Roland Barrera vows, "I will diligently serve my "Progressive Democratic

Barrera Response

FYI, Some of my record RTA: *Worked for the largest single contribution to the RTA employee’s pension plan than the last six years combined totaling $1.4 Million dollars *In the midst of doing a study to evaluate ADA needs to our 1450 bus stops. *Financed the ADA accessibility improvements of the surrounding pedestrian areas of MHMR. *Recently completed and implemented a compensation study to get employees pay up to standard. *Have the one of the richest health insurance benefit plans of any public agency in the Coastal Bend second only to the Port of Corpus Christi. (Working towards finding the funding for a Health Reimbursement Account for employees that will limit out of pocket expenses.) *Implemented a wellness program to help create a healthier workforce. Health Risk Assessments are planned in the last quarter of 2006 at no charge to any of the employees. *Working and implementing systems to create awareness of Job Access Reverse Commute Grant to get more people to work utilizing the Van Pool who cannot afford transportation to and from work. Economic Development: *Chaired Three Economic Development Conferences “Exploring the Wave of Opportunity” in conjunction with Texas A&M and the Texas Building and Procurement Commission. In each case over 1 Billion dollars of contract opportunities were announced to the small business community. Actual purchasers were available to interact with small business to do business with large state agencies. *Served on the City of Corpus Christi Major Projects advisory panel where in excess of 50% of monies utilized in building the American Bank Center were awarded to minority and woman owned subcontractors. (This amount is unprecedented; the state average is less than 20%) *Testified before the Texas Building and Procurement Commission to fight a change in the Texas Administrative Code that would adversely affect the way contracts are solicited to minority contractors. *Worked with Senator Truan’s office to author a bill that allowed more small business the opportunity to bid TXDOT projects by utilization of a bid bond in lieu of a cashiers check. *Currently working with Texas Legislators to write a bill to require institutions of higher learning to have a bonding and technical services program to educate small business on how to grow, expand and do more work with their purchasing departments. *Currently working on securing a grant to complete safety training in Spanish for construction companies to help reduce fatalities among the Latino workforce. Regarding my affiliation with the TAIFA PAC, I'm an insurance agent that often has to fight for the rights of my clients against the big insurance companies. The PAC is a non partisan committee that fights for the "issues" that not only support our livelyhood but our most important asset the "customer". I'm proud to say that I have been nominated to serve as the Regional VP for the PAC where I will diligently serve my "Progressive Democratic Values" and represent the issues that best serve my customers. Please feel free to call 361-299-7373 or e-mail rbarrera@ciris.net Best wishes, Roland