HAWKS FALL TO KINGSVILLE
SATURDAY JANUARY 18, 2014
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FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
HIGH-SPEED SERVICE
Much spending
High-speed rail to Monterrey
Senate easily passes $1.1 trillion spending bill By ANDREW TAYLOR ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — Congress sent President Barack Obama a $1.1 trillion government-wide spending bill Thursday, easing the harshest effects of last year’s automatic budget cuts after tea party critics chastened by October’s partial shutdown mounted
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only a faint protest. The Senate voted 72-26 for the measure, which cleared the House a little more than 24 hours earlier on a similarly lopsided vote. Obama’s signature on the bill was expected in time to prevent any interruption in government funding Saturday at midnight. The huge bill funds every
agency of government, pairing increases for NASA and Army Corps of Engineers construction projects with cuts to the Internal Revenue Service and foreign aid. It pays for implementation of Obama’s health care law; a fight over implementing “Obamacare” sparked tea party Republicans to partially shut the government down
for 16 days last October. Also included is funding for tighter regulations on financial markets, but at levels lower than the president wanted. The compromise-laden legislation reflects the realities of divided power in Washington and a desire by both Dem-
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U.S. and Mexican officials say they are taking the first steps toward rail service that could take passengers from Monterrey to San Antonio in two hours. The Mexican side already has the right-of-ways from Monterrey to Laredo. The Texas side has support from both state and federal officials. Funding sources have yet to be identified, but U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, says the rail line could be up and running within the decade. San Antonio
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HACIENDA DE LOS GUTIERREZ
DINING NOSTALGIA
0
50
TEXAS
MILES
Odem
Alice Laredo
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Corpus Christi
Proposed high-speed corridor to Monterrey
Harlingen
McAllen Monterrey
Brownsville
MEXICO San Antonio Express-News
Rail project takes shape By MALENA CHARUR THE ZAPATA TIMES
Javier Gutierrez, owner of the now-defunct Hacienda de los Gutierrez, sings to Elva Ramos in his restaurant in this undated photograph.
Defunct restaurant attracted celebrities By MALENA CHARUR THE ZAPATA TIMES
LAREDO — Javier Gutierrez’s restaurant marked an era, with its bohemian atmosphere that attracted celebrities. Hacienda de los Gutierrez, located on West Calton Road and Gallagher Avenue, opened in 1972 and for the next 26 years offered a regional menu known as “norestense,” with a local favorite, cabrito al pastor, as its main dish.
The restaurant also offered a bohemian atmosphere, giving diners the opportunity to listen to live music and also to sing along with the musicians, as well as to practice other artistic pursuits. Gutierrez was born in San Ygnacio, the 11th of 12 children. The family moved to Laredo when he was a child, and Gutierrez eventually graduated from Martin High School.
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Courtesy photos
Stars Lucia Mendez, left, and Maria Conchita Alonso, with Javier Gutierrez, owner of the now-defunct Hacienda de los Gutierrez pose in this undated photo.
The idea of a high-speed passenger and cargo rail service between Mexico and the United States has taken shape after highranking officials from both countries met Thursday. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, representatives from the Texas Department of Transportation and members of the Mexican delegation met in Washington, D.C., to discuss progress and the economic benefits that would be created with the completion of the project, which would link San Antonio to Monterrey, Mexico. “It’s a historic project that will connect San Antonio, Laredo and Monterrey and also help unite large economies, especially those of our areas,” Cuellar said. The project, which will be presented to Vice President Joe Biden, should have the backing of the U.S. government as it has support on both sides of the border. “Transportation is important to any country,” Cuellar said. “The fact that stakeholders are present is something that is taken into account for the authorization of this project.” The project is in an advanced state on the Mexican side while it’s in the study phase on the U.S. side.
See HIGH-SPEED RAIL PAGE 9A
STATE OF TEXAS
Top races bring in big bucks in final weeks By CHRIS TOMLINSON ASSOCIATED PRESS
AUSTIN — Donors gave Texas political candidates more than $39.2 million during the last half of 2013, providing a signal about the viability of candidates in the highly competitive Republican primary races for lieutenant governor, attorney general and state comptroller. Although the Democrat and Republican expected to face off for governor reported raising $23.7 million between them, fundraising also was steady
among GOP candidates in the next three highest statewide offices. No incumbents are on the ballot in the races for governor, attorney general and comptroller, marking one of the biggest turnovers of power in the last 14 years. “You see a lot of excitement among a large number of donors giving to candidates across the board,” said Mark P. Jones, an expert on campaign finance at Houston’s Rice University. “The fundraising totals suggest we have some very competitive candidates across the board. ...
You can’t really count out anybody.” Texas is the second-largest state and has 20 media markets, forcing statewide candidates to rely on expensive television, radio and direct mail advertising to win. Texas law required all candidates to file campaign finance reports for the last half of 2013 on Wednesday. In the race to replace Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, Todd Staples has reported raising $2 million, with $3.1 million to spend in the next 50 days, while Dan Patrick reported raising $1.7 million
with $3.1 million on hand. Dewhurst reported $2.3 million raised and $1.4 million in cash on hand, though he has a large personal fortune he can tap. Jerry Patterson reported raising $816,000 with $564,000 left over as of Dec. 31. In the Republican attorney general’s race, Dan Branch raised $1.9 million with a $4.9 million war chest. Barry Smitherman raised $1.7 million, but only had $2.1 million left. Ken Paxton raised $1 million, with $2.3 million on hand. There are four candidates for
state comptroller, who is responsible for balancing Texas’ finances. Among Republicans, Glenn Hegar reported $2.57 million in the bank, while Harvey Hilderbran had $1.34 million. Raul Torres and Debra Medina trailed far behind. “You have lots of candidates doing well, particularly in these second-tier statewide races,” Jones said. “All of the (Republican) statewide races, with the exception of governor and land commissioner, are almost cer-
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