Harlingen Mayor explains why South Texas Coalition of Mayors is important

Rio Grande Guardian's Podcast

HARLINGEN, Texas - Harlingen Mayor Norma Sepulveda says the South Texas border region does not get fair news coverage at the national level.

Too many of the stories are negatively slanted, she says, which is why the South Texas Coalition of Mayors is so important.

Ron Whitlock Reports interviewed Sepulveda on a range of subjects just before she went on stage at the Harlingen Convention Center to deliver her 2024 State of the City Address.

“Mayor Sepulveda, you are one of the driving forces behind the South Texas Alliance of Cities. Why is this group so important and what are its next steps in your opinion?” Sepulveda was asked.

“It's incredibly important,” Sepulveda responded. “It's important for all things RGV, in terms of making sure that we have a voice and a strong voice in Austin, have a strong voice in Washington, and we do that collectively by aligning ourselves to what is important for the entire region and making sure that those priorities are what are front and center when we're talking to our delegation, whether it be at the state or the federal level.”

Sepulveda said immigration is a good topic to look at.

“Looking immigration, for example… immigration can be a very hot topic button issue, but you have mayors from all across the region that can get behind the fact that South Texas is a safe place to work to play, to invest,” Sepulveda said.

“This community is not given enough good press, if you will, at the federal level when you're looking at, you know… you turn on CNN or Fox News and they start talking about what's happening at the border. We're at the border and we know no matter where you are in South Texas, it is a safe place to be, and we are a thriving place.”

Sepulveda noted that on his visits to the Rio Grande Valley, Gov. Greg Abbott says all eyes are on South Texas. “And that's because this is the place to be. So, we want to make sure that we are collectively sharing that message.”

Other topics covered in the interview included the state of Harlingen’s economy, Valley International Airport, Los Indios International Bridge, and supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Here is an audio recording of the interview.

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