In his state of the state address Tuesday, Governor Rick Perry outlined what the state must do to remain a leader in the country. He placed an emphasis on education, cutting taxes and strong budget control.
Governor Perry boasted that Texas led the nation out of recession and into recovery, citing that a half a million private sector jobs were added across the state the past two years and 1.4 million over the past ten years. He said, "We are creating all kinds of jobs, low paying jobs, medium paying jobs, high paying jobs."
But in order to continue on the right path, the Governor told the state legislature, "We should continue to scrub the budget for any waste and redundancies, streamlining wherever possible. We also need to do away with the practice of using dedicated funds and specific fees for anything other than the purpose for which they were intended."
He called for a mechanism to be put in place to give the option of returning tax money directly to those who paid it when the state brings in more than it needs. That would require an amendment to the Texas Constitution. A constitutional amendment requires approval of two-thirds of lawmakers and by voters on a statewide ballot.
Governor Perry also addressed education, reminding the legislature that two years ago he called on state colleges to create degree programs that would cost students only $10,000 dollars. He also made the announcement, "Today, I'm proud to tell you that 13 Texas universities have announced plans for a $10,000 degree."
But he also said there is more to do to ensure every Texan gets a good education, saying, "To that end, I've called for a four-year tuition freeze for incoming freshmen."
Democrats, meanwhile, responded by saying Perry used his address to quote, "Continue his endless run for president, rather than focus on the needs of Texans."
Texas Democratic Party Chairman, Gilberto Hinojosa said, "We must do better for this great state of ours. The best way to create jobs and secure a strong economy for Texas is to invest in our future. We need to educate our children."
Governor Perry also called for nearly $2 Billion in tax relief. He proposed a nearly $4 million investment in the state's water and transportation infrastructure. That would come in a one- time "pull" from the rainy day fund.
