Rick Noriega for Texas: News

Senate Candidate Noriega Makes Stop in Tyler

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Tyler Morning Telegraph

Standing on a tree stump at Bergfeld Park Sunday afternoon, Democratic U.S. senatorial challenger State Rep. Rick Noriega told supporters that his opponent was not about standing up for Texans.

''I'm seeking the race for the United States Senate because I know we can do better,'' Noriega said.

Sunday's visit to Bergfeld Park was one of two stops made by the candidate in Smith County. That evening, a fundraiser and rally was held at the Liebbe Ranch in Lindale.

During his speech, Noriega told a crowd of more than 50 about the importance of voting, not just in thepresidential election, but straight ticket during the November general election.

He said that while voters may be excited to vote on the larger presidential ticket, voting down-ballot is paramount for the Democratic Party in Texas.

''We have to keep building the Democratic Party in Texas,'' he said.

Noriega, a 27-year veteran of the military and Lieutenant colonel the U.S. Army National Guard, attacked his opponent for his failure to support military personnel by not providing them with proper body armor or medical care for returning soldiers.

Noriega criticized his opponent, Republican Sen. John Cornyn, for his pandering to special interest groups in Washington, big oil companies and HMOs.

''He's not about representing the interest of Texans,'' he said, adding that Cornyn is a recipient of large contributions from special interest groups.

Calling his competitor ''out of touch'' with families and the middle class Texans across the state, Noriega urged East Texans to make a change and replace Cornyn in the U.S. Senate.

Noriega also touched on the importance of stricter penalties for businesses that employ illegal aliens, utilizing wind and solar power, and increasing health insurance for Texas children.

A graduate of the University of Houston and Harvard University, Noriega is a member of the Defense Affairs and State and Federal Relations Committee of the Texas House of Representatives where he has served as the state representatives for the Houston's District 145 since 1998.

A father of two sons, he is married to At-Large Houston City Council member Melissa Noriega.

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Noriega spells out his plan for reforming immigration

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700

By R.G. Ratcliffe
chron.com

AUSTIN — Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Rick Noriega unveiled an immigration reform plan Wednesday that is very similar to a measure that died last year largely because of opposition from Republican U.S. Sen. John Cornyn.

Noriega touted his plan as a ''bold'' measure to fix a ''broken'' immigration system, but it was almost identical to bipartisan legislation that had been backed by President Bush and Texas business leaders in June 2007.

''Without question we know as a matter of fact that Mr. Cornyn was an obstructionist on the last debate on comprehensive immigration reform,'' Noriega said. ''He hasn't done anything in six years to help reform immigration.''

Cornyn's campaign described the Noriega plan as ''obviously written by inside-the-beltway liberals.''

A path to citizenship
Noriega's plan opposes border fences and proposes a crackdown on businesses that hire illegal workers, but it also includes a path to citizenship for unauthorized immigrants already living in the United States.

Cornyn, who is being challenged in his re-election bid by Noriega, was blamed by labor unions and immigration groups for killing the bipartisan bill last year through obstructionism. Cornyn called that a ''bald-faced lie'' and blamed Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid for killing debate on the bill by not allowing Republican amendments.

During a backroom discussion on the bill, Sen. John McCain of Arizona used profanity to describe Cornyn's opposition. McCain, now the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, later described the exchange as a ''frank and open'' discussion.

Noriega described his plan as a solution to Washington gridlock. Noriega said he had not seen an analysis of his plan and the bipartisan legislation. He said his plan arose from his work as the National Guard's Laredo sector commander in Operation Jumpstart and as chairman of the Texas House task force on border security.

''We're worse off both as a state and as a country for not having comprehensive immigration reform. We are less safe. The border is not as secure as it should be,'' Noriega said.

Technology would be used
His plan opposes a border fence, relying instead on surveillance and technology to stop illegal immigration. Noriega called a border fence a ''gimmick'' and proposed increased technology and the hiring of 18,000 new border agents. He also said there is a need for Operation Jumpstart II, with the National Guard supporting the Border Patrol.

Cornyn campaign spokesman Kevin McLaughlin said Noriega in a 2006 interview said putting military personnel on the border was ''more of a political exercise than a security exercise'' and that Noriega called it ''fluff.''

McLaughlin said the number of Border Patrol agents has grown from 9,000, before Cornyn was elected in 2002, to 15,500 last March. McLaughlin also said presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama voted for the fence that Noriega opposes.

Noriega also favors a crackdown on businesses that employ undocumented workers. His plan includes hiring an unspecified number of new agents to police businesses that hire undocumented workers.

As to the estimated 11.5 million immigrants in the country illegally, Noriega said his plan is ''a realistic solution, forcing the individuals already here to come out of the shadows.''

That was tough rhetoric for a plan to allow those here illegally to stay only if they learn English, pay fines and back taxes and get on the path to citizenship -- proposals similar to those championed in the bipartisan legislation by Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass. Many Republicans, including Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, called the proposal amnesty for illegal immigrants.

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State Rep. Rick Noriega focuses on alternate energy sources during visit

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700

By Maurel Merette
timesrecordnews.com

Under the warm rays of a late July North Texas sun, State Rep. Rick Noriega spoke of the benefits of using solar panels to offset the rising price of energy.

The Houston Democrat is challenging Republican U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in November.

Standing in front of a house in southwest Wichita Falls, Noriega spoke of the advantages of using alternative energies.

''It produces more energy than it needs,” Noriega said as he pointed out the house's solar energy production actually added energy to the electricity grid.

''It receives credits for what it puts back into the grid,” Noriega said. ''And the cost of solar panels decreases by 4 percent every year.”

Noriega made a stop Wednesday in Wichita Falls as part of a longer campaign trip through North Texas.

Both candidates in the senate race have seized on energy as a campaign issue as oil prices have sent gas prices soaring in the past month.

Noriega's energy plan is similar to his opponent's. Both hark on the need for more energy self-sufficiency by using more renewable energies, such as wind and solar and biomass.

Both support drilling for oil in offshore areas that are currently off limits. However, Noriega said he supports offshore drilling as long as there are some restrictions.

''Any additional oil extracted needs to be used domestically and not exported,” said Noriega, who also said that he shares Republican presidential hopeful John McCain's position on oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Federal Reserve.

''It is a federal sanctuary that would take 10 years to produce oil,” he said

His plan also calls for more support for research and development of new energy technologies, which Noriega said will create more jobs and make way for entrepreneurship in the energy field.

''We want to retool the research and development and support more investment in companies which seek more renewable energies,” he said. ''The collateral businesses that will be created as a result will create new jobs in the state.”

Noriega, a lieutenant colonel in the Army National Guard, also said that dependence on foreign oil is a strain on national security.

He emphasized that instead of drilling in the ANWR, a larger focus should be placed on the current operating oil fields and their production.

There, Noriega advocates maximizing output from current oil fields by requiring oil companies to drill or give up the leases they have on 68 million acres of undeveloped federal land.

''Washington politicians have created a false sense of hope, as if drilling in the federal reserve is a magic spigot,” Noriega said.

Cornyn is dominating Noriega in fundraising and in the polls. The latest campaign disclosure reports show the Republican incumbent with $9.4 million in cash. Noriega had $916,000.

In addition, the latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in Texas found the incumbent leading Democratic state legislator Noriega by double digits, 48 percent to 35 percent.

But Noriega said that he did not see the disparity in campaign funds as a roadblock.

''If an election was solely based on money, perhaps there shouldn't be any elections,” he smiled.

Noriega said he hopes his candidacy appeals to the common Texan, as he believes that his opponent has been tainted by what he called ''Washington politics.”

''What we believe is standing up for Texas families and their values,” said Noriega. ''Not for HMOs or oil companies. That is not the tradition of the great state of Texas.”

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U.S. Senate candidate Rick Noriega calls for wind, solar power in all Texas homes by 2019

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700

By Dave Levinthal
The Dallas Morning News

Democratic Senate candidate Rick Noriega called Tuesday for all Texas households to get their electricity by renewable energy resources, such as wind and solar power, by 2019.

Mr. Noriega insisted, however, that such a goal wouldn't entail shuttering the state's coal, nuclear and natural gas-fired power plants, which account for the vast majority of Texas' electricity generation.

"Those plants are going to continue to be in use for a whole variety of other uses," Mr. Noriega said during a news conference outside Dallas City Hall. Such plants could be used for petroleum products, plastics and manufacturing needs, he said.

Mr. Noriega said Texas' energy security is incumbent on moving from nonrenewable energy sources – particularly fossil fuels from "unstable" foreign nations – to American-generated renewable sources.

The U.S. must also increase fuel efficiency standards, invest in renewable energy development and improve the electricity distribution system – goals that Mr. Noriega says his opponent, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, hasn't prioritized or has actively fought against.

Mr. Noriega also said the U.S. must seek to stem high energy prices by requiring oil companies to maximize output on federal land leased for drilling and legalizing offshore oil drilling, a fairly uncommon position for a Democrat. President Bush has rescinded the offshore ban, but a congressional moratorium remains.

Mr. Noriega does not, however, support drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, which is believed to contain significant oil deposits.

Mr. Cornyn's campaign dismissed Mr. Noriega's energy plan as unrealistic.

"The sad truth is Rick Noriega is against many mainstream solutions that will put America on the path to a comprehensive energy plan," Mr. Cornyn's campaign manager Rob Jesmer wrote in a statement.

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The Bottomline about Health Care

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700

For immediate release:
July 1, 2008
Contact: Holly Shulman (713) 621-7425

Please see the enclosed oped by Rep. Rick Noriega, candidate for U.S. Senate:

The Bottomline about Health Care
By Rep. Rick Noriega

In Texas, each night the parents of more than a million children go to sleep praying that their child does not wake up sick because they don't have health insurance.

I believe that everyone should have access to quality, affordable health care. It's an outrage that insurance companies are making record profits while too many Americans struggle to pay for the spiraling costs of health care. Families and businesses are feeling the strain of a health care system that costs too much, covers too few, and has all the wrong priorities.

And I have a plan. I support guaranteed coverage through partnerships between the federal government, states, employers, and private health care providers. Working together is the only way we can make health care work. Health care reform must modernize the health care system and contain costs by prioritizing preventive care, reducing administrative costs, reducing insurance overhead, and allowing the federal government to negotiate lower pharmaceutical prices.

And I've fought this fight before. I voted to give doctors the right to collectively bargain with health plans to keep costs down.

I voted to make sure school districts could give health care to students and their families, providing for disease prevention and addressing the health threats specific to the school district.

I voted to eliminate health disparities and health access disparities in Texas among multicultural, disadvantaged and regional populations.

I voted for a state prescription drug program for low-income and disabled workers.

In the Texas House, I sponsored a bill that expanded Texas' Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to cover more children. When I'm your U.S. Senator I will vote to expand the Children's Health Insurance Program to cover all children of working families who can't afford it.

Some decisions are very difficult. Parents shouldn't have to choose between paying their child's health care bill or paying their monthly mortgage.

But some decisions are easy. On Election Day you will have a clear choice between more of the same failed policies that prioritize insurance company profits over our children, or new leadership that has the experience, the record and the political will to make real changes for your family, for Texas and for America.

I promise to put your children first every day that I represent you in Washington.

(Rick Noriega, a Democrat who has represented his Houston district in the Texas House since 1999, is running for the U.S. Senate seat held by John Cornyn.)

La Realidad de el Seguro Medico

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Para distribución inmediata
2 de Julio, 2008
Contacte a:
Holly Shulman
(713) 621-7425

Favor de leer el siguiente comunicado escrito por el Representante Rick Noriega, candidato al Senado de los Estados Unidos.

La Realidad de el Seguro Médico.
Por: Rick Noriega.

Cada noche en Texas, los padres de mas de un millón de niños rezan para que sus hijos no amanezcan enfermos puesto que no tienen seguro medico.

Yo creo firmemente que todos deben tener acceso garantizado a servicios de salud que sean accesibles y de alta calidad. Es una verdadera pena que las compañias de seguros estén registrando ganancias históricas mientras que nuestras familias están batallando para poder lograr pagar los alarmantes costos de los servicios de salud. Tanto como las familias como los negocios privados están sintiendo la enorme presión causada por un sistema de salud el cual cuesta demasiado, cubre muy poco y tiene todas las prioridades equivocadas.

Yo tengo un plan. Yo apoyo un sistema de cobertura garantizada a través de la colaboración de el gobierno federal, los estados, los empleadores, y los proveedores privados de servicios médicos. Trabajando juntos es la única manera de lograr que el sistema de salud funcione. La reforma de salud debe modernizar el sistema de seguros, debe minimizar los costos al hacer prioridad los servicios de salud preventivos, debe de reducir los costos administrativos, al igual que los costos de el seguro y debe permitir que el gobierno federal negocie a favor de reducir el precio de los farmaceuticos.

Yo he luchado esta batalla. Como miembro de la Cámara de Representantes de Texas, yo vote a favor de otorgar a los médicos el derecho a negociar colectivamente con los programas de salud para lograr mantener los costos de salud bajos.

Vote para asegurarme de que los distritos escolares pudieran dar servicios médicos a los estudiantes y familias, proporcionando fondos para la preevencion de enfermedades y atendiendo los riesgos de salud particulares a cada distrito escolar.

Vote para eliminar la desigualdad de servicios de salud en Texas la cual existe en grupos multiculturales y poblaciones desfavorecidas en distintas regiones de el estado.

Vote a favor de un programa estatal de medicamentos para trabajadores incapacitados y de bajo ingreso.

En la Cámara de Representantes, patrocine una propuesta legislativa la cual expandió la cobertura de el Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) para incluir a una mayor cantidad de niños. Cuando yo sea su Senador en la Legislatura de los Estados Unidos de América yo votare a favor de la expansión de el CHIP para que todos los niños hijos de familias que no tienen los recursos para pagar un seguro medico puedan tener cobertura.

Hay algunas decisiones que son difíciles. Pero ningún padre debería tener que escoger entre pagar la cuenta de los servicios médicos de su hijo o hacer el pago mensual de su hogar.

Pero también hay decisiones faciles. El día de las elecciones tu tendrás una clara opción entre las mismas políticas fallidas que le han dado mas importancia a las compañias de seguros que a nuestros niños, o un nuevo liderazgo, el cual viene con la experiencia, el record y la conviccion y voluntad política necesarias para lograr un cambio real en tu vida, la vida de tu familia, para Texas y para los Estados Unidos de América.

Yo te prometo tener a tus hijos como mi prioridad desde el primero hasta el ultimo dia que sea tu representante en Washington.

(Rick Noriega es un Demócrata el cual ha representado a su distrito de Houston en la Cámara de Representantes de Texas desde 1999 y esta contendiendo por el Senado de los Estados Unidos de América en contra de John Cornyn)

Noriega stumps in nation's least populated county

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Associated Press

Democrat Rick Noriega is campaigning this week in counties so small, his entourage may be bigger than the crowds.

The Senate candidate, facing incumbent Republican John Cornyn in the fall, is putting in some serious miles from his hometown of Houston to the most remote corners of West Texas.

It will culminate with a Fourth of July parade in El Paso, but it began in Kermit in Winkler County, population 7,000. Then it was on to Loving County, the nation's least populous county with 60 people.

He's also making stops in Reeves, Pecos, Brewster and Ward counties, none of them with more than 16,000 people total.

Noriega said the rural swing was designed to show he's campaigning in all of Texas's 254 counties.

Even the itty bitty ones.

"Every vote counts and every Texan matters," Noriega said

Twenty-one people cast primary votes in Loving County in the March primary, and perennial candidate Gene Kelly won. But the good news for Noriega? No one voted Republican.

Cornyn, meanwhile, spent the day in Big D.

At a Dallas gas station, Cornyn talked up his attempt to pass legislation to allow for offshore oil exploration.

Noriega did manage to squeeze in one stop that everyone makes in small towns -- the Dairy Queen for a dipped cone and tropical Blizzard.

"This is Melissa's birthday vacation," Noriega said of his wife.

Rick Noriega for Texas: News

Senate Candidate Noriega Makes Stop in Tyler

Noriega spells out his plan for reforming immigration

State Rep. Rick Noriega focuses on alternate energy sources during visit

U.S. Senate candidate Rick Noriega calls for wind, solar power in all Texas homes by 2019

The Bottomline about Health Care

La Realidad de el Seguro Medico

Noriega stumps in nation's least populated county

Noriega Offers Economic Ideas

Noriega rips Cornyn's vote against more veteran benefits

Noriega will get time off from National Guard duties to speak at party convention

Texas needs two senators who will back our veterans

Noriega tours East Texas

Sen. Cornyn Faces Unique Democratic Opponent

Bound by war, families gather

Lake Research Partners Memo on Latest Rasmussen Poll

FOX TV | RasmussenReports: Texas Senate: Cornyn 47% Noriega 43%

Noriega, citing U.S. deaths in Iraq, stills Web site

Noriega tops Democratic field to challenge Cornyn this fall

Noriega leads Democratic U.S. Senate race

Democratic Senate candidate releases military records

Early Birds: D's outvoting R's More than 3 to 1; Lead in 14 of State's Largest 15 Counties

Lufkin Daily News: Noriega is Texas Democrats' best hope to unseat Cornyn

Houston Chronicle endorses Rick Noriega

San Antonio Express-News: Noriega is Democrats' best pick in Senate race

Austin American-Statesman: Democrats Holding Out Hope

El Paso Times Endorses Rick

Dallas Morning News: We Recommend Rick Noriega

Austin Chronicle Endorses Rick Noriega

Noriega, McMurrey square off in debate

Senate hopeful Noriega vows health care reform

Democratic Senate candidate Noriega stumps in Lubbock

Carlos Guerra: Noriega has many of the attributes to beat Texas GOP and Cornyn

U.S. Senate Candidate Rick Noriega Visits Valley

Noriega's Senate bid attracts national Democrats

Cornyn should hang his head on illegal alien education vote

Democratic Senate candidate to visit Brownsville today