By David A. Diaz - Legislative Media

Even before the Texas Legislature had finished its work on June 2 Rep. Armando Mando Martnez influence on behalf of South Texas had already drawn praise from one of the major independent newspapers which specializes in state politics.
Capitol Inside an Internet-based widely-read political news daily says Martnez D-Weslaco who is already preparing legislation for the 2011 regular session earned high marks for effectiveness and legislative influence.
Martnez kicked off the regular session which began in mid-January with big news that a $40 million Texas Department of Safety Regional Headquarters which will be built in his hometown of Weslaco will begin construction early next year.
On Tuesday June 23 Martnez helped welcome the latest state prize to his district with theĀ groundbreaking of the $9.5 million 25000 square foot Citrus Center a state-of-the-art Texas A&M System research facility designed t o promote and protect the Valleys $200 million citrus industry.
As the regular session progressed Martnez authored co-authored and sponsored dozens of major bills that wound up approved by state lawmakers and signed by Gov. Rick Perry to become law.
It was Martnez mastery of the legislative process that put him on the legislative radar of independent credible news sources such as Capitol Inside.