Welcome to MandoMartinez.com!

The official Campaign Website of Texas State Representative District 39
Armando "Mando" Martinez

As an active member of the community, I believe that together we can make a difference for District 39 and the Rio Grande Valley. Fresh ideas and enthusiasm are of importance to lead District 39 towards growth and prosperity. Take a look at some of my accomplishments:
  • Member of the Insurance Committee
  • Member of the Business and Industry Committee
  • Appointed to the National Health Committee, one of the fifteen standing committees of the National Conference of State Legislators
  • Authored HB 2510 which allows for the creation of a light rail commuter system in the Rio Grande Valley
  • Authored HB 1259 which requested a 5% cost of living for retired teachers
  • Authored HB 1261 and co-authored HB 109 to restore CHIP funding
  • Worked closely with the ACLU, LULAC and MALDEF  to strengthen HB 805 which will aid in the identification of unconscious patients
  • Authored HB 233 which will provide protection for paramedics and firefighters to assure immediate aid to injured individuals
  • Joint authored legislation to provide lighting in colonias throughout Texas
  • Authored HCR 138 to address the medical needs of the 46,000 veterans in South Texas by urging Congress and the Veterans Administration to construct a Veteran's hospital in Weslaco.
  • Passed legislation to create a new county court at law in Hidalgo County
  • Selected as “79th Legislative Session Freshman of the Year” by the entire membership of the Texas House of Representatives
  • Executive member of the State Democratic Party
  • Member of the following caucuses: Democratic Caucus, Mexican American Legislative Caucus, Cultural Resources Caucus, Texas Manufacturer's Caucus, Sportsman Caucus, Air Quality Caucus, Environmental Legislative Caucus, and Woman's Health Caucus
  • Appropriations committee
  • Corrections committee
  • Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence committee
  • Obtained over 10million dollars to reconstruct Citrus Center in Weslaco for Agricultural Science and Research
  • HB 1988 Lifetime protective order for victims of violence
  • Created two additional county courts at law in the 81st legislative session.
  • Secured 40million dollars for the construction of the Department of Public Safety regional headquarters in Weslaco.
  • Joint authored legislation establishing of a Medical School in the Rio Grande Valley
  • Joint authored legislation creating the Medicaid Buy in program for families who have children with special needs and autism.
  • Secured 5 million dollars and passed legislation for the Federally Qualified Health Centers for continued indigent healthcare services.
  • Joint authored legislation for the construction of a Veterans Hospital in the Rio Grande Valley.
  • Supported legislation for veterans who are 100% disabled to receive and exemption on property taxes.

81st Legislative Session Accomplishments

  • Member of the Corrections Committee
  • Member of the Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence Committee
  • Appointed Assistant Floor Leader by the House Democratic Caucus
  • Authored HB 1172, and assisted with the passage of HB 3613, which allows for disabled Veterans’ to receive a tax exemption on their homestead
  • Authored HB 84 which requested an annual cost of living adjustment for retired teachers
  • Co-Authored HB 2217 which related to the establishment of a Veterans’ Hospital in the Rio Grande Valley
  • Authored HB 2881 which would create a healthcare plan for families who do not qualify for Medicaid and/or their children who do not qualify for Children Health Insurance Plan (CHIP)
  • Assisted in the establishment and construction of the Texas Department of Public Safety Regional Headquarters in Weslaco
  • Filed and supported legislation to establish a medical school and law school in the Rio Grande Valley
  • Authored HB 90 which would have place restrictions on novelty lighters. Novelty lighters that are promoted as children toys have been responsible for deaths and destruction throughout United States
  • Hosted Mid-Valley Day at the State Capitol for elected officials and leaders from District 39
  • Co-Hosted the “Rio Grande Valley Legislative Tour” where legislators from throughout Texas come and learn about the Rio Grande Valley
  • Appointed Subcommittee Chair of the Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence Committee
  • Authored HB 1699 which would expand the Children Health Insurance Plan to allow more children to qualify for healthcare coverage
  • Appointed Chair of the Democratic House Caucus Rules Committee
  • Authored HB 4577 and HB 4578 which established mechanisms to protect the Rio Grande Valley’s $159 million citrus industry
  • Hosted several school groups, leadership organizations, and other organizations while they visited the State Capitol
  • Executive member of the State Democratic Party
  • Member of the following caucuses: Democratic Caucus, Mexican-American Legislative Caucus, Cultural Resources Caucus, Texas Manufacturer's Caucus, Sportsman Caucus, Air Quality Caucus, Environmental Legislative Caucus, and Woman's Health Caucus
  • Authored HB 87 which would raise the homestead exemption for individuals to $45,000
  • Authored HB 1169, and supported the passage of similar legislation, which allowed for the funding of health clinics throughout Texas and the Rio Grande Valley
  • Authored HB 2888 which prohibited the discrimination against individuals who utilize governmental financial assistance for housing
  • Co-Authored HB 4793 which would create two additional county courts at law in Hidalgo County
  • Inducted into the Rio Grande Valley Walk of Fame
  • Awarded the “Best Defensive Player of the 81st Legislative Session” by the Texas State Association of Fire Fighters