Appropriations and Legislative Disclosures

Community Project Funding Requests

FISCAL YEAR 2027 APPROPRIATIONS AND LEGISLATIVE DISCLOSURES

Congressman Vicente Gonzalez has submitted funding requests for important community projects in the 34th District of Texas to the House Appropriations Committee.

Under guidelines issued by the Appropriations Committee, each Representative may request funding for up to 15 projects in their community for fiscal year 2027 – although only a handful may actually be funded. Projects are restricted to a limited number of federal funding streams, and only state and local governments are permitted to receive funding.

In compliance with House Rules and Committee requirements, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez has certified that he, his spouse, and his immediate family have no financial interest in any of the projects he has requested.

Fiscal Year 2027 Community Project Funding

Agriculture, Rural Development

Project Name: La Feria's Acquisition of Fire Truck

Amount Requested: $1,250,000

Explanation: The City of La Feria is requesting funds to purchase a new fire truck for their volunteer fire department that provides coverage for La Feria residents as well as the neighboring cities of Santa Rosa, Santa Maria, Bluetown and over 68 square miles of coverage for the surrounding Cameron County area. 

Member's Signed Certification Letter

Project Name: Laguna Madre Nature Center Phase II

Amount Requested: $1,500,000

Explanation: Cameron County is requesting funding for Phase II of the Laguna Madre Nature Center. Phase II will focus on the construction of the "Laguna Madre Environmental Discovery Boardwalk", which will further enhance environmental education and expand community learning opportunities throughout the Laguna Madre region. Specifically, this new addition will serve as an outdoor educational asset that allows students and visitors to engange directly with they bay while learning about coastal ecology, wildlife habitats, and the importance of protecting sensitive natural systems. This feature will encourage hands-on learning. In addition to the educational aspect, this project will support the regions economic growth by advancing ecotourism.

Member's Signed Certification Letter

Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies 

Project Name: Kleberg County's Sister Elizabeth Smith Clinic Improvements

Amount Requested: $950,000.00 

Explanation: Kleberg County is requesting funds to improve their Sister Elizabeth Smith Clinic. The proposed project includes removing and replacing the roof, lighting, ceilings, and flooring with newer cost effective materials at the Sister Elizabeth Smith Clinic. The clinic, owned by the County, provides critical services to some of the most underserved populations in Kleberg County and throughout the Coastal Bend Region.

Services include health screenings, eye exams, and access to basic healthcare resources that many individuals might otherwise go without. The clinic also partners with Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) to provide community programs, classroom supportive services, and educational outreach that strengthen community health and opportunity.

Member's Signed Certification Letter 

Project Name: Su Clinica Medical Equipment 

Amount Requested: $580,000.00 

Explanation: "The City of Harlingen is requesting funds to expand expand the planned 25,900 square foot indoor recreational facility through the construction of a second floor.

The proposed facility will include a two-court gymnasium capable of accommodating multiple recreational sports through a flexible court layout. The facility will support two regulation basketball courts, two volleyball courts, and up to eight pickleball courts through multi-sport court striping and portable equipment systems.

In addition to the gymnasium space, the building will include a lobby and reception area, restrooms, locker rooms, two multi-purpose activity rooms, storage areas, and administrative support spaces necessary to operate the facility efficiently. The facility is designed to serve as a community gathering space that can support organized recreational programs, fitness activities, and community events.

Site improvements associated with the project will include construction of a parking area with approximately 62 parking spaces, ADA-accessible parking and pathways, pedestrian sidewalks, site lighting, and native landscaping improvements. These improvements will ensure safe and convenient access for visitors and provide a functional and welcoming environment for the community.

This strategic enhancement will allow the city to offer a broader range of programs, serve more residents, and ensure the recreation center remains responsive to community needs for decades to come. 

Member's Signed Certification Letter 

Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Science, and Related Agencies

Project Name: Brownsville Police Department's Drone Upgrades for Crisis Response Unit   

Amount Requested: $136,426.05 

Explanation: The Brownsville Police Department is requesting funds  to strengthen the department's Crisis Response Unit, specifically the SWAT (Tactical Team) and Drone Unit. These funds will support the purchase of drones that will assist these teams when responding to acts of terrorism and other critical incidents. The drones will also be used to take aerial photographs to help document crime scenes and gather important information during investigations. In addition, drones may be deployed inside structures to help clear buildings or specific areas without having to immediately expose SWAT team members or officers to potential danger. The use of this equipment will enhance public safety and help the department better serve and protect the community.

Member's Signed Certification Letter

Project Name: Cameron County Sheriff's Tasers and Ballistic Shields for Police Units

Amount Requested: $900,000.00 

Explanation: The Cameron County Sheriff's Office is requesting funding to purchase tasers and ballistic shields for all police units within the Cameron County Sheriff's Office. The acquisition of tasers provides a crucial less-lethal option for de-escalating force scenarios, protecting officers and civilians alike. Furthermore, ballistic shields will enable personnel to safely approach dangerous situations, increasing their capacity to protect and rescue community members.

Member's Signed Certification Letter

Project Name: Raymondville Police Department's Communication Consoles

Amount Requested: $250,000

Explanation: The Raymondville Police Department is requesting funds to replace outdated communication console systems and acquire a modern recording system for the Raymondville Police Department's 911 Public Safety Answering
Point.

Member's Signed Certification Letter

Project Name: Willacy County Sheriff's Countywide Security Enhancement Project

Amount Requested: $350,000

Explanation: The Willacy County Sheriff is requesting funds to purchase security systems, including access control, across key county facilities: the sheriff's office/jail building and the courthouse/administration building.

Willacy County Sheriff's Office/Jail currently has an outdated, dilapidating, partially inoperable security surveillance system and does not have any access control features. The Willacy County Courthouse/Administration Building houses the offices of our Willacy Judge, County Commissioners, County and District Attorney, Treasurer Auditor, Clerk, District Clerk, District Judge, Public Defender, Justice of The Peace Precinct 1, and Willacy County Courtroom, and does not have any surveillance cameras nor does it have any access control capabilities.

Investing in this security infrastructure will maintain a safe environment for both employees and the public while protecting county government assets and ensuring the uninterrupted operation of essential county services.

Member's Signed Certification Letter

Transportation, Housing and Urban Development 

Project Name: City of Brownsville Fire Department - Training Upgrades Phase II: Rehabilitation and Modernization of Infrastructure

Amount Requested: $1,000,000.00 

Explanation: The City of Brownsville Fire Department (BFD) is seeking funds to implement Phase II of its training field modernization initiative. This phase will focus on rehabilitation of a burn building for BFD use in scenario-based training necessary to fully modernize BFD's training infrastructure. Additionally, the funds will be used to modernize current aircraft rescue and firefighting simulation infrastructure, which will provide our firefighters with critical, hands-on training in order to enhance their skills in structural firefighting, hazardous materials response capabilities, and aircraft emergency response. As the City of Brownsville continues to experience growth year-over-year, the demand for highly trained emergency response teams increases, making this investment essential to ensuring we meet national safety standards and improve our ability to protect lives and property in our community. Additionally, this project will help facilitate trainings for municipalities throughout South Texas, by becoming a regional training center that supports first responder capabilities for the 420,000 citizens in Cameron County and the over 1 million citizens in the wider Rio Grande Valley region.

Member's Signed Certification Letter 

Project Name: City of Combes-Lift Stations Reconstruction, Upgrades, and Repairs Phase II

Amount Requested: $1,200,000.00 

Explanation: The City of Combes request funds to to reconstruct, upgrade, and rehabilitate, two sewer lift stations that have deteriorated: complete reconstruction of Lift Station #9 located at Timberland/Forrest Lane and major rehabilitation and repairs to Lift Station #5 located along Business 77.

These lift stations are critical components of the City's sanitary sewer collection system, responsible for conveying wastewater from residential and commercial areas to treatment facilities. Due to age, deterioration, increased demand, and ongoing mechanical and structural failures, both facilities present operational risks, potential sanitary sewer overflows, and compliance concerns under Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) regulations. This project will restore full functionality, improve system reliability, protect public health and the environment, and ensure long-term regulatory compliance.

Member's Signed Certification Letter

Project Name: City of Kingsville Park Improvements

Amount Requested: $1,107,287.00 

Explanation: The City of Kingsville Park is requesting funds to replace all the field lighting at three existing softball fields. The fields are very old, and the lighting is no longer stable with some out of service hindering play after dark.

This project will improve safety, expand access to recreational opportunities, and support increased community use of public facilities. Upgrading the lighting will restore reliable evening play for youth and adult leagues, select teams, and tournament events, helping to alleviate current field shortages caused by full utilization of other baseball and softball facilities. These improvements align with top priorities identified in the Parks Master Plan and will enhance the overall quality of recreational infrastructure. Additionally, the upgraded facilities are expected to boost sports tourism, generating increased local economic activity and sales tax revenue from visitors attending games and tournaments.

Member's Signed Certification Letter 

Project Name: Harlingen Recreation Center Expansion

Amount Requested: $1,000,000.00 

Explanation: The City of Harlingen is requesting funds to expand expand the planned 25,900 square foot indoor recreational facility through the construction of a second floor.

The proposed facility will include a two-court gymnasium capable of accommodating multiple recreational sports through a flexible court layout. The facility will support two regulation basketball courts, two volleyball courts, and up to eight pickleball courts through multi-sport court striping and portable equipment systems.

In addition to the gymnasium space, the building will include a lobby and reception area, restrooms, locker rooms, two multi-purpose activity rooms, storage areas, and administrative support spaces necessary to operate the facility efficiently. The facility is designed to serve as a community gathering space that can support organized recreational programs, fitness activities, and community events.

Site improvements associated with the project will include construction of a parking area with approximately 62 parking spaces, ADA-accessible parking and pathways, pedestrian sidewalks, site lighting, and native landscaping improvements. These improvements will ensure safe and convenient access for visitors and provide a functional and welcoming environment for the community.

This strategic enhancement will allow the city to offer a broader range of programs, serve more residents, and ensure the recreation center remains responsive to community needs for decades to come. 

Member's Signed Certification Letter 

Project Name: La Placita Park Upgrade 

Amount Requested: $750,000.00 

Explanation: The City of Santa Rosa is requesting funding to upgrade La Placita Park by constructing two air-conditioned restroom facilities, installing solar lighting, expanding sidewalks, enhancing landscaping, improving basketball courts, and adding a covered BBQ area.

The project will improve safety, accessibility, and overall quality of a key community gathering space. These enhancements will provide much-needed sanitary facilities and reliable lighting, allowing the park to better host youth activities and community events, particularly during evening hours. By strengthening essential infrastructure, the project supports a safe, welcoming environment for residents and reinforces the park's role as a central hub for community engagement. 

Member's Signed Certification Letter 

Project Name: La Posada Park Development 

Amount Requested: $1,200,000.00 

Explanation: The City of Brownsville is requesting funding to support the Design and Engineering Phase of a comprehensive La Posada Park improvement project. This professional design process will translate community input into construction-ready plans that honor resident priorities while ensuring environmental stewardship, accessibility, and long-term sustainability.

La Posada Park is positioned to become a vibrant community hub that honors nature, promotes active recreation, and strengthens the social fabric of Brownsville. Through extensive community engagement-including the ""Mi Parque, Mi Espacio, Mi Vision"" pop-up event and comprehensive feedback survey-residents have clearly articulated their vision for this beloved community space.

Member's Signed Certification Letter 

Project Name: Portway Acres Park Improvements

Amount Requested: $1,200,000.00 

Explanation: The City of Brownsville requests funds for make much needed improvements at their Portway Acres Park. This project will enhance safety and increase the quality of life and functionality for all park users. Key improvements include upgraded lighting throughout the park, resurfaced and improved walking trails, and the addition of restroom facilities to support families, children, and senior citizens. Park amenities will be upgraded with a refurbished existing pavilion, a new family-sized pavilion, new bike racks, water fountain improvements, and general site furnishings. Recreational facilities will also be enhanced through basketball court upgrades and other miscellaneous enhancements, creating a safer, more welcoming, and inclusive community hub.

Member's Signed Certification Letter 

Project Name: Texas Southmost College Workforce Training Center at South Padre Island

Amount Requested: $1,000,000.00 

Explanation: Texas Southmost College is seeking funding to renovate a historic building in South Padre Island into a workforce training center serving coastal communities like Port Isabel, Texas, and Brownsville, Texas. The center will provide targeted training in high-demand sectors-such as hospitality, construction, and marine maintenance-to address local labor shortages, support employers, and expand access to higher-wage career pathways.

Upon rehabilitation and renovation, the Center will provide workforce training in hospitality and tourism operations, facilities and industrial maintenance, commercial and residential construction, marine and small diesel engine maintenance, first responder and public safety and security workforce training. These programs will directly support hotels, condominium complexes, restaurants, commercial and residential contractors, small businesses, and service providers critical to the coastal economic stability and infrastructure.

Member's Signed Certification Letter