Port Commissioner · Place 4

Luis
Villarreal Jr.

Navigating Forward
Reducing Taxes. Creating Jobs for Our Community.
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Luis Villarreal Jr. — Candidate for Port Commissioner, Place 4
About Luis

A Voice for
Our Port & Community

The Port of Brownsville is one of the most important economic engines in South Texas — and every Brownsville family feels its impact.

When the port runs efficiently, operating costs go down, businesses expand, and new companies move in. That means more good-paying jobs for our community and less burden on local taxpayers. The port was created with a promise to eventually lift the tax burden off families — and that promise should be kept.

Luis Villarreal is running for Port Commissioner, Place 4, to bring a business-minded approach to port leadership — one focused on cutting red tape, driving down costs, and turning savings into jobs and tax relief for our community.

The Plan

Our Priorities for the Port

Less bureaucracy. Lower costs. More jobs. Stronger infrastructure. A port that works for every Brownsville family.

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Streamline Industrial Permitting

Industrial tenants should not face unnecessary delays or multiple layers of bureaucracy before they can build. I will pursue the creation of a Port Building & Inspection Department so companies can handle plan review and inspections directly within the Port.

  • One coordinated process
  • Faster approvals
  • On-site inspections
  • Clear timelines
  • Full compliance with safety and environmental standards
Faster permitting means faster construction — and faster job creation for Brownsville families.
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Lower Costs Through Efficiency

The Port owns and manages its land as a unified industrial complex. We should leverage that scale to reduce costs for tenants — and when the Port saves money, that means less burden on local taxpayers.

  • Coordinated bulk utility purchasing
  • Smarter infrastructure planning
  • Exploring Port-wide insurance frameworks
  • Reducing duplication and administrative overhead
Lower costs mean more expansion, more local jobs, and less pressure on Brownsville taxpayers.
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Compete & Win on the Gulf Coast

Ports across Texas and the Gulf Coast are competing for the same investments. Every company we attract means more jobs for our neighbors — in shipbuilding, logistics, steel fabrication, and industrial growth.

  • Predictable timelines
  • Cost-efficient operations
  • Strong but streamlined oversight
  • Business-ready infrastructure
The Port should not move at the speed of paperwork. It should move at the speed of opportunity.
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Reduce Taxes Toward Elimination

When the Brownsville Navigation District was created, the vision was clear: build a port so successful that its revenue would eventually eliminate the need for property taxes on local families. Instead, the current board just proposed raising the tax rate. I believe we should honor the original promise — use port revenue to reduce the tax burden year after year, with the goal of elimination.

  • Honor the founding vision: port revenue should replace property taxes
  • Year-over-year tax rate reductions as port revenue grows
  • Port efficiencies that translate directly to community savings
  • Good-paying jobs in shipbuilding, logistics & manufacturing
  • A port that pays for itself — not one that bills its neighbors
The port was built to lift the tax burden off Brownsville families. It's time to keep that promise.
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Transparency & Accountability

The Port of Brownsville belongs to the public — and the public deserves to know how it's being run. I will push for greater openness in how decisions are made, how money is spent, and how contracts are awarded.

  • Open and accessible board meetings
  • Public access to port contracts and financials
  • Regular community reporting on port performance
  • Clear accountability for how taxpayer resources are used
Sunlight is the best disinfectant. Our port should have nothing to hide.
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Local Hiring & Workforce Development

When the Port grows, Brownsville families should be first in line for those jobs. I will work to connect our local workforce — through TSC, UTRGV, and trade programs — directly to port employment opportunities.

  • Partner with local colleges and trade schools
  • Prioritize hiring from the Brownsville community
  • Create apprenticeship and training pipelines
  • Support certifications in welding, logistics, heavy equipment & more
Our port should put our people to work first.
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Infrastructure Investment

Aging docks, outdated roads, and limited rail connections hold the Port back from reaching its full potential. Modern infrastructure attracts modern industry — and the better-paying jobs that come with it.

  • Upgrade aging docks and cargo facilities
  • Improve port roads and rail connections
  • Modernize utilities to meet industrial demand
  • Plan infrastructure that supports long-term growth
Better infrastructure today means better jobs tomorrow.
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Grow International Trade

Brownsville sits on one of the most strategic trade corridors in North America. Our port should be leveraging that position to expand cross-border commerce and attract international shippers looking for a reliable Gulf Coast gateway.

  • Strengthen U.S.–Mexico trade partnerships
  • Attract international shipping lines and logistics companies
  • Position Brownsville as a North American trade hub
  • Support nearshoring opportunities for manufacturers
Our location is our advantage. Let's use it.
Why This Race Matters

The Port of Brownsville by the Numbers

When the port thrives, Brownsville thrives. A successful port means more jobs, stronger businesses, and a path to eliminating the tax burden on our community.

$3B
Annual Economic Impact
51,000
Jobs Supported
40,000
Acres — Largest Public Port in the U.S.
17 mi
Ship Channel to the Gulf of Mexico
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