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Consultant reports wins on Austin and Washington visits; TxDOT relief route public meeting planned
Summary
Ernie Gonzalez Jr. of EMC Strategy Group briefed the council on state and federal lobbying to advance Pecos-area transportation, water and facility priorities, including a TxDOT relief-route project and discussions with ICE about potential use of Reeves County detention space.
Ernie Gonzalez Jr., president and CEO of EMC Strategy Group LLC, updated the Pecos City Council on Austin 'Austin Days' and recent meetings in Washington, D.C., where the city's delegation met with federal and state elected officials and agency staff about transportation, water infrastructure and regional economic development.
Gonzalez said the delegation met with state legislators including Senator Blanco and Representative Eddie Morales and received briefings from TxDOT officials on the US‑285 expansion and an East Route relief‑route project that could put a loop around Pecos. TxDOT will hold a public meeting at the STEM center in April to collect comments on the relief‑route project, Gonzalez said.
Nut graf: The visits included meetings with U.S. congressional offices and federal agencies to seek support for transportation projects, water supply efforts (including a desalination line concept from Corpus Christi into West Texas), and a possible immigration‑detention contract; Gonzalez described the ICE discussions as promising and said ICE officials may visit Reeves County soon.
Gonzalez said the Washington delegation met with staff from Senator Ted Cruz's office and Congressmen including Tony Gonzales (McFarland was referenced in the discussion) and also reached out across state lines to Congressman Gabe Vasquez of New Mexico to demonstrate regional cooperation within the Permian Basin. He said federal meetings included Department of Homeland Security personnel who review facility use by ICE; “The meeting was a huge success,” Gonzalez said about the ICE discussions.
Gonzalez told the council the delegation also presented to the Texas Transportation Commission and received positive feedback; he said EMC will continue representing Pecos at commission meetings and tracking state legislative activity relevant to the city's priorities.
Ending: Gonzalez said he and his team remain in active contact with city staff and will return with follow-ups after the April TxDOT public meeting and any scheduled federal visits.
