Texas gov calls for discipline in state spending

AP via Houston Chronicle ^ | 01/06/10 | Betsy Blaney

[BuckeyeTexan]

LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Gov. Rick Perry took another swipe at Washington and big government, issuing proposals Wednesday that would make it difficult for the Legislature to raise taxes and would limit the amount state spending could grow.

He proposed constitutional amendments Wednesday that would require a supermajority of the Legislature to raise taxes and to cap the growth of state spending at a level tied to inflation and population growth.

Perry said his proposals would solidify the "state's commitment to fiscal discipline."

He said it's more important than ever to exert fiscal discipline as Washington expands programs that "pile up debt on future generations."

The remark was a thinly veiled attack on Perry's primary opponent, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, who Perry has chided as a Washington insider.

"When government resorts to endlessly expanding its program or throttling economic growth by raising taxes, everyday citizens are the ones that pay that price," Perry told about 40 people at a small business in Lubbock. "As that particular mindset holds sway over Washington, D.C., today I think it is more important than ever to take clear steps to protect our citizens from the excesses of unrestrained government at every level."

[BuckeyeTexan]

Ping

Freepmail me or ping me from the original thread to get on/off the 2010 Texas Governor's Race ping list.

[humblegunner]

Yeah, he always sounds good in an election year.

Remember last time, the ads with him at the Rio Grande looking tough?

And afterwards.... crickets.

[cowtowney]

I’d say he’s been a fiscal conservative. Are you saying he has not?

[humblegunner]

Are you saying he has not?

I'm saying he talks a good game at election time.
I thought my statement was pretty clear.

He's better than KBH or the nurse Medina. We won't have any really good choices.

[MillardFillmore]

How do we ensure these proposals get on the ballot and aren’t forgotten after election day? These amendments are great ideas regardless of who ends up as governor. Let’s separate the good idea from legitimate concerns about Perry. Is there some pro-amendment organization being formed? I’d love to be a part of it. We can’t count on conservative leadership in Texas—these amendments are important to pass to tie the hands of future big-spending govrernors

[deport]

How do we ensure these proposals get on the ballot and aren’t forgotten after election day?

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There are 54 days until the primary........ That’s all Perry is looking towards at the stage. He like all Texas Govs. are limited in what they can spend as the TX Constitution requires a balanced budget be passed by the legislature every two years. It’s the Govs responsiblity along with the LBB to provide the Legislature with a proposed budget/outlay for the next two years. Perry’s been talking about this concept since back in 2001, not new with him only a new race for governor.

[BuckeyeTexan]

I don’t know if there is such an organization. Perry is holding a blogger summit toward the end of January. I plan to attend and hopefully organize a group of freepers to go with me. I’ll see what I can find out about his plans to move forward with the amendments.