Ortiz Threatens Jobs in Order to Reward Political Cronies, Brother

Ortiz Threatens Jobs in Order to Reward Political Cronies, Brother
Rep. Solomon Ortiz Says He Will Pull Critical Funding Unless His Backers Are Given Board Positions

Washington – Rep. Solomon Ortiz (D-TX) has threatened to take back $3 million he had earmarked for jobs for his constituents in South Texas. Rep. Ortiz had procured the funds to go to the Ingleside Local Redevelopment Authority, whose purpose it is to mitigate job losses in the area. Instead, Rep. Ortiz has said that he will redirect that funding, unless his brother, Oscar Ortiz, is given a cushy position on the authority’s board.

“At a time when Americans are pleading for more jobs, Solomon Ortiz is threatening to rip $3 million worth of much-needed job assistance in South Texas out of his constituents’ hands,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain.  “It’s unbelievable that Ortiz has the audacity to bully his political foes at the price of job security for his constituents, all just to reward his political cronies.  This is just another undeniable reason why corrupt and ethically-tainted Solomon Ortiz should no longer represent the people of South Texas.”

Local judge Loyd Neal, an Ortiz political foe, was named to the board last week. According to the Corpus Christi Caller, Ortiz wanted his brother to be named to the board position instead. The Caller further states:

“Ortiz, who considers Neal a political foe, said if Ingleside confirms Neal’s appointment, he is ready to transfer the $3 million to anti-drug smuggling efforts.

 ‘If they think they love Loyd Neal more than they love the $3 million,’ Solomon Ortiz said, “I can’t change their minds. If they love Loyd Neal more than the $3 million, go with Loyd Neal,” (“Ortiz draws line in sand over Neal’s appointment”, Corpus Christi Caller, June 19, 2009).

Furthermore, in an e-mail to Ingleside council members, Ingleside City Manager Jim Gray wrote:

 “Earlier today Commissioner Price told me that Congressman Ortiz told him he would pull three million from the area if we did not put his brother back on the LRA.” (“Ortiz draws line in sand over Neal’s appointment”, Corpus Christi Caller, June 19, 2009).

Rep. Ortiz’s blatant threat to remove millions in crucial funding over a political tiff is a stark insight into the worst in Democrat Party power politics. Ortiz is willing to risk his constituents’ jobs and livelihoods to procure a board post for a member of his family. This is not the type of job that voters in South Texas sent Ortiz to do in Washington. Instead of concentrating on creating jobs, Rep. Ortiz has become involved in backroom political dealing.