Kino Flores State Rep. District 36

Ismael "Kino" Flores -- a strong advocate for quality education, access to healthcare, consumer protection, and economic development -- was first elected by the voters of District 36 to the Texas House of Representatives on November 5, 1996, to represent them in the 75th Texas Legislature. District 36 incorporates parts or all of the Cities of Hidalgo, Granjeno, McAllen, Mission, Palmview, Penitas, and Pharr.

Rep. Flores was born and reared in La Joya where he attended public schools and earned his high school diploma in 1977. Upon graduation he enlisted in the United States Army where he served three years at Fort Bliss in El Paso. While serving at Fort Bliss, Rep. Flores was selected outstanding soldier of the month numerous times, and was a team leader for the development of the now famous Patriot missile. While in El Paso, Rep. Flores attended the El Paso Community College, and would complete his college education at the University of Texas Pan American in Edinburg, Texas.

He returned to the Rio Grande Valley and settled in Palmview, where he served on the La Joya school board for seven years as secretary, vice-president, and eventually president. Rep. Flores also served as vice-president of the Hidalgo-Willacy private industry council. He later served under State Comptrollers Bob Bullock and John Sharp and moved to Austin where he worked as a division manager, overseeing and implementing a pilot program that cut government waste and enabled the agency to save taxpayers' dollars. After completing his tenure at the Comptroller's Office, Rep. Flores returned to the Rio Grande Valley and was subsequently elected State Representative of District 36.

During the 78th Legislature, Rep. Flores was appointed Chairman of the Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee -- a leadership position he continues to serve today -- which studies legislation and has oversight on issues related to businesses, industries, general trades, and occupations regulated by the State. Rep. Flores also serves on the Ways & Means and Redistricting Committees. A fiscal conservative, Rep. Flores served on the powerful House Appropriations Committee for two terms. The committee is responsible for writing the state budget and has jurisdiction over all bills appropriating money from the state treasury. Flores also served on the Select Committee on Teacher Health Insurance and the Select Committee on State Bond Revenues.

During the 80th Legislature, Rep. Flores took a leadership role in helping to pass key legislation that restores healthcare for children (CHIP), extends education opportunities for South Texans, and improves local infrastructure to promote economic development. Rep. Flores' legislative agenda during the 80th Legislative Session was extensive, passing significant legislation that will bring meaningful benefits to District 36 and the Rio Grande Valley, including the following:

Permanent Baccalaureate Programs at South Texas College -- Rep. Flores authored a bill that will make the baccalaureate programs at South Texas College permanent. The bill provides an affordable and accessible college education opportunity for local citizens and helps meet the local workforce needs of the surrounding communities. Students wishing to get a bachelors degree in Applied Science and Technology will be able to pursue a degree closer to home.
Concurrent Enrollment Programs -- Rep. Flores authored a bill that will allow and encourage more high school students to take advantage of dual enrollment programs so that high school students can get an early jump in acquiring college credit. Because of these efforts, high school students will be able to take authorized "dual credit" courses off campus and still be eligible to participate in extracurricular activities or UIL competitions.
Early High School Graduation Program -- Rep. Flores authored a bill, which eventually passed as a part of a larger bill that makes Texas students of migratory workers and military families eligible for the Early High School Graduation Program.
Agua in La Joya -- A bill that charts a pathway to success for the new Agua Special Utility District (formerly the La Joya Water Supply Corporation (LJWSC)) was included in a larger bill that passed during the 80th Legislature. The passage of this bill is the latest step toward reforming the much-maligned LJWSC and providing quality water service to residents served by the utility.
Transportation Funding for Hidalgo County -- Rep. Flores authored legislation that will help fund critical transportation projects in Hidalgo County. The bill provides for funds of critical transportation projects in Hidalgo County through a local option vehicle registration fee. These funds will ensure future projects are started at an earlier date than scheduled to encourage economic development and meet the growing needs of Hidalgo County.
Travel Trailer Tax Exemption -- Rep. Flores authored a bill to eliminate double taxation of certain travel trailers, which will help the Valley's declining Winter Texan industry. The tax relief is expected to encourage economic activity and help local businesses.

Rep. Flores has built an impressive portfolio of accomplishments for the people that elected him since first serving in the legislature in 1997. Rep. Flores secured millions of dollars in increased funding for South Texas College -- the fastest growing community college in Texas -- and the University of Texas Pan American to expand professional and other programs to meet local workforce needs. Rep. Flores also secured the largest ever dollar increase in history for the South Texas highway system. Other initiatives included the Valley-wide World Birding Center, co-sponsoring legislation which provided for a $3,000 across the board teacher pay raise (the largest in history), additional funding for early childhood education, an increase in teacher retirement pay, "second chance" programs for school children, the passage of the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which provides health insurance to children of hard-working Texas families who earn too little to afford the high cost of private health insurance.

Rep. Flores also passed and lured the first State Veterans Cemetery to the Rio Grande Valley -- located in Mission, Texas. Other legislative accomplishments include the authorization for a Tejano Monument on the Capitol grounds -- including securing more than $1.2 million for the monument project during the 80th Legislature -- and increased death benefits for spouses and dependent children of peace officers and firemen killed in the line of duty.

Rep. Flores also authored legislation creating the "Texas Ag First Act." The new law requires school districts to give preference to Texas grown or processed agriculture products including vegetation for landscaping purposes, during their purchasing procedures so long as the cost to the school district is equal and the quality is comparable.

Among other awards and recognition, Rep. Flores was named the Texas Society of Architect's 2003 Distinguished Statesman of the Year, one of the State Association of Fire Fighters' Legislator of the Year, recognition from the Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas, inducted into the Texas Association of Realtors Hall of Honor, and named a Friend of Texas Charities by the Bingo Interest Group. Chairman Flores was also officially proclaimed a "Goodlife - Buen Vida" member of Benavidez Elementary of the La Joya I.S.D. in 1999. Also in 1999, the board of trustees, president, faculty, staff and students of South Texas Community College honored Rep. Flores with their "deepest appreciation and gratitude for his outstanding leadership and visionary endeavors to enhance the educational advancement of the Rio Grande Valley, and his considerable contributions to the College's continued success."

The Texas Game Warden Association selected Rep. Flores as their 1999 Legislator of the Year, and the Association of Texas Professional Educators, Mission Local, presented Rep. Flores with their first annual "Texas Spirit of Education Award" in January 1999. The Texas Citrus Mutual adopted a resolution in January 2000 recognizing the numerous and outstanding contributions that Rep. Flores has made to the citrus industry.

In addition, Rep. Flores received the TAMACC (Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce) Leadership Award in 1997 and 1999, for his contributions to the Hispanic community, and the Upper Valley Associates of Life Underwriters' Outstanding Legislator Award in 1997.

Rep. Flores is married to his high school sweetheart and wife of 31 years, the former Debra Garcia. The couple has two children, Ismael Jr., and Eric. Rep. Flores and his family reside in Palmview, Texas.