EDINBURG, TEXAS (KVEO NEWS CENTER 23) — Mayor Richard H. Garcia and the Edinburg City Council will lead a delegation of Valley leaders to Austin this week to meet with state legislators. The group including representatives from Weslaco, La Feria, Harlingen, Brownsville, McAllen, Willacy County, Cameron County and Hidalgo County will be present for a House Resolution and a Senate Resolution on Wednesday, February 27, 2013.

Mayor Garcia says, “The goal is to voice the needs of the Valley as one.” He says this trip is the culmination of months of meetings and dozens of conversations regarding how to best address similar challenges cities face due to limited state resources and how together they can improve economic opportunities in the region.

Garcia says due to fewer state resources, “We all face the same challenges it makes sense to join forces and together make our voices heard at the State Capitol.”

The Rio Grande Valley Delegation will be meeting with area Senators and Representatives to support granting local entities the tools and options to address area transportation needs.

The delegation will also voice its support for the creation of a new university in South Texas to include the University of Texas-Pan American, the University of Texas-Brownsville and a new medical school. They will also push to restore funding from cuts adopted in the 82nd legislative session. Lastly, the Valley delegation will encourage a Medicaid expansion.

Mayor Richard Garcia and EEDC Director Nelda Ramirez will be available for comments Tuesday, February 26, 2013 from 11:30 to 12:00 p.m.