State Rep. Erin Gamez talks special session, education funding

RIO GRANDE VALLEY — Texas State Representative Erin Gamez stopped by the Inside Valley Politics studio Thursday for a wide-ranging discussion.

Gamez said, "South Texas as a whole did fantastic as a whole in appropriations," referring to the regular session that ended in June.

The Brownsville legislator cited increased funding for water infrastructure projects and over one million dollars appropriated to the Gladys Porter Zoo as big wins from the regular session.

On the other hand, Gamez said she "didn't see" the vetoing of over $60 million in after-school food programs coming, and considers that a big loss for the community.

Gamez said she's happy lawmakers are heading back to Austin for a special session to address the deadly flooding that took place. She said, in her opinion, that should be the only issue the state government should focus on.

She did say she was surprised that mid-decade redistricting was on the agenda. She called it a "political push" that came out of left field.

During the second half of the interview, Gamez discussed education funding. The Representative said the state had made "historic investments in public education," but said they didn't get to where they needed to get in funding the basic allotment.

Gamez said $740 million was due for public education funding from the federal government that has yet to arrive.

The complete interview, an Inside Valley Politics web exclusive, is available above.