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My message on the recent passage of trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama
13 October 2011As a member of U.S. Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations, I applaud President Obama and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk for their vision and firm commitment to strengthening trade with our allies in Asia and Latin America. The recent passage of trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama will go a long way toward reaching the President’s goal of doubling U.S. exports over the next five years, while at the same time renewing a strong program of Trade Adjustment Assistance that will help American workers who are adversely impacted by trade. These agreements will immediately open new markets for farmers, ranchers and manufacturers in my home state and help create thousands of Texas jobs and billions in much-needed local revenue.
Click here to learn more about President Obama’s groundbreaking legislation on new trade agreements with Asia and Latin American countries.
Appointment to Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations
12 July 2011I am grateful to President Obama for his confidence in me. It is an honor to serve my country on the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations.
Click here to view the official White House press release.
The “Ohtli” Award
23 May 2011I am highly honored and proud to have been given Mexico’s “Ohtli” Award, the highest award given by the government of Mexico to acknowledge the contributions the recipients have made to help empower Mexican and Mexican-American communities in the United States. Previous winners include former New Mexico governor Bill Richardson, Dr. Juan Andrade Jr., President of the Hispanic Leadership Institute and Secretary of Labor, Hilda Solis.
Click to view the complete Ohtli award letter in Spanish and English.
PROVISION PUTTING NORTH TEXAS TOLLWAY AUTHORITY UNDER STATE REVIEW PASSES HOUSE
2 May 2011Rep. Laubenberg’s amendment to TxDOT Sunset Bill combines intent of Paxton and Anchia NTTA Bills
AUSTIN – Today, the Texas House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 1420, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Sunset bill which included an amendment that would require the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) to undergo either an annual financial audit by the Texas State Auditor or undergo state Sunset review.
Representative Laubenberg’s amendment has the effect of requiring the NTTA to choose between two options, both of which the Authority has vigorously opposed in testimony on bills by Representatives Ken Paxton (R-McKinney) and Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas) that came before the House Transportation Committee earlier in the legislative session.
“Given the issues we’ve seen with the NTTA over the last several years, we need to make sure this agency undergoes some form of state review, and my amendment simply makes sure that this will happen”, said Representative Laubenberg, adding, “This is transparency. Any tools we can give citizens to help hold government entities accountable is good policy.”
House Bill 1636 by Rep. Ken Paxton would require tollway authorities to undergo an annual financial audit by the state auditor. House Bill 1577 by Rep. Rafael Anchia would bring the NTTA under state Sunset review.
Representative Paxton said, “The Legislature required state agencies to report their expenditures online in 2007 to promote transparency and public oversight of public funds. Additionally, the State Auditor’s Office audits state agencies if there is a risk determined to the state. The transparency and oversight promote cost-savings and provide information to ensure that public funds are used wisely. Our toll road authorities should be held to the same standard so the public has confidence in how their money is spent.”
Added Representative Anchia, “I applaud the initiative the counties are taking in commissioning their own review of NTTA, but I feel that additional state scrutiny of the agency is definitely warranted.”
The TxDOT Sunset bill, as amended, will now return to the Senate for approval. If the Senate concurs with the amendments, the bill will be sent to the Governor for signature.
Anchia Bill Would Provide Funding Method for Dallas Streetcar System Oak Cliff Trolley Would Spur Transit-Oriented Development
21 April 2011(Austin)–The Texas House Urban Affairs Committee has heard testimony on State Representative Rafael Anchia’s House Bill 3452, which would provide a much-needed revenue source for the proposed Oak Cliff trolley line that will link the Downtown Dallas’ Union Station and Methodist Hospital. The legislation would allow for an innovative public-private partnership funding mechanism for future transit-oriented development, including a planned 40-mile streetcar circulator network in central Dallas.
The bill would enable the establishment of a transit-oriented Public Improvement District (PID) that would allow property owners along the proposed trolley routes to assess themselves to help finance the cost of the mass transit project.
“In this time when public funding for transportation infrastructure is so hard to come by, we have to come up with creative public-private initiatives that will encourage continued economic development and improve the quality of life for inner city residents, said
Representative Anchia, adding, “This bill creates a mechanism for that, and I’m proud it will be used to benefit the Oak Cliff trolley line to downtown.”
The Oak Cliff trolley project gained significant momentum when a citizen group, the Oak Cliff Transit Authority (OCTA), working with the City’s Office of Economic Development, applied for and was granted a $23 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant, as part of the Obama administration’s economic stimulus program. Said Jason Roberts, OCTA Board member, “I’m glad Representative Anchia has taken the leadership in pushing forward this legislation that will not just benefit Oak Cliff, but will also help Dallas develop a trolley system connecting downtown with other close-in neighborhoods.”
Dallas Assistant City Manager A.C. Gonzalez traveled to Austin to testify in support of the bill, and the Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce submitted a letter of support.
Payday Lending Bills Pass Out of Committee
8 April 2011Bills do not address all concerns with payday lenders, but represent improvement from current law.
AUSTIN — On Thursday, April 7th, the House Committee on Pensions, Investments, and Financial Services unanimously approved House Bills 2592, 2593, and 2594, by Rep. Vicki Truitt (R-Southlake). These bills create a system of regulations for payday lenders, who currently are subject to very little state oversight.
At the outset of the legislative session, State Rep. Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas) and State Rep. Marc Veasey (D-Fort Worth), who serve on the committee, had hoped for stronger regulation. Both representatives authored or co-authored bills that would have provided for more restrictions on payday lenders. Those bills would have restricted the lenders’ ability to roll over past due balances into new loans, charge exorbitant interest rates, and saddle consumers with unexpected debt.
“This bill, although not perfect, brings significant new regulation to an industry that, until now, has been free to operate in Texas with very little oversight,” Rep. Anchia said. He added, “Significantly, the Office of the Consumer Credit Commissioner now has the power to move against the bad actors in the industry on behalf of consumers who look to the state for much-needed protection from predatory lenders.”
Despite their preference for stronger legislation, Rep. Anchia and Rep.Veasey voted in favor of the payday lending bills. They feel that the legislation provides as much protection and regulation as possible while ensuring that the bills can obtain the support of the majority of the Legislature. Both representatives believe that the need for regulation of payday lending is too pressing to delay by waiting for more perfect legislation.
“Although I wish that we could pass a bill that would do more to protect consumers, I support this legislation because I believe it is the most we can accomplish this session, and it represents a significant improvement over current law,” Rep. Veasey said.
CITY OF IRVING, REP. ANCHIA TEAM UP ON BEHALF OF APARTMENT TENANTS
5 April 2011House Bill 1862 Protects Rights of Tenants in Troubled Properties
(Austin)–The Business and Industry Committee of the Texas House of Representatives has heard testimony on House Bill 1862, providing protection for tenants living in a property whose certificate of occupancy has been revoked because the landlord has failed to maintain the premises.
Officials from the City of Irving traveled to the Capitol to testify in support of the bill, which affects properties statewide, but which has particular impact on Irving. The city has been engaged in an effort over the last several years to clean up problem apartment complexes.
“Much progress has been made in Irving,” said Irving Mayor, Herbert A. Gears. “House Bill 1862 provides one more weapon in the fight against slumlord apartment owners and their attorneys.”
The bill would hold the landlord liable for, among other things, returning the full amount of the tenant’s security and water deposit and reimbursing tenant’s moving costs, storage fees and lost wages. The landlord would also be responsible for returning the pro-rated portion of any rental payment the tenant has paid in advance.
“For too long, tenants have been left out in the cold when a city is forced to shut down severely neglected apartments,” said Representative Anchia, adding, “This bill helps tenants deal with a difficult situation that was not of their making, and puts the responsibility where it belongs–on the negligent landlord.”
HB 1862 continues a tenants’ rights legislative agenda that Representative Anchia has pursued during his three-term tenure in the Legislature.
Representative Rafael Anchia is a former DISD school board trustee serving his third term in the Texas House and represents District 103 of northwest Dallas County.
Presentation on the ramification of our budget
31 March 2011Presentation on the ramifications of this budget, prepared by the Mexican-American Legislative Caucus:
Rep. Anchia Appointed to Pensions, Investments & Financial Services and Land & Resource Management Committees
10 February 2011Austin, TX– Today, Texas House Speaker Joe Straus announced committee assignments for the 82nd Legislative Session. Rep. Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas) was appointed to serve another term as Vice-Chair of the Pensions, Investments & Financial Services (PIFS) Committee and to serve on the Land & Resource Management Committee.
As Vice Chair of the House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Committee Rep. Anchia will be working on legislation that regulates the banking and savings and loan industries and credit unions, as well as the state’s multi-billion dollar Teacher Retirement and Employees Retirement Systems. The committee also oversees state agencies such as the Finance Commission of Texas, the Office of the Consumer Credit Commissioner, the Office of the Banking Commissioner and a host of other state agencies pertaining to pensions and finance.
“This appointment gives me a tremendous opportunity to make a significant contribution to the effort to ensure that Texas’ public employee pension plans remain secure and well-funded in this difficult economic environment” said Representative Anchia, adding, “It’s especially important, in light of the current challenges facing our banking and financial service industries, that we as legislators do all we can to ensure the viability of these critical institutions, while remaining vigilant guardians of the public interest. This committee assignment gives me the perfect opportunity to do just that.”
Representative Anchia was also selected to serve on the House Land & Resource Management Committee. The committee has jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to the management of public lands and the power of eminent domain, as well as annexation, zoning, and other governmental regulation of land use. The committee also oversees the General Land Office, the School Land Board and the Coastal Coordination Council.
“This committee assignment will give me a wonderful opportunity to encourage the development of renewable energy resources on state lands and to stimulate investments in that area, said Rep. Anchia, adding, “We need to make sure we use the power of eminent domain to balance property owner rights with the need to connect our urban centers with sources of renewable energy in West Texas.”
Representative Rafael Anchia is a former DISD school board trustee serving his third term in the Texas House and represents District 103 of northwest Dallas County. .
