This is Sunday's edition of Kino Flores. A managerial consultant, Flores stopped identifying his clients and sources of income several years ago on the personal financial statements state officials are required to file.
That's not unusual. The Legislature years ago exempted lawmakers working as consultants from identifying their clients. (Nonlawyers in the Legislature had long envied their colleagues who are lawyers and who don't have to disclose their clients because of lawyer-client privilege.)
It's a system open to abuse or innuendo, particularly for lawmakers, who are paid $600 a month by the state and sometimes have little visible means of making a living.
It's also at the heart of the Flores investigation.
The last time he reported his clients, Flores disclosed that he worked for a McAllen construction company that sometimes has state contracts. He also is paid $3,000 a month by the City of McAllen to collect and audit franchise fees.
So why not pass legislation for all legislators working as consultants to identify their clients?
With the perception of today's politician. We need new laws that show every single detail of every politician including identifying their clients.
South Tx law makers include Kino Flores, Aaron Pena, and Veronica Gonzales. Those are three names I would not want to associate myself with.
