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Eagle Pass resident urges Texas Senate to reject Puerto Vallarta Port Authority District bill
Summary
A resident told the Eagle Pass City Council she and local groups oppose a state bill to create a Puerto Vallarta Port Authority District, citing environmental, fiscal and governance concerns and urging council to contact the Texas Senate.
A resident urged the Eagle Pass City Council on May 12 to ask the Texas Senate to oppose legislation that would create a Puerto Vallarta Port Authority District, saying the district would threaten water quality, local infrastructure and property rights.
The appeal came during the citizen communications portion of a special council meeting. America Garcia Bridal told the council the bill “has passed the house and is going into the senate” and said residents and the Frontera Federation of Eagle Pass support economic growth but want protections before the bill advances.
Garcia Bridal said the district’s proximity to the Rio Grande raises “great concerns about water quality, as well as habitat disruption, increased pollution from industrial activity.” She warned the district could “impose taxes, issue bonds, and levy assessments, which may burden local taxpayers.” She also said the bill’s proposed board lacks direct local representation and that the “power of eminent domain could displace land owners.”
Mayor Salinas responded briefly, saying he agreed with Garcia Bridal’s concerns. The council took no legislative action on the comment; the statement was part of public comment and not a formal council motion or resolution.
Why it matters: Councilmembers will not vote directly on state bills, but local sentiment and formal requests can be shared with state legislators. The commenter asked the council to contact the Texas Senate and seek safeguards on environment, finances and governance if the district proceeds.
Details from the comment included demands for assurances that Eagle Pass and Maverick County would not shoulder “disproportionate costs or debt,” calls for transparency and community input, and a request for fair compensation in any use of eminent domain. Garcia Bridal concluded: “Let’s ensure this project benefits Eagle Pass and all of Maverick County, not just private interests.”
No staff presentation, formal council discussion, or motion about the bill occurred during the meeting; the item remained a public comment for the record.
