Bill aims to save "colonia funding" with population cap increase

HIDALGO COUNTY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Hidalgo County is on the verge of surpassing a population of one million, which could halt federal funding for colonias under current law.

A bipartisan bill in Congress aims to raise the population cap to two million, allowing continued funding for colonias in expanding metro areas like Hidalgo County.

"From a census standpoint, we're going to cross the 1 million threshold, and that would make us ineligible," said Joel Rivera, Hidalgo County Urban Director.

"We must ensure colonias can still access the federal funding that supports clean water, sewer systems, and safe housing," said U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar.

Maria Arias, a resident of the Carol subdivision, highlighted ongoing issues such as street lighting and flooding, stating, "It would help us to have lighting because sometimes when you go out, you don't feel comfortable since it's very dark."

Millions in federal funding have helped upgrade colonias across Hidalgo County, but residents say the need is still there. Maria Arias, who has lived in the Carol subdivision since the 1990s, noted that while improvements have been made, issues like street lighting and flooding remain.

Rivera emphasized the importance of funding for infrastructure, stating that all-weather roads are crucial for emergency services like ambulances and fire trucks. "The bigger the strain on public health, the bigger the burden on the taxpayer," Rivera said.

Hidalgo County is home to 937 colonias, the most in Texas, highlighting the scale of the issue. Starr County and Cameron County follow with 256 and 196 colonias, respectively.

U.S. Congressman Tony Gonzales and co-sponsor Congressman Cuellar have filed a bipartisan bill to address the funding issue by raising the population cap to two million. Both U.S. Congressmen Vicente Gonzalez and U.S. Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz have expressed support for the bill.

The proposed bill could ensure that colonias in Hidalgo County continue to receive vital federal resources, addressing infrastructure needs and improving public health. As the county's population grows, the commitment to support these communities remains crucial.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KVEO. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KVEO staff before being published.