11.15.09
Rep. Maldonado Has Earned Taylor’s Support
(Op-Ed by Taylor resident Jose Orta.)
The Regular and Special Session of the 81st Legislature is over. It is now part of the history books. That can only mean one thing – we will soon face a totally new election cycle to decide who will represent us in the 82nd Legislature.
Last year, Williamson County elected Diana Maldonado, a former Round Rock ISD School Board President, to represent the southern half of the county in District 52. Diana and her supporters worked tirelessly to win Taylor‘s support. Thankfully, she eked out an 846 vote win. Rep. Maldonado is the first Democrat to win the District 52 House seat in 16 years.
Prior to Rep. Maldonado, Taylor was represented by Mike Krusee. During his tenure many people developed a distrust and disinterest in his one-note leadership of roads, roads, and more roads. Krusee was extremely instrumental in promoting the public-private partnerships negotiated in Texas for the building of toll roads and the Trans Texas Corridor. It seemed that the City of Taylor was simply an afterthought. For 16 years, Taylor suffered from benign neglect.
That’s what Diana wanted to change. Diana was willing to listen, asks tough questions and work for her constituents in Taylor. Rep. Maldonado provided the leadership to pass legislation that was vital and beneficial to our city. She was given important committee assignments and was recognized by nonpartisan groups.
Maldonado was successful in getting three locally important pieces of legislation passed. The most important being a bill designed to help finance the East Williamson County Higher Education Center. Funding was also secured for EWCHEC to start a Renewable Energy Training Institute (RETI). Diana also sponsored HB 1789 which allows Taylor to use the current hotel occupancy tax to improve and expand recreational Sports facilities that are in Robinson, Murphy and the East Williamson County Regional Park. By allowing Taylor to use the hotel-motel occupancy tax revenue, Taylor can ensure the quality and stability of our parks and recreational areas for residents and visitors.
Diana Maldonado surprised many when she was given key important committee assignments by House Speaker Joe Straus (R- San Antonio). She sits on the House Committee on State Affairs and the Committee on Defense and Veterans’ Affairs. The Defense & Veteran’s Affairs Committee has jurisdiction over defense, emergency management and veteran’s issues. The State Affairs Committee has jurisdiction over state policy including regulated industries such as utilities, telecommunications and public lands. Maldonado was the only freshman selected to serve on it. She is also the only Central Texas lawmaker appointed to that committee. Speaker Straus (R-San Antonio) said it best when he said. “In selecting Representative Maldonado to these committees, I considered her wisdom, experience and proven ability to provide new, dynamic leadership and offer fresh ideas. We are fortunate to have Representative Maldonado as a member of these important committees.”
Not only was State Representative Diana Maldonado recognized as a proven leader by House Speaker Straus, she also won accolades from other groups. Maldonado was only one of 15 State Representatives to receive a perfect 100 percent rating by the non-partisan group Environment Texas for her voting record during the 81st Legislative Session. Diana was also named Freshman Legislator of the Year by the Texas Legislative Study Group Caucus.
Rep. Maldonado plans to run for re-election in 2010. Already three individuals have announced that they too will run. Rep. Maldonado has shown that she can deliver vital and beneficial legislation for Taylor. It is time to put our ideological differences aside and support Diana Maldonado as she continues her work to create local jobs, improve our infrastructure and make Taylor a better place to live. No matter if you are a Democrat, Republican or Independent, now it is up to us to pledge our support for her re-election.
There is much more that Rep. Maldonado can do for Taylor. We need to continue to work with Rep. Maldonado to improve Taylor’s employment, growth and education potential. Taylor should have confidence that Diana Maldonado will continue to represent us well in the legislature. But she will need more than our confidence. She will need Taylor’s support and votes.
She has earned my support and my vote; hopefully, she has earned yours as well.