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October 27, 2006 > Opinion > Strayhorn tops Perry for GOP

Strayhorn tops Perry for GOP

By Evan Mintz | Thresher Editorial Staff

Deep in the heart of Texas, the Abilene Reporter-News offered a very unique endorsement for the governor’s race — it did not endorse anybody. Instead, it voiced an opinion held by many voters: Texans deserve someone better than Governor Rick Perry.

Perry has one of the lowest approval ratings of any current governor — 40 percent — according to an Oct. 19 SurveyUSA poll. Perry even fails to pull in support from more than a bare majority among self-proclaimed Republicans. Such poor ratings, especially in a traditionally Republican state, show that people want change.

As Kang and Kodos explained in that ever-poignant 1996 Simpsons Halloween Special, America is stuck with a two-party system. So while many Republicans are fed up with Perry, they would rather vote for a bad Republican than for any candidate with a D next to his name or for a throwaway third party candidate. But luckily for them, this year’s election offers two actually viable alternative candidates — Kinky Friedman and Carole Keeton Strayhorn.

Kinky has been fun, entertaining and anything but serious. And while that is good for a campaign, it will not be good for a Texas governor. Strayhorn, on the other hand, has more experience in Texas politics than any other candidate, including Perry himself. As the first woman elected mayor of Austin, the first woman elected to the Texas Railroad Commission, and the first woman elected as state comptroller, Strayhorn has produced a balanced and conservative policy that fits Texas.

In a letter to the governor himself, Strayhorn condemned Perry’s plan to raise taxes on business partnerships and unincorporated associations to make up for property tax cuts — which would be undone anyway by raises in local taxes and rising property values, yielding the business tax hike unnecessary. In her protest, she was joined by the Harris County Republican Party.

Fiscal conservatism means not just lowering taxes now, but making sure we can keep them low. As Strayhorn recognized, despite his tax plan, faulty fiscal planning under Perry has left the legislature $23 billion short over the next five years, with no relief in sight. And right now the only options to fix Perry’s plan are another tax hike or massive cuts to already suffering state services. Strayhorn has proposed long-term “Strayhorn Solutions” to cut unnecessary programs, properly finance needed ones and fix Texas’ failing schools, thus illustrating the leadership that Texas needs.

Indeed, as former president of the board of the Austin Independent School District, Strayhorn has the know-how necessary to improve Texas’ schools. Even Perry supporters at the Dallas Morning News recognize his “disappointingly resistant” stance on education planning. Strayhorn realizes that education is the key to moving Texas forward. Good schools keep children off the streets, train students for future jobs and attract businesses to Texas. If Texas is to compete in the world economy, we must make that key investment in education — an investment Perry has ignored. Strayhorn recognizes that great schools will lead to a better economy and, in the long run, lower taxes for Texans.

Instead of schools, Perry seems to have focused his attention on the Trans-Texas Corridor. This construction project would entail the government seizing private land and turning it over to a foreign company to build a toll road at taxpayer expense. And while Perry has refused to release complete contract information on his pet project, Strayhorn upholds property rights and good business by opposing this corrupt monstrosity.

During his time as governor, Perry has had his successes and his scandals, but in the end he will probably be known for failed policy and attacking liberals. But Texas does not need partisan politics, it needs leadership. And there is a Republican out there who can provide that leadership — Strayhorn. In fact, in 2002, Carole Keeton Strayhorn led the statewide Republican ticket in terms of sheer votes. So while she now may not have an R next to her name on the ballot, common sense conservatives like Rice’s own Campus Republicans should not be afraid to try to give her, yet again, more votes than Perry.

Evan Mintz is a Hanszen College junior and opinion and Backpage editor.

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