NPT Capitol: Everybody loves Marquez

State Rep Marisa Marquez’s committee assignments rock, according to Veronica Escobar, Willy Gandera and Anthony Cobos, especially County Affairs.

“The committee is central to the organization, creation, boundaries, government, and finance of counties. County Affairs is also key in determining the compensation and duties of county officers and employees, and districts for electing governing bodies within counties,’ said Marquez’s press release.

Marquez also got in to EPISD’s good books, by filing a bill that would provide more state reimbursement for school districts when it comes to transportation costs.

“The El Paso Independent is extremely pleased to see that Representative Marisa Marquez is proposing a bill that increases the transportation reimbursement that school districts receive from the state. Our district applauds Representative Marquez for taking the initiative on this critical issue,” said Dr. Edward Gabaldon of EPISD.

– Ben Wright

COUNTY OFFICIALS ENTHUSED BY MARQUEZ’S COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
COUNTY AFFAIRS ASSIGNMENT WILL LINK LOCAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS

AUSTIN, TX—An energetic State Rep. Marisa Marquez (D-El Paso) was assigned to the House Committee on County Affairs Thursday. The committee is central to the organization, creation, boundaries, government, and finance of counties. County Affairs is also key in determining the compensation and duties of county officers and employees, and districts for electing governing bodies within counties.

El Paso County officials reacted to Marquez’s assignment with great enthusiasm:

“It’s exciting. I’m delighted that Representative Marquez is on the County Affairs Committee. She and I have had many conversations on the needs of the county. She has been very receptive and interested in its needs. I look forward to working with her on the issues,” said Commissioner Veronica Escobar.

“We’re looking forward to working with her. That’s great news,” said El Paso County Judge Anthony Cobos.

“I am very happy that Representative Marquez was selected to the County Affairs Committee, because now she will be directly involved in state issues that impact El Paso County,” said Commissioner Willy Gandera

COUNTY OFFICIALS ENTHUSED BY MARQUEZ’S COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
COUNTY AFFAIRS ASSIGNMENT WILL LINK LOCAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS

AUSTIN, TX—An energetic State Rep. Marisa Marquez (D-El Paso) was assigned to the House Committee on County Affairs Thursday. The committee is central to the organization, creation, boundaries, government, and finance of counties. County Affairs is also key in determining the compensation and duties of county officers and employees, and districts for electing governing bodies within counties.

El Paso County officials reacted to Marquez’s assignment with great enthusiasm:

“It’s exciting. I’m delighted that Representative Marquez is on the County Affairs Committee. She and I have had many conversations on the needs of the county. She has been very receptive and interested in its needs. I look forward to working with her on the issues,” said Commissioner Veronica Escobar.

“We’re looking forward to working with her. That’s great news,” said El Paso County Judge Anthony Cobos.

“I am very happy that Representative Marquez was selected to the County Affairs Committee, because now she will be directly involved in state issues that impact El Paso County,” said Commissioner Willy Gandera

Rep. Marquez is currently serving her first term in the Texas House of Representatives. She represents District 77 in downtown El Paso.

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FRESHMEN REP. MARQUEZ STRIVES TO BRING MORE FUNDING TO EL PASO SCHOOLS
BILL INCREASES TRANSPORTATION REIMBURSEMENT TO SCHOOL DISTRICT

AUSTIN, TX—State Rep. Marisa Marquez (D-El Paso) filed HB 1477 today. The bill will increase funding to school districts across the state by reimbursing them for a greater portion of their transportation costs. The current transportation allotment calculation has not been changed for more than 25 years and is in dire need of review and modification.

Marquez’s bill changes the calculations used for transportation funding to school districts across the state. It will lead to increases in transportation funding in future budget cycles. Marquez stated, “The school districts are currently only being reimbursed for about a quarter of their transportation costs. Its imperative that we to do more to ensure that school districts can meet the transportation needs of their students.”

El Paso ISD Superintendent Dr. Edward Gabaldon said, “The formulas for funding transportation are based on 1983 data. With the dramatic fluctuations in fuel prices and the increased cost of buses, this has become an area that is severely underfunded and needs to be addressed.”

Marquez hopes that passing this bill will help school districts with their considerable and rising fuel costs. The bill would increase the allotment of money provide to school districts by changing the formula that is used to calculate funds, which includes the number of students and the miles a bus has to drive.

“The El Paso Independent is extremely pleased to see that Representative Marisa Marquez is proposing a bill that increases the transportation reimbursement that school districts receive from the state. Our district applauds Representative Marquez for taking the initiative on this critical issue,” said Gabaldon.

Marquez serves House District 77 in downtown El Paso. She is serving her first term.