May 12--With colonias comes substandard housing. And for years border counties, such as El Paso, haven't been able do much about that.

Counties in Texas have little authority to implement building codes.

Thus, there's bad electrical wiring, poor sewage systems -- there are many health and safety concerns in unincorporated areas.

A bill to rectify these Third World problems was introduced in the house by state Rep. Marisa Marquez, D-El Paso. It passed, a major achievement for the first-term state representative.

Now it's the Senate's turn.

The bill asks that the county be permitted to adopt more building codes for unincorporated areas, but codes cannot be stricter than those already set by the state.

The county would be able to enforce these codes, such as suing a builder found to be in violation of regulations.

Colonias mean problems with the basic utilities of this day and age. Fire problems and sewage problems are just two in a long list of safety and health concerns.

County Attorney Jose Rodriguez points out that all taxpayers wind up footing bills when basic services must to be rendered for the "health, safety and welfare of the community out there."

Ray Adauto of the El Paso Association of Builders, along with his industry, has worked with Marquez on a compromise, such as limiting fees and ensuring that builders would not face criminal penalties for violating the codes. He called it another layer of bureaucracy, but that the builders will live with it.

The

opposition argues that the Texas Residential Construction Committee already enforces construction standards in rural border areas. Adauto noted that more regulations would drive up the cost of homes.

That's one point to consider. And there's also the question of citizens trusting county commissioners to deal with code-making efficiently.

However, it's evident that the state rules, overseen by that Texas committee, have not stopped the construction of substandard housing outside the city limits.

In El Paso there are nearly 300 colonias or residential areas that may lack basic living necessities. Statewide there are 2,000.

The Senate should follow the House lead. Pass the bill allowing counties to mandate safer communities in unincorporated areas.

-----

To see more of the El Paso Times, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.elpasotimes.com.

Copyright (c) 2009, El Paso Times, Texas

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.

A service of YellowBrix, Inc.