Commissioners J.J. Gonzalez

But despite the split's approval by the majority of the commission, Commissioners J.J. Gonzalez and Frank Puente, who cast the two dissenting votes on the issue, said they will be forced to make fewer trips on the city's behalf.
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"You learn by networking at these conferences," Gonzalez said."You learn about the latest news and you get to meet legislators face-to-face.

"In some cases you're looking at bills that will affect the whole state, not just the Valley.Staying informed about what is going on in the state legislature is important, and they offer training to make you a better public official."

Gonzalez, who has not used city funds for travel since Dec. 10, has already spent more than $2,000 of his available $2,500 allocated for travel.

Because of the lack of funds, Gonzalez said he has already resigned from a number of committees in which he acted as the city's representative, including the Border Trade Alliance and Texas Municipal League's Board of Directors.

"It costs money to travel and represent the city," he said."We could have adjusted the budget to travel, but if the money's not there and you can't meet your obligations in the committees, why bother?"

Gonzalez said that if commissioners were not abusing city funds, there was no reason to adjust the travel budget.

"All the expenses that were given were hotel bills, airfare and per diem.There were no extras and that's the way it should be," Gonzalez said.