Texas State Rep. Todd Hunter talks to students at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi recently. With three universities in his Corpus Christi-based district, Hunter says protecting education funding is a priority on his agenda. Courtesy Photo
Windstorm insurance, work force, water supply and transportation — three Ws and a T — top the agenda for state Rep. Todd Hunter as he prepares for the 84th legislative session, which convenes Jan. 13. Hunter is in a prime position to make sure the regional aspects of these big-budget concerns are part of the negotiations as bills make their way through the legislative process. He has served 14 years as a state representative for the Coastal Bend and is one of only 12 lawmakers with that kind of longevity.
"Every statewide officeholder for this coming session is brand new," Hunter pointed out. "This may be the first time we have a whole new slate of elected statewide officials since the first government was seated."
With one-third of the senate comprised of freshmen and a majority of the house members first- , second- or third-termers, Hunter, who was just re-elected to his eighth non-consecutive term, maintains an enviable position of power.
First elected in 1989 as a Democrat, the now-Republican legislator is chairman of the Calendar Committee, which decides which bills live and which will die. His experience should serve the Coastal Bend region well when it comes to making laws and protecting budgets, two of Hunter's main concerns.
"I try not to file a whole bunch of bills," Hunter told Corpus Christi Business News. "I think less is more in that area. My role is to help the area, defend the area, stand up for the area."
In a sit-down interview with Corpus Christi Business News, Hunter reviewed the issues on which he will be working this coming session.
WINDSTORM
Hunter and other local legislators plan to sponsor a windstorm bill that will spread disaster funding across the state. As the law currently stands, only local taxpayers will be hit with the bill in the event of a a big storm with high claims. While this issue might not be one of the biggest to come before the Texas Legislature in 2015, Hunter said he expects it to pass.
"I think there is enough interest across the board to resolve windstorm," he said. "We have a good shot at accomplishing something this time around." New windstorm legislation is expected to include language to put more consumers on the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association board, which is currently heavy with representatives from the insurance industry.
WATER
A proponent of bringing saltwater-desalination technology to the region, Hunter served as co-chairman of the Interim Water Desalination Committee for the state over the summer. He is working on possible legislation to place desalination in the water code.
"You'll see me pushing for laws to recognize desalination in the codes and then pushing for companies to come down here and look at this area," Hunter said. "We need to create some awareness. A lot of people don't understand it."
WORK FORCE
Incentives to keep workers from leaving the Coastal Bend for other states will top the list of concerns for this session as well, Hunter said. Numerous new industries building and expanding in the area need workers, not just for construction but also as long-term employees.
"We need to look at testing procedures and certifications to get practices so that workers will stay here," he said. "I want to incentivize them to stay here rather than leave the state to get jobs."
TRANSPORTATION
While statewide transportation is expected to be a big issue during this session, Hunter has his eyes on transportation troubles in the Coastal Bend. Opening the Schlitterbahn water park, which is expected to happen in the spring, will exacerbate an already tight — and deteriorating — infrastructure.
"I've seen the traffic stack up from the Starbucks at [South Padre Island Drive] and Staples all the way to the island," Hunter said. "And we are definitely going to need more than one right-turn lane on SPID to get into Schlitterbahn."
MORE TO EXPLORE
Hunter's interests don't stop with the three Ws and a T, however. He has been talking with a major cruise line, which he is not at liberty to name yet, that is interested in establishing service between Corpus Christi and Vera Cruz, Mexico.
He also touts the area as a prime location for filmmakers and video-game creators. Several video-game companies already call Corpus Christi home, he said. More will come, attracting other high-tech industries.
"We provide 11 months of natural air-conditioning, and we have great labor, believe it or not," he said. "It's an easy climate to work in."
Hunter is also concerned about a national issue that has reared its ugly head in Texas: human trafficking. This session, he plans to develop anti-human trafficking legislation that will strengthen old laws and create new ones to rid the state of this multibillion-dollar underground industry.
"Interstate 10 is one of the biggest drop-off points for human trafficking in the nation," he said. "I have been working with different groups to develop shelters to help victims. You'll start seeing a statewide effort by some of us to have stronger anti-trafficking laws."
Last, but not least, when budget discussions heat up, Hunter intends to fight to protect and extend funding for Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Del Mar College and the University of Texas Marine and Science Institute. "I'll do my job to protect those three institutions," he promised.
"We have some great opportunities for developing programs that can drive the economy in the area and the state. I make sure I am a voice for our higher education."
The 84th Texas Legislative session, which begins Jan. 13, will end June 1. Except for special sessions, the Legislature will not meet again until January 2017.
