Perry Notes

DECEMBER 21, 2007

You'll notice the date on this letter is December 21st. This day marks the seventh anniversary of the moment I placed my hand on the Bible and swore the oath of office as the 47th Governor of our great state.

This newsletter reflects on the significant accomplishments of the last seven years - some in response to challenges we knew about far in advance, others that arose quickly and required decisive action, and all made possible by your hard work and willingness to make my service possible.

I have always led from the heart - doing what I believe to be right. If critics have been surprised that I try to keep my promises, I'm willing to live with that. After all, when I said I wouldn't raise taxes in the face of a $10 billion reported deficit, I didn't think it was right to change my mind simply because that deficit turned out to be larger than we were originally told. When I said we would reform our tort laws to reduce medical insurance premiums and expand access to expert care, I knew the personal injury lawyers would attack in force. And when I called for school finance reform before the courts required it, I knew critics would come crawling out of the woodwork because, quite frankly, they don't have an obligation to govern.

But I have kept my obligation to govern by setting a vision and seeing a task through to the end. In every case it requires inspiring people, and drawing inspiration from them. This version of Perry Notes is a chance for us to look back at what we have accomplished together. A Texas transformed didn't happen by accident and it wasn't just good fortune. Your hard work and dedication to our causes and issues has helped us achieve many of our goals.

I have been blessed beyond anything I could have imagined by the opportunity to lead the most dynamic, visionary citizens in all the 50 States. In the years to come, I look forward to working with you to finish what we started. To you and yours I wish a happy holiday season and a renewed sense of shared purpose in 2008.

7 YEARS AGO, lawsuits were strangling businesses and driving doctors out of Texas. Access to quality healthcare was in danger across the state.

SINCE THEN significant changes to our legal system, including capping damage awards, has led to a dramatic drop in frivolous lawsuits against doctors and hospitals, decreases in insurance costs and improved access to healthcare. The Texas Medical Board recently reported that more than 10,877 doctors have begun practicing in Texas since 2003 and approximately 2,000 more await certification. Gaining 169 obstetricians, 156 orthopedic surgeons and 26 neurosurgeons in that time has significantly improved access to care.

7 YEARS AGO, public school finance was hurtling toward disaster as the Texas Supreme Court prepared to declare the school tax an unconstitutional, statewide property tax.

SINCE THEN the state's unwieldy school finance structure was overhauled by reforming the business franchise tax, lowering school tax rates by about one-third and requiring local voter approval for any rate increase above four cents. This produced the largest rate cut in Texas history while giving pay raises to every teacher, increasing classroom capacity and improving curricula. Texas is now getting more education for the money and our children are meeting the challenge of higher education standards.

7 YEARS AGO, a slowing economy that would result in a $10 billion budget shortfall two years later had critics clamoring for a tax increase instead of reduced spending.

SINCE THEN Governor Perry imposed a variety of fiscal restraints including mandatory 5% budget cuts for state agencies. This belt-tightening reduced general revenue spending for the first time since World War II and converted the $10 billion budget deficit into a record surplus in four short years. As 2007 winds down, Texas still enjoys a large surplus while California, one of our greatest competitors for jobs, faces a $15 billion deficit emergency.

7 YEARS AGO, months before the shocking events of 9/11, our international border was the province of drug cartels, criminal gangs and even terrorist operatives looking to enter our country.

SINCE THEN Governor Perry stepped into the void left by federal inaction and directed state resources (including more than $20 million of his office's discretionary funds) to secure our border. A series of coordinated surge operations reduced criminal activity by more than 60%. At the Governor's urging, legislators increased border security funding by $100 million, putting more law enforcement boots on the ground to defend Texas from the international criminal element.

7 YEARS AGO, our economy was still feeling the aftereffects of the bursting high tech bubble.

SINCE THEN the Texas economy has been revitalized through tax cuts, legal reforms and regulatory improvements, coupled with the careful investment of state dollars in businesses promising new jobs and investment. Our Enterprise Fund and Emerging Technology Fund are the envy of many states, especially those who trail Texas in exports. (ie. the other 49...) Since July 2003, Texas has created almost 1 million net new jobs and led the nation in new job creation announcements for 2004, 2005 (ranked second in 2006).

7 YEARS AGO, the maintenance of our state’s aging infrastructure was devouring all available highway dollars, with little money left for the new roads needed to accommodate our growing population.

SINCE THEN the state has transformed its approach to funding and building roads by giving local governments a seat at the decision-making table. By allowing them to not only design and build roads, but also strike deals to develop roadways within their jurisdiction, Texas has built more roads than any other state in the nation and reduced the duration of most major road projects by half.

Looking Forward

Texas has come along way in seven years, but there is still work to do. During 2008, we will work with lawmakers to lay the groundwork for a successful legislative session in 2009, building on our momentum in education, economic development, infrastructure improvements and border security.

We will also work to ensure Republicans are elected to every open office by keeping you fully engaged in our efforts.

We must elect conservative candidates across Texas to build on our achievements in the capitol. We must also do our part to restore Republican control of the U.S. Congress and keep the White House in the GOP column.

We want to help you stay connected with our efforts. We will regurlarly send you these notes, devoting each issue to a solution to a policy challenge we’re crafting for the next session. For more information, be sure to explore our new and improved Web site, RickPerry.org and register for updates.

A Final Word

Elections are about choices, and in 2008 the choices for Texans couldn't be clearer. In Washington, the Democrat-controlled Congress is increasing spending, pushing the largest tax increase in history, all while failing to do what needs to be done to keep our state safe.

Republican leaders want to cut spending, make government more accountable to the people, and secure our borders. To prevail, we must be more than just against the Democrats' old and tired ideology. We must fight for optimistic, conservative reform and work to advance our agenda of opportunity.

We Texans share a common goal: to make Texas better for our children than it was for us. In the coming years, we must be resolved to seize every opportunity to make that goal a reality.