Thursday, May 10, 2007

Don't think Perry is actually interested in good public policy

While Governor Perry makes it seem that his only interest is good public policy, don't let him fool you.

Governor Perry is in a position where, for the second time this session, a high stakes/visibility piece of legislation is poised to go against him. In addition, both pieces of legislation have overwhelming support in both the Senate (27-4) and the House (139-1). Governor Perry claims that he will sign a moratorium, but not HB1892. I say that he's bluffing. He has no intention of signing any transportation changes into law, be it HB1892 (moratorium and other restrictions) or SB1267 (moratorium only). He knows its a matter of timing. If he is able to get HB1892 recalled, he'll the have the timing down to where a veto is impossible or may even be unnecessary.

Here is the bottom line. The house has yet to put SB1267 on the calendar and members of the calendar committee have said that it won't make it on the calendar. Perry is more than aware of this. He knows that if HB1892 is recalled he won't be forced to veto because it may not make it back to him before the end of the session. If it does make it back, he can wait till the session ends to veto it and avoid an override. He also knows SB1267 will never make it to his desk and he won't be forced to sign a moratorium. This is political gamesmanship of the worst kind.

Please call your Representative and make sure they know you support them in not bowing to Governor Perry's pressure. We were on offense but Perry is trying to put us on defense. Don't let that happen, we have the support needed to make this happen, regardless of what Perry thinks. Heck, he started the whole corridor and privatization concept, he's not going to admit he was wrong and end it or let it be studied in the light of day, as the moratorium calls for.

Don't let anyone fool you in to thinking that HB1892 doesn't do what we want. We want careful study of Texas Trsnsportation needs. We want local control of toll roads if toll roads are the only option. HB1892 gives us what we want.

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