Left of College Station

Even though the Texas Republican primary is still about a year away, the race for Governor is already well underway.

Last week former Vice Presidential candidate and current Governor of Alaska Sarah Palin endorsed Governor Rick Perry; this rings as strangely ironic since only a few months ago during the Presidential campaign Palin misquoted former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to suggest why women should support her candidacy for Vice President.

“There's a place in Hell reserved for women who don't support other women.”

Whether or not Palin’s endorsement of Governor Perry will help his campaign remains to be seen, although primary voters in Texas Republican primaries tend to be dominated by the conservative base of the Republican Party.

Vince from Capitol Annex breaks down Palin’s affect on the GOP primary:

Hutchison’s only chance to win the GOP Primary–typically dominated by Christian conservatives–is to attract new voters to the primary. That means she’ll be doing her best to get Democrats, liberal Republicans who don’t vote in the GOP Primary, and independents into the primary. For Democrats who may cross over, Palin is poison, and it will turn both Democrats and independents away from Perry. It will, however, probably a wash for liberal Republicans who aren’t typical GOP Primary voters.

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison had some sharp criticism for both Governor Perry and Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst; according to an  article in the Austin American-Statesmen Hutchison said that Perry and Dewhurst showed bad judgment.

“The letter that was written the night before the hearing was not well thought out. And I think that it might have spurred some insensitive remarks that were made. And I think it was kind of a set up, and I think it was wrong.”

Then there is the story line for what could be the possible narrative for the primary: Austin vs. Washington. 

While Hutchison has been critical of and will probably not vote for the economic stimulus and recovery bill that is currently in the United States Senate, Hutchison has stated in the same Austin American-Statesmen article that Texas should accept money from the bill:

“If Texas makes the decision to turn it down even if it passes, it would be a huge mistake. It would not be right when we have so many needs for transportation in Texas.”

Although Governor Perry is opposed to the economic stimulus and recovery bill he has said through a spokesperson that “Texans deserve their fair share.” However, even if Governor Perry did not accept or request money from the stimulus and recovery bill there are previsions that would allow the Texas State Legislature to bypass the Governor. According to an article in the Dallas Morning News:

U.S. House Majority Whip James Clyburn, D-S.C., added the gubernatorial-bypass language, which says that if a governor doesn't request the money within 45 days, a legislature can accept it by passing a resolution.

Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, likes that arrangement.

"My understanding is that the Congress worked with members of the House here to make sure that language in the stimulus bill and what we're doing here are consistent," Straus said last week. "I don't see a problem with it at all."

The Austin vs. Washington narrative is going to be formed over the next year, and the direction of the story is going to be largely created by external factors and how Perry and Hutchison react to them.

Perry does not appear to posses the political expediency that some Republican governors seem to have; Florida Republican Governor Charlie Crist will introduce President Barack Obama in Fort Myers, Florida tomorrow. Embracing the economic stimulus and recovery package seems like a smarter and easier route to take, as opposed to being opposed to the bill with the right hand while accepting the check with the left. Although with Texas possibly receiving nearly $40 billion dollars I think I would have both hands extended.

Governor Rick Perry gave the state of the state address tonight, and as the 81^st Texas Legislature convenes to do the people’s business Left of College Station will be watching. Over the course of the legislative session Left of College Station will be posting updates on bills as they move through the legislature, and review the impact that those bills will have statewide and locally in the Brazos Valley.

This afternoon Governor Rick Perry gave his state of the state address, and after thanking both the Lieutenant Governor and the new Speaker of the House, Governor Perry thanked former Speaker of the House (R) Tom Craddick for his “faithful service to the state.” Afterwards Perry laid out what it is that he believes Texas has accomplished during his tenure, and also presented his legislative agenda for the next two years.

The Governor also used the opportunity to mention some of what he believes is Washington, D.C. failures (Perry mentioned the nation’s capitol five times, included twice as failing and once as dragging its feet.); this could possibly be another snipe at Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison as the Republican primary seems as though it has already begun.  Governor Perry went on to outline what he believes have been successes and would could be future successes.

"Propose freezing a student’s college tuition rates for four years at the level they pay as an entering freshman. This will help Texas families plan while giving students another incentive to finish on time. We must continue removing roadblocks for young Texans wanting to pursue higher education, whether they enroll straight out of high school, or choose to serve their country in the military first."

This would not have been an issue if tuition had not been deregulated by the Governor and the Republican leadership in the Texas legislature.

"We know the benefit of legal reforms that stem the tide of frivolous lawsuits, while attracting an army of skilled doctors to Texas, and improving access to healthcare across our state."

In Texas one in five children living in Texas is without health insurance; according to a study last year 1.4 million, or 20.5%, children in Texas are uninsured.

"Let’s keep improving our math and science education, and continue preparing our young people, especially low-income and minority students, for a productive life after high school."

Texas must remove the grip that fundamentalist have on the State Board of Education so that we can ensure that actual science is taught in our classrooms and that religion is taught in church.

"These veterans, who now spend their days recovering from injuries sustained while serving our country, deserve the best our state has to offer, as do all veterans who have served our country. In appreciation for their service, I share Senator Van de Putte’s belief that we should extend in-state tuition rates to all veterans, regardless of their home of record."

Texas should lead the way in veterans services; while the Department of Veterans Affairs may be going through a shift in leadership and in policy Texas should give all it can to veterans.

"In these times of global unrest and porous borders, security remains a top priority, especially in light of Washington’s ongoing failure to provide the resources necessary to secure our border, or implement a sensible immigration policy. I’m hopeful that my fellow border governor from Arizona will bring a better approach in her new role as Secretary of Homeland Security. However, until we see results, Texas will continue filling the leadership void created by Washington DC and investing in the safety of our citizens with our own border security effort."

However, the Republican leadership in the legislature has made it clear that they would rather force wedge issues such as “voter ID” and “English only” laws instead of implementing a sensible immigration policy in Texas.

"As we consider the growing threats to our nation’s unborn, I believe it’s time to add another layer of protection for the most vulnerable Texans. I hope you will join me in supporting Senator Patrick and Representative Corte’s effort to require those wanting to terminate a pregnancy to review their ultrasound before proceeding."

Restricting access to abortion is an infringement on women’s reproductive rights. This is especially true when it includes restricting access to emergency contraception, which is one of the three anti-choice bills filled by Representative Corte and Senator Patrick.

"State of our State is good. Her character is strong and her people are great, and I believe now, more than ever before, that our best days are yet to come."

It is true that our best days are yet to come; we must strive to ensure that progressive values are championed in Texas and that in the not so distant future we can turn Texas blue.