Texas Association of Business Endorses Gov. Perry for Re-election

Gov. Perry Speaks at TAB Annual Conference Luncheon

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today spoke at the Texas Association of Business (TAB) Annual Conference Luncheon to honor the 2010 Best Companies to Work For in Texas and accept TAB’s endorsement for his re-election.

“I am honored to receive the Texas Association of Business’ vote of confidence in my candidacy and humbled by the endorsement of organizations from across the state, which represent hundreds of thousands of Texans from every walk of life,” said Gov. Perry. “I take it as affirmation from those who know what it takes to succeed, who have boldly tackled life’s challenges and embraced our state’s deep-seated embrace of liberty.”

Gov. Perry discussed the importance of upholding Texas’ business-friendly climate by keeping taxes low and regulations predictable, and maintaining a fair legal system and accountable public schools. He also noted Texas’ strong economic position compared to other states, while recognizing the importance to continue working to create the jobs Texas needs, until every Texan who wants a job has a job.

“Hardworking people all over our state know that governments never really create jobs, businesses do, when they’re free of excessive government influence,” said Gov. Perry. “Government is at its best when it’s cultivating an environment that makes it easier for employers to thrive and then gets out of the way. The business-friendly climate we have created, combined with the efforts of hardworking Texans, have moved Texas to the forefront of the nation’s economy and have us poised to remain there well into the future.”

This week, the U.S. Department of Labor released numbers confirming that Texas has outdone all other large states in job growth in the last decade, adding almost 750,000 private-sector jobs from 1999 to 2009, while the other ten largest states lost jobs, part of a net national loss of more than 1.5 million private sector jobs. Texas economist Ray Perryman also recently noted that Texas is the “last in and first out” when it comes to the current economic downturn, pointing to the job growth that Texas has experienced in three of the past six months and the fact that the unemployment rate has remained two points below the national average.

“The business community has a true champion in Gov. Rick Perry,” said TAB President and BACPAC spokesman Bill Hammond. “Texas is fortunate to have the most pro-business governor in the nation. Gov. Perry has helped lead our state to being home to the most robust business climate in America. Gov. Perry's unparalleled record of accomplishment on business issues made the decision an easy one.”