Next week VIA is hosting two community meetings on the long range comprehensive transportation plan they are developing for San Antonio.

I spent some time today at the Pearl where the Culinary Institute of America, San Antonio is located. One thing I learned is that CIA, San Antonio is actually an accredited college and holds a special mission on producing Hispanic Chefs in a city where 65% of the cooks are Hispanic but lack formal training to reach Chef status.

As early voting for new state constitutional amendments starts this week, I'd like to tell you about three propositions that are particularly important to our community.

This is very exciting news. Tomorrow Austin is voting on pursuing the loan program established by HB 1937, the bill I passed earlier this year. Under the program, property owners would get help paying for the upfront costs of solar panels or energy efficiency investments and then pay off the loan over time through their property taxes.

Join me and other community members at Say Si Gallery tomorrow evening at 5:30 as we celebrate our many victories from the past year.  By coming together as a community, this year we passed over 30 bills, amendments and budget riders. From TEXAS Grants for more college students and crafting a balanced reform of the top 10% college admissions policy, to expanding access to pre-k and reducing practice TAKS days in schools, we worked together and now it's time to celebrate together.

Starting at 5:00 this evening, I'll be visiting several neighborhoods in my district, including North Shearer Hills, Shearer Hills/Ridgeview, Crownhill Park, Vance Jackson, Dellview, Tobin Hill, King William and others. National Night Out is a great opportunity to get outside, have some fun, meet your neighbors, and strengthen your community.