By DAVID A. DAZ
Texas veterans leaders on Thursday June 11 denounced Texas Monthly for naming Rep.
Ismael Kino Flores D-Palmview to that magazines Ten Worst list of state legislators saying the magazine vindictively punished him for successfully championing major legislation that will help tens of thousands of military veterans.They also said the magazines criticism was a shot against veterans throughout Texas who had worked with Flores to carry legislation that will give disabled veterans depending on the extent of their physical disability up to a 100 percent tax break on their home property taxes.
They held a press conference at the state veterans cemetery in Mission to set the record straight about the key role Flores played in securing legislative passage of his bill.
The disabled veterans tax break was approved by the Texas Legislature in the final days of its regular session but not until after Flores openly challenged the power structure in the House of Representatives.
He said key House leaders were trying to kill the bill then blame Flores for the loss.
But Flores was criticized by Paul Burka an editor for Texas Monthly in an upcoming magazine article which drew strong reactions from area veterans leaders.
He interrupted a debate over cockfighting to make a parliamentary inquiry about whether cockfighting was more important than veterans and why trivial bills were being scheduled ahead of his bill and he had an in-your-face confrontation with the chairman of the committee that schedules bills for debate Burka wrote chastising Flores for pushing so hard for the veterans legislation.
This is disgusting. Frankly it is an insult to all veterans" said Homer Gallegos co-chair of the
Veterans Alliance of the Rio Grande Valley told the Rio Grande Guardian an Internet newspaper which focus on border legislative news. Kino Flores deserved to be on the Ten Best category for all the work he did for the veterans community this session. He was our champion."
Gallegos view was supported by other area veterans leaders who had gathered at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery in Mission a state facility which Flores helped bring to deep South Texas.
First and foremost I want to express my appreciation for the efforts presented by Rep. Kino Flores.
As far as we are concerned he is our champion said Tony Cordova of McAllen a decorated Vietnam War veteran who was representing the McAllen chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. Everybody has his opinions and Mr. Burka must have his. After his expressions in that magazine I dont know how he could be a veteran. A veteran would not ever publish it in a document as well-read as that (Texas Monthly).
Emilio De los Santos the Veterans Services Director for Hidalgo County expressed similar disappointment with the magazines article which is already posted on Texas Monthlys website.
It is sad to read how one individual Mr. Paul Burka from Texas Monthly demeaned our (Valley) legislators said De los Santos. Their issue dealt with who brings shame on the Legislature De los Santos added. I think it should have been about who brings honor and dignity to our great state and its people. Thats what Kino Flores did by standing up for the 1.7 million veterans in Texas.
Flores a U.S. Army veteran said he would do everything in his power to make sure disabled veterans and their families were protected by the state legislature including taking on powerful legislative enemies.
We veterans we dont leave anyone behind Flores declared And I wasnt about to leave these veterans behind.
Texas veterans leaders on Thursday June 11 denounced Texas Monthly for naming Rep. Ismael Kino Flores D-Palmview to that magazines Ten Worst list of state legislators saying the magazine vindictively punished him for successfully championing major legislation that will help tens of thousands of military veterans.They also said the magazines criticism was a shot against veterans throughout Texas who had worked with Flores to carry legislation that will give disabled veterans depending on the extent of their physical disability up to a 100 percent tax break on their home property taxes.
They held a press conference at the state veterans cemetery in Mission to set the record straight about the key role Flores played in securing legislative passage of his bill.
The disabled veterans tax break was approved by the Texas Legislature in the final days of its regular session but not until after Flores openly challenged the power structure in the House of Representatives.
He said key House leaders were trying to kill the bill then blame Flores for the loss.
But Flores was criticized by Paul Burka an editor for Texas Monthly in an upcoming magazine article which drew strong reactions from area veterans leaders.
He interrupted a debate over cockfighting to make a parliamentary inquiry about whether cockfighting was more important than veterans and why trivial bills were being scheduled ahead of his bill and he had an in-your-face confrontation with the chairman of the committee that schedules bills for debate Burka wrote chastising Flores for pushing so hard for the veterans legislation.
This is disgusting. Frankly it is an insult to all veterans" said Homer Gallegos co-chair of the Veterans Alliance of the Rio Grande Valley told the Rio Grande Guardian an Internet newspaper which focus on border legislative news. Kino Flores deserved to be on the Ten Best category for all the work he did for the veterans community this session. He was our champion."
Gallegos view was supported by other area veterans leaders who had gathered at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery in Mission a state facility which Flores helped bring to deep South Texas.
First and foremost I want to express my appreciation for the efforts presented by Rep. Kino Flores.
As far as we are concerned he is our champion said Tony Cordova of McAllen a decorated Vietnam War veteran who was representing the McAllen chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. Everybody has his opinions and Mr. Burka must have his. After his expressions in that magazine I dont know how he could be a veteran. A veteran would not ever publish it in a document as well-read as that (Texas Monthly).
Emilio De los Santos the Veterans Services Director for Hidalgo County expressed similar disappointment with the magazines article which is already posted on Texas Monthlys website.
It is sad to read how one individual Mr. Paul Burka from Texas Monthly demeaned our (Valley) legislators said De los Santos. Their issue dealt with who brings shame on the Legislature De los Santos added. I think it should have been about who brings honor and dignity to our great state and its people. Thats what Kino Flores did by standing up for the 1.7 million veterans in Texas.
Flores a U.S. Army veteran said he would do everything in his power to make sure disabled veterans and their families were protected by the state legislature including taking on powerful legislative enemies.
We veterans we dont leave anyone behind Flores declared And I wasnt about to leave these veterans behind.
