Conservative Daily News » Texas Politics

TWC Extends Reach of WorkInTexas.com

R. Mitchell — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 14:08:47 +0000

Texas.jobs search engine enhances TWC’s job-matching website

AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has enhanced its powerful online job-matching website WorkInTexas.com with the comprehensive search engine, Texas.jobs. TWC worked with nonprofit employer group DirectEmployers Association (DE) and the National Labor Exchange on Texas.jobs, which will link more job seekers to the approximately 96,000 job openings viewable on WorkInTexas.com.

Texas.jobs allows job seekers to look for work according to their individual job parameters and priorities, including location and occupation, such as engineering, manufacturing or education. It lists only available jobs from employers verified by WorkInTexas.com or DE’s JobCentral.org. This new web tool and others will open more pathways for job seekers and employers to the state’s leading job-matching website, WorkInTexas.com.

“If you’re an employer, you want the right candidates to have easy access to information about the positions you seek to fill,” said TWC Chairman Tom Pauken. “Texas.jobs puts the jobs posted at WorkInTexas.com just a click or two away.”

TWC and DE also partnered to create WorkInTexas.jobs, which expands the reach of WorkInTexas.com by allowing its job postings to also appear in online searches. WorkInTexas.jobs is easily viewable on smartphones and other mobile devices. In addition, WorkInTexas.jobs features social media links, allowing users to quickly share job postings via Facebook, Twitter, email and more.

Additionally, the new WorkInTexas-veterans.jobs helps Texas veterans translate their military skills to jobs in the civilian world. The Military Occupation Code Crosswalk function allows veterans to enter the type of work they performed in the armed services and receive a list of civilian jobs that require those skills. The system also translates military occupation codes into skills employers are looking for in potential employees.

“This is another way for veterans to transfer their skills into civilian life by finding work that suits them and helps them continue to grow in the skills they obtained in the armed services,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Ronny Congleton. “The system is remarkably simple and easy to use.”

“Texas.jobs improves TWC’s job-matching services for our customers,” said TWC Commissioner Representing the Public Andres Alcantar. “We encourage job seekers and employers in our diverse industries to take advantage of this enhanced technology.”

Texas.jobs is aligned with the Governor’s Industry Cluster initiative and features high-growth, high-demand jobs in Texas through industry specific sites like: Texaseducation.jobs, Texasmanufacturing.jobs, Texasaerospace.jobs, Texasengineering.jobs, and Texashealthcare.jobs.

The Texas Workforce Commission is a state agency dedicated to helping Texas employers, workers and communities prosper economically. For details on TWC and the services it offers in coordination with its network of local workforce development boards, call (512) 463-8556 or visit www.texasworkforce.org .

SOURCE Texas Workforce Commission

Rich Mitchell is the Sr. Managing Editor of Conservative Daily News. His posts may contain opinions that are his own and are not necessarily shared by Anomalous Media, CDN, staff or .. much of anyone else. Find him on twitter, facebook and google+

Key Texas Historical Records Face Uncertain Future

PRNewswire — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 16:04:36 +0000

HOUSTON, Aug. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Key documents that shed light on historic periods in the birth and growth of Texas face an uncertain future due to poor preservation practices and limited resources in court record archives across the state, according to a report released today Wednesday, August 31, 2011by a task force charged with reviewing the situation by the Supreme Court of Texas.

The records — many that are decaying or being destroyed due to a mix of events and conditions — contain information about famous Texans, record the lives of ordinary residents of the Lone Star State during historic periods of time and, for some, such as African Americans, may contain the only information that exists about their ancestors.

Bill Kroger, Chair, Texas Court Records Preservation Task Force. (PRNewsFoto/Task Force)

“We have spent the past two years volunteering time to study and learn about the preservation of these records,” said Bill Kroger, chair of The Texas Court Records Preservation Task Force and a partner at Baker Botts L.L.P. Mark Lambert, Deputy Commissioner of Archives and Records for the Texas General Land Office, is vice chair of the Task Force.

“After visiting with district and county clerks across the state, collecting surveys and reviewing documents and records at more than 500 storage facilities, we learned that while some clerks have the necessary resources and are doing a good job preserving records, other clerks need substantial help going forward to keep from losing important historical information,” Kroger said.

Lambert said: “Some counties store their irreplaceable historic records in places such as metal storage containers, poorly maintained buildings, and maintenance sheds that hold equipment, chemicals, and holiday decorations near their records. Many counties do not have secure, air-conditioned and humidity controlled storage for their records, the single best solution for their long-term preservation. Clerks are generally aware of these issues, but they need better assistance from the community and from other elected county officials.”

Kroger added, “There is also more we could be do at the State level, such as fundraising and better state-wide training. Our report tries to address some of the issues.”

Among the endangered documents is the record of the trial and sentencing of outlaw John Wesley Hardinin 1878. Hardin shot and killed Deputy Sheriff Charles Webb in Comanche County in 1874. He fled Texas but was hunted down by Texas Ranger John B. Armstrong in Pensacola, Florida. Hardin was brought back to Comanche County where he was tried and convicted of murder. The District Clerk of Comanche County is so worried about these records of the case that she keeps the file in a secret place in her office.

The story about Hardin doesn’t end with his trial. He served time for the murder conviction in a Huntsvilleprison. He was released from prison only to be shot and killed by John Selman Sr. in 1895. Kroger has seen court papers pertaining to Selman’s killing of Hardin for sale on the Internet.

This is just one example of what district and county clerks face in trying to preserve the records of Texashistory.

“These documents are our living history, the parchment of our past,” said Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson. “We must preserve them so that our descendants will appreciate the Texas they have inherited.”

The Task Force report, which will be formally presented to the Texas Supreme Court at a special hearing on September 26, 2011, identifies a number of preservation problems, including:

improper storage and handling at the storage facilities;
effects of moisture and temperature fluctuations;
ravages of rats, bugs and vermin; and
the acidity of the ink and the poor quality of paper used in recording information.

“Also, there are cases where records have been given away by government officials, or stolen by thieves and sold on the Internet,” Kroger said. “In some cases they were destroyed by fires, hurricanes or other natural disasters. Many records are stored in dilapidated structures — with no air conditioning or climate controls — and even in rail cars and storage bins.”

The Task Force found that while many clerks are skilled in modern management of electronic and other current court records, many clerks, especially those in old counties with small populations, have not been able to collect enough money to preserve records, Kroger added.

Among the Task Force recommendations:

better document preservation training for district and county clerks;
the adoption of better record handling and security;
development of statewide storage and preservation policies and procedures; and
more sustained, coordinated enforcement by state officials against thieves who are stealing these records.

At the hearing in September before the Texas Supreme Court, the Task Force will present the report to the Court. It will also unveil 20 previously undiscovered or not well known historic court records that were previously unpreserved.

These records have now been preserved by Louisiana Binding Services because of donations from the law firm of Baker Botts, L.L.P. and the State Bar of Texas.

“These records, which are now beautifully preserved, are of immense historical importance. In 20 documents, we have tried to tell the history of the State of Texas. We hope these records will illustrate the importance of preserving these documents going forward. These records are some of the crown jewels of the state.” says Kroger. “The Task Force hopes that the public will attend the hearing. It will be a special day.”

Strip Club Considers Appealing Recent Texas “Pole Tax” Ruling

R. Mitchell — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 14:25:29 +0000

HOUSTON, Aug. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ – Rick’s Cabaret International, Inc. (NASDAQ:RICK), the nation’s leading group of upscale gentlemen’s clubs, said today it is considering an appeal of a Texas Supreme Court decision upholding a state law requiring strip clubs to pay a $5 fee for every club visitor. On Friday August 26th the Texas Supreme Court reversed the judgment of a Texas Court of Appeals, ruling that the SOB Fee does not violate the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, and remanded the case to the District Court to determine whether the fee violates the Texas Constitution.

In a Form 8-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission signed by Rick’s Cabaret President and CEO Eric Langan , the company said: “We disagree with the decision of the Texas Supreme Court. Both we and the TEA [Texas Entertainment Association, a trade group] are currently considering whether to appeal the Texas Supreme Court’s decision to the U.S. Supreme Court (regarding the constitutionality of the fee under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution). Additionally, our claims regarding the Texas Constitution have not yet been addressed by the courts. We do not plan to make any payments of these taxes while the case is pending in the courts. However, we will continue to accrue and expense the potential tax liability on our financial statements, so any ultimate negative ruling will not have any effect on our income statement and will only affect our balance sheet. If the decision is ultimately found in our favor, as we believe it will be, then we will have a one-time gain of the entire amount previously expensed. Further, we have filed a separate lawsuit in which we raise additional challenges to the statute imposing the fee or tax. The courts have not yet addressed these additional claims.”

The company further stated in the Form 8-K: “We have paid the tax for the first five calendar quarters under protest and expensed the tax in our consolidated financial statements (as filed with the SEC), except for two locations in Dallas where the taxes have not been paid, but we are accruing and expensing the liability. For the subsequent quarters, as a result of the Third Court’s decision, we accrued the fee, but did not pay the State. As of June 30, 2011, the Company had approximately $6.1 million in accrued liabilities for this tax. We have paid more than $2 million to the State of Texas since the inception of the tax.”

A copy of the company’s Form 8-K is available at its investor relations website, www.ricksinvestor.com.

About Rick’s Cabaret: Rick’s Cabaret International, Inc. (NASDAQ: RICK) is home to 22 upscale adult nightclubs serving primarily businessmen and professionals that offer live entertainment, dining and bar operations. Nightclubs in New York City, Miami, Philadelphia, Charlotte, Dallas, Houston, Minneapolisand other cities operate under the names “Rick’s Cabaret,” “XTC,” “Club Onyx” and “Tootsie’s Cabaret”. Sexual contact is not permitted at these locations. Rick’s Cabaret also operates a media division, ED Publications, and owns the adult Internet membership website couplestouch.com as well as a network of online adult auction sites under the flagship URL naughtybids.com. Rick’s Cabaret common stock is traded on NASDAQ under the symbol RICK. For further information contact ir@ricks.com or visitwww.ricksinvestor.com.

Forward-looking Statements: This document contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause the company’s actual results to differ materially from those indicated in this document, including the risks and uncertainties associated with operating and managing an adult business, the business climates in cities where it operates, the success or lack thereof in launching and building the company’s businesses, risks and uncertainties related to the operational and financial results of our websites, conditions relevant to real estate transactions, and numerous other factors such as laws governing the operation of adult entertainment businesses, competition and dependence on key personnel. Additional factors that could cause the Company’s results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements are described in forms filed with the SEC from time to time and available at www.ricksinvestor.com or on the SEC’s internet website atwww.sec.gov. Rick’s has no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of future events or circumstances. For further information visit www.ricksinvestor.com.

SOURCE Rick’s Cabaret International, Inc.

CONTACT: Allan Priaulx of Rick’s Cabaret International, Inc., +1-212-338-0050 , allan@ricks.com

Perry-Palin 2012 GOP Ticket?

DJ Redman — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 16:13:39 +0000

Things are most certainly heating up for the 2012 election, and neither of the top two names being floated around for the GOP ticket have made announcements that they are running for the office. That does not stop the speculations from flying. Much of the country- mostly Conservatives- are waiting with great anticipation for the final word: Will they, or won’t they?

Of course “they” refers to Rick Perry and Sarah Palin. While neither have announced their official candidacy for the 2012 Presidential election, both of them could be top contenders for the GOP Candidacy.

Reports are that a friendship has formed between the two that goes all the way back to around 2006 when she was still Governor of Alaska.

The speculation is that if either of the two decide to announce that they are officially throwing their hat into the ring for the race then the other one would endorse them. With an endorsement from either Governor, it would essentially be an official Tea Party endorsement.

If Governor Perry were to be the one to announce his candidacy, and Governor Palin were to endorse him, which would be expected, it would not be the first time she officially endorsed him. In last year’s Texas GOP gubernatorial primary, incumbent Rick Perry was challenged by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson. The race proved to be quite a challenge for Governor Perry. However, with Governor Palin’s early and solid endorsement, incumbent Governor Perry won the election.

In her official endorsement statement, she wrote of Governor Perry:

“He does what is right regardless of whether it is popular. He walks the walk of a true conservative.”

In the event Governor Perry does indeed throw his hat into the ring, the next question we should be asking is:

Would Governor Palin once again be the Vice Presidential candidate?

Only time will tell!

Texas Legislature Fails To Pass Sanctuary City Ban

R. Mitchell — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 06:45:08 +0000

Texas lawmakers spent numerous hours of the 82nd Legislative session working on what has become a very hotly debated topic: Sanctuary Cities Legislation. The topic was not only on the agenda for the regular session, but was also declared an emergency item by Governor Rick Perry for the special session as well.

Gov. Perry said he put the measure on the special session agenda after it stalled in the regular Legislative session, because law enforcement officers need the ability to make discretionary decisions in regards to the immigration status of a person. Very similar to the Arizona immigration debate, those opposed to the bill argue that it will lead to racial profiling, as well as cause fear and distrust from Hispanics.

The Bill, known as Senate Bill 9, would outlaw sanctuary cities for illegal immigrants. The bill would also prevent law enforcement from asking about the immigration status of anyone who is arrested.

While Senate Bill 9 passed in the Senate, it failed to pass in the House when put to a vote on Saturday, July 2. The failure top pass Senate Bill 9 came as quite a shock, due to the fact that the House, with a Republican super-majority, was expected to pass the bill with virtual ease.

Gov. Rick Perry placed the blame for the failure of the bill to pass on Republican Sen. Robert Duncan. Though none of the Republican legislative delegates would criticize Gov. Perry for specifically blaming their colleague, there were many Democrats who had no problem criticizing him. There are some who feel Gov. Perry “threw Mr. Duncan under the buss to score political points with the conservative Republican base because he intends to run for president.”

While the Sanctuary Cities Ban bill failed to pass, another piece of immigration-related legislation will become law by the end of this year. A provision in Senate Bill 1, which was approved by both the Senate and the House, will require proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residence before they can get or renew a Texas driver’s license.

The driver’s license provision in Senate Bill 1 will impact most all Texas adults, whereas the Sanctuary Cities Ban bill would only impact those who have contact with law enforcement officers. Those who support the passing of Senate Bill 1 say that it will help combat criminal activity and terrorism by illegal immigrants. However, those who oppose Senate Bill 1 say it will force illegal immigrants to who have been in the United States for years to either drive without a license or be deported.

Senate Bill 1, with the driver’s license provision, is now simply awaiting Governor Perry‘s signature, which he is expected with no problems at all.

___________________

Sources:

Amarillo.com

Statesman.com

Texas Rushes to Pass Anti-Groping Bill

R. Mitchell — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 01:21:13 +0000

The Texas anti-groping bill has passed out of committee in the state Senate, but the bill seems nothing more than peacock feathers.

First, the special session that the Texas legislature is currently in will end on Wednesday. With a controversial bill just out of committee so late tonight, the likelihood of it passing a floor vote in the Senate is not high.

The real reason this bill is garnering so much attention may be that another piece of legislation intended to rid Texas of so-called “sanctuary cities” is being forgotten.

Sanctuary cities are areas that choose to not enforce immigration laws. They don’t deport illegal immigrants and often don’t even bother to look for them.

The anti-groping bill is nothing more than smoke to hide the fact that the Texas legislature is not doing what the citizens of the lone star state want them to do.

Texans vs TSA

R. Mitchell — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 06:33:40 +0000

As a citizen of Texas I was quite proud to hear that the Texas Legislature would be voting on a bill that would make TSA pat-downs a felony. I was equally outraged when the bill did not pass.

To quote my colleague from an article just a little more than a month ago:

“Simpson’s bill has now been approved in committee and is awaiting debate by the full House. In addition to Simpson, the bill has attracted 70 co-sponsors, who represent more than 90 percent of the votes required to pass the bill in the Texas House of Representatives. According to Simpson, if the bill becomes law, the only way a TSA agent could avoid prosecution would be if a traveler gives written consent to the pat-down after being fully informed of the extent of the procedure.”

If you notice the italicized portion of the quote, the support for the bill was more than 90% of all Texas State Representatives. This is an overwhelming percent of approval, only to have the votes suddenly disappear, thereby causing the bill not to pass at the time the Texas House of Representatives voted on it.

It seems as though the motto “Don’t Mess With Texas” doesn’t apply to our Representatives. They have allowed themselves to be bullied by the federal government. The Department of Justice sent a threatening letter saying they would stop all air traffic in and out of Texas. And….. our Representatives caved!

The Washington Times headline put it nicer than I would have with this: “Texas Senators Need to Grow a Backbone”.

The Senators of Texas need to do more than grow a backbone- they need to realize that they are there to represent us- We The People of Texas! We are tired of our elected officials bowing down to the special interest groups, and that includes the federal government! We The People of Texas elect you, not the federal government!

There is now a rally pushing Governor Rick Perry to take up TSA Bill (Texas HB 1937) in the special session. The Come and Take It! rally is this Saturday, June 4, at the Texas Capital South Steps from 12:30-1:30pm. As the organizers of this rally say, “we have drawn the line in the sand!”

The question for Governor Perry is this: Do you really believe what you say about States’ Rights, or are you just another politician spewing hot air? As the saying goes, if you don’t stand for something you’ll fall for anything. It’s time for Governor Perry to put up or shut up! With the rumors of a possible run for the White House, there is no time like the present to show whether or not he’s cut out for truly taking a stand against special interests and stand up for We The People.

When babies, the elderly, nuns and everyone in between are being subjected to groping in order to travel by air, things have gone too far.

Call, write, email, fax, tweet and send Facebook messages every day to Governor Perry to let your voice be heard! Tell Governor Perry that you are IN FAVOR of HB 1937 and that HB 1937 needs to be placed on the special session agenda. Let the Governor know that you will not sit silently by while our State Representatives allow themselves to be bullied by the federal government! Tell Governor Perry it’s time for him to stand up or shut up!

To contact Governor Perry by phone:
(512) 463-2000 - or – (800) 252-9600 G

Governor Perry on Twitter: @governorperry @TexGov

Governor Perry on Facebook

TX House Bill 1937 – 82nd Legislature Regular Session

R. Mitchell — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 02:43:29 +0000

82R20649 JRH-F
By: Simpson, Rodriguez, Menendez, Kolkhorst,	H.B. No. 1937
Chisum, et al.
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 1937:
By: Gallego	C.S.H.B. No. 1937



	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to prosecution and punishment for the offense of official
	oppression by the intrusive touching of persons seeking access to
	public buildings and transportation; providing penalties.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1. Section 39.03, Penal Code, is amended by
	amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsections (c-1) and
	(c-2) to read as follows:
	(a) A person who is a public servant [acting under color of
	his office or employment] commits an offense if the person:
	(1) while acting under color of the person’s office or
	employment [he]:
	(A) [(1)] intentionally subjects another person
	to mistreatment or to arrest, detention, search, seizure,
	dispossession, assessment, or lien that the actor [he] knows is
	unlawful;
	(B) [(2)] intentionally denies or impedes
	another person in the exercise or enjoyment of any right,
	privilege, power, or immunity, knowing the actor’s [his] conduct is
	unlawful; or
	(C) [(3)] intentionally subjects another person
	to sexual harassment; or
	(2) while acting under color of the person’s office or
	employment without probable cause to believe the other person
	committed an offense:
	(A) performs a search for the purpose of granting
	access to a publicly accessible building or form of transportation;
	and
	(B) intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly:
	(i) touches the anus, sexual organ,
	buttocks, or breast of the other person, including touching through
	clothing; or
	(ii) touches the other person in a manner
	that would be offensive to a reasonable person.
	(b) For purposes of this section, a person who is a public
	servant acts under color of the person’s [his] office or employment
	if the person [he] acts or purports to act in an official capacity
	or takes advantage of such actual or purported capacity.
	(c-1) For purposes of Subsection (a)(2), “public servant”
	includes:
	(1) an officer, employee, or agent of:
	(A) the United States;
	(B) a branch, department, or agency of the United
	States; or
	(C) another person acting under contract with a
	branch, department, or agency of the United States for the purpose
	of providing a security or law enforcement service; and
	(2) any other person acting under color of federal
	law.
	(c-2) For a person described by Subsection (c-1)(1) or (2),
	it is a defense to prosecution for an offense under Subsection
	(a)(2) that the actor performed the search pursuant to and
	consistent with an explicit and applicable grant of federal
	statutory authority that is consistent with the United States
	Constitution.
	SECTION 2. (a) This section applies only to a prosecution of
	an offense under Section 39.03(a)(2), Penal Code, as added by this
	Act, in which the defendant was, at the time of the alleged offense,
	acting under the color of federal law.
	(b) In a prosecution described by Subsection (a) of this
	section, if the government of the United States, the defendant, or
	the defendant’s employer challenges the validity of Section
	39.03(a)(2), Penal Code, as added by this Act, on grounds of
	unconstitutionality, preemption, or sovereign immunity, the
	attorney general of this state, with the consent of the appropriate
	local county or district attorney, shall take any actions necessary
	on behalf of the state to defend the validity of the statute. The
	attorney general may make any legal arguments the attorney general
	considers appropriate, including that this Act constitutes a valid
	exercise of:
	(1) the state’s police powers;
	(2) the liberty interests of the people secured by the
	Ninth Amendment to the United States Constitution;
	(3) the powers reserved to the states by the Tenth
	Amendment to the United States Constitution; or
	(4) the rights and protections secured by the Texas
	Constitution.
	SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
	a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
	provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
	Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
	Act takes effect September 1, 2011.

Rick Perry: 2012 Presidential Profile

Cindi — Fri, 20 May 2011 06:57:51 +0000

Update: August 13, 2011- Texas Governor Rick Perry officially enters the 2012 Presidential Race

Personal Information

James Richard “Rick” Perry , a fifth generation Texan, was born March 4, 1950
in Paint Creek, Texas, to Joseph and Amelia Perry.

Family
Married to his childhood sweetheart, Anita, who he’s known since elementary
school. They have two children.

Education
1968- Graduated from Paint Creek High School
1972- Graduated from Texas A&M with a degree in Animal Science

On His Honor
Boy Scouts of America (BSA)- earned the rank of Eagle Scout
The BSA later honored Rick Perry with the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award

Civic Organizations
Lifetime member of American Legion Post #75

Religious Beliefs
Governor Perry is a Christian who believes and agrees with this statement from Pastor John Hagee’s “God and Country” sermon, which Governor Perry was in attendance:

“If you live your life and don’t confess your sins to God Almighty through the authority of Christ and His blood, I’m going to say this very plainly, you’re going straight to hell with a nonstop ticket.”

Strong supporter of Israel from his religious beliefs. In an interview with the Jerusalem Post he stated

“I’m a big believer that this country was given to the people of Israel a long time ago, by God, and that’s ordained.”

August 6, 2011- Initiator of The Response prayer rally, which was a call to prayer for a nation in crisis.

Military Career
United States Air Force

Civilian Career
Tenant Farmer- farmed cotton with his father

Political Career
1984- Elected to the Texas House of Representatives as a Democrat
1990- Elected Agriculture Commissioner as a Republican
1998- Elected Lieutenant Governor
December 21, 2000- assumed the position as the 47th Governor of Texas upon the resignation of then-Governor George W. Bush
2002- Was elected Governor of Texas, which he still serves as today. When speaking of this position, he stated that he has ”the best job in the world” as Governor of Texas.

Political Party Affiliation
1984- Started his political career as a member of the Democratic Party
1989- Changed to the Republican Party

Previous Political Endorsements
1988- Supported Al Gore in his bid for President
Served as chairman of Al Gore’s campaign in Texas
2007- Endorsed Rudy Giuliani in his Presidential bid
Later endorsed John McCain after Rudy Giuliani dropped out of the race in January of 2008

Political Associations
Republican Governor’s Association
Currently serves as Chairman of the Republican Governor’s Association
Also served in this same position as Chairman of the Republican Governor’s Association in 2008
National Governor’s Association
Western Governor’s Association
Southern Governor’s Association

Political Stance
Pro-Life
Opposes same sex marriage
Tough on crime
Supports the death penalty
Does not support the theory of man-made global warming
Opposes a border fence to secure our borders, preferring instead to have more “boots on the ground”
2003- Sponsored a state constitutional amendment to cap on medical malpractice rewards. This was a very controversial issues that was barely approved by the voters.
Fiscal Conservative- However, in 2006 Governor Perry found himself on the wrong side of fiscal conservatives within the Republican party because he supported an increase in the state franchise tax, in addition to a property tax reform bill. Many within the Republican Party likened his actions to a “back door” state income tax.
2007- Issued a very controversial executive order mandating that girls in Texas receive the HPV vaccine. There is an opt-out option for parents. Later that same year Governor Perry signed into law a bill that would undo his executive order.

Political Records Set
Is the first Governor to have been elected to 3 full terms- 2002, 2006 and 2010,
Is the longest serving current U.S. Governor
Is the only governor in modern Texas history to have appointed at least one person to every possible state office, board, or commission position which requires gubernatorial appointment.
2001- Set a record for the use of the veto in the legislative session for the given year. He rejected legislation a total of 82 times, more than any other governor in any single legislative session in the history of Texas since Reconstruction.

Friends Worth Mentioning
Ted Nugent- A friend of Governor Perry’s performed at his second inauguration ceremony in 2007. Mr. Nugent “offended” some people in attendance by wearing a shirt with the Confederate Flag. When asked about this incident, Ted Nugent replied that the Confederate flag is a symbol of southern heritage.

Sovereignty of Texas
2009- Governor Perry endorsed a resolution supporting state sovereignty, stating this the authority for this action is in the 10th Amendment to the United States Constitution. At the time of the endorsement he made this statement:

“I believe that our federal government has become oppressive in its size, its intrusion into the lives of our citizens, and its interference with the affairs of our State. That is why I am here today to express my unwavering support for efforts all across our country to reaffirm the States’ rights affirmed by the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. I believe that returning to the letter and spirit of the U.S. Constitution and its essential 10th Amendment will free our State from undue regulations, and ultimately strengthen our Union.”

This is where I must interject my personal thoughts on Governor Rick Perry. There are a lot of things that I do not necessarily care for about him, first and foremost is that he is the “typical politician” who’s been in office for years.

However, the one thing that I admire and respect about him is his resolve for the Sovereignty of the great State of Texas. As a die-hard Texas lady who has often thought that perhaps the best thing for Texas would be to secede from The United States of America and become our own country again, Governor Perry receives a resounding applause from me on this issue.

The rumblings among the various political circles who have tossed around Governor Perry’s name as a possible option for President of The United States of America in 2012 has not meant anything to me until the last couple of days when I read this article. Today I saw a local news report that gave this article even more credibility.

I must say that the first thing that comes to my mind for Rick Perry in a potential bid for the Presidency, it would be as the President of The Republic of Texas, not President of The United States of America.

Here is a quote from Governor Perry after a tea party protest held on April 15, 2009:

“Texas is a unique place. When we came into the union in 1845, one of the issues was that we would be able to leave if we decided to do that… My hope is that America and Washington in particular pays attention. We’ve got a great union. There’s absolutely no reason to dissolve it. But if Washington continues to thumb their nose at the American people, who knows what may come of that.”

Later, when asked about this comment, a spokesperson on the governor’s staff stated that Governor Perry was not endorsing secession for the State of Texas. In a follow-up op-ed piece written by Governor Perry himself he stated:

“I have never advocated for secession and never will.”

Is this just another case of political back-tracking to cover his own behind, or would Governor Perry do whatever necessary for the State of Texas if push came to shove? I would like to think he would be the Cowboy he professes to be and step up and do whatever it takes to declare the sovereignty of the great state of Texas. I pray with everything in me that it never comes to this. But if it does, so be it.

In the aftermath of these related incidents several other Texas politicians came out saying that this was a distraction or that he simply got carried away.

However, one politician came out saying,

“I’m receptive to the principle of secession. You should have the right to leave.”

It was none other than 2012 Presidential Candidate Ron Paul who made this statement.

Quotes From Governor Perry Concerning A Possible Run For President
December 2010, Governor Perry was asked if he was a “definite maybe” to run for President in 2012, to which he replied, “a definite no, brother”.

That definite no has turned to a definite yes, as of August 13, 2011.

Publications
February 2008- Rick Perry’s first book “On My Honor: Why the American Values of the Boy Scouts are Worth Fighting For” was published
November 2010- His second book, ”Fed Up! Our Fight to Save America from Washington” was published

On The Web
Rick Perry For President Official Website
Governor Perry’s Facebook Page
Governor Perry on Twitter
The Response

In The News
June 9- New Whispers of Rick Perry 2012 Bid
Realclearpolitics.com article

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Sources:
Wikipedia
Office of the Governor- Rick Perry Official Biography