Does the Rio Grande Valley Need a Law School?
Texas produces more law school graduates than it has jobs for. But that hasn’t stopped some lawmakers from proposing that the state build a new public law school in the Rio Grande Valley.
Supporters of a new school say there is geographic inequity. The nearest public law school to the state’s southernmost region is more than 300 miles away, at Austin’s University of Texas School of Law. The Rio Grande Valley also has one of the lowest lawyer-to-citizen ratios in the state.
Before the legislative session even began, two Valley lawmakers filed bills to create a new ...
Comments (9)
Louis Podesta
The rhyme or reason for locating a university, law school, dental school, or medical school has always centered around one dynamic. That is if a particular legislator could get the necessary votes to get it built in "his" district. Galveston has a medical school for no reason anyone can figure out. Austin, nor central Texas, does not have a medical or dental school. So, for the valley to get a law school, they would first have to be an equal part of the State of Texas, which they are not. Oh, and let us not forget that our second largest university is located in the absolute middle of nowhere in Bryan, Texas. And, as far as cost is concerned, the recently opened Lady Bird Johnson "HIGH SCHOOL" costs 93 million to complete, in Bulverde, Texas!
Carolyn Moon via Texas Tribune on Facebook
How about a medical school instead?
HM Ruthe
Is Mr Lucio R or D? The story says D but the picture says R...
Reeve Hamilton
@HM Ruthie - D. The caption has been fixed. Thanks.
Elizabeth Hollier via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Consentrate on the colonias that do not have sewer systems. Residents must rely on alternative, often inadequate wastewater disposal methods. Surveys of colonias in El Paso and the Rio Grande Valley show that 50.7 percent of the households use septic tanks, 36.4 percent use cesspools, 7.4 percent use outhouses and 5.5 percent use other means to dispose of wastewater. Septic tank systems, which in some circumstances may provide adequate wastewater disposal, often pose problems because they are too small or improperly installed and can overflow. The problem is exacerbated by the poor quality of colonia roads, which are often unpaved and covered with caliche or other materials that prevent thorough drainage. During heavy rains, water collects because of inadequate drainage systems, elevation and topography. These conditions, combined with inadequate septic tanks, often result in sewage pooling on the ground.
George T. Contreras via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Colonias exist because ppl choose to live off the grid, a child neglected by inadequate school systems however is ignored in plain sight.
Elizabeth Hollier via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I was on a task force in Austin and studied the Colonias. I found living conditions, education and medical unacceptable. This is Texas not a third world country. I contacted TXDOT on a HB passed for roads. Getting answers was like beating my head against the wall.
Elizabeth Hollier via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Carolyn I agree 100% with you.
Anonymous User via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Yes, let's build a college in the valley so it's even easier for illegal aliens to attend school. It'll go nicely with the in-state tuition rates that illegal aliens already get while attending school.