Rep. Roberto Alonzo, Grand
Prairie Chamber of Commerce
President RaDonna Hessel and
Rep. England at the 80th
Session of the Texas House
of Representatives.
GENERAL ELECTION
INFORMATION:
Early Voting: Oct. 20-31, 2010
Election Day: Nov. 4, 2010
Click here to visit Dallas
County Elections to find your
Early Voting and Election Day
times and poll locations.
State Representative
Community Involvement
Personal
State Representative, District 106
Representative Kirk England was elected in a special election to the House of Representatives on February28, 2006. Not long after being sworn into office, Governor Perry called members back to Austin to address the Supreme Court mandate regarding the funding for public schools.The Texas Legislature passed a record property tax cut of more than $15.6 billion for 2007 through 2009, this cut protected citizens from rising property taxes. The tax reform legislation created a more equitable tax distribution among businesses by eliminating corporate tax loopholes. The special session was a huge win for Texas children and teachers, $2 billion of the surplus was dedicated to public schools. In district 106, Irving ISD and Grand Prairie ISD teachers received a pay raise totaling $9 million and both school districts received $14 million in new funding.
After being reelected in 2008, Representative England was appointed to the prestigious House Committee on Business and Industry. The Business and Industry Committee compiles legislation regarding the Texas business climate and relationships between employers and employees. Representative England works hard to create better jobs and a safe work environment for employees. He also strives to provide a business climate with easy access to local resources and minimal government interference.
In addition to the Committee on Business and Industry, Mr. England will sit on the Corrections Committee, where members work hard to lower the rate of recidivism, improve rehabilitation programs and reduce the system's burden on the taxpayer.
During the 80th Legislative Session, Representative England authored,co-authored, and co-sponsored bills that were important both to his district and to the state as a whole. Two such bills were House Bills 109 and 14. He proudly co-sponsored House Bill 109, which gave eligible children additional means to join the Texas Children's Health Insurance Program. Providing adequate healthcare to children is an issue that Mr. England holds dear to him. He will continue to work with his colleagues as well as administrations in both Irving ISD and Grand Prairie ISD to ensure that children are receiving the coverage they need. Additionally, Mr. England worked along side of his colleagues on passing vital legislation regarding funding of cancer research, House Bill 14. Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas will issue grants to universities and private research facilities throughout Texas for prevention control and research. This legislation makes Texas a world leader in research and eradicating cancer for future Texans.
Kirk is an active member of the community, serving twice as the Facilities Chairman on two successful school bond elections. He is currently serving his seventh year on the Board of Directors for the YMCA and recently sat on the Capitol Campaign Committee. In 1998, Kirk was awarded an honorary lifetime membership to the Parent Teacher Association (PTA), where he took an active role in the "Reading Buddy" program.
As a member of First United Methodist Church in Grand Prairie, Kirk has served as head of the Board of Trustees, Administrative Board, helped managed the construction of the youth building and is currently serving on the Staff- Parish Relations Committee.
He is also a current member of the following local community and state organizations:
- 20 year member of the Grand Prairie Chamber of Commerce
- Grand Prairie Rotary Club
- Grand Prairie Board of Realtors
- Grand Prairie Lions Club
- Irving Chamber of Commerce
- AMBCUS Irving chapter
- Irving Retired Teachers
- River of Trade Corridor Coalition
- Tex 21
- American Legislative Exchange Council
- Texas Democratic Party
- Texas Tourism Caucus
- National and State Sportsmen's Caucus
- Air Quality Caucus
- Texas Manufacture Caucus
- Community College Caucus
- Texas High Speed Rail and Transportation Corporation Legislative Caucus
- House Democratic Caucus
Personal
Kirk England is a lifelong resident of Grand Prairie. He graduated from Grand Prairie High School in 1979, attended Texas State University, where he received his bachelor degree in Criminal Justice.
Upon graduation, he moved back to Grand Prairie and began working as a claims adjustor for State Farm Insurance. In 1985, he opened his own independent agency with State Farm and continues there today.
He and his wife, Marcy, proudly raised two children in the Grand Prairie public schools. His sons,Charles England and Sam England, are both recent graduates of the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London,Connecticut, and currently serve our country in the U.S. Coast Guard.