Perry has proven conservative values

Few would complain that there is a lack of choice in this gubernatorial race. In fact, this race is all about choice. It is about choosing the candidate that most closely aligns with your philosophical views on public policy. Do you prefer large or small government? Higher taxes or lower taxes?

If you know answers to those questions, then choosing a candidate should present no real challenge. If your answers to those questions are small government and lower taxes, then I encourage you to re-elect Governor Rick Perry.

Perry has been very successful as an economic conservative. He has passed nearly $2 billion in tax cuts through the Texas legislature. His property tax reductions put more money in the pockets of land owners and encourage citizens to purchase property. His implementation of tax-free weekends has spurred the growth of the Texas economy. If you have had the privilege of being at Rice long enough to experience a tax-free weekend, then I am sure you have contributed to that growth.

Business is better than ever in Texas. Fewer and less restrictive taxes have created an environment that encourages businesses to move to Texas. The combination of tax cuts for businesses with less than $150,000 in gross receipts and reform to stop frivolous lawsuits relaxes the previously hostile business climate in Texas. Encouraging businesses to locate in Texas is crucial to the economic well-being of the state.

Many Rice students are industrious and entrepreneurial. If starting a business has ever crossed your mind then key into this next point: Less of your revenue given to the government means more money to put into marketing and research and development. Your business will be more successful when you have more of your money and the power to decide how it is spent.

Perry, remarkably, achieved each of these tax cuts within the constraint of a balanced budget. As evidenced by his actions, it is possible to spend less on government and let citizens keep more of their money. Other politicians in this race believe that increasing taxes is the key to balancing the budget. Why? It is a lot easier to tax the citizens of Texas than make hard decisions to cut government spending.

Economic achievements, however, tell only half of the story of Perry’s accomplishments.

Perry helped establish the Children’s Health Insurance Program during his time as lieutenant governor. Working with Medicaid, CHIP provides state-funded healthcare to more than 2.2 million Texas children.

Medical liability costs have skyrocketed over the past few years due to frivolous lawsuits. Perry, seeing that doctors were choosing to locate their practices elsewhere, signed medical liability reform that brought doctors to Texas and lowered insurance costs.

Furthermore, Perry has sponsored legislation to require parental consent for minor girls wishing to get abortions. Also, on his watch, Proposition 2 was passed. This bill amended the Texas State constitution to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

During Perry’s tenure as governor, the citizens of Texas have seen a dramatic improvement in the economic viability and social well-being of the state. Retaining these successful conservative policies is crucial to the continued growth of Texas. Re-electing Governor Rick Perry is the way to make this happen.

John Stallcup is a Brown College junior and chairman of the Rice College Republicans.

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