Gov. Perry touts success of state government over federal in Waco stop

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Gov. Perry touts success of state government over federal in Waco stop

By Michael W. Shapiro Tribune-Herald staff writer

Sunday February 21, 2010

Local Republican activists and officials got up early Saturday to see Gov. Rick Perry lambaste all things Washington and laud state government.

Perry spoke to a roomful of supporters at the La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant & Cantina on Hewitt Drive.

He laced his speech — as he’s done throughout his re-election campaign — with comparisons between what he described as a dysfunctional federal government and a shining example of limited governance at home.

Gov. Rick Perry told a group of supporters Saturday in Waco that local state Rep. Charles “Doc” Anderson is “a courageous man.”
Rod Aydelotte/Tribune-Herald

Though his critique of Washington is an indirect jab at U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, one of his primary opponents, who has served in the Senate since 1993, the governor didn’t mention Hutchison by name in his speech.

Wharton businesswoman Debra Medina is also vying for the GOP gubernatorial nomination.

Perry did, however, mention of local politicians in attendance, particularly of state Rep. Charles “Doc” Anderson, whom Perry credited with holding the line against spending in the state.

“Let me tell you,” Perry said, “Doc Anderson is a courageous man.”

Perry described himself as a governor who’s not afraid to stand up to politicians in Washington.

He defended his decision last fall to reject federal stimulus money that would have bolstered Texas’ unemployment trust fund, which is fed by a tax on business and gets tapped to pay unemployment claims.

Perry said the money from Washington might have cushioned the immediate pinch of the recession but would have been a bad deal long-term because of “strings attached” that would have expanded jobless benefits.

‘Absolutely not’

“I sat down with some business leaders and people who represent business owners across the state, and said, ‘Do we really want do this?’ And they said, ‘Absolutely not,’ ” Perry said.

An increase in unemployment claims triggered a hike in the unemployment tax on businesses, which Perry said is to be expected during an economic downturn.

“Doc, you know how the unemployment insurance works. You’ve got a small business,” Perry said, turning to Anderson, who owns a veterinary clinic and whom Perry once picked to serve on the Texas Small Business Advisory Council.

“When the economy turns down, we always raise that rate a little bit,” Perry said.

IRS action

Anderson came under fire earlier this month from local Democrats who asked him to resign after the Internal Revenue Service took action against Anderson for failing to pay payroll taxes at his clinic.

At a press conference two weeks ago, Anderson said a check he had sent the IRS covering his delinquent taxes would lead to the release of a lien the IRS placed on his clinic and an earlier lien the agency placed on his home for failure to pay income taxes.

As of Friday, neither of the liens had been resolved, according to records from the McLennan County clerk’s office.

mshapiro@wacotrib.com

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Clyde L Harris

Aug. 16, 2010, 7:58AM

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Perry called Anderson a courageous man. Why for not paying his payroll taxes according to the IRS?? Noticed Perry didn't include any ordinary citizens in his his sit down with business leaders only for his reasons for not accepting the stimulus unemployment money.

diversecrime

Feb. 22, 2010, 6:09PM

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Actually, Dallas (33% Black) has the worst overall crime rate of any major city due to its (Black) "diversity." http://www.dallascrime.com/ And Houston (25% Black) has a higher rate of violent crime than any other Texas city and ranks among the highest in the nation, especially after the crime wave of Katrina fugees. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6558315.html It's simple math - crime is proportional to the % Black pop in any given area. This is not racism either, simply the hard facts.

diversecrime

Feb. 22, 2010, 6:09PM

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911truth

Feb. 22, 2010, 6:04PM

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GOOO DEBIIEEEE MEDINA!!!!!

StJakk

Feb. 22, 2010, 2:34PM

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Perry spoke to a roomful of supporters at the La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant & Cantina on Hewitt Drive.>>>>>>>>Where I'm sure his dirty dishes were washed by an illegal foreign national........THANKS FOR NOTHING RICK! He laced his speech — as he’s done throughout his re-election campaign — with comparisons between what he described as a dysfunctional federal government and a shining example of limited governance at home.>>>>>>>>>>After she is elected Ms.Medina will meet the federal gov. at the state line....she'll look them right in the eye and say..."NOT ONE STEP FURTHER"...I do not believe Texas can tolerate another term of KingRichard Perry,servant to the corporate crown...After she handley wins the primary I hope that all Texas conservatives,including Perry/KBHs old gaurd Repubs. and NeoCons will fall out and support the people in electing Ms.Debra Medina..if not,then get out of the way...........51%.......51%........51% !!!!!

elmo

Feb. 22, 2010, 1:09PM

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He could care less for us here. He tried to ram 5 coal plants down our throat

Rodney

Feb. 22, 2010, 7:55AM

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I find it interesting that Gov. Perry makes a big deal out of turning down Federal money. However, he does not think it is such a problem for the Texas government to issue endless unfunded mandates to counties and cities in the State.

most valuable player

Feb. 21, 2010, 12:21PM

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Come on Rick Perry. Public education in Texas ranks near the bottom of the 50 states. You didn't want to accept government money from the national government, you're still bent on trying to somehow build this super interstate...The reason Texas is the best state has nothing to do with you Rick Perry. Houston, 4th largest city is an energy mecca, has good home prices, jobs, entertainment, it's a diverse city. Dallas has jobs, good home prices, entertainment, diversity(though not like Houston). Please man. Texas sells itself. Texas should at least be in the top 5 in public education. But it's not. You need another tagline Rick.