Rick Perry Outlines Texas Legislative Priorities, Urges Lawmakers to Keep Government Small

Texas Governor Rick Perry addressed the 83^rd Texas Legislature on the first day of their session, and urged them to keep government small.

Perry outlined his priorities for the session, which include keeping Texas’ infrastructure ready to support a growing population and economic demands, an accountable education system that produces a skilled workforce, and budget priorities laid out in the Texas Budget Compact.

“Two years ago we chose a fiscally conservative path that has led us here today by prioritizing and tightening our belts. This session is an opportunity to rededicate ourselves to the policies that have made Texas economically strong in the first place,” Perry said.

The Texas Budget Compact is an agreement signed by a number of Texas legislators which says that they will practice truth in budgeting, support a Constitutional limit of spending to the growth of population and inflation, oppose any new taxes or tax increases, make the small business tax exemption permanent, cut unnecessary government programs, and preserve a strong Rainy Day Fund.

“When people keep more of their own money, it’s better for them, it’s better for their families, and it’s better for the state. It’s time to take a hard look at providing tax relief,” Perry continued.

Texas Comptroller Susan Combs announced Monday that Texas would have more than $96 billion in estimated new revenue.

Perry’s complete remarks to the legislature can be found here.