by Debra Medina, Republican Candidate for Governor of Texas
I’m
tired of being lied to. While our state leaders continue to boast about
the glowing state of the Texas economy, there are some pretty dark
clouds on the horizon, not just coming from Washington D.C. but right
here at home. Governor Perry has offered no resistance to the doubling
of Texas state debt on his watch. And what’s more, with a little
research, we learn that we’ve exhausted 85% of our constitutionally
mandated debt limit.1 At a time when our economy is more unstable than
most have seen in our lifetimes, has the Governor sounded a single
warning? We Texans cannot afford to max out our credit line!
The
“Perry Math” claims a balanced budget which equals good times in
Austin, but basic math, the kind we teach in Texas schools, proves
something quite different when it comes to our state budget. All Gov.
Perry can honestly say is the state of Texas is making the minimum
payments on our debt.
Another thing he hasn’t warned us about:
According to our Texas Constitution, the amount of money spent to pay
back debt in Texas cannot exceed 5% of our general revenue2. As of
August 31, 2008, our debt payments were at 4.09%3 and the Legislative
Budget Board puts that number at 4.27% in May 2009. That means 85%
percent of our credit limit is used up. Our debt went from $12 billion
in 2000, to $31 billion in 20084. In eight years, under Governor
Perry’s leadership, we more than doubled the amount of our state debt!
Spending all we take in and doubling our debt is no balanced budget and
it’s certainly not limited government.
While many Texans have had
to greatly reduce our personal spending; cutting costs at the grocery
store, carpooling to work, and picking up part time jobs to make ends
meet, the spending continues and the debt increases under Governor
Perry’s leadership in Austin. That is unacceptable and We Texans cannot
stand for it.
Our Texas economy has the ability to set the
precedent for our nation. I want Texas to lead the way! We have been
promised less government, a balanced budget, and a genuine concern for
our citizenry. We’ve been lied to! All we’ve received is clear
disregard from our governor and insults to our intelligence. He has
scoffed at our requests and ignored our issues. I want to restore the
trust between citizens and elected officials. I want to see Texans
thrive.
Misleading the public about our debt is not only immoral
and arrogant; it is a slap in the face. We Texans deserve better! The
values we hold as Texans should be reflected in our governor, not
hidden behind “Perry Math” and closed door meetings. Texans can’t
afford this snowballing debt. Texans can’t afford another term with
Rick Perry!
For more information on Debra Median please visit the Medina For Texas website at http://www.medinafortexas.com.
1
http://www.lbb.state.tx.us/Bill_81/5_Conference/Bill-81-5_Conference_Summary_0509.pdf, p. 24
2
The
State of Texas Comprehensive Annual Financial Report Fiscal Year Ending August
31, 2008, p. 247
3 http://www.window.state.tx.us/treasops/0908bond.pdf
4
http://www.brb.state.tx.us/pub/bfo/DAS2009.pdf, p. iii
