Reprint from the Progress Times - February 29, 2008
©Progress Times 2008 - All Rights Reserved

Sparks fly in Kino-Sandra exchange

 

The highlight of the Hidalgo County Bar Association candidates forum at The Club at Cimarron last week was a sharp exchange between State Rep. Kino Flores and challenger Sandra Rodriguez.

Dr. Jerry Polinard, political science professor at the University of Texas-Pan American, moderated the forum. Two questions were posed to each candidate. The candidate selected to answer first was given the opportunity to make a brief response following the opponent’s rebuttal.

Attending the event, in addition to Flores and Rodriguez, were candidates for the newly-created 449th District Court, Maxine Longoria-Nash and Danny Rios; 398th District Court Judge Aida Salinas Flores (unopposed); Dori Contreras Garza, candidate for Chief Justice, 13th Court of Appeals; District 40 State Rep. Aaron Pena and challenger Eddie Saenz; and District 41 State Rep. Veronica Gonzalez (unopposed).

The first question Polinard posed to Flores was to explain his position on the state Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Flores said he voted to restore the CHIP program.

"We were able to put 173,000 kids back on the rolls of CHIP," he said. In addition, he said he voted to remove barriers that prevented parents from eligibility to enroll their children in CHIP. These barriers included having more than $500 in savings, or having more than one car. He also said he supported the bill, which was ultimately approved, that extended the enrollment period from six months to 12 months before the family’s eligibility had to be re-approved. 

"We were able to enroll over 33,000 kids in Hidalgo County itself. We improved access and we improved quality" of the CHIP program, he added.

Flores used an analogy to illustrate the dilemma he faced.

"I would like to give everyone here one million dollars. But I don’t have one million dollars to give." He likened this to the situation the state legislature faced when considering renewal of the CHIP program. He would like to extend CHIP coverage to all children in Texas, but the program would be too costly for taxpayers to bear.

"We improved two things," he said. "We improved access and we improved quality."

In her rebuttal, Rodriguez said, "Mr. Flores voted seven times against the CHIP program. There is no reason why anyone should vote against it, even once. We do not have the same amount of children as we had when CHIP program first started. Mr. Flores has to take responsibility for that."

In his response, Flores said, "It’s clear my opponent does not understand the legislative process…There were not seven votes there were seven amendments. The idea in the legislature is the art of compromise. You have to know when to hold and when to fold. In the end of the day we went from zero 173,000 enrolled in CHIP.

The second question was posed to Rodriguez. Polinard asked if she would support Craddick for Speaker of the House.

Rodriguez said, "No I do not support Craddick for House Speaker."

Flores replied, "I have not had the opportunity to vote for a Democrat speaker in either of the last two terms. If I get the chance to vote for a Democrat speaker, I will be voting for him."

He further explained that usually there is only one name up for a vote when it comes time to choose the House Speaker, and you have the option of spitting in the face of the most powerful man in the House, or trying to work with him so you can get the legislation approved you need for your constituents. 

"I have a responsibility to the people that I serve. I have to deliver for them," Flores said.