBP
Border Patrol agent on primary
inspection conducted an
immigration inspection on the
driver, he noticed that the driver was
extremely nervous and unable to
answer the questions posed to him
by the inspecting agent.
The driver also kept watching the
service canine as it conducted a
routine, non-intrusive, free air
"sniff' of the truck and trailer. The
canine alerted to the trailer. The
driver of the pickup truck was then
directed to the secondary inspection
point where he freely consented to a
search of the vehicle and trailer.
In the secondary inspection area,
agents again utilized a CBP canine
to search the trailer. The canine
alerted to the center of the trailer
The agents removed a tarp covering
the trailer and peered into the trailer
from the top. Agents observed six
large wooded crates concealed by a
load of doors.
Upon opening the crates, agents
discovered 172 bundles of
marijuana. The marijuana weighed
3072 pounds with an estimated
value of $2,457,600. The case was
turned over the Drug Enforcement
Administration in Corpus Christi.
The Border Patrol is a division of m
the U.S. Customs and Border
Protection, an agency within the
Department of Homeland Security,
responsible for managing and
securing our nation's borders.
Hobbies
<NU) Have you ever
looked at an old coin or an an-
tique and wondered where it
has been, who had it in their
hands or where it has traveled?
For instance, silver dollars
were popular with old western
cowboys. In the last couple of
decades, many prominent
celebrities have assembled fa-
mous collections of coins. But
anyone, regardless of age, in-
come bracket or marital status,
can be a coin collector. For in-
formation on starting your own
collection, call Walking Liber-
ty Inc. at I-X77-COINM AN or
1-877-264-6626.
Public Notice
'f
If you have a public
announcement concerning
our community that you
wish to publish, please
contact us at:
956-487-2819
I
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Roberts, Kenneth. Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 91, No. 18, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 29, 2004, newspaper, April 29, 2004; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth196266/m1/8/?q=%22%22~1: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.