Changes

Flores also angered some taxpayers who believed that municipal taxes increased too sharply during her administration. The municipal taxes were increased because property values went down so that the effective tax rate could stay the same.  Many questioned the city having paid for liquor and a mariachi band for the annual Laredo Day celebration in Washington D.C., something all cities do to thank the agency employees for their hard work.  Trips to Washington, D.C. were also criticised by people that who had not worked in the political arena and viewed the trips as "junkets." Others questioned the high salaries of certain appointed city officials. Flores herself received a salary of only $18,000 annually, as the mayoralty is part-time. The salary doubled when Salinas became mayor, but the position is still part-time. Flores said that she worked full-time, beyond what was required. She said that she was neither pleased or displeased when her term ended in the summer of 2006.<ref name=txmo/>

Flores also angered some taxpayers who believed that municipal taxes increased too sharply during her administration. The municipal taxes were increased because property values went down so that the effective tax rate could stay the same.  Many questioned the city having paid for liquor and a mariachi band for the annual Laredo Day celebration in Washington D.C., something all cities do to thank the agency employees for their hard work.  Trips to Washington, D.C. were also criticised by people that who had not worked in the political arena and viewed the trips as "junkets." Others questioned the high salaries of certain appointed city officials. Flores herself received a salary of only $18,000 annually, as the mayoralty is part-time. The salary doubled when Salinas became mayor, but the position is still part-time. Flores said that she worked full-time, beyond what was required. She said that she was neither pleased or displeased when her term ended in the summer of 2006.<ref name=txmo/>

Flores argued that the Border Patrol should not be required to pick up [[illegal alien]]s for deportation unless those individuals are carrying guns, drugs, or involved in any known crime. "I think they should just give them a bottle of water and send them on their way," she said. "Let's face it, they are coming here to work and take jobs that no one else wants anyway."<ref>''The Laredo Morning Times,''June 15, 1999.</ref> Still others objected when Flores, despite her emphasis on border security, said that the Minutemen volunteers, which seek to prevent illegal crossings by referring aliens to the Border Patrol, were "not welcome" in Laredo. Salinas also continued the criticism of the the Minutemen.  

Flores argued that the Border Patrol should not be required to pick up [[illegal alien]]s for deportation unless those individuals are carrying guns, drugs, or involved in any known crime. "I think they should just give them a bottle of water and send them on their way," she said. "Let's face it, they are coming here to work and take jobs that no one else wants anyway."<ref>''The Laredo Morning Times,''June 15, 1999.</ref> Still others objected when Flores, despite her emphasis on border security, said that the Minutemen volunteers, which seek to prevent illegal crossings by referring aliens to the Border Patrol, were "not welcome" in Laredo. Salinas also continued the criticism of the the Minutemen, having even told [[U.S. Representative [[Steve King]] of [[Iowa]] that King, a [[Republican Party|Republican]], was not welcome in Laredo while undertaking a congressional fact-finding tour.  

Flores was prominently featured, usually in a positive light, in ''The Laredo Morning Times.'' She once disputed two articles in the paper and withheld two city advertisements to make her point to newspaper executives. The LMT still named her "Laredoan of the Year. The editor found out several years later that the reporter who wrote the story as presented was not even in town at the time.

Flores was prominently featured, usually in a positive light, in ''The Laredo Morning Times.'' She once disputed two articles in the paper and withheld two city advertisements to make her point to newspaper executives. The LMT still named her "Laredoan of the Year. The editor found out several years later that the reporter who wrote the story as presented was not even in town at the time.