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Another Reason to Move to Texas: Gov. Perry Calls on Lawmakers to Return Unused Tax Revenue to Taxpayers

Jan. 29, 2013 5:34pm Jason Howerton

Texas Gov. Rick Perry Calls on Lawmakers to Return Unused Tax Revenue to Taxpayers

Texas Gov. Rick Perry delivers the state of the state address in the house chambers at the state capitol, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013, in Austin, Texas. Credit: AP

AUSTIN, Texas (TheBlaze/AP) — Gov. Rick Perry presented a glowing assessment of the Texas economy Tuesday and said there was more than enough money in the state’s Rainy Day fund for a one-time, $3.7 billion-investment in water and transportation upgrades while also cutting taxes.

The Republican governor, who for weeks has called on the Legislature to hold down government spending even with the state’s economy booming, used his biennial State of the State speech Tuesday in the House chamber to call for a one-time investment in infrastructure he said is needed to ensure a high quality of life. The Texas constitution calls for a percentage of oil and gas revenues to go into the Rainy Day Fund, which is nearing its constitutional cap.

“Our bank balance is healthy, our economy is growing, our future is limitless,” Perry said.

Perry also called on lawmakers to amend the Texas Constitution to allow the state to return tax money it collects but doesn’t spend to its citizens.

“Today, I’m calling for a mechanism to be put in place so when we do bring in more than we need, we’ll have the option of returning tax money directly to the people who paid it,” the governor said. “Currently, that’s not something our constitution allows. We need to fix that.”

Watch KTBC-TV’s report below:

About 64 percent of state revenues come from sales tax, so it’s not clear how money could be returned directly to taxpayers.

More than a dozen protesters with the Texas Organizing Project interrupted the speech from the House gallery. According to Ginny Goldman, the group’s executive director, security officers detained James Caldwell of Houston after he shouted “Governor Perry, what are you going to do about the 7 million uninsured people in Texas?’

The outburst caused Perry to pause while Republican drowned out the protesters with a standing ovation. Security escorted the entire group out of the chamber and Caldwell was detained for questioning, Goldman said.

Tuesday marks the seventh time Perry has given the State of the State since taking over for George W. Bush as governor in December 2000. Two years ago, he declared there would be “no sacred cows” immune to deep budget cuts as the state struggled with a $27 billion budget deficit amid an economy still feeling the effects of The Great Recession.

Lawmakers responded by passing deep cuts across-the-board, including slashing $5.4 billion from public schools.

“The tough decisions we faced last session tested our resolve and our dedication to the principles that brought us here,” Perry said Tuesday. “In the end, we remained dedicated to those principles, holding the line on taxes, spending within our means and making the tough decisions separating wants from needs.”

One thing Perry did not say during his address is if he will seek a fourth full term as governor. Perry has held his post longer than anyone in Texas history and is also the longest-serving governor in the country, but he says he won’t announce his plans until this summer.

That’s a world of difference from his 2011 State of the State, when Perry was looking to position himself for a presidential run. He entered the contest for the Republican nomination in August 2011 and immediately became the front-runner. But his campaign flamed out nearly as quickly amid a series of public gaffes that made the governor a national punch line.

Perry also hasn’t ruled out another try at the White House in 2016, though it’s unclear if his running for governor again would help or hurt such a bid.

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Comments (62)

TRILO
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:31pm
What a joke. Talk about buying votes. Leave it to a politician to only look at today and not pay attention to the future. Maybe the governor should payoff the existing debt with the excess revenue. It seems that the State of Texas has more than doubled their debt in the past 10 years. Pay off the debt.

http://www.window.state.tx.us/finances/pubs/cafr/11/pdf/CAFR-2011.pdf

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- Obama_In_PeePee_Is_Becks_Art
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 2:02am
  “Another Reason to Move to Texas: Gov. Perry Calls on Lawmakers to Return Unused Tax Revenue to Taxpayers”
  
  Oops … they mis-titled the title. It SHOULD be:
  “Another Reason to Move Gov. Perry OUT OF Texas: He Thinks You’re All Bought-And-Paid-For Welfare Cases”
  
  How so? Then you just don’t remember history … very recent history (all on TheBlaze):
  
  “Perry: ‘I Don’t Think You Have a Heart’ If You Oppose In-State Tuition for Children of Illegal Immigrants” – Sep. 22, 2011
  
  “Perry Repeats Opposition to US-Mexico Border Fence” – Sep. 4, 2011
  
  “Rick Perry Now Regrets ‘Heartless’ Immigration Comment During GOP Debate” – Sep. 28, 2011
  
  “San Antonio Mayor [Castro] Predicts: Texas Is Going ‘Purple’ Soon” – Jan. 20, 2013
  “Democrat rick perry has worked hard on getting liberals to move to Texas from the east and west coast’s.”
  
  “Wife Of Border Agent Sentenced to Prison for Rough Cuffing a Drug Suspect Speaks Out” – Oct. 27, 2011
  “Rick Perry, supporter of open borders, amnesty, and in state tuition for illegals won’t lift a finger in situations such as this.”
  
  Report this comment
- heavyduty
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 2:39am
  Then stay the hell out of Texas. I don’t want you to move here!
  
  Report this comment
- US_SOLDIER
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 8:20am
  I dont particularly care for him as a politician but he has done very well as a governor in this wonderful
  state of Texas. I am not sure if you are aware of this Trilo but that money they talk about investing in infrastructure is money that HAS to be spent because our wonderful state constitution only allows us to keep so much in a rainy day fund and thanks to him and the many great state representatives who have resisted spending in to oblivian like many other states and our federal government we in Texas are about to hit our cap for our rainy day fund. So lets see, we are proepering on our regular state budget and we are having to spend our savings because we are only allowed by law to save so much and you are bashing this man? If you are a Texan I will remind you that there are 49 other States you may move to and if you are not then keep your mouth shut about Texas business sir
  
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- ltb
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 12:26pm
  Two reasons Liberals would hate to move to Texas: 1) We have a constitutional amendment that bans men from marrying other men; 2) We have a constitutional amendment that limits welfare spending to 10% of the budget.
  
  Report this comment
firefiteco
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:30pm
I’ve been in Mo. for 50 years but Texas is sounding like my kind of place. l need to buy a shrimp trawlers.

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- txannie
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 10:47pm
  There is nothing I love more than buying fresh shrimp off the trawlers at the t-head pier in Corpus Christi. Boil them up on the beach and have a great day. Love it.
  
  Report this comment
A Hoosier Says
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 8:47pm
Perry wants a state law requiring extra funds to go back to tax payers? Indiana already has a state law that requires surplus tax money to go back to the tax payers. Hoosiers will be getting around $100 extra on their state returns this year, or $200 for joint returns. Where’s that article Blaze??? Sorry, I couldn’t help but brag!

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- texan_conservative
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 10:49am
  We do not have state income tax. Indiana does. Our sales tax rate is roughly 8% yours is 7%. I do not have to file a state tax return and cannot file one if I wanted. Hats why the money is not returned to us. Also our unemployment rate is about 6%, Indiana is about 8% or 15th highest in country, Texas is 36th highest or 16th best. Wheres that story blaze? Oh wait, they do run those types of stories, and this is one of them. Texas also has one of the lowest living costs in the country.
  
  Report this comment
Todd Decker
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 8:29pm
Well, folks from the People’s Republic of California and other progressive meccas will make sure that Texas falls from decay building from within. Happened to Colorado.

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- Winedude
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 1:33am
  Texas will be a blue state by 2020. Take a good look at the state’s demographics (if ya’ll have figured out what the word means yet, after the 2012 election)…
  
  Report this comment
Magyar
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 7:40pm
Texas may turn out to be ground zero when the Marxist sends in the federales—

Good Lord, is this really America?

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- Random_American
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 8:51pm
  Woah Woah Woah Woah.
  
  I don’t know if you know this, but Texas has a very strong Military, and the populace is mostly more than willing to take up arms to defend itself against “agressive actions.” I doubt that “The Marxist” is going to do anything to attack, instead, he is going to dig his heels into the states where he has power, and corrupt them from the inside.
  
  Report this comment
- TeslanEdison
  Posted on January 31, 2013 at 1:35am
  For this reason I fear that the White house will use a false flag EMP or nuclear attack against Texas when it becomes evident that the state will not fall in line with socialist edicts and credo’s they way they had hoped. The blue state concept is their pipe dream, when it is made evident, the White house will be at war with Texas it might be Obama or it might be some other Marxist brother or sister. The supreme court will rule that Texas must comply on something important and that will lead to Federal forces then conflict then shots.. then a blockade.. then the EMP or nuke attack by the White House. At issue is the land mass and the reasonable idea that radiation would not spread to other states… which is obviously false, but they will want to make a very violent shock demonstration to the rest of the states. I would love to hear some statements from people who could allay those fears, Texas’s prosperity is painting a big Red target on the state, as the situation there doesn’t fit into this planned failing of the National economy.
  
  Report this comment
deep6
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 7:29pm
My email to the ACLU.
I have viewed much of your criteria in search for answers and it is disheartening that fathers rights isn’t an issue.
I have a 4 year old daughter born out of wedlock and have been battling her mother and the legal system in Oklahoma for 3 and a half years. I have expended well over $6000 in attorneys and court cost with no results.
They awarded me standard visitation and child support totaling $550 a month. The mother has frequently violated my visitation order and it will cost me an additional $1500 minimum to take her back to court. I really want to be in my daughters life but in the four years of her life, I have had my daughter for about a year of her life total.
I need immediate assistance, it has been 8 months since my last visitation. The mother has been remarried and my child calls him dad.
I feel my ability to be a father has been hindered by the legal system. How can I afford to fight for my kid in addition to providing for her when I have my visitation when I’m burdened with legal fees and child support?
Please help me, treating fathers in this nature only breeds bitterness into our society.
I cannot afford legal assistance but the court system is the only way my situation can be rectified. Please help allow me to be a father to my child.
If I cannot get help I will lose my child.

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jessieH
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 7:16pm
Maybe that’s why the military copters are overhead in Texas.

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ENIGMA28724
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 7:06pm
Best to get the money out of the hands of the politicians and back to the people before government figures out a way to waste it. It’s a shame our national government can’t learn from Texas way of doing things.

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Brother Winston Smith
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 7:01pm
Reasons to stay away from FAKE-conservative Rick Perry:
Supported TARP (that exploded the Tea Party)
Trans-national healthcare with Mexico.
Supported HillaryCare.
Al Gore’s Texas Chairman.
Perpetual amnesty.
Dream Act.
Predator drones OVER AMERICA
Executive Ordered Gardasil Vaccine.
Homosexual “Hate Crimes” legislation.
TTC.
Bilderberg.
Burying the Texas Anti-TSA legislation, while POSING as a fighter FOR it.

It should be noted that FAKE-conservative/libertarian Glenn Beck KNEECAP-INTERVIEWED Constitutionalist Debra Medina, using every Alinsky Rule there is, to BURY her popular campaign and help “clear the runway” for a FAKE-conservative Perry reelection. Coincidentally (or not), FAKE-TEA GOPer Palin was promoting FAKE-conservative Perry, over CONSTITUTIONALIST Medina… WHILE RIDICULOUSLY CALLING HERSELF “TEA PARTY!”

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- ProMultis
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 11:06pm
  Hey, brother. It seems you live in pretty FAKE world. Why not try getting a life. Pathetic
  
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- katzkiner
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 4:27am
  Did you forget the the trans-national super highway from Mexico to Canada? The drug corridor for the cartels and China.
  
  Report this comment
searching for the Truth
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 6:49pm
Couldn’t we just all stay where we are at and Texas widen its borders ?

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TheAlamoLives
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 6:44pm
The boom in Texas is due to the private sector development of oil and gas, not Gov Perry or the bureaucrats in Austin. There is a tax surplus because taxes have been too high for several years. I’m surprised returning the tax funds was even mentioned. Frankly, I hope he doesn’t run for a 4th term. Again, the private sector is the real economic hero here. The new Gov? Here is your chance Beck !! Governor Beck…doesn’t sound too bad does it?

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- bumfuzeled
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 6:55pm
  Amen
  
  Report this comment
- txannie
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 10:51pm
  Gov. Perry made Texas a favorable atmosphere for the oil boom and other industry. That is why we are doing so well. Say what you want, it’s working great, unlike how the obliviots in Washington are doing it….
  
  Report this comment
- katzkiner
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 4:33am
  Run Beck run. You would really have to screw up not out do the Harvard boys.
  
  Report this comment
- Copper Catfish
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 9:41am
  There is no state income tax in Texas. Local property taxes are high.
  
  Report this comment
LBJDIDIT1963
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 6:31pm
I lived there 20 plus years! No State Taxes, no Personal Property Tax, that’s a lot of money! Vehicle Registration is very low as well. I have lived in CA, ID, GA, TX, KS, MO, NE. I’ll take Texas or Idaho any day of the week, (not to mention it’s a melting pot of beautiful Southern Girls)

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thegreatcarnac
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 6:25pm
As they say….God Bless Texas.

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SpankDaMonkey
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 6:12pm
.
Texas Sucks nothing but Goat Ropers, Stump Jumpers and future Obama Voters aka Illegal Mexicans…..

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- MittensKittens
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 6:27pm
  Wow, I lived in Texas, (Houston) 2008-2012 – 4 years, economy great+ people great=USA…HMMM.
  
  Report this comment
- SpankDaMonkey
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 6:36pm
  .
  I live in Houston too. Guess I forgot to add the part about Baby Beaters and Thieves…..
  ….
  
  Report this comment
- SpankDaMonkey
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 6:55pm
  .
  I forgot Corrupt Judges……
  
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- bumfuzeled
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 6:57pm
  guess you were too busy spanking your monkey to notice the natural beauty around you. That’s ok, stay out of Texas, we’re better off without the likes of you.
  
  Report this comment
- Rayblue
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 10:10pm
  Touchy, aren’t we.
  
  Report this comment
Rayblue
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 6:07pm
Texas does OK because/despite of Governor Perry.
Regardless, he’s been a steady sailor thru the straits. Adjusts his positions according to the will of the people.
I believe this will go through. After all, it’s a state government I’m familiar with.

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Gonzo
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 6:05pm
When we confuse competence with debating ability we loose.

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Dr.Fez
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 6:03pm
I’ve considered Texas for a while.
This is more a push towards it.

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LeadNotFollow
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 5:57pm
“Another Reason to Move to Texas”

We can’t ALL fit into Texas.
We’ve got to make our own state better. Vote in Christian Conservatives.

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- CatB
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 6:42pm
  Well .. I thought we were until Gov. Scott (R-FL) announced that what he wants to do with our “extra” is pay teachers more .. he sounded just like Obama. No one else is getting any raises but he will cater to the teachers union. D*mn disappointing. Either save it or return it .. it ISN’T their money.
  
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encinom
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 5:56pm
W. did the same thing, than 9/11 happened, followed by Afghanistan and Iraq. The surplus that Clinton gave W. quickly turned into massive annual deficits. Like the drunk he was, W. squandered the money. I am sure that they are infrastructure investments, that will create current and future jobs.
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- barber2
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 6:46pm
  That’s ok. Don’t be too hard on Bush and the attempt to rid the ME of Saddam ! Thanks to Clinton / ACORN / Democrats and the Affordable Housing Acts , more than that was blown up in the housing fiasco.
  
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- encinom
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 6:58pm
  Of course there is the matte rof Gov. Perry underfunding public schools and health care for the poor.
  
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jscottkemp
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 5:54pm
It should be noted that in “slashing $5.4 billion from public schools” Texas actually budget more money for public schools than in the immediately previous biennium. The slash was to the amount requested, not to the amount budgeted in the previous budget. Ditto for the $27 billion shortfall – it was all on paper & based on requests, anticipated requests, and extrapolation from previous budgets. There was never any need to borrow or write any hot checks.

Texas’ government has been fiscally responsible for a long time, and it shows in the current economic climate here.

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ustake2
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 5:50pm
Hey, well that’s one of the great things about our country, if someone doesn’t agree with how a state is being run, move to another. It’s still a free country, for now. I’ll take Texas!

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- Winedude
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 1:38am
  And I’m totally thrilled with the folks that left California for Texas. They don’t want to be here, GTFO! I’ll pay more in taxes to not live in a locale that’s humid & hot in the summer and mostly cold and unpleasant in the winter. I do feel bad for the folks in both Galveston and Austin…both nice places that are unfortunately stuck in Texas.
  
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copatriots
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 5:47pm
Excellent, my new home State!

Now if they could do something about the outrageous property tax rates in my county……..

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jcldwl
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 5:42pm
Texas? Phooey on that. I’ll stick with Missouri.

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hempstead1944
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 5:41pm
Texas……how to run a state.

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Psychosis
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 5:38pm
According to Ginny Goldman, the group’s executive director, security officers detained James Caldwell of Houston after he shouted “Governor Perry, what are you going to do about the 7 million uninsured people in Texas?’

send them back to mexico and california

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- mwhaley
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 5:45pm
  Psychosis. Yep!. And all those yankees coming down for work. We all don’t mind yall coming down, but leave God’s country just like you found her.
  
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- sillyfreshness
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 5:46pm
  Lol, that’s a good response. Texas needs to lead this secessionist movement. Maybe other states, especially in the South, will follow.
  
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- copatriots
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 5:50pm
  Agree, Psych…..but aren’t they already going to be covered in 11 months under 0bama(s)care and the certain amnesty coming.
  
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- soybomb315_II
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 5:54pm
  lol
  
  health insurance is a bad deal anyways. the healthy pay for the unhealthy…..It’s a voluntary entitlement.
  
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