Tuition costs have significantly increased since 2003 when Gov. Perry, then Speaker Tom Craddick and the Republican Senate deregulated tuition costs and allowed the university board of regents to set tuition rates, she said. Members of the board of regents are appointed by the governor and must receive approval from the Senate.
Rep. Toureilles further agreed with Gov. Perry on a $1 million exemption on the state’s revised business tax. The exemption will help small businesses through these tough economic times as well as allow them to grow without the fear of tax repercussions.
“Gov. Perry, however, still has some ground to make up for all Texans,” Toureilles said. “He failed to fully meet the needs of Texans by not supporting eminent domain legislation that will ensure fair market compensation to property owners. Instead the governor is supporting a watered down version of eminent domain legislation. This comes after he vetoed a strong property rights protections bill just over a year ago. He also failed Texans by not addressing or offering proposals to help with the skyrocketing cost of energy bills, healthcare insurance, or home insurance.”
“Middle-class Texans need help on these issues and all Texans need our public schools to be better funded. However, instead of addressing these needs he asked for an increase on what many have called the ‘governor’s slush fund,’ the Texas Enterprise Fund. The Enterprise Fund has given millions of dollars to large corporations in hopes of them relocating to Texas. The fund, however, neglects to invest in businesses in rural or South Texas.”
Rep. Toureilles said, “In this legislative session, I will vote for the protection of property and water rights of rural Texans, increasing the access for the Children’s Health Insurance Program, alleviating the burdens of our small business owners and to meet the needs and challenges of our public schools and of our college students.”
Post a Comment