Politex

Gov. Rick Perry "deeply saddened by the deaths" caused by storms late Wednesday

Gov. Rick Perry released a statement Thursday about the deadly weather that ripped through parts of North Texas late Wednesday.

“I’m deeply saddened by the deaths caused by yesterday’s horrific storms," he said. "The State Operations Center has been monitoring this situation since yesterday afternoon and continues to assist locals with any unmet needs they may have.

"I commend our first responders, who do everything in their power to minimize the damage and care for the wounded. The thoughts of 26 million Texans are with those suffering today, along with our prayers for a quick and full recovery for those still hospitalized, and for this community as a whole.”

-- Anna M. Tinsley

Gov. Rick Perry stands firm: No Medicaid expansion in Texas

AUSTIN – Texas’ top leaders said Monday that they are standing firm – and will not accept federal money to expand Medicaid in Texas.

Even as protesters stood outside Gov. Rick Perry’s office, chanting and calling on leaders to change their minds, Perry – flanked by Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, local U.S. Reps. Joe Barton and Michael Burgess and a handful of state lawmakers – said that’s not going to happen.

“Medicaid expansion is a misguided, and ultimately doomed, attempt to mask the shortcomings of Obamacare,” said Perry, who spoke with congressional leaders about the issue during a private roundtable discussion. “It would benefit no one in our state to see their taxes skyrocket and our economy crushed as our budget crumbled under the weight of oppressive Medicaid costs.

“Texas doesn’t need another mandate, but the flexibility to care for our own in a manner that makes sense both effectively and financially."

-- Anna M. Tinsley

Gov. Rick Perry calls Van Cliburn "a true man of his times"

Gov. Rick Perry released a statement Wednesday about the death of Van Cliburn:

“Van Cliburn lived an extraordinary life and was a true man of his times. His prodigious gifts at the piano are legendary, and his storied accomplishment at the Tchaikovsky Piano Competition helped bring the world closer together. His larger-than-life talent helped transcend discourse and reminded us that we are, at the core of our being, all human beings who love works of beauty. On a personal note, Anita and I will miss him tremendously.  We were blessed to call Van Cliburn a close friend.  He was an incredibly thoughtful person and his love of life was contagious to anyone in his company. Anita and I send our deepest condolences to his family, friends and fans during this difficult time.” 

-- Anna M. Tinsley

Fort Worth lawmakers rally for Medicaid spending in Texas

AUSTIN - Fort Worth lawmakers were among about 200 people who rallied Wednesday on the state capitol steps, calling for Texas to spend more money on Medicaid - a move that potentially could bring in $100 billion in new federal funds to the state to cover health care for more residents.

"We know Gov. Perry is completely out of touch with the reality that's facing Texans in the area of health care," state Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, told the crowd. "He is out of touch with Texans who have to wait until they are so sick they have to go to the emergency room so they can get health care."

State Rep. Lon Burnam, D-Fort Worth, urged the crowd not to be discouraged by the inaction thus far on the issue.

"Where there's a will, there's a way," Burnam said.

Expanding Medicaid to cover more adults is a key part of the federal government's Affordable Health Care Act. But Texas thus far has declined to embrace it.

Texas could get $100 billion in federal funds for a $15 billion investment in state funds, according to one report.

The noon rally was sponsored by Austin Interfaith, which includes leaders and clergy from numerous religions and denominations.

- Gordon Dickson

@gdickson

Gov. Rick Perry praises ace sniper Chris Kyle

Gov. Rick Perry released the following statement Monday about slain sniper Chris Kyle:

“Chris Kyle was the public face of an anonymous breed of American warrior who are handed the hardest missions and assume the largest risks," he said. "Chris was among the very best at what he did, and he saved countless American lives in the process. Our state and our nation suffered a profound loss with his passing.

"I am honored to have known Chris and to have called him my friend.  Anita and I send our deepest condolences to his wife, Taya, his children and the thousands of service members that were his extended family.”

-- Anna M. Tinsley

Gov. Rick Perry: Remember the Sandy Hook victims

Texas Gov. Rick Perry has declared a moment of silence at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 21 to honor and remember the 20 children and six adults killed one week ago in the massacre at Connecticut's Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Perry also is encouraging churches and places of worship to ring their bells 26 times to honor each lost life.

"Though our hearts are heavy with sorrow, we find hope in the stories of courage and bravery that have emerged in the aftermath," Perry said Thursday. "This is an opportunity to join together in the spirit of healing, and in honor of those who were lost."

-- Anna M. Tinsley

AP calls 25th Congressional District for Roger Williams

The Associated Press has called the 25th Congressional District for Republican Roger Williams, a former Texas Secretary of State and well-known Weatherford auto dealer with deep local roots.

Williams has 59.76 percent of the vote, with 8 of 237 precincts reporting, to Democrat Elaine Henderson's 36.94 and Libertarian Betsy Dewey's 3.28 percent, according to incomplete election results posted on the Texas Secretary of State's website.

Last year's redistricting process flipped this district from Democratic-leaning to Repbulican-leaning, so much that incumbent Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, switched to nearby District 35 for his re-election bid.

The revamped district draws its biggest population base from the Austin area, but it includes thousands of residents in Johnson and Tarrant counties.

-- Anna M. Tinsley

Texas Gov. Rick Perry talks today about truth in budgeting in Fort Worth

Texas Gov. Rick Perry visits Fort Worth today to talk about "the need for greater truth in budgeting."

He will meet with media at the Fort Worth Club this afternoon, one day after speaking in Houston about a laundry list of budget-related items he would like to see accomplished during the upcoming legislation session. Lawmakers go back to work Jan.8, 2013.

Perry has asked lawmakers to focus on five key principles of the Texas Budget Compact: practice truth in budgeting, support a constitutional limit of spending to the growth of population and inflation, oppose any new taxes or tax increases and make the small business tax exemption permanent, preserve a strong Rainy Day Fund and cut unnecessary and duplicative government programs and agencies.

-- Anna M. Tinsley

 

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst to seek re-election in 2014

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst plans to seek re-election in 2014.

Just a month after losing a bid for the U.S. Senate to political newcomer and Tea Party favorite Ted Cruz, Dewhurst told Texans gathered at the National Republican Convention in Florida that he hopes to be back on the ballot in two years.

“I fully expect to be running for re-election in March of 2014,” he said. “As long as the people of Texas want me to continue serving to help move this state forward, then I’m honored.”

But Dewhurst likely will face Republican challengers. Before the July 31 runoff ever began, Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson said he will run in 2014 for lieutenant governor whether Dewhurst is on the ballot or not.

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples plans to run for the post as well – and Texas Comptroller Susan Combs has expressed interest of her own.

-- Anna M. Tinsley

Texas Gov. Rick Perry endorses Roger Williams in the 25th Congressional District runoff race

Congressional candidate Roger Williams announced this morning that he has picked up an endorsement from Gov. Rick Perry in the race for the 25th Congressional District.

Williams, a well-known Weatherford auto dealer with deep local roots who moved to Austin earlier this year, squares off against Wes Riddle, a retired Army officer and Tea Party activist in Gatesville, in the July 31 Republican runoff election.

"I strongly endorse Roger Williams for Congress because I know Roger will truly work to overhaul Washington, D.C.. Washington is broken and needs new people with sound, private sector experience to help bring about limited government, conservative changes for America," Perry said in a statement. "Roger Williams will be a leader to stop Barack Obama's socialist agenda, make Congress abide by the Constitution and develop conservative solutions to help strengthen our economy."

In the May 29 GOP primary election, Williams was the front-runner, with 25 percent of the vote. Riddle edged other competitors to take the No. 2 slot, with 14.56 percent.

The 25th Congressional District, which was dramatically revamped in the latest redistricting process, now stretches from the edges of Tarrant County into Austin.

Earlier this week, Riddle picked up an endorsement from GOP presidential candidate and U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Lake Jackson.

"Liberty voters have a strong choice in this CD-25 Republican runoff," Paul said in a statement. "I hope my generous supporters will help Wes win this runoff because we need more men like him.”

-- Anna M. Tinsley