Reply #9: Speaking without knowing [View All]

[BDW1964]

If you want to avoid getting flamed, it would be best to not cast a wide net and painting people as the same. The problems with some of the institutions in Texas is primarily two-fold, and neither has anything to do with religion.

1. Texas is the second most populous state in the nation and is growing in population significantly. This growth is mainly from Hispanic immigrants and northerners, who for some reason like to live in our "backwards" state. This puts a large demand on available resources.

2. Since the Republican takeover from Texas, the legislature has demanded sharp cuts to almost all programs and agencies in the state government at exactly the same time as demand for services has been growing due to the increase in population. This process has been ongoing for over 10 years, with a demand to reduce agency budgets by 10% each legislative session. With this reduction in funds across the board, the ability to hire adequate numbers of personnel, toretain them and to provide adequate levels of service to the public has suffered.

It is ALL ABOUT THE MONEY.

I really find it bizarre to have to explain in a political forum, how our system of government works, but it seems it is required. In Texas, the Legislative Budget Board submits the proposed budgets for all state agencies to the Legislature. This proposal is based upon political directives from the Lt. Governor's Office and the Legislature and has to take into account the budget numbers from the Comptroller. In Texas, the Governor has little executive power. The Texas Governor is head of state, not the head of government.

To give an example, it is frequently a point that more people were executed under George Bush as Governor than any the governor. While this is true, it is misleading, because the Texas Governor can only pardon or commute a sentence in Texas under very narrow circumstances. All pardons or commutations require a majority recommendation from the Board of Pardons and Paroles and ONLY if the Governor agrees may he pardon or commute, period.