Governor Rick Perry
Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Perry
1) Early in his term as governor Perry worked to make health care more accessible. He pushed through the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) designed to insure 500,000 children and convinced the state Legislature to increase health funding by $6 billion. Some of these programs have since faced funding reductions and Governor Perry has refused to resume funding to previous levels even though Federal Matching Funds for Healthcare above and beyond the amount dedicated by the legislature would be available.
2) In September 2009, Perry declared that Texas was recession-proof: "As a matter of fact...someone had put a report out that the first state that's coming out of the recession is going to be the state of Texas...I said, 'We're in one?"
[Perry on Recession: "We're in one?" Political Wire, September 19, 2009]
Paul Burka, senior executive editor of Texas Monthly, criticized his remarks, saying "You cannot be callous and cavalier when people are losing their jobs and their homes."
[Let them eat chili Texas Monthly, September 18, 2009]
3) Perry, a...fiscal conservative...campaigned on tax reform and job growth...resisted creating a Texas state income tax and sales tax increases, protected the state's "Rainy Day fund", balanced the state budget as required by state law, and was reelected on a platform to reduce property taxes...However, shortly after taking office, he backed down from the reduction of residential property taxes.
Your not a hero for doing what you are required, by law, to do.
4) In early 2006 Perry angered some fiscal conservatives...by supporting an increase in the State Franchise Tax alongside a Property Tax Reform Bill. Many organizations within the Republican Party...condemned Perry's tax bill, HB-3, and likened it to a "back door" state income tax.
[Harris County GOP Passes Resolution Against HB3 - Right of Texas, Word Press, http://rightoftexas.wordpress.com/2006/05/16/harris-county-gop-passes-resolution-against-hb3-2/]
Perry claimed...that the bill would save the average taxpayer $2,000 in property taxes. Critics contended that Perry inflated these numbers...actual tax savings...would average only $150 per family.
[Perry's Deceptive Advertising Analyzed by the Lone Star Project - Burnt Orange Report, http://www.burntorangereport.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=959]
5) In 2003, Perry signed legislation that created the Texas Enterprise Fund to enhance the development of the economy of Texas a top priority. In 2004, Perry authorized the Enterprise Fund to make a $20 million grant to Countrywide Financial in return for a promise "to create 7,500 new jobs in the state by 2010."...In the fall of 2007...Countrywide assured Perry's office that the company "believed" it would meet its 2010 commitment, only to be acquired in a fire sale two months later by Bank of America.
[Austin American-Statesman, November 9, 2007, page D1]
6) His sales tax cuts have attracted new retail businesses to Texas, but in recent years his tax cuts have come under scrutiny for having sapped strength from some government programs. In 2004, Texas ranked #491 in percentage of residents having completed high school and number #422 in physical exercise.
1-[http://www.statemaster.com/graph/edu_per_of_peo_who_hav_com_hig_sch_inc_equ-completed-high-school-including-equivalency]
2-[http://www.statemaster.com/graph/hea_phy_exe-health-physical-exercise]
7) He condemned the United States Supreme Court decision in Lawrence vs. Texas striking down sodomy laws and called Texas' last such law "appropriate."
[Perry Calls Sodomy Law ‘Appropriate’ - Associated Press, December 4, 2002, http://www.sodomylaws.org/usa/usnews52.htm]
You cannot legislate morality, Homosexuals have a right to choose their lifestyles and this law covered Heterosexuals that engaged in Sodomy, as well.
8) Trans-Texas Corridor
We don't need to explain to Texans why that was a bad idea, but for all the Foreigners out there - Violated Property Rights; Gave the contract to a Spanish Company and the "lion's share" of the proceeds as well; It actually impeded the ability for Texans to conduct business along the corridor, because it was a basically "closed" highway with very few interchanges, limited access and exit ramps, and virtually no "Feeder" roads allowing commerce; It was estimated to cost more than 3 times the initial estimate, somewhere around $390 Billion, we could get High Speed Magnetic Rail for that price; and it was basically a way to get Mexican trucks across Texas in record time, no other functionality was ever discovered.
9) Cameron Todd Willingham: Questions were raised in 2009 by a report from an investigator hired by the Texas Forensic Science Commission that an innocent person may have been executed in Texas while Perry was governor. The report concluded that a fire allegedly set by Cameron Todd Willingham in 1991 to murder his three daughters could not have been arson...He was executed in Texas on February 17, 2004. PRIOR to his execution Dr. Gerald Hurst, an Austin scientist and fire investigator, reviewed the case and concluded there was "no evidence of arson, the SAME conclusion reached by other fire investigators. Hurst's report was sent to governor Rick Perry's office as well as Board of Pardons and Parole.1 Neither responded to Willingham's appeals. "The whole case was based on the purest form of junk science," Hurst later said. "There was no item of evidence that indicated arson."2
1-[Dare Devils: Governor Rick Perry and the Texas Death Panel - The Huffington Post, March 6, 2010, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rachel-farris/dare-devils-governor-rick_b_284698.html]
2-[Grann, David (2009-09-07) "Trial by Fire: Did Texas execute an innocent man?" - The New Yorker, http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/09/07/090907fa_fact_grann]
On October 2009, Perry replaced three members of Texas Forensic Science Commission just two days before it was to hear from Dr. Beyler, the author of the latest of three reports to conclude that arson was not the likely cause of the 1991 fire. As a result, the hearing was postponed indefinitely, and critics of the governor accused him of trying to quash the Willingham probe.
[CNN, 1 October 2009, Shake-up in Texas execution probe draws criticism, questions, http://edition.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/10/01/texas.execution.probe/index.html]
Ousted head of the forensics panel, Samuel Bassett, has stated he felt pressure from Perry's office and that they (Gov Rick Perry's Office) felt the Beyler report was a "waste of State money" and that the Willingham investigation should be a lower priority. He went on to say that they (Gov Rick Perry's Office) indicated they were not happy with the course of the Willingham investigation and hinted at reducing the commission's funding.
[Chicago Tribune, 12 October 2009, Cameron Todd Willingham: Former head of Texas forensics panel probing 1991 fire says he felt pressured by Gov. Perry aides, http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-arson-williinghamoct12,0,7089579.story?page=1]
I believe in the Death Penalty as a last resort. We should change our Prison system to a more Rehabilitation based system not a Punishment based one. If that doesn't change the person, than do what we must. But I have a serious caveat, the only time we use the Death Penalty is when there is DEFINITIVE PROOF of the crime, not "Beyond a Reasonable Doubt" or "Propensity of Evidence". If there is not definitive proof evidenced by fingerprints, DNA, Video Tape, and/or a Confession, then we give "Life in Prison". Too many people, lately, have been found innocent through DNA tests, we should err on the side of caution!
But, it is deplorable the way he used strong-arm tactics to cover up his lack of caring for a man's life! As Governor, inmates are still your responsibility. Crimes may make them undesirable in society, but it does not remove their humanity, why don't you show some, Rick Perry!
10) The Governor's Clean Coal Technology Council continues to explore ways to generate "clean energy" with coal. After the 2009 legislative session, Perry signed House Bill 469 which includes incentives for clean coal technology breakthroughs.
Perry rejects regulation of greenhouse gas emissions because he says it would have "devastating implications" for the Texas economy and energy industry. He has stated that he supports an "all of the above" energy strategy including oil, coal, nuclear, biofuels, hydroelectric, solar, and wind forms of energy.
You know my stance on the continued use of Hydro-Carbons as fuel and energy, suicidal ridiculous. Nuclear plants produce too much long-term waste without any real benefit, it is estimated that most Nuclear Plants only generate enough profits to cover their own costs. He is very weak on any Alternative Energy solutions and has no plans for the immediate future except to follow the Status Quo of the Republican party, the "Use everything, something's bound to work". That's an example of Policy over informed decision.
Credit where credit is Due:
1) He...increased school funding prior to the 2002 election and created new scholarship programs to help needy children, including $300 million for the Texas GRANT Scholarship Program. Some $9 billion was allocated to Texas public schools, colleges, and universities and combined with a new emphasis on accountability for both teachers and students.
This is his one shining moment, which he has rode for another election and this campaign. Since doing this drop-out rates have increased and tuition increases for higher learning has outpaced both inflation and the national average. Yet, the amount per student spent, has declined.
2) In 2003, Perry sponsored a controversial state constitutional amendment to cap medical malpractice rewards; this proposal was narrowly approved by voters.
This legislation not only caused a decrease in malpractice insurance rates, but caused a significant uptick in the number of doctors seeking to practice in the state.
[More Doctors in Texas after malpratice Caps - New York Times, www.nytimes.com/2007/10/05/us/05doctors.html]
3) July 21, 2005 after Perry vetoed all funding for public schools for the 2007-2008 biennium. He vowed not to "approve an education budget that shortchanges teacher salary increases, textbooks, education technology, and education reforms. And I cannot let $2 billion sit in some bank account when it can go directly to the classroom."
Late in 2005, as approval of his governorship sunk to new lows in public opinion polls, Perry requested assistance from...John Sharp...to head an education task force charged with preparing a bipartisan education plan...special session convened on April 17, 2006...the legislature adopted it.1 For his successful efforts, Sharp was later nominated by the Dallas Morning News for the "Texan of the Year" award.2
1-[Office Of the Governor, http://www.governor.state.tx.us/priorities/tax_reform/TTRC_report/files/TTRC_report.pdf]
2-[DMN 2005 Texan of the Year - Dallas Morning News, http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/texanofyear/stories/DN-toy4_27edi.ART.State.Edition1.3e5fbfa.html]
4) Perry is pro-life and opposes government funding for elective abortions. In 2005, Perry...signed an abortion bill that limited late-term abortions and required girls under the age of eighteen who procure abortions to notify their parents.
The Government should not spend the People's Tax Dollars to Pay for an "elective", unnecessary surgery, especially when it is not condoned by most of the people, 51% against Abortion in the latest polls, and necessary surgeries are not being funded. Late Term Abortion is a cruel, unnecessary procedure that is so horrendous even many Abortion Dr's oppose it. Parents should always know when any major event is happening with their child, if you have to hide what you're doing, it's usually wrong.
5) Perry...supports the definition of marriage as between "one man and one woman".
I support a legal monogamous union for Homosexuals, with all the benefits, perks, and tax breaks enjoyed by Heterosexual monogamous unions, I do not support the use of the word "Marriage" for this union.
6) On February 2, 2007, Perry issued an executive order mandating that Texas girls be vaccinated with Gardasil, a newly approved drug manufactured by Merck that protects against some strains of the human papilloma virus which causes cervical cancer
On May 9, 2007, Perry allowed a bill to go into law that would undo his executive order..Perry said he decided not to prolong the debate because the Legislature had enough time and enough votes to override a veto.
[http://www.statesman.com/news/content/region/legislature/stories/05/09/9hpv.html]
This was for Disease Control not Birth Control. As usual, the main opponents were people that think anytime you mention any subject dealing with sexual organs our children are going to run out and have orgies. They think that an "out-of-conversation" approach is going to keep their children from knowing about sex. Anyone that thinks their Public School attending children don't know about sex already, is seriously deluded, but to fight an option that addresses a very serious and potentially fatal disease, is criminal and inhumane.
7) April 2009, Perry endorsed a resolution supporting state sovereignty as reserved by the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. On April 9, 2009, Gov. Perry said, "I believe that our federal government has become oppressive in its size, its intrusion into the lives of our citizens, and its interference with the affairs of our State. That is why I am here today to express my unwavering support for efforts all across our country to reaffirm the States' rights affirmed by the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. I believe that returning to the letter and spirit of the U.S. Constitution and its essential 10th Amendment will free our State from undue regulations, and ultimately strengthen our Union."
At a tea party protest held on April 15, 2009, Perry said, "Texas is a unique place. When we came into the union in 1845, one of the issues was that we would be able to leave if we decided to do that...My hope is that America and Washington in particular pays attention. We've got a great union. There's absolutely no reason to dissolve it. But if Washington continues to thumb their nose at the American people, who knows what may come of that." In reference to Perry's comments, a spokesperson said that Perry "never advocated seceding". According to Time magazine, experts say that Texas cannot legally secede but it may split into five states. In an op-ed piece distributed on May 17, 2009, Gov. Perry stated "I have never advocated for secession and never will."
I do not believe we should secede from the nation, either. If Washington continues not to listen to the American People and continues to infringe upon State sovereignty, then we should just kick Washington out. Best way to control the Federal Government is to just fire everyone! No more State's Taxes going to them, what can they do?
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If you have read this site, you know how much I value Education. Here are some of the latest stats for Texas;
NOTE: Public schools in Texas are funded primarily by local property taxes which creates a heavy burden on the local community to pay for their own schools, which in turn, creates inequities between rich and poor school districts.
Window on State Government
Susan Combs
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
http://www.window.state.tx.us/comptrol/wwstand/wws0512ed/
”Nothing is more important than education. Our state‘s future tax base and fiscal well-being depend directly on a highly educated work force."
—Carole Keeton Strayhorn, Texas Comptroller
Public Education - Facts & Figures
#1 Number of operating public school districts, school year 2004 (1,227)
#2 Public school enrollment, Fall 2005 (4,383,871)
#6 In the nation in student growth. Percentage change in public school enrollment, Fall 2002 to Fall 2003 (1.7%). The general student population in Texas public schools grew by 11.1% between school years 1999 and 2005, with the largest percent of growth seen among low income and minority children.
#50 Percent of Texans with a high school diploma (Only 78.3% of Texans 25 years of age and older had a high school diploma in 2004)
#11 Percentage of public elementary and secondary students eligible for free or reduced-price meals in school year 2003 (46.2%)
Student Performance:
#14 Percentage of 4th-graders scoring at or above proficient in math in school year 2005 (40%)
#20 Percentage of 8th-graders scoring at or above proficient in math in school year 2005 (31%)
#35 Number of schools identified as needing improvement based on adequate yearly progress, school year 2004 (199)
#35 Percentage of 8th-graders scoring at or above proficient in reading in school year 2005 (26%)
#35 Percentage of 4th-graders scoring at or above proficient in reading in school year 2005 (29%)
#36 High school graduation rates in school year 2002 (68%) This figure was lower in 2007-2008 when we achieved only 64.1% Graduation Rate, we ranked 42nd in the nation
#46 Average math SAT scores in school year 2005 (502)
#49 Average verbal SAT scores in school year 2005 (493)
Staffing:
#2 Number of teachers in public K-12 schools, school year 2005 (294,547)
#26 Student to teacher ratio in public elementary and secondary schools, 2005 school year (14.9:1) (The student to teacher ratio in Texas has not significantly improved since 2000.)
#33 Average salaries of public school teachers, school year 2005 ($41,009). Teacher salaries in Texas are not keeping pace with the national average. The gains realized from the last state-funded across-the-board pay raise authorized in 1999, which moved the ranking from 33 to as high as 26th in the nation, have disappeared over the last five years.
• Between school years 1999 and 2005, the number of central administrators employed by Texas public schools grew by 32.5%, overall staffing in public schools grew by 15.6%, while the number of teachers grew only 13.3%.
Funding:
#13 Per capita state and local government expenditures for elementary and secondary education in the 2002 school year ($1,476)
#13 Per capita state and local government property tax revenue in the 2002 school year ($1,129)
#13 Percentage of revenue for public K-12 schools from local government, school year 2004 (50.5%)
#15 Per pupil public school local funding, school year 2003 ($4,278)
#19 Per pupil public school federal funding, school year 2003 ($800)
#40 Current expenditures for public K-12 schools per student in Fall enrollment, in fiscal year 2005 ($7,142) (According to the National Education Association, Texas was the only state in the nation to cut per pupil spending in fiscal year 2005.)
#40 Percentage of revenue for public K-12 schools from state government, school year 2004 (38.6%)
#46 Per-pupil public school state funding, school year 2003 ($3,255)
Higher Education - Facts & Figures
#26 Per capita state and local government expenditures for higher education in fiscal year 2002 ($575)
#35 Percentage of population 25 years or older with a bachelor’s degree or higher in 2004 (24.5%)
• Conservatively adjusted for inflation costs of 4% through fiscal year 2007, from fiscal years 2002 to 2007, the Texas state budget was cut in terms of real dollar, per-student funding for universities by 19.92%; for community colleges the per-student cut was 35.29%.
• From fiscal years 2002 to 2006, average tuition and fees at public universities increased 61.4%. Average tuition and fees at community colleges increased 51.3%.
• California has 9 nationally recognized research institutions; New York has 7; Pennsylvania has 4; while Texas, the second most populous state in the nation, has only 3.
• Out of Texas’ 145 public and private higher education institutions, only 1 private institution, Rice University, ranked among the nation’s top 50.
• The number of students attending Texas colleges and universities increased by 23.6% from Fall 1999 to Fall 2005 with the highest growth in community and technical colleges.
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http://www.investintexasschools.org/progress/statistics.php
Texas School Finance - The Current State :
• For the 2002-2003 school year, the Texas Education Agency reports spending per pupil as $7,088. The U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics reports spending per student in Texas at $6,549 for 2000-2001 which places Texas 37th in the nation on education spending.
• The state share for public education has decreased to 38%, the lowest level since WWII, while the local share has increased to 62%. In 1945, the state share for funding public schools was at 55%. ( Legislative Budget Board )
• 494 school districts have a tax rate of $1.50 or higher representing 39 percent of all districts and 46.4 percent of all students enrolled in Texas public schools. Over 691 school districts, or approximately 70 percent of all school districts, have a tax rate ranging between $1.45 or higher (Comptroller's property tax study, 2004)
• According to the House Research Organization general revenue-related funding through the FSP was reduced by $1.2 billion from the previous biennium. Much of the state funding decrease is made up by a $1.3 billion increase in funding from the Federal government, and an increase of $750 million in property taxes recaptured from property-wealthy school districts (Texas Budget Highlights: Fiscal 2004-05; State Finance Report 78-3, Nov. 17, 2003)
• Recaptured monies - $765 M in 2001-2002
$974 M in 2002-2003
$1.3 B in 2003-2004 (estimated)
• Texas currently spends about $745 per student less than the national average (Texas Education Agency)
• Texas ranks 48th among the 50 states in total taxes as a percentage of personal income (U.S. Census)
• A landmark 1996 study published in the Harvard Educational Review by Brian Powell and Lala Carr Steelman found that for every $1000 spent per student above the national average, SAT scores increased by 15 points. Texas' spending per student, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, is more than $400 per student below the national average. Texas currently ranks 47th nationally in average SAT scores.
According to Steve Murdock, official state demographer, if present education performance trends continue, by 2040 Texas will have:
• A less skilled, less educated workforce earning lower wages
• An increased demand for workforce training
• A 40% increase in the poverty rate
• A 50% increase in people on welfare
• Declining average income for households
• 54.3% increase in prison population
• 36.8% increase of youth in Texas Youth Commission programs
• $6.3 billion increase in elementary-secondary costs
• $840 million increase in higher education costs
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Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
1200 East Anderson Lane
Austin, TX 78752
512-427-6101
http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/Reports/PDF/1096.PDF
Institutions
There are 143 public and independent institutions
of higher education in Texas:
• 50 public community college districts (with
multiple campuses)
• 32 public four-year universities
• 3 public two-year, upper-division universities
and centers
• 4 campuses in the Texas State Technical
College System (including three extension
centers)
• 9 public health-related institutions
• 3 public two-year, lower-division Lamar state
colleges
• 39 independent four-year colleges and
universities
• 1 independent medical school
• 2 independent junior colleges
