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The state budget of $ 248 billion for the next two years will fully fund public education, include investments in higher education, bolster mental health funding, and fund many of the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) priorities. Image for illustration purposes.– Advertising –
Texas Frontier Business
AUSTIN, TX – September 1, 2021 is the first day of the new state budget, which was approved by the Texan legislature in May of this year. The state budget of $ 248 billion for the next two years will fully fund public education, include investments in higher education, bolster mental health funding, and fund many of the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) priorities.
“One of the most important tasks of the Texas legislature is to pass a two-year state budget that is fiscally responsible and serves the needs of Texans across the state,” said Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa. I have been honored to work with my Senate colleagues and members of our South Texas Legislative Delegation to ensure that our RGV budget priorities stay funded. Overall, we have managed to maintain or increase funds for our priorities. “
RGV priorities funded from the state budget include an increase in UTRGV funding of $ 29 million to a total of $ 364.3 million. This increased funding includes support for the School of Medicine, which increased $ 3.8 million to a total of $ 72.8 million. The budget also includes $ 1.9 million for the Cervical Dysplasia Cancer Immunology Center, further enhanced by the UTRGV’s recent announcement of its plans to build a new cancer and surgery center in the RGV.
Senator Hinojosa, author of SB 24 in 2013, which launched the UTRGV School of Medicine, said, “The medical school continues to help us transform the region and improve access to care for our families here at home.” He added, “Our delegation continues to work to secure the partnerships and investments necessary to fund world-class facilities and recruit world-class doctors for our region.” Funding for the Graduate Medical Education (GME) program, which helps fund medical practices across the state, was also increased by nearly $ 42 million to total funding of $ 199 million. Since 2014, Doctors Hospital at Renaissance and UTRGV School of Medicine have received more than $ 48 million in GME grants, significantly increasing the number of doctors in South Texas.
The state budget also includes funds for facilities and infrastructure in the Hidalgo district. South Texas International Airport in Edinburgh has been allocated $ 5 million, in addition to the $ 5 million from the previous budget. These funds will be combined to build a hangar for DPS, the military division and other emergency operations in the area. The budget authorizes the Texas Water Development Board to allocate up to $ 10 million for the Raymondville Drain Project and directs the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to allocate $ 3.5 million for the Urban Ecology Center at Quinta Mazatlan to forgive. “These investments in our facilities and infrastructure will create jobs and help improve the quality of life in the Rio Grande Valley,” said Senator Hinojosa.
Another achievement from the previous session was the continued funding of the border infrastructure (Rider 11b), which resulted in the Texas Transportation Commission allocating $ 60 million per biennium. “Last year, $ 17.5 million in Rider 11 (b) funding was combined with $ 4.5 million in RGVMPO funding to fund the Anzalduas Bridge Project,” said Senator Hinojosa. The budget also includes $ 500,000 for the Agricultural Trade Inspection Grant Program, which will help expedite the flow of trade and production at ports of entry.
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The state budget includes funds for border security and public safety, including grants of US $ 1 million for the border zone fire departments; $ 500,000 for the Texas Transnational Intelligence Center in McAllen; and $ 10.1 million for local border security grants.
Finally, the approved budget increased public education funding by $ 2 billion, including $ 664 million for targeted programs to support students and schools affected by the pandemic; includes $ 8.4 billion in behavioral health funding through 25 government agencies; and includes $ 1.25 billion in financial aid programs for students enrolled in higher education institutions.
These are just some of the highlights of funding approved by the Texas Legislature during the 87th Ordinary Session 2021, which will come into effect September 1.
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