A SHOT ACROSS THE GBEDC BOW: ARE BEDC BAD, OLD DAYS BACK?

Special to El Rrun-Rrun

(With rumors swirling that the Greater Brownsville Economic Development corporation is now leaning on old familiar ways reminiscent of the good old days when current GBEDC CEO Gilbert Salinas was a VP at the old BEDC and he and other organization and other city officials and special guests jetted around the world on the public dime without any visible results, we are seeking to find out if there is any truth to them We have therefore submitted this request for information under the Texas Public Information Act and will report on the response.) 

To: Gilbert Salinas, CEO

CC: (Jerry Briones, VP, Marleen Murillo)
Greater Brownsville Economic Development Corporation (GBEDC)

RE: Request for Public Information Pursuant to Chapter 552, Texas Government Code

Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code, I request copies of all records related to travel to Japan and all other international travel by GBEDC employees, officers, board members, consultants, contractors, City of Brownsville elected officials, City employees, and any guests during the period of January 1, 2025 through June 11, 2026.

Please provide the following records:

I. INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

A list of every international trip taken during the requested period, including:
• Dates of travel;
• Destination countries and cities;
• Purpose of travel;
• Number of attendees.
The names and titles of all individuals who traveled on each trip, including:
• GBEDC employees;
• Executive staff;
• Board members;
• Consultants and contractors;
• City of Brownsville elected officials;
• City employees;
• Any private-sector representatives whose travel expenses were paid, reimbursed, or subsidized by GBEDC.

II. JAPAN TRAVEL

All records related specifically to travel to Japan, including:
• Travel authorizations;
• Itineraries;
• Calendars;
• Schedules;
• Meeting agendas;
• Trip reports;
• Presentations;
• Briefing materials;
• Post-trip summaries.
Records identifying every company, customer, prospect, investor, manufacturer, supplier, governmental entity, economic development organization, chamber of commerce, trade organization, or other entity met with during each trip to Japan, including:
• Name of organization;
• Meeting date;
• Meeting location;
• Purpose of meeting;
• Attendees.

III. COSTS AND FUNDING

Itemized expenses for each trip, including:
• Airfare;
• Hotel expenses;
• Meals;
• Per diem payments;
• Ground transportation;
• Entertainment expenses;
• Registration fees;
• Conference expenses;
• Any other travel-related expenditures.
Copies of:
• Expense reports;
• Reimbursement requests;
• Receipts;
• Invoices;
• Credit card statements;
• Purchase card records;
• Check registers;
• Payment vouchers;
• Payment approvals.
Records identifying:
• The budget line item from which travel was paid;
• The department or program budget charged;
• Any grant funding used;
• Any sponsorships or cost-sharing arrangements;
• Any third-party funding sources.

IV. APPROVALS

Records showing who approved each trip, including:
• Board resolutions;
• Board meeting minutes;
• Board packets;
• Travel authorization forms;
• Internal memoranda;
• Executive approvals.
Records showing whether any member of the GBEDC Board of Directors traveled internationally and, if so:
• Names of attendees;
• Costs incurred;
• Approval authority;
• Funding source.
Records showing whether any City of Brownsville elected official traveled internationally and, if so:
• Names of attendees;
• Costs incurred;
• Approval authority;
• Funding source.

V. CEO AND EXECUTIVE TRAVEL

All records related to international travel by Gilbert Salinas during the requested period, including:
• Travel authorizations;
• Expense reports;
• Reimbursement requests;
• Itineraries;
• Calendars;
• Meeting schedules;
• Trip reports;
• Presentations.

VI. RESULTS OF TRAVEL

All reports, memoranda, presentations, analyses, summaries, or evaluations discussing:
• Objectives of the trips;
• Economic development benefits;
• Prospective projects;
• Recruitment activities;
• Business leads generated;
• Investments secured;
• Jobs created or anticipated;
• Contracts, agreements, memoranda of understanding, or commitments resulting from the trips.

VII. COMMUNICATIONS

All emails, text messages, letters, memoranda, and other communications related to:
• Planning travel;
• Approval of travel;
• Funding travel;
• Attendance by board members;
• Attendance by elected officials;
• Meetings scheduled in Japan;
• Reports regarding trip outcomes.

I request that all responsive records be provided electronically if available.

If any responsive records are withheld, please identify the specific statutory exception relied upon and release all non-exempt portions of the records as required by law.

Thank you.

Respectfully,
Juan Montoya
rrunrrun@gmail.com