Ending speculations of a Texas refusal, Gov. Perry notified President Obama in writing that Texas wants it's fair share
AUSTIN, TX, Feb. 18, 2009 -- In a letter to President Barack Obama Wednesday, Gov. Rick Perry sharply disagreed with the President's approach to stimulus, but laid claim to what he called Texas' "fair share".
In the letter, Perry said the state would use the funding "...to promote economic growth and create jobs in a fiscally responsible manner that is in the best interest of Texas taxpayers."
Text of the letter follows:
February 18, 2009
The Honorable Barack Obama
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
I'm writing you today in response to stipulations set forth in H.R. 1, the $787 billion stimulus package you signed into law yesterday. As you know, I have been vocal in my opposition to this legislation because I believe there are better ways to reinvigorate our economy and believe H.R. 1 will burden future generations with unprecedented levels of debt.
Throughout the years, Texas taxpayers have sent substantially more dollars to Washington than we receive on issues ranging from transportation to border security and hurricane relief. As I have said during the debate on H.R. 1, should Congress pass stimulus legislation using Texas tax dollars, I would work to ensure that our citizens receive their fair share.
On behalf of the people of Texas, please allow this letter to certify that we will accept the funds in H.R. 1 and use them to promote economic growth and create jobs in a fiscally responsible manner that is in the best interest of Texas taxpayers. I remain opposed to using these funds to expand existing government programs, burdening the state with ongoing expenditures long after the funding has dried up.
I continue to believe that the best way to stimulate the economy is the approach we are taking here in Texas. As a result of low taxes, controlled government spending and a predictable regulatory climate, nearly 80 percent of all jobs created last year in the United States were created in Texas; the vast majority of these were private sector jobs. Just last week, Texas was ranked the top exporting state in the nation for the seventh year in a row.
It was a pleasure meeting you in Philadelphia, and I appreciate your concern for the Texans displaced by Hurricane Ike. While we differ on solutions to the ongoing economic crisis facing our country, I believe we both share a desire to see our great nation endure as a beacon of freedom and economic vitality to the world.
Sincerely,
Rick Perry
Governor
Source: Gov. Perry Release
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$838 Billion dollar spending bill now heads to a House-Senate conference committee
WASHINGTON, DC, Feb. 10, 2009 -- The U.S. Senate today passed an $838 billion dollar spending bill designed to stimulate the slumping U.S. economy.
Despite calls for bipartisan support from President Obama, only three Republican senators, Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe of Maine and Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania joined in supporting passage, with neither senator from Texas signing on.
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Sen. John Cornyn both registered votes against motion to limit debate (cloture) yesterday, and on the passage of the bill today, and both issued strong statements in opposition.
On the cloture vote yesterday, Sen. Hutchison said "At a time when American families and businesses are facing economic hardship, any ‘stimulus’ should target job creation while being mindful of taxpayer burden and the growing deficit. This 778 page legislation, which will cost the American people a little more than $1 billion per page, is wrongly focused on spending programs that won’t effectively create jobs.
"Furthermore, some of this spending extends out as far as a decade, years after we have fought through this downturn. I believe that the best way to jumpstart our economy is through targeted tax cuts that quickly put money back in the hands of America’s small businesses and families. These tax cuts should work in concert with a limited spending program that emphasizes projects our government is going to do anyway, moving forward military construction, infrastructure and transportation improvements to spur job growth in Texas communities."
On the vote for passage today, Sen. Cornyn issued a statement saying "“I support President Obama’s call for swift action to revive the nation’s economy and put Americans back to work. Unfortunately, this proposal fails on both accounts and instead relies on bloated Washington programs, digging our country deeper and deeper into debt, and passing the IOUs to our children and grandchildren. This is unacceptable.
“I am disappointed that what could have been a bipartisan success has resulted in a bill narrowly passed by the Senate with the support of only three Republicans. Overspending is what landed our nation in the economic turmoil we find ourselves in today, and the partisan spending bill passed by Senate Democrats only exacerbates this irresponsible behavior—increasing our nation’s debt limit by nearly two trillion dollars to $12.14 trillion."
The bill will now go to a conference committee that will iron out differences between the Senate bill passed today, and the House version, which passed on Jan. 28, and would spend $819 billion. The House bill passed with no Republican support.
Obama has hopes of signing the bill before President's Day on Monday. On being informed of it's Senate passage, Obama said "That's good news, It's a good start."
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