Blogs

If you attended a Texas grade school, you probably know the words to Texas, Our Texas. The second stanza says it best:

Texas, O Texas! your freeborn single star,

Sends out its radiance to nations near and far,

Emblem of Freedom! it set our hearts aglow,

With thoughts of San Jacinto and glorious Alamo

Looking at trends in recent years, the word is getting out: Texas is clearly sending out its radiance to nations near and far. It's no mystery why so many people from other parts of the country are packing up and moving to Texas every single day.

Earlier this month, Directorship's Boardroom Intelligence named Texas the #1 state in the nation for business. In recent weeks, Forbes magazine ranked several Texas cities among the top places in the country for jobs, while respected economic forecasters note that Texas will lead the nation out of the recession. Last in, first out.

The Houston Chronicle noted that Texas cities make up five of the six best economies in America. Their story is based on a detailed analysis Brookings Institute of the economy in the 100 largest metro areas in the United States. All six in Texas (Houston-Sugarland-Baytown, Austin-Round Rock, San Antonio, Dallas-Ft. Worth-Arlington, McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, and El Paso) are among the strongest 20 metro areas in the nation.

To keep that Texas momentum rolling, Governor Perry was in Houston on Tuesday to sign a tax cut for more than 40,000 Texas small businesses. Before leaving the Bayou City, the Governor stopped in the radio studio with Senator Dan Patrick to chat about the 81st legislative session, Texas' economic situation, and a number of other important issues in an extended interview.

Listen to the Governor Perry's entire 20+ minute radio entire interview with Patrick below:

During the interview, Governor Perry snapped a photo of Senator Patrick and posted it on Twitter.com/GovernorPerry. Follow @GovernorPerry on Twitter for frequent updates straight from Rick Perry himself.

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This Saturday, June 20th from 11:30am to 3:30pm, Texans for Rick Perry is holding an important Volunteer Leadership Summit in Austin, Texas.

AT&T Conference Center
Grand Ballroom
1900 University Avenue
Austin, Texas 78705

During this informative and engaging summit, Governor Perry will discuss his vision for Texas and introduce presentations from members of the Perry campaign staff on organization, fundraising, social media, polling, and grassroots. Gov. Perry's volunteers will leave the summit better prepared to help Governor Perry win in 2010 and keep Texas the strongest state in America.

The Governor and those of us at Texans for Rick Perry are all excited to take the Governor's successful online social media efforts offline.

RSVPs are required, and space is limited, so sign up today to secure your spot.

Click here to visit the registration page for this important event. Please bring a laptop to the summit if you have one. Lunch will be provided.

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Monday morning at the Alamo, Governor Perry signed his name to an important proposed Constitutional amendment that will protect private property rights in Texas.

"This bill represents good forward motion on the issue of eminent domain. It is the latest in an ongoing process that I believe will ultimately result in genuine Texas-style protections for private property rights," said Governor Perry.

Take a few minutes to watch some of the clips from the event for yourself on the Governor's YouTube channel:

Texans will have the opportunity to vote on this proposed Constitutional amendment in November.

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In San Antonio today, in front of the Alamo, Governor Perry signed HJR 14, which will guarantee in the Texas Constitution unprecedented protection of private property rights from eminent domain abuse.

Governor Perry, whose family has deep agricultural roots, understands that securing private property rights through eminent domain reform is vital to keeping Texas the nation's example for personal liberty and economic growth.

"Land ownership is an essential part of Texas’ culture, and we owe it to our citizens to protect their rights as landowners and members of the community from government entities that overstep their bounds and abuse eminent domain," Governor Perry said.

The measure will go to Texas voters in November 2009 and, once approved, will give Texas the strongest private property rights it has ever had, while preventing the kinds of abuses that the Kelo v. New London U.S. Supreme Court decision opened up.

In the Kelo case, the Court ruled that government entities could use eminent domain authority for economic development projects rather than traditional public uses. HJR 14 will move Texas in the right direction and go a long way toward keeping Texas the best place in the country to live, work, and find a piece of the American Dream.

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Back in January, Governor Perry stood side by side with Susette Kelo, of the infamous and troubling Supreme Court case Kelo v. New London, to announce his support for eminent domain reform in Texas.

The Governor-- who grew up in a West Texas agricultural family-- fundamentally understands the importance of private property rights, so getting HJR 14 through the legislative process and before the voters of Texas as a Constitutional amendment was an important priority of the 81st legislative session.

Watch video of the entire January press conference here:

Join Governor Perry for an important signing ceremony for the proposed Constitutional amendment, HJR 14.

WHEN: MONDAY, JUNE 15 at 10am
WHERE: FRONT PLAZA of the ALAMO

Come on down to the Alamo Monday morning, and get fired up to vote for enshrining protections for private property rights into the Texas Constitution!

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On June 20th from 11:30am to 3:30pm, Texans for Rick Perry is holding an important Volunteer Leadership Summit in Austin, Texas.

During this informative and engaging summit, Governor Perry will be on hand to introduce presentations from members of the Perry campaign staff. Gov. Perry's volunteers will leave the summit better prepared to help Governor Perry keep Texas the best place in the nation to live, work, and raise a family.

RSVPs are required, and space is limited, so sign up today to secure your spot.

Click here to visit the registration page for this important event. Please bring a laptop to the summit if you have one. Additional details will follow for confirmed registrants.

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Thursday afternoon, Governor Perry appeared on Fox News with Neil Cavuto to discuss the success of Texas' recent legislative session. Texas balanced its budget, cut taxes, and left a $9 billion+ surplus in the Rainy Day Fund. Watch for yourself:

The Governor also appeared on the Fox Business Happy Hour to discuss a variety of topics. Take a look for yourself:

Visit Governor Rick Perry's YouTube channel often for more video updates.

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Earlier this week, Governor Perry paid a visit to the beautiful Texas Hill Country to address the Llano County Republican Club.

The Governor spoke at length on a variety of issues, so we cut parts of the speech into four separate videos. Check each of them out.

1. Republicans Acting Like Republicans. In this video, Governor Perry talks about how Republicans have transformed Texas since 2003 by sticking to their principles and doing what they said they would do:

2. Tort reform. In this video, the Governor speaks out on a variety of issues, including Texas' successful tort reform:

3. Voter ID. In this video, Governor Perry defends voter identification legislation designed to make our elections more secure:

4. WHY. Some people seeking office, even the most eloquent and experienced politicians, get tripped up by the question of why they are running for office. In this video, the Governor explains one of the reasons why he is running for another term:

Be sure to visit Governor Rick Perry's YouTube channel for more new videos.

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Earlier this week, Governor Perry participated in a training run with the Texas Army National Guard. KEYE news in Austin broadcast a news story about the run:

Click here to see more coverage from KEYE Austin TV.

Also, be sure to visit the Governor's official site for a list of key initiatives designed to improve the health and fitness of all Texans.

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Governor Perry received a warm welcome last night from nearly 300 folks in the Llano County Republican Club.

In a fired up speech to the lively crowd, Governor Perry spoke about Texas' balanced budget, our 9+ billion dollar Rainy Day fund surplus, our predictable regulatory environment, our accountable public school system, and our successful tort reform. The Governor also explained that Texas, unlike so many states now facing big budget deficits, actually cut taxes in this national recession.

See more Governor Rick Perry's photos from the event here.

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