MCALLEN, TEXAS - With the elections over, state Sen. Juan Hinojosa is looking forward to the 87th Legislative Session that starts in January.The McAllen Democrat says the top issues will include healthcare, with lawmakers reviewing the state’s response to COVID-19 and making recommendations to better deal with such a pandemic in the future.Hinojosa is currently vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance. He said the “biggest challenge” will be the state budget. “If we have a $5 billion deficit it will be manageable,” Hinojosa said. The reason, he explained, is the state has a healthy rainy day fund.Another top issue will be redistricting, with lawmakers altering congressional and Texas House district lines to take into account the population shifts identified by the 2020 Census. Hinojosa said redistricting is one of the most divisive issues legislators have to deal with.In an interview that took place just before the Nov. 3 elections, Hinojosa also spoke about the impact of COVID-19 on the state Capitol. He said access to the building would have to be curtailed to some extent.Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.

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