Misplaced Pages

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by JamesMLane (talk | contribs) at 02:56, 14 August 2011 (→HPV vaccine: rw to spell out "FDA"). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Rick Perry
Rick Perry in June 2011.
47th Governor of Texas
Incumbent
Assumed office December 21, 2000
Lieutenant	Bill Ratliff (2000-03) David Dewhurst (since 2003)
Preceded by	George W. Bush
39th Lieutenant Governor of Texas
In office January 19, 1999 – December 21, 2000
Governor	George W. Bush
Preceded by	Bob Bullock
Succeeded by	Bill Ratliff
9th Commissioner of Agriculture of Texas
In office January 15, 1991 – January 19, 1999
Governor	Ann Richards George W. Bush
Preceded by	Jim Hightower
Succeeded by	Susan Combs
Member of the House of Representatives of Texas from District 64
In office 1985–1991
Preceded by	Joe Hanna
Succeeded by	John Cook
Personal details
Born	James Richard Perry (1950-03-04) March 4, 1950 (age 74) Paint Creek, Texas
Political party	Republican Party (since 1989) Democratic Party (until 1989)
Spouse	Anita Thigpen
Children	Griffin Sydney
Residence(s)	West Austin, Texas (Temporary residence since 2007, during repairs to the Texas Governor's Mansion)
Alma mater	Texas A&M University
Profession	Military Officer, Farmer, Politician
Signature
Website	www.governor.state.tx.us
Military service
Branch/service	United States Air Force
Years of service	1972–1977
Rank	Captain

James Richard "Rick" Perry (born March 4, 1950) is the 47th and current Governor of Texas. A Republican, Perry was elected Lieutenant Governor of Texas in 1998 and assumed the governorship in December 2000 when then-governor George W. Bush resigned to become President of the United States. Perry was elected to full gubernatorial terms in 2002, 2006 and 2010. With a tenure in office to date of 24 years, 18 days, Perry is the longest continuously serving current U.S. governor, and the second longest serving current U.S. governor after Terry Branstad of Iowa.

Perry served as Chairman of the Republican Governors Association in 2008 (succeeding Sonny Perdue of Georgia) and again in 2011. Perry is the longest-serving governor in Texas state history. As a result, he is the only governor in modern Texas history to have appointed at least one person to every eligible state office, board, or commission position (as well as to several elected offices to which the governor can appoint someone to fill an unexpired term, such as six of the nine current members of the Texas Supreme Court).

Perry won the Texas 2010 Republican gubernatorial primary election, defeating U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and former Wharton County Republican Party Chairwoman and businesswoman Debra Medina. In the 2010 Texas gubernatorial election, Perry won a third term by defeating former Houston mayor Bill White and Kathie Glass.

On August 13, 2011, Perry announced that he was running for the Republican nomination for President of the United States in the 2012 presidential election.

Early life

A fifth-generation Texan, Perry was born in Paint Creek, about 60 miles (97 km) north of Abilene in West Texas, to ranchers Joseph Ray Perry and the former Amelia June Holt. His father, a Democrat, was a long-time Haskell County commissioner and school board member. Perry graduated from Paint Creek High School in 1968. As a child, Perry was in the Boy Scouts (BSA) and earned the rank of Eagle Scout; his son, Griffin, would also later become an Eagle Scout. The BSA honored Perry with the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award.

Perry attended Texas A&M University, where he was a member of the Corps of Cadets, a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity and one of A&M's five yell leaders (a popular Texas A&M tradition analogous to male cheerleaders). He interned with the Southwestern Company during the summer time as a door-to-door book salesman where he honed his communication skills. Perry graduated in 1972 with a bachelor's degree in animal science. According to Perry's university transcript, he earned 20 B's, 27 C's, and 9 D's. A's and F's were rare. Additionally, Perry was placed on academic probation for his poor performance in school. While at Texas A&M University, Perry successfully completed a static line parachute jump at Ags Over Texas, a United States Parachute Association dropzone.

Perry was a prankster in college. He once placed chickens in the closet of an upperclassman over Christmas, and also utilized M-80 firecrackers and knowledge of plumbing to frighten students on the toilet.

Upon graduation, he was commissioned in the United States Air Force, completed pilot training and flew C-130 tactical airlift in the United States, the Middle East, and Europe until 1977. He left the Air Force with the rank of captain, returned to Texas and went into business farming cotton with his father.

In 1982, Perry married Anita Thigpen, his childhood sweetheart whom he had known since elementary school. They have two children, Griffin and Sydney. Anita Perry attended West Texas State University and earned a degree in nursing. She has spearheaded a number of health-related initiatives such as the Anita Thigpen Perry Endowment at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, which focuses on nutrition, cardiovascular disease, health education, and early childhood programming.

Perry has said that his interest in politics probably began in November 1961, when his father took him to the funeral of U.S. Representative Sam Rayburn (D-TX), who during his long public career served as speaker of the Texas House for a short time at the age of 29 and then later for 17 years as the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Dignitaries from all over the nation came to the small town of Bonham, the seat of Fannin County, for the service.

Texas Legislature

In 1984, Perry was elected to the Texas House of Representatives as a Democrat from district 64 that included his home county of Haskell. He served on the House Appropriations and Calendars committees during his three two-year terms in office. He befriended fellow freshman state representative Lena Guerrero of Austin, a staunch liberal Democrat who endorsed Perry's reelection bid in 2006 on personal, rather than philosophical, grounds. Perry was part of the "Pit Bulls", a group of Appropriations members who sat on the lower dais in the committee room (or "pit") who pushed for austere state budgets during the 1980s.

Perry supported Al Gore in the 1988 Democratic presidential primaries as chairman of the Gore campaign in Texas.

In 1989, Perry announced that he was joining the Republican Party. At one point, The Dallas Morning News named him one of the ten most effective members of the legislature.

Agriculture Commissioner

In 1990, as a newly minted Republican, he challenged incumbent Democratic Agriculture Commissioner Jim Hightower. Hightower had worked on behalf of Jesse Jackson for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1988, while Perry had supported U.S. Senator Al Gore of Tennessee. Perry narrowly unseated Hightower, whose office was embroiled in a corruption and bribery scandal, even as the Republican gubernatorial candidate, Clayton Williams, went down to defeat at the hands of Ann Richards.

As Agriculture Commissioner, Perry was responsible for promoting the sale of Texas farm produce to other states and foreign nations and supervising the calibration of weights and measures, such as gasoline pumps and grocery store scales.

In 1994, Perry was reelected Agriculture Commissioner by a large margin, having polled 2,546,287 votes (61.92 percent) to Democrat Marvin Gregory's 1,479,692 (35.98 percent). Libertarian Clyde L. Garland received the remaining 85,836 votes (2.08 percent).

Lieutenant governor

In 1998, Perry chose not to seek a third term as Agriculture Commissioner, running instead for Lieutenant Governor to succeed the retiring Democrat Bob Bullock. Perry polled 1,858,837 votes (50.04 percent) to the 1,790,106 (48.19 percent) cast for Democrat John Sharp of Victoria, who had relinquished the Comptroller's position after two terms to seek the lieutenant governorship. Libertarian Anthony Garcia polled another 65,150 votes (1.75 percent). Perry thus became the state's first Republican lieutenant governor since Reconstruction, taking office on January 19, 1999, until he assumed the governorship on December 21, 2000 following the resignation of then-Governor George W. Bush.

Governor

Perry assumed the office of Governor late in 2000 when George W. Bush resigned as governor of Texas to prepare for his presidential inauguration. Perry became the first Texas A&M graduate to serve as governor.

Perry won the office in his own right in the 2002 gubernatorial election when he defeated Laredo businessman Tony Sanchez, polling 2,632,591 votes (57.80 percent) to Sanchez's 1,819,798 (39.96 percent). Four minor party candidates shared 2.21 percent of the vote.

The 2006 gubernatorial election proved to be a stiffer challenge. Though he easily defeated token opposition in the primary election, Perry faced three major opponents: former Democratic Congressman Chris Bell, as well as two major independent candidates – outgoing Republican state Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn ) and well-known Texas country music singer Kinky Friedman. Perry won the race in a plurality, polling 1,714,618 votes (39 percent) to Bell's 1,309,774 (29.8 percent), Strayhorn's 789,432 (18 percent), Friedman's 553,327 (12.6 percent), with a Libertarian candidate and a write-in Independent garnering another 27,444 votes (0.6 percent). Perry became only the third governor in state history to have been elected by a plurality of less than 40 percent of votes cast (the 1853 and 1861 races also featured plurality winners carrying under 40 percent).

Late in the 2006 campaign, the Republican Governors Association received one million dollars from Houston businessman Bob Perry (no relation), and the association thereafter contributed the same amount to Rick Perry. Bell brought suit, contending that the Bob Perry donations had been improperly channeled through the association to conceal their source. In 2010, the Rick Perry campaign paid Bell $426,000 to settle the suit.

Perry is a member of the Republican Governors Association, the National Governors Association, the Western Governors Association, and the Southern Governors Association. Perry is currently serving as Chairman of the Republican Governors Association; he previously served as its Chairman in 2008.

Early in his term as governor, Perry convinced the state Legislature to increase health funding by $6 billion. Some of these programs have since faced funding reductions, and Perry has refused to resume funding to previous levels because of the additional financial burden he says it would place on the state, even though Federal Matching Funds for Healthcare above and beyond the amount dedicated by the legislature are available. He also increased school funding prior to the 2002 election and created new scholarship programs, including $300 million for the Texas GRANT Scholarship Program. Some $9 billion was allocated to Texas public schools, colleges, and universities and combined with a new emphasis on accountability for both teachers and students.

Perry's campaigns for lieutenant governor and governor focused on a tough stance on crime. In June 2002, he vetoed a ban on the execution of mentally retarded inmates. He has also supported block grants for crime programs.

Perry has also supported tort reform to limit malpractice lawsuits against doctors, and as lieutenant governor he had tried and failed to limit class action awards and allowing plaintiffs to allocate liability awards among several defendants. In 2003, Perry sponsored a controversial state constitutional amendment to cap medical malpractice awards, which was narrowly approved by voters. According to a tort reform advocate, this legislation has resulted in a 21.3 percent decrease in malpractice insurance rates. According to the Texas Medical Board, there has also been a significant increase in the number of doctors seeking to practice in the state.

Recently, Perry has drawn attention for his criticism of the Obama administration's handling of the recession, and for turning down approximately $555 million in stimulus money for unemployment insurance. Perry was lauded by the Texas Association of Business for this decision and his justification—that the funds and the mandatory changes to state law would have placed an enduring tax burden on employers. In September 2009, Perry declared that Texas was recession-proof: "As a matter of fact...someone had put a report out that the first state that's coming out of the recession is going to be the state of Texas...I said, 'We're in one?'"

Fiscal issues

Perry, a proclaimed proponent of fiscal conservatism, has often campaigned on tax reform and job growth. Texas now has the highest proportion of minimum wage jobs in the nation. Perry opposed creating a Texas state income tax and increasing sales tax rates, choosing instead to increase user fees and debt, adding $2 billion for road bonds, borrowing from the Federal Unemployment Trust Fund and adding surcharges to various traffic offenses, protected the state's "Rainy Day fund", balanced the state budget as required by state law, and was reelected on a platform to reduce property taxes that rose with the inflation of property values in the late 1990s and the 21st century. In early 2006, Perry signed legislation that delivered a $15.7 billion reduction in property taxes.

In early 2006, Perry angered some fiscal conservatives in his own party by supporting an increase in the state franchise tax alongside a property tax reform bill. Many organizations within the Republican Party itself condemned Perry's tax bill, HB-3, and likened it to a "back door" state income tax. Perry claimed that the bill would save the average taxpayer $2,000 in property taxes. Critics contended that Perry inflated these numbers; the actual tax savings, some sources said, would average only $1,350 per family.

In 2003, Perry signed legislation that created the Texas Enterprise Fund to enhance the development of the Texas economy. In 2004, he authorized the fund to grant $20 million to Countrywide Financial in return for a promise "to create 7,500 new jobs in the state by 2010." Critics argue those jobs would have been created with or without tax payer money. The grant (all of which are approved by the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor and Speaker of the House) is one of the largest made from the fund in terms of the size and the number of jobs promised. In the fall of 2007, while slashing jobs and with its stock price plummeting, Countrywide assured Perry's office that the company "believed" it would meet its 2010 commitment only to be acquired in a fire sale two months later by Bank of America. Thanks to the "claw-back" provisions in the program, grantees return funds to the state for jobs not created.

As lieutenant governor, he initially sponsored a school voucher bill as an alternative to the "Robin Hood" school finance proposal. In 2004, Perry attacked the same "Robin Hood" plan as detrimental to the educational system and attempted to get the legislature to replace it with one that he said would encourage greater equity, cost less, hold down property and sales taxes, and foster job growth. Perry objected to the legalization of video lottery terminals at racetracks and on Indian reservations as well as increases in cigarette taxes.

In 2003, Perry called three consecutive special legislative sessions to procure a congressional redistricting plan he said would be more reflective of the state's population. The plan finally adopted—supported by then U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay of Sugar Land—brought about a five-seat Republican gain in the delegation. In 2006, however, the five-seat edge was reduced to three seats. Thereafter, Republicans gained one seat in 2008 and an additional three seats in the 2010 election; they now hold a 23-9 majority.

A special session of the legislature was convened on June 21, 2005, to address education issues, but resistance developed from House Speaker Tom Craddick, a Republican from Midland. Perry's proposal was attacked by members from property-poor districts and was rejected. During the session, Perry became involved in a heated debate with Comptroller Carole Strayhorn about the merits of his school finance proposal. Strayhorn initially planned to oppose Perry in the 2006 Republican primary, but she instead ran as an independent in the general election. Another special session was convened on July 21, 2005, after Perry vetoed all funding for public schools for the 2007–2008 biennium. He vowed not to "approve an education budget that shortchanges teacher salary increases, textbooks, education technology, and education reforms. And I cannot let $2 billion sit in some bank account when it can go directly to the classroom."

Perry's campaign office in 2006 declared that without the special session, some "$2 billion that had been intended for teacher pay raises, education reforms, and other school priorities would have gone unused because House Bill 2 didn’t pass." The bill failed to pass in the first session, and was refiled in a second session, in which the bill was defeated 62-79, after 50 amendments were added without discussion or debate.

Late in 2005, to maximize the impact of a bipartisan education plan, Perry asked his former rival in the race for lieutenant governor, John Sharp—a former Texas State Comptroller and a member of the Texas Railroad Commission, Texas State Senate and Texas House of Representatives—to head an education task force charged with preparing a bipartisan education plan. Sharp accepted Perry's offer and removed himself as a potential candidate for governor in 2006. The task force issued its final plan several months later, and the legislature adopted it. For his successful efforts, Sharp was later nominated by the Dallas Morning News for the "Texan of the Year" award.

Despite Rick Perry's efforts Texas still ranks at the bottom of many educational indicators. Texas is 50th in the nation in kids with a high school diploma by age 25. Texas also has the 43rd lowest high school graduation rate. Texas is 49th in verbal SAT scores in the nation (493) and 46th in average math SAT scores (502). Pay increases for Texas's teachers have not kept up with the national average.

In June 2010, Perry went on a 12-day trade mission to East Asia. The security detail for the trip cost $129,000 in state money. The Texas Government attempted to block the media's scrutiny of the use of the funds as they contained information that could compromise the future security of the state's senior executive. A member of White's gubernatorial campaign stated that Perry should, "stop hiding the facts on fiscal issues like what he's charging taxpayers for travel". Perry's campaign countered that the trip led to greater exposure for Texas business opportunities in Asia. In all, Perry made 23 foreign trips from 2004 to 2010, including a vacation on Grand Cayman and an education policy retreat in the Bahamas. The state paid only 1% of the travel expenses for these excursions, but security details for all trips combined cost over $1 million in state money. Perry's chief of staff remarked that the trips were "good business sense" as they enhanced the profile of Texan goods and services in foreign markets. White's campaign, however, accused Perry of staging the trips for self-promotion.

Criticism of Constitutional amendments

In Perry's 2010 book Fed Up!, he takes issue with the Federal government's right to collect income tax, saying "if you want to know when Washington really got off the track, the 16th Amendment, giving them the opportunity to take your money with a personal income tax." He also criticizes the 17th Amendment, which allows for the direct election of U.S. Senator. According to Perry, the 16th and 17th Amendments caused states to " over significant chunks of their sovereignty and wealth to the federal government. Congress was free to tax and spend to its heart's content."

Social policy

Perry opposes all legal recognition of same sex marriages. In 2002, he described the Texas same-sex anti-sodomy law as "appropriate". The United States Supreme Court decision in Lawrence vs. Texas struck down the law the following year. In 2011, he stated that he was fine with New York's same-sex marriage bill, since it was a 10th amendment type of issue.

Perry is pro-life and opposes government funding for elective abortions. In 2003, Perry signed the Prenatal Protection Act, which explicitly included fetuses in its definition of human life.

In 2005, Perry, a social conservative, signed a bill that limited late-term abortions and required girls under the age of 18 who procure abortions to notify their parents. Perry signed the bill in the gymnasium of Calvary Christian Academy in Fort Worth, an evangelical Christian school. In 2005, Gov. Perry signed a parental consent bill into law. Perry has signed legislation prohibiting abortions in the third trimester of pregnancy, and has also signed into law a bill that required abortion providers to offer informational brochures to women considering abortion.

In May 2011, Perry signed a "Mandatory Ultrasound Bill" which stipulates that, prior to every abortion, the abortion practitioner or a certified sonographer must perform a sonogram before any sedative or anesthesia is administered. Before every abortion, the abortion practitioner must give an explanation of the sonogram images of the unborn child. The woman may waive this right only in cases of rape, incest, fetal abnormality, and judicial bypass for a minor. The abortion practitioner must also allow the woman to see the sonogram images of the unborn child and hear the heartbeat along with a verbal explanation of the heartbeat before an abortion can be administered.

Also in 2011, Perry signed a bill that prohibited taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood, along with a bill that created a “Choose Life” license plate to promote infant adoption in Texas.

Christian religious beliefs

Perry has been referred to as an Evangelical Christian and a Methodist. He grew up in the Methodist church, and he and his family have been members of Tarrytown United Methodist Church since the 1990s, the same church that former President George W. Bush attended in Austin. In 2010, Perry began attending Lake Hills Church in Austin. Perry's former deputy director of communications and principal speechwriter of four years, Andrew Barlow, was pastor of creative development at Lake Hills Church for seven years. Perry says that as governor, he regularly attends numerous churches to speak. As for why he ultimately chooses to go to one place and not another, he said he administers a simple test: "If I remember on Wednesday what the message was on Sunday, it was a good message."

In 2006, in what was described as a "God and country" sermon at the Cornerstone church in San Antonio, attended by Perry and other mostly Republican candidates, the Rev. John Hagee stated, "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." Perry was asked if he agreed with those comments and said, "It is my faith, and I'm a believer of that." Perry went on to say that there was nothing in the sermon that he took exception with. In May 2011, at a meeting in East Texas with business leaders, Perry stated that at age 27, he felt "called to the ministry".

While visiting Israel in August 2009, Perry gave an interview to the Jerusalem Post in which he affirmed his support for Israel from his religious background, "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."

On June 6, 2011, Perry proclaimed Saturday, August 6, as a Day of Prayer and Fasting. He invited governors across the country to join him on that day to participate in The Response, a non-denominational, apolitical, Christian prayer meeting hosted by the American Family Association at Reliant Stadium in Houston. Perry also urged fellow governors to issue similar proclamations encouraging their constituents to pray that day for "unity and righteousness".

After the September 11, 2001, World Trade Center attacks, Perry joined a Baptist pastor who led a prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, at a student assembly in a public middle school. Perry said he had no problem ignoring the Supreme Court’s 1962 ruling that barred organized prayer in public schools.

In his first book, On My Honor, published in February 2008, Perry expressed his views on the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause. "Let's be clear: I don't believe government, which taxes people regardless of their faith, should espouse a specific faith. I also don't think we should allow a small minority of atheists to sanitize our civil dialogue on religious references." In August 2011, at a Houston prayer and fasting event, Perry noted "God is wise enough not to be affiliated with any political party."

Intelligent design

During the 2006 gubernatorial election campaign, Perry said he supported teaching intelligent design alongside evolution in Texas schools. A spokeswoman for Perry called intelligent design a "valid scientific theory".

HPV vaccine

On February 2, 2007, Perry issued an executive order mandating that Texas girls receive HPV vaccine that protects against some strains of the human papilloma virus, a cause of cervical cancer. The order provided vaccination free of charge to those who were not covered by insurance. The order included an opt-out provision for parents. At the time of the order, Gardasil, a newly approved drug manufactured by Merck, was the only HPV vaccine approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The move made national headlines, and apparent financial connections between Merck and Perry were reported by news outlets, such as a $6,000 campaign contribution and Merck's hiring of former Perry Chief of Staff Mike Toomey to handle its Texas lobbying work and Perry's "current chief of staff's mother-in-law, Texas Republican state Rep. Dianne White Delisi state director for Women in Government."

Perry's decision has been criticized by some social conservatives and parents due to concerns about possible moral implications of the vaccine and safety concerns. On February 22, 2007, a group of families sued in an attempt to block Perry's executive order. Perry's order has also been criticized for the price of the vaccine: approximately $360 in Texas.

In May, 2007, the Texas Legislature passed a bill to undo Perry's executive order. Perry did not veto it, as the Legislature had sufficient time and votes to override a veto.

Gun ownership

Perry has an A+ rating from the National Rifle Association. He possesses a Concealed Handgun License (CHL), and in 2005, he signed a number of bills that, among other things, reduced CHL fees for military veterans and senior citizens, reduced the CHL age requirement from 21 to 18 for members of the military, exempted military veterans from taking the range portion of the CHL licensing process (if they had been weapons certified in the military within the past five years), and extended the renewal period for a CHL from four to five years. In 2007, Perry signed castle doctrine legislation, enhancing a person's legal right to use deadly force in self defense against an intruder within one's place of residence.

In 2011, Perry criticized the U.S. Department of Justice's creation of a reporting requirement for purchases of semi-automatic rifles within the four states bordering Mexico, saying "...the Obama administration should target actual criminals rather than law-abiding citizens and immediately secure our southern border against the northbound and southbound illegal smuggling of drugs, humans, cash, guns, fugitives and stolen vehicles."

Vetoes

Perry set a record in the 2001 legislative session for the use of the veto: he rejected legislation a total of 82 times, more than any other governor in any single legislative session in the history of the state since Reconstruction. Perry's use of the veto drew criticism from some in the 2002 gubernatorial campaign, having used the veto only nine fewer times than preceding Governor George W. Bush had during three legislative sessions and 22 times more than Ann Richards cast in two sessions. In the two legislative sessions following the 2001 session, Perry was more conservative in his use of the veto, employing it 51 times. As of 2011, he had used the veto 273 times, more than any other Texas governor.

Supreme Court Justice Steve Smith

This section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living people that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately. Find sources: "Rick Perry" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (June 2011) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Perry has made numerous appointments to the Texas courts, the Texas Railroad Commission, as secretary of state, and to other boards and commissions during his tenure as governor. Two of the three Railroad Commissioners, Victor G. Carrillo and Elizabeth Ames Jones, began their service as Perry appointees. The third, Michael L. Williams, started in 1999 under appointment from George W. Bush. Perry has named six short-term appointments as secretary of state, including two of his former legislative colleagues, Henry Cuellar and Gwyn Shea.

One of Perry's first selections was the appointment of Xavier Rodriguez to succeed Greg Abbott on the Texas Supreme Court. Rodriguez, a self-proclaimed moderate, was unseated in the 2002 Republican primary by conservative Steven Wayne Smith, the attorney in the Hopwood v. Texas suit in 1996, which successfully challenged affirmative action at the University of Texas Law School. Smith was elected by a comfortable margin over Democratic opposition in the 2002 general election.

Perry objected to Smith's tenure on the court and refused to meet with the new justice when Smith attempted to mend fences with the governor. Perry encouraged Judge Paul Green to challenge Smith in the 2004 Republican primary. Green defeated Smith in the primary and was elected without opposition in the general election. Smith attempted a comeback in the 2006 Republican primary by challenging Justice Don Willett, another Perry appointee who was considered a conservative on the court. Smith polled 49.5 percent of the primary vote, but Willett narrowly prevailed.

Trans-Texas Corridor

In January 2001, Perry proposed the Trans-Texas Corridor, a $145+ billion-dollar project that would build multi-lane highways, rail lines and data lines from Oklahoma to Mexico, and from east to west in southern Texas. Instead of paying for the project with taxes, Perry proposed that it be partially financed, partially built and wholly operated by private contractors who, in exchange for a multi-billion dollar investment, would receive all toll proceeds, notably Cintra, a Spanish-owned company, and its minority partner, San Antonio-based Zachry Construction Corporation, one of Texas' largest road construction companies. Some of the more controversial aspects of the project include tolls, private operation of toll collections (at rates set by local municipalities), and extensive use of eminent domain (or the option for landowners to maintain a lucrative equity stake in the project) to acquire property.

Opponents portrayed the proposal as a "land grab", and criticized Perry for opposing the public release of the actual terms of the 50-year deal with Cintra to the public for fear they would chill the possibility of the company's investment; Perry's former liaison to the legislature, former State Senator Dan Shelly, returned to his consulting/lobbying work with Cintra after securing the TTC deal while on the state payroll. All of Perry's gubernatorial opponents opposed the corridor project, as did the 2006 state party platforms of both the Democratic and Republicans parties. After much contentious debate between supporters and opponents, an official decision of "no action" was issued by the Federal Highway Administration on July 20, 2010, formally ending the project.

In 2001, Perry appointed Ric Williamson of Weatherford, an old friend and former legislative colleague, to the Texas Transportation Commission. Williamson became the commission chairman in 2004 and worked for the improvement of the state's transportation infrastructure until his sudden death of a heart attack on December 30, 2007.

Death penalty

Perry supports the death penalty. On June 2, 2009, Texas carried out the 200th execution since Perry assumed the office of governor. As of August 10, 2011, Texas has carried out 234 executions since Rick Perry became governor.

Cameron Todd Willingham

The neutrality of this section is disputed. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. Please do not remove this message until conditions to do so are met. (August 2011) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Cameron Todd Willingham was convicted of murder and executed in 2004 for the deaths of his three young children via arson at the family home in Corsicana, Texas. Before the execution, Perry was advised by an arson expert that the investigation of the case had not been based on good science and that there was no proof of arson.

Willingham's case gained renewed attention in 2009 when an investigative report in The New Yorker, drawing upon arson investigation experts and advances in fire science since the 1992 investigation, suggested that the evidence for arson was unconvincing, and that had this information been available at the time of trial, Willingham would have been acquitted. According to a different 2009 investigative report by an expert hired by the Texas Forensic Science Commission, the charges of arson could not be sustained given the available evidence. In October of 2009, Perry dismissed three members of the Texas Forensic Science Comission after they had begun to investigate the case. Perry denied that the dismissals were related to the case. In July 2011, the Texas Attorney General ruled that the Commission could not consider evidence gathered or tested before 2005, effectively removing the chance that the Commission would rule Willingham not guilty.

Execution of Mexican nationals

Two Mexican nationals have been executed under the Perry administration – José Medellín in 2008, and Humberto Leal Garcia in 2011. At the time of their arrests in the early 1990s, neither had been informed of their rights as Mexican nationals to have the Mexican consulate informed of the charges and provide legal assistance. A 2004 ruling by the International Court of Justice concluded that the U.S. had violated the rights of 51 Mexican nationals, including Medellin and Garcia, under the terms of a treaty the U.S. had signed. In response to the ruling, the Bush administration issued an instruction that states comply, but the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that he had exceeded his authority. The Supreme Court also ruled in Medellin v. Texas that the treaty was not binding on states until Congress enacted statutes to implement it, and in Leal Garcia v. Texas declined to place a stay on the executions in order to allow Congress additional time to enact such a statute. A 2008 ruling by the International Court of Justice asked the United States to place a stay on the executions, but Texas officials stated that they were not bound by international law.

Garcia supporters complained about the use of bite mark analysis and luminol in determining his guilt. However, Garcia accepted responsibility for the crimes and apologized before his execution.

Regarding the Garcia execution, Perry stated that "If you commit the most heinous of crimes in Texas, you can expect to face the ultimate penalty under our laws."

Pardons and commutations

Under Texas law, the governor is not permitted to grant pardon or parole, or to commute a death penalty sentence to life imprisonment, on his own initiative (the law was changed after former Governor James E. Ferguson was charged with selling pardons for political contributions). Instead, the Board of Pardons and Paroles will recommend to the governor whether or not to grant such. If the Board recommends such, the governor is free to reject the recommendation, but if the Board chooses not to recommend such, in the case of a death penalty sentence the governor can only grant a one-time, 30-day reprieve.

In 2005, Frances Newton's appeal for a commutation of her death penalty was declined. Her attorney had argued Newton was incapable of standing trial. The Board of Pardon and Parole did not recommend a commutation, and Perry did not grant the one-time reprieve. Newton was executed on September 14, 2005.

In 1990, Tyrone Brown was sentenced to life in a Texas maximum security prison for smoking marijuana while on probation. Texas Judge Keith Dean had originally placed Brown on probation, but changed the sentence after Brown tested positive for marijuana. After being defeated in the last Dallas election, Dean requested the governor pardon Brown. On March 9, 2007, Perry granted Brown a conditional pardon after receiving a recommendation from the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles.

On August 30, 2007, Perry commuted the death sentence of Kenneth Foster, an accomplice in a 1996 murder, doing so three hours before Foster was to die by lethal injection. Evidence had shown that while Foster was present at the scene of the crime (transporting the individual who actually committed the crime away from the scene in his car), he had nothing to do with the actual commission of the murder, and may not have even been aware that it had been taking place, as he was outside in his car at the time. The Board of Pardon and Parole recommended commutation, and Perry accepted the recommendation, converting the sentence to life in prison with a possibility of parole in 2037.

Environmental issues

Perry does not believe there is valid scientific proof of anthropogenic global warming. He has said several times that there is no scientific consensus on the issue. In a September 7, 2007, speech to California Republicans, Perry said, "Virtually every day another scientist leaves the global warming bandwagon. ... But you won't read about that in the press because they have already invested in one side of the story."

Texas-based TXU had been planning a $10 billion investment in 11 new coal-fired power plants over the next several years, but drastically reduced those plans in 2007 under the terms of a buyout by a consortium of private equity firms. The Governor's Clean Coal Technology Council continues to explore ways to generate clean energy with coal. After the 2009 legislative session, Perry signed House Bill 469 which includes incentives for clean coal technology breakthroughs.

Perry opposes regulation of greenhouse gas emissions because he says it would have "devastating implications" for the Texas economy and energy industry. He has stated that he supports an "all of the above" energy strategy including oil, coal, nuclear, biofuels, hydroelectric, solar, and wind energy. Perry has collaborated with T. Boone Pickens, an alternative energy advocate and oil pioneer. Environmentalists have characterized Pickens' views on climate change as "shortsighted and overly alarmist".

Education

In 2007, Perry vetoed government provided health insurance for community college faculty due to revelations that schools had been using state funds to pay benefits for non-state employees. Funding for state-employed school personnel was restored in a joint agreement and funding re-allocation later that same year.

In June 2011, Perry signed into law Senate Bill 1736, which establishes the "College Credit for Heroes" program. The new law is intended to help veterans get college credit for military training.

Inauguration concert controversy

Perry invited his friend, rock musician Ted Nugent, to perform at a black-tie gala hours after Perry's second inauguration ceremony on January 16, 2007. Nugent appeared onstage during the inaugural ball wearing a cutoff T-shirt emblazoned with the Confederate flag and shouting derogatory remarks about non-English speakers, according to press reports. The NAACP condemned Nugent's wearing the Confederate flag. Perry's spokesman, Robert Black, downplayed the Tuesday-night incident. "Ted Nugent is a good friend of the governor's. He (Perry) asked him (Nugent) if he would play at the inaugural. He didn't put any stipulation of what he would play."

Comments on the possible secession of Texas

In April 2009, Perry endorsed a resolution supporting state sovereignty, under the argument that such authority is reserved by the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. On April 9, 2009, Perry said, "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."

After a tea party protest held on April 15, 2009, Perry responded to a reporter's question about secession, saying, "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." In reference to Perry's comments, a spokesperson said that Perry "never advocated seceding". A Time magazine article shed light on the situation, with experts saying that Texas cannot legally secede but may split into five states.

In response to Perry's comments, the Amarillo Globe-News posted an editorial on April 19, writing that Perry "uttered some words that take that discussion to a level not heard since, oh, 1861—when Texas in fact did secede and joined the Confederate States of America. We all know what happened next." U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) further reflected this understanding, "Well, I don't think it's particularly useful. The legal response is 'You can't do it.' We fought a Civil War. You can't do it... I think it's a distraction. We have a lot of serious issues. This is not one of them." Additionally, Rep. Charlie Gonzalez (D-TX) thought "the governor got carried away. You see posturing in preparation for the Republican primary. It serves no useful purpose." However, Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) said "I'm receptive to the principle of secession. You should have the right to leave."

Immigration

Perry has opposed the creation of the Mexico – United States barrier, which is meant to keep out illegal aliens. Instead of barricading the border completely with a fence, Perry believes that the federal government should fulfill its responsibility to its citizens by securing the borders with "boots on the ground" and technology to improve safety while not harming trade with the state's biggest trading partner, Mexico. Perry said the Arizona immigration law SB 1070 “would not be the right direction for Texas” and would distract law enforcement from fighting other crimes.

2008 presidential endorsements

In October 2007, despite their political differences on many social issues, Perry endorsed Rudy Giuliani for President. "Rudy Giuliani is the most prepared individual of either party to be the next President... I'm not talking about any mayor, I'm talking about America's Mayor," Perry said. Some conjectured that, if Giuliani were elected, Perry might have been considered for a position in the new president's cabinet, or perhaps the vice presidency. However, Giuliani withdrew from the race on January 30, 2008, after failing to gain support in early primaries.

Both Giuliani and Perry immediately endorsed Arizona Senator John McCain for President. Shortly after Mitt Romney's withdrawal from the race in early February, Perry reportedly called McCain rival Mike Huckabee and suggested that he withdraw as well to clear the way for McCain to secure the nomination. Huckabee declined this request and made it clear publicly that he would abandon his presidential bid only if McCain secured enough delegates. Huckabee withdrew his presidential bid on March 5, 2008, after John McCain won the Texas and Ohio primaries.

2010 Texas gubernatorial election

In April 2008, Perry announced his intent to run for re-election. Perry defeated Senator Hutchison and Debra Medina in the March 2, 2010, primary election, becoming the Republican nominee. He faced Democratic nominee William Howard "Bill" White, the former mayor of Houston. During the general election campaign, Perry refused to debate White until White released his tax returns from 1995, his last year as deputy energy secretary in the Clinton administration. White released his tax returns for his six years as mayor of Houston. According to his spokesperson, White had taxes withheld from his $133,000 salary in 1995, the amount of which was offset by losses in the starting of an energy business.

On November 2, 2010, Perry handily won re-election to an unprecedented third four-year term in the general election, polling 2,733,784 votes (54.97 percent) and White garnered 2,102,606 votes (42.28 percent). Perry also carried 226 out of 254 counties, resulting in his making history becoming the first Texas governor to be elected to three four-year terms and the fourth to serve three terms since Shivers, Price Daniel, and John Connally. Perry's third term began on January 18, 2011.

2012 presidential election

Perry has persistently denied aspirations to higher office; he was originally included on the 2012 Presidential Straw Poll ballot at the Values Voter Summit in September 2009, but his name was removed at his own request. In April 2008 while appearing as a guest on CNBC's Kudlow & Company, he specifically stated that he would not agree to serve as Vice President in a McCain administration, stating that he already had "the best job in the world" as governor of Texas. Further, during a Republican gubernatorial debate in January 2010, when asked if he would commit to serving out his term if re-elected, he replied that "the place hasn't been made yet" where he would rather serve than the governor of Texas. In December 2010, when asked if he was a "definite maybe" to run for President in 2012, he replied, "a definite no, brother".

On May 27, 2011, he said he is "going to think about" running for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination after the close of the Texas legislative session. Perry said in a response to a question from a reporter, "but I think about a lot of things," he added with a grin.

On August 11, a Perry spokesman said that he will be running for President in 2012, with plans to announce his formal entry into the race the next day, August 12. Perry himself confirmed it on a visit to KVUE, the ABC affiliate in Austin. As the Associated Press bulletin announcing his entry into the race came across the wire, Perry signed and dated a printed copy of the bulletin.

On August 13, Perry officially announced that he will be running for president.

Publications

Rick Perry has written two books:

• On My Honor: Why the American Values of the Boy Scouts are Worth Fighting For was published in February 2008. In his book, Perry celebrates the positive impact of the organization on the youth of America and criticizes the ACLU for its legal actions against the Boy Scouts of America.
• His second book, Fed Up! Our Fight to Save America from Washington was published in November 2010. Perry's second book discusses his support for limited central government.

Electoral history

References

1. Selby, W. Gardner; Novak, Shonda (September 27, 2007). "Rent will run about $10,000 a month for house on Hickory Creek Drive". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved May 19, 2011. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |lastauthoramp= ignored (|name-list-style= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |separator= ignored (help)
2. ^ "RGA Announces New Leadership". Republican Governors Association. 2010-11-18. Retrieved 2011-03-26.
3. Slater, Wayne (2008-12-04). "Hutchison signals she's ready for a showdown with Perry in 2010". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
4. Hoff, Jenny (02 Mar 2009). "Tom Schieffer to make gubernatorial run". KXAS-TV. Retrieved 2009-03-02. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
5. Barbee, Chris (28 Mar 2009). "County GOP Chair considers run for governor's post". leader-news.com. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
6. ^ "TX Governor Race - Nov 02, 2010". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2010-09-04.
7. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-naw-rick-perry-20110814,0,6232946.story
8. "Texas Governor Rick Perry". Office of the Governor. Retrieved 2006-11-08.
9. Lucas, Fred (February 11, 2008). "Texas Governor Urges Protection for Boy Scouts of America". Cybercast News Service. Archived from the original on May 18, 2008. Retrieved August 12, 2011.
10. "Distinguished Eagle Scout Award" (PDF). Boy Scouts of America. Retrieved 2010-11-04.
11. Hylton, Hilary (2009-01-25). "Bush Returns to a Divided Texas Republican Party". Time. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
12. Wood, E. Thomas (2009-02-27). "Dortch Oldham dies at 89". NashvillePost.com. Retrieved 2010-12-02.
13. Cherkis, Jason (August 5, 2011). "Rick Perry's College Transcript: A Lot Of Cs and Ds". The Huffington Post.
14. http://nation.foxnews.com/rick-perry/2011/08/05/left-leaks-perrys-college-transcript-still-waiting-obamas
15. Hooks, Chris (August 2, 2011). "Texas A&M Years Launched Perry — and a Rivalry". The Texas Tribune. Austin. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
16. "Rick Perry Was Al Gore's Texas Campaign Chairman in 1988". Enviroknow.com. 2011-06-23. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
17. "PolitiFact Texas | Debra Medina claims Rick Perry was a Democrat and Al Gore's campaign manager". Politifact.com. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
18. "50 Things You need to Know about Governor Rick Perry" Dallas Morning News February 19, 2010
19. "71st Legislature, 6th C.S., HR63" (PDF). Legislative Reference Library of Texas. 1990. Retrieved August 13, 2011.
20. "Resolution" (PDF). Legislative Reference Library of Texas. 1990. p. 2. Retrieved August 13, 2011.
21. Three ex-aides to Hightower are sentenced Houston Chronicle. November 11, 1993
22. "New Faces Replace Washington-Bound Governors". Stateline.org. 2001-01-05. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
23. ^ http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/
24. Embry, Jason (July 16, 2010). "Perry campaign paid Bell $426,000 to settle suit". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved 2010-07-10.
25. Slater, Wayne (July 16, 2010). "Perry campaign settles lawsuit charging he hid $1 million contribution". The Dallas Morning News. Dallas, Texas. Retrieved 2010-07-17.
26. Blumenthal, Ralph. "Malpractice Suits Capped at $750,000 in Texas Vote" New York Times September 15, 2003
27. Blumenthal, Ralph (2007-10-05). "More Doctors in Texas After Malpractice Caps". Texas: New York Times. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
28. TAB Applauds Governor Perry’s Decision to Kill Job Tax
29. Perry on Recession: "We're in one?" Political Wire, September 19, 2009
30. http://www.americanindependent.com/188776/wsj-lauds-texas-economy-marked-by-jobs-including-a-lot-of-low-paying-ones
31. "Perry Joins Call for Road Bonds" (PDF). Retrieved 2011-08-07.
32. "Proposition 12 (General Obligation Bond Projects)". Texas Department of Transportation (State of Texas). 2009-11-19. Retrieved 2011-03-26.
33. Jeanne Mejeur. "State Unemployment Trust Fund Loans". Ncsl.org. Retrieved 2011-03-26.
34. "Office of the Governor Rick Perry - Press Releases - Gov. Perry Signs Landmark Business Tax Reform". Governor.state.tx.us. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
35. Harris County GOP Passes Resolution Against HB3 « Right Of Texas
36. "Rick Perry Airs Misleading Ad". Lonestarproject.net. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
37. Austin American-Statesman, November 9, 2007, page D1
38. Yahoo! Search - Web Search
39. http://www.rickperry.org/news/display.php?id=11
41. "Office of the Governor - Rick Perry" (PDF). Governor.state.tx.us. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
42. "Dallas Morning News | Opinion: DMN 2005 Texan of the Year". Dallasnews.com. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
43. http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-presidential-election/guest-column-why-perry-shouldnt-run-president/
44. http://www.window.state.tx.us/comptrol/wwstand/wws0512ed/
45. Shannon, Kelley (20 September 2010). "Perry's 12-day Asia trip cost $129,000 for security". Houston Chronicle. Jack Sweeney. Retrieved 29 September 2010.
46. Wesp, Michael (20 September 2010). "Security for Perry's Asia trip topped $129,000". KWKT-TV News. Retrieved 29 September 2010.
47. Fikac, Peggy (15 October 2010). "$1 million for Perrys' security over 7 years". Houston Chronicle. Jack Sweeney. Retrieved 19 October 2010.
48. Ashford-Grooms, Meghan (December 20, 2010). "Following Perry, we dive into income tax history". PolitiFact.com. Retrieved June 16, 2011.
49. Perry, Rick. "Fed Up"
50. "Perry Calls Sodomy Law 'Appropriate'". Sodomylaws.org. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
51. "Perry says sodomy law is 'appropriate'". Amarillo Globe-News. 2002-12-04. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
52. Jarboe, Jan (2002-12-05). "Texas law makes being gay a crime". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
53. Template:Http://www.towleroad.com/2011/07/rick-perry-gay-marriage-should-be-left-to-states.html
54. ^ "Rick Perry Gets A Grade on Abortion From Texas Pro-Life Groups". LifeNews.com. 2011-06-10. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
55. "Texas Gov. Rick Perry Signs Ultrasound Before Abortion Bill". Lifenews.com. 2011-05-20. {{cite web}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help); Unknown parameter |http://www.lifenews.com/2011/05/20/texas-gov-rick-perry-signs-ultrasound-before-abortion-bill/?utm_source= ignored (help)
56. July 21st, 2011 (2011-07-21). "Texas Gov. Rick Perry Signs Bill De-Funding Planned Parenthood". Catholic Tide. Retrieved 2011-08-07.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
57. "Texas Governor Rick Perry Signs Choose Life Plate Bill | Dallas Morning News". Topics.dallasnews.com. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
58. Jones, Rodger (June 7, 2011). "On Rick Perry and prayer". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
59. O'Brien, Nancy Frazier (June 10, 2011). "Religion may play crucial role in 2012 campaign, as it has in past". U.S. Catholic. Catholic News Service. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
60. "Perry Communications Aide Barlow Announces Departure" (Press release). Office of the Governor. February 23, 2011. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
61. Sanders, Joshunda; Embry, Jason (October 30, 2010). "Candidates mirror population in attending more than one church". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
62. "Perry believes non-Christians doomed". The Dallas Morning News. November 6, 2006.
63. The Dallas Morning News
64. Kilday Hart, Patricia (July 13, 2011). "Perry says he was called to the ministry at the age of 27". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
65. Selig, Abe (August 13, 2009). "Texas gov. compares Gaza to Mexico, Masada to the Alamo". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved March 26, 2011.
66. Perry, Rick (June 6, 2011). "Gov. Perry Declares August 6th a Day of Prayer". Office of the Governor. Retrieved June 29, 2011.
67. Rally Raises Anew Question of the Boundaries of Perry’s Faith By MANNY FERNANDEZ, New York Times, August 5, 2011
68. Perry, Rick (2008). On My Honor. Macon, GA: Stroud & Hall Publishers. p. 88. ISBN 0979646227.
69. Cohen, Tom; Hornick, Ed (August 11, 2011). "Perry appeals to social and fiscal conservatives". CNN. Retrieved 2011-08-12.
70. Casey, Rick (February 5, 2009), "Gov. Perry is my kind of a fraud", Houston Chronicle, retrieved May 18, 2011
71. ^ Carney, Timothy (2011-06-21) Rick Perry's mixed record on regulatory robbery, Washington Examiner
72. ^ PETERSON, LIZ AUSTIN (2007-02-02). "Texas Gov. Orders Anti-Cancer Vaccine". Washington Post. Retrieved 2007-02-02.
73. "Monkey and other business". The Economist. 2007-05-31. Retrieved 2007-07-30. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
74. "Perry's staff discussed vaccine on day Merck donated to campaign". Statesman.com. 2007-02-22. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
75. "Texas Families Seek to Block Gov's Order". Newsmax.com. 2007-02-25. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
76. Corrie MacLaggan (2007-05-09). "Perry lets HPV bill go into law". Statesman.com. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
77. http://www.nraila.org/News/Read/InTheNews.aspx?ID=15316
78. http://www.statesman.com/news/local/wily-coyote-no-match-for-governors-gun-634362.html
79. http://governor.state.tx.us/news/press-release/3598/
80. http://austin.ynn.com/content/legislature_2007/stories/181495/perry-signs--castle-doctrine--deadly-force-bill
81. http://governor.state.tx.us/news/press-release/16374/
82. "The Executive Branch: Budgetary Powers", Texas Politics, University of Texas at Austin, retrieved June 20, 2011
83. "The Limits of the Veto", Texas Politics, University of Texas at Austin, retrieved June 20, 2011
84. Aaronson, Becca (June 17, 2011). "Vetoes — Then and Now". The Texas Tribune. Austin. Retrieved June 20, 2011. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |separator= ignored (help)
85. "Trans-Texas Corridor: FAQs". Texas Department of Transportation. 2004. Archived from the original on 2007-11-13. Retrieved 2008-11-13.
86. "2006 State Republican Party Platform" (PDF). Texas Republican Party. 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-06-25. Retrieved 2008-06-26.
87. "2006 Texas Democratic Party Platform" (PDF). 2006. Retrieved 2008-06-26.
88. Thomas, Evan (2007-11-10). "Injection of Reflection". Newsweek. Retrieved 2008-06-22. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
89. Sanders, Bob Ray (2009-06-06). "Sanders: Texas does lots of things on a grand scale, including executing people". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Retrieved 2009-08-29.
90. "Texas Set Today to Execute 234th person under Governor Rick Perry". Texas Moratorium Network. 2011-08-10. Retrieved 2011-08-11.
91. "From arson to politics: Why has Texas's governor derailed a death-penalty investigation?". The Economist. October 22, 2009. Retrieved 2011-08-13.
92. Grann, David (2009-01-07). "Cameron Todd Willingham, Texas, and the death penalty". The New Yorker. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
93. "Analysis of the Fire Investigation Methods and Procedures Used in the Criminal Arson Cases Against Ernest Ray Willis and Cameron Todd Willingham". Docstoc.com. 2011-07-08. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
94. Grann, David (2009-01-07). "News Desk: David Grann: A Sudden Dismissal". The New Yorker. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
95. "Shake-up in Texas execution probe draws criticism, questions - CNN". Articles.cnn.com. 2009-10-01. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
96. "Texas AG Ruling May End Willingham Probe". The Texas Tribune. 2011-07-29.
97. "Avena and other Mexican Nationals (Mexico v. United States of America)". The Hague Justice Portal. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
98. http://www.humbertoleal.org/docs/Bush-memorandum.pdf
99. "Court seeks to stay US executions". BBC News. 2008-07-16. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
100. "Courthouse News Service". Courthousenews.com. 2011-07-08. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
101. "Texas executes Mexican after US court rejects appeal". BBC. 2011-07-08. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
102. Graczyk, Michael (2011-07-08). "Criticism of Texas' execution of Mexican Leal doesn't bother Perry". Star-telegram.com. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
103. "Inmate Given Life After Drug Use Is Pardoned in Texas". The New York Times. Associated Press. March 10, 2007. Retrieved May 22, 2010.
104. "Governor Commutes Sentence in Texas", The New York Times, August 31, 2007
105. "A report of Working Group I of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change- Summary for Policymakers" (PDF). Retrieved 2011-03-26.
106. By W. Gardner Selby and Asher Price (2007-10-21). "Austin news, sports, weather, Longhorns, business". Statesman.com. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
107. "TXU reversal on coal-plant emissions shocks power industry", MarketWatch
108. "Relating to the Creation of the Governor's Clean Coal Technology Council", Office of the Governor
109. "Legislative Session: 81(R). House Bill 469. House Author: King, Phil et al. Effective: 9-1-09, Senate Sponsor: Seliger". Legis.state.tx.us. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
110. "Gov. Perry: Incentives will Create New Clean Energy Sources" Office of the Governor
111. "Powering Texas into the Future" Office of the Governor
112. "Governor leery of regulating emissions"
113. Martin, Marie (July 29, 2007). "Veto stuns college". Texarkana Gazette. Retrieved 2010-08-28. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
115. Pierce, Greg. "Inside Politics", The Washington Times, January 19, 2007, page A7.
116. "Rocker Ted Nugent Creates Stir With Performance at Inaugural Ball for Texas Governor Rick Perry" Fox News, Associated Press, January 18, 2007
117. ^ "Gov. Perry Backs Resolution Affirming Texas' Sovereignty Under 10th Amendment" (Press release). Office of the Governor of Texas. April 9, 2009.
118. ^ Ratcliffe, R.G. (April 17, 2009). "Perry gets the buzz and the bucks, too". Houston Chronicle.
119. Ratcliffe, R.G. (April 15, 2009). "Perry says Texas can leave the union if it wants to". Houston Chronicle.
120. "Governor Says Texans May Want to Secede From Union But Probably Won't". Fox News. Associated Press. April 15, 2009.
121. What's All That Secession Ruckus in Texas?, TIME, April 17, 2009
122. "Opinion: Editorial: Be careful using 's-word' 04/19/09". Amarillo.com. 2009-04-19. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
123. Maria Recio, McClatchy Newspapers (2009-04-24). "Texas governor's secession talk a laughing matter on Capitol Hill | McClatchy". Mcclatchydc.com. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
124. "Rechaza gobernador de Texas muro fronterizo" (in Spanish). Retrieved 2006-03-07.
125. "Rick Perry's View on Arizona SB1070". Retrieved 2011-06-18.
126. DeFrank, Thomas M. (2007-10-18). "Texas governor Rick Perry endorses Rudy Giuliani". Daily News. New York. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
127. "Texas governor Rick Perry endorses Giuliani". The Dallas Morning News. October 17, 2007.
128. "Perry Picks McCain Day After Giuliani's Withdrawal". The Dallas Morning News. January 31, 2008.
129. Lin, Joy (February 9, 2008). "Texas Gov. Perry Asks Huckabee to Drop Out – From The Road". CBS News. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
130. Batheja, Aman (2008-04-17). "Gov. Perry says he'll run again in 2010". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Retrieved 2008-12-02. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
131. Slater,Wayne (2010-09-07). "Rick Perry: Why did Bill White have no taxable income in 1995?". Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 2010-09-07. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
132. "Texas Gov. Rick Perry pulled out of conservative straw poll". CNN. Retrieved May 22, 2010.
133. "Quote of the Day". Political Wire. Retrieved December 26, 2010.
134. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/may/27/texas-gov-perry-think-about-2012-white-house-run
135. Gutierrez, Kris (May 27, 2011). "President Perry? Texas Governor to 'Think About it'". Fox News. Retrieved August 13, 2011.
136. http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/campaigns/texas-gov-rick-perry-running-for-president-spokesman-says/2011/08/11/gIQAscqI9I_story.html
137. "Rick Perry to run for president, spokesman says". CBS News. Associated Press. August 11, 2011. Retrieved August 11, 2011.
138. Bergamo, Jim. Spokesman says Perry running for president. KVUE, 2011-08-11.
139. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/14/us/politics/14perry.html
140. Perry, Rick (2008). On My Honor: Why the American Values of the Boy Scouts are Worth Fighting For. Stroud & Hall. ISBN 978-0-9796462-2-5. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
141. Selby, W. Gardner (2008-02-09). "In first book, Perry criticizes ACLU and defends Boy Scouts". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved 2008-06-22.
142. Perry, Rick (2010). Fed Up! Our Fight to Save America from Washington. Little, Brown. ISBN 978-0-316-13295-4. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
143. Texas Board of Elections as of 24 July 2009

External links

• Governor Rick Perry official state site
• Rick Perry for President official presidential campaign site
• Rick Perry on Twitter
• Template:GovLinks
• Template:Economisttopic
• Rick Perry collected news and commentary at The Texas Tribune
• Heir to the Throne Jenny Staff, The Austin Chronicle, May 28, 1999
• Continued absence of Dems grinds House to a halt Shelley Kofler, WFAA-TV, May 14, 2003
• The Class of 1985 The Austin Chronicle, February 27, 2004
• Trial by Fire, Did Texas execute an innocent man, David Grann, The New Yorker, September 7, 2009

v t e Governors and lieutenant governors of Texas
Governors	J. P. Henderson Wood Bell J. W. Henderson Pease Runnels Houston Clark Lubbock Murrah Hamilton Throckmorton Pease Davis Coke Hubbard Roberts Ireland Ross Hogg Culberson Sayers Lanham Campbell Colquitt J. Ferguson Hobby Neff M. Ferguson Moody Sterling M. Ferguson Allred O'Daniel Stevenson Jester Shivers Daniel Connally Smith Briscoe Clements White Clements Richards Bush Perry Abbott
Lieutenant governors	Horton Greer Henderson Dickson Runnels Lubbock Clark Crockett Stockdale Jones J. W. Flanagan (acting) Campbell (ex officio) W. Flanagan (ex officio) Fountain (ex officio) Pickett (ex officio) Hubbard Sayers Storey Martin Gibbs Wheeler Pendleton Crane Jester Browning Neal A. B. Davidson Mayes Hobby Sr. Johnson L. Davidson T. W. Davidson Miller Witt Woodul Stevenson J. L. Smith Shivers Ramsey P. Smith Barnes Hobby Jr. Bullock Perry Ratliff Dewhurst Patrick

v t e Rick Perry
Offices	Texas House of Representatives, District 64 Texas Agricultural Commissioner Lieutenant Governor of Texas Governor of Texas tenure
Elections	Governor of Texas: 2002 2006 2010 U.S. President: 2012 campaign 2016 campaign
Books	On My Honor: Why the American Values of the Boy Scouts are Worth Fighting For Fed Up! Our Fight to Save America from Washington
Issues	Trans-Texas Corridor 2003 Texas redistricting Texas Emerging Technology Fund Texas Tax Reform Commission Van Orden v. Perry League of United Latin American Citizens v. Perry Texas Virtual Border Watch Indictment
Related	Anita Perry (spouse) Aggie Yell Leaders Al Gore 1988 presidential campaign Man of the House Republican Governors Association Rosemary Lehmberg Days of Prayer for Rain in the State of Texas

Template:Persondata

• Misplaced Pages neutral point of view disputes from August 2011
• 1950 births
• Agriculture commissioners of Texas
• American Methodists
• American military personnel of the Vietnam War
• Distinguished Eagle Scouts
• Federal Emergency Management Agency critics
• Governors of Texas
• Lieutenant Governors of Texas
• Living people
• Members of the Texas House of Representatives
• People from Haskell County, Texas
• Railroad Commission of Texas
• Republican Party state governors of the United States
• Texas A&M University alumni
• Texas Republicans
• United States Air Force officers