Cornyn Visits East Texas

EAST TEXAS — U.S. Senator John Cornyn makes a pair of East Texas stops Tuesday. In Tyler, Cornyn visited the FRESH by Brookshire’s grocery store, termed an innovative concept in grocery stores that utilizes many local growers and vendors. Cornyn toured the new store; met with Brad Brookshire, Chairman of the Board, and Rick Rayford, President and CEO, along with several employees; and discussed the impact of the new store on the local economy � including the creation of 350 new jobs. Cornyn also drew attention to the store’s supply of fresh, health foods, saying, “Taking care of ourselves in terms of how we eat and exercising can have a big impact on our health, particularly with regard to chronic diseases like diabetes.”

Sen. Cornyn additionally heard from Brookshire�s executives on their concerns about new federal health care legislation, which turns a year old on Wednesday. They discussed their concerns with the paperwork burden and costs they will be expected to shoulder as the law takes effect and how the new mandates could hinder their growth. Cornyn remarked, “The price of health insurance is going through the roof, and employers are having to pay a lot more…making it harder for them to hire new people.”

In Nacogdoches, Cornyn visited a drilling site in the Haynesville Shale. According to the senator, the rig represents the latest in horizontal drilling technology. He says it’s being used to tap into a natural gas play that has the potential to increase energy self-sufficiency and serve as a significant source of clean energy for the nation, while also providing revenue and jobs for the local economy. Cornyn says that means “paying taxes to help support our school kids when we’re seeing a lot of serious budget cuts across the board.” Cornyn was joined by Nacogdoches Mayor Roger Van Horn and County Judge Joe English as he toured the rig site and met with representatives from local small business, Sonerra Resources, and international oil and gas company EOG Resources, who have partnered to develop the Haynesville Shale site.