Gov. Perry on Government Reform

On the 80-mile drive from San Antonio to the Texas capitol in Austin, it’s difficult to miss the signs of growth. At every highway exit, it seems, huge new shopping malls greet motorists. Valleys where cattle grazed five years ago now sport shiny new Target stores, tract homes, and tennis courts. Between 2000 and 2009, Texas added about 4 million residents, more than half of them migrants from elsewhere in the nation. And Texas will almost certainly emerge from the recession with the nation’s strongest and most important economy.

In May alone, Texas, America’s second most populous state, added over 75,000 jobs—more than California (the biggest), New York (third biggest), and Florida (fourth biggest) combined. Texas has shown consistent gains in 10 of the 11 categories of private employment that the Bureau of Labor Statistics measures. The state is far more than cowboys and oil: It has several of the nation’s leading medical research centers (Baylor and UT hospitals among them), one of the biggest computer makers (Dell), and a financial industry that never took a turn for the worse. And, even though unemployment remains a tick over 8 percent (about a point and a half lower than the national average), the rapid growth is bringing this down quickly. During the last week in June, the job-hunt website Monster.com offered more new job openings in Texas than in California even though the Golden State has over 10 million more people. In a nation looking for economic good news, Texas stands out as a bright spot.

Texans for Rick Perry releases new radio ad, “Endorsement”

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today received the endorsement of the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW) PAC for re-election in 2010. Texans for Rick Perry also released a new radio ad, “Endorsement,” featuring Tom Schaz, chairman of the CCAGW PAC, which is now airing across Texas and is available at www.YouTube.com.

"Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison talks like a fiscal conservative back home, but acts like a big spender in Washington," said Schatz. "She asked for $1.6 billion in earmarks last year, and called earmarking ‘a legitimate role of Congress.’ That is one reason why Senator Hutchison came in second in the voting for 2009 Porker of the Year to liberal Democrat Barney Frank. She also has one of the worst CCAGW vote ratings on wasteful spending and taxes among Senate Republicans. Her record stands in complete contrast to Governor Rick Perry, who has held the line on taxes, demanded greater transparency in the state budget, and vetoed $35.8 million in earmarks in 2007. Governor Perry is the real fiscal conservative in the race for governor. That is why the CCAGW PAC has endorsed Governor Perry and why Texans should vote for him in the March 2nd primary.”

The mission of the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW) is to advocate the elimination of waste and inefficiency in government through nonpartisan public education programs. Each year, CCAGW tabulates its Congressional Ratings, evaluating how each member of Congress measures up on key tax and spending votes.

“I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste PAC,” said Gov. Perry. “Their mission to eliminate waste, mismanagement and inefficiency in the federal government is to be commended. In Texas, I have worked with the legislature to cut taxes, reduce spending, and eliminate waste while calling for increased transparency. Because of these efforts, our state is best positioned to weather the current challenging economic climate.”

Below is the script and sourcing materials for “Endorsement.”

“Endorsement” Script
This is Tom Schaz, chairman of the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste PAC.
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison talks like a fiscal conservative back home, but acts like a big spender in Washington.
She asked for $1.6 billion in earmarks last year, and called earmarking “a legitimate role of Congress.”
That is one reason why Senator Hutchison came in second in the voting for 2009 Porker of the Year to liberal Democrat Barney Frank.
She also has one of the worst CCAGW vote ratings on wasteful spending and taxes among Senate Republicans.
Her record stands in complete contrast to Governor Rick Perry, who has held the line on taxes, demanded greater transparency in the state budget, and vetoed $35.8 million in earmarks in 2007.
Governor Perry is the real fiscal conservative in the race for governor.
That is why the CCAGW PAC has endorsed Governor Perry and why Texans should vote for him in the March 2nd primary.

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today received the endorsement of Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform and national chairman of the Reagan Legacy Project, for re-election in 2010.

“Gov. Perry is the strongest pro-taxpayer governor in the country and a national leader in promoting greater spending transparency in government,” said Norquist. “He has consistently held the line on spending and worked hard to create a low-tax climate that has allowed people in the state of Texas to succeed and thrive. Other states and our nation’s federal government would do well to follow the example Gov. Perry has set which has offered a promising and proven alternative to the one-size-fits-all spending mentality embraced by too many leaders in this country.”

Norquist is president of Americans for Tax Reform (ATR), a coalition of taxpayer groups, individuals and businesses opposed to higher taxes at the federal, state and local levels. ATR organizes the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, which asks all candidates for federal and state office to commit themselves in writing to oppose all tax increases. To date, 172 House members and 34 senators have taken the pledge. On the state level, more than 1100 state legislators and 7 governors, including Gov. Perry, have taken the pledge. Norquist is also a board member of the National Rifle Association of America and the American Conservative Union, and president of the American Society of Competitiveness. He is contributing editor to the American Spectator Magazine and author of Leave Us Alone – Getting the Government’s Hands Off Our Money, Our Guns, Our Lives.

“I’m proud of what we have done in Texas to uphold an environment that has created the freedom for entrepreneurs to risk their capital and reap a reward, by reigning in spending, maintaining low taxes, and upholding a reasonable legal and regulatory climate,” said Gov. Perry. “I look forward to continue working with leaders and officials across our state to uphold these principles and find even more ways to strengthen our economy and attract the jobs, businesses and investment that are crucial to fostering opportunity and prosperity for Texans.”

Senator uses more than $12,000 in taxpayer money to reimburse lobbyists, corporations and donors for use of their jets; has spent more than $518,000 for 154 private flights.

NEW VIDEO “WANNA GET AWAY?" AVAILABLE AT WWW.WASHINGTONKAY.COM

During her 17 years as a United States Senator, Kay Bailey Hutchison has used more than $12,000 in taxpayer money to reimburse lobbyists, corporations with business interests before her committees in the Senate, and campaign donors for use of their private planes, including Zachry Construction, Clear Channel, Oshkosh Trucking, TXU, Moncrief Oil, and Lockheed Martin. She has billed taxpayers more than $518,000 to travel 154 times by private airplane, according to Senate records.

“Bailouts, earmarks and now private plane rides continue to demonstrate that Senator Hutchison has no regard for taxpayer dollars,” said Texans for Rick Perry spokesman Mark Miner. “Senator Hutchison should apologize to the people of Texas for her consistent use of taxpayer dollars for political activity.”

Sen. Hutchison often uses private planes for single-destination trips to major metropolitan areas when commercial flights would cost a mere fraction of what she passes on to taxpayers. Examples include spending $5,732.68 to fly round-trip Dallas to Houston and $5,523.92 to fly round-trip Dallas to Austin. (Additional examples below.)

According to semi-annual Reports of the Secretary of the Senate, Sen. Hutchison has billed taxpayers $12,461.95 to reimburse lobbyists, corporations and donors for use of their jets, and used private planes at least 154 times costing taxpayers $518,892.39. (SOURCE: Report of the Secretary of the Senate documents available at www.WashingtonKay.com)

The video “Wanna Get Away?” is also available at www.WashingtonKay.com:

Reimbursements to Lobbyists, Corporations and Donors: $12,461.95

Sen. Hutchison Itinerary Date Cost Reimbursement To
Washington, DC to Dallas, One-way 12/8/01 $2,416.00 Tom Loeffler
Dallas to Washington, DC, Round-trip 12/3-12/4/01 $2,330.00 TXU
Washington, DC to Dallas, One-way 10/25/01 $1,205.25 Lockheed Martin
Washington, DC to Dallas, One-way 11/14/03 $1,203.00 Moncrief Oil
Dallas to Washington, DC, One-way 3/5/01 $1,168.50 Tom Luce
Dallas to Louisville, KY, to Washington DC 2/28/05 $1,116.90 Oshkosh Trucking
Weslaco to Corpus Christi To Dallas 2/20/02 $1,115.00 SSP Partners
Washington, DC to San Antonio, One-way 4/15/09 $569.00 Clear Channel
Dallas to Austin to Corpus Christi to Dallas 10/3/03 $314.00 Mike A Myers
Dallas to Beaumont, One-way 8/28/06 $261.70 Trinity Industries Inc
Dallas to Austin, Round-trip 1/25/06 $222.00 Mike A Myers
Dallas to Laredo, Round-trip 9/22/00 $214.00 TXU
San Antonio to Dallas, One-way 4/23/07 $115.90 Zachry Construction
Dallas to Austin, One-way 10/14/00 $106.00 Mike A Myers
San Antonio to Dallas, One-way 7/11/05 $104.70 Mansefeldt Investment

Wasteful Private Flights to Single Destination

Sen. Hutchison Itinerary Date Cost To Taxpayers Commercial Option
Dallas to Houston, Round-trip 9/14/08 $5,732.68 $302 (Southwest)
Dallas to Laredo, Round-trip 2/21/09 $5,702.83 $224 (American)
Dallas to Austin Round-trip 10/3/08 $5,523.92 $306 (Southwest)
Dallas to Austin, Round-trip 11/27/08 $5,441.77 $306 (Southwest)
Dallas to McAllen, Round-trip 3/1/03 $5,077.38 $304 (American)
Sugar Land to Dallas, One-way 2/15/08 $4,719.52 $151 (Southwest)
Dallas to Houston, Round-trip 2/28/09 $4,421.84 $302 (Southwest)
Dallas to Houston, Round-trip 4/16/05 $3,702.57 $302 (Southwest)
Dallas to Waco, Round-trip 11/25/05 $3,416.00 $120 (American)
Dallas to Lubbock, Round-trip 3/23/03 $3,394.38 $306 (Southwest)
Dallas to Tyler, Round-trip 11/2/01 $3,181.43 $124 (American)
Dallas to Waco, Round-trip 12/3/04 $3,095.75 $120 (American)
Corpus Christi to Dallas, One-way 10/6/06 $2,573.51 $87 (American)
Dallas to Austin, Round-trip 2/23/03 $2,451.63 $306 (Southwest)
Dallas to San Antonio, Round-trip 1/26/05 $2,343.36 $314 (Southwest)
Dallas to Waco, Round-trip 10/7/00 $2,235.63 $120 (American)
Dallas to San Antonio, Round-trip 8/29/05 $2,235.04 $314 (Southwest)
Dallas to Austin, Round-trip 11/22/99 $2,193.36 $306 (Southwest)
Houston to Laredo, One-way 10/20/06 $1,942.14 $533 (Continental)
Houston to Austin, Round-trip 10/4/99 $1,844.36 $302 (Southwest)
Dallas to Austin, Round-trip 9/30/08 $1,191.55 $306 (Southwest)

On the eve of the second Texas Republican gubernatorial debate, Gov. Rick Perry told East Texans that under his administration, Texas has set a blueprint to recover from the economic crisis that he believes Washington should follow.