I read "The Weekend Interview with Rick Perry" (Aug. 22)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203550604574361014098225036.html with interest. Though our governor talks big, he is also, unfortunately, living in an alternate reality.
In recent years the damage caused by Gov. Perry's policies in Texas has been enormous. Gov. Perry's false claims and empty-suit campaign posturing have made the damage worse.
This January, Texas lawmakers faced grim budget news: Because of poor decisions the state's Republican leadership made over the past six years, there was $9 billion less to spend for the new budget than the previous one. Our lieutenant governor and the house speaker, both Republicans, instructed state agencies to find possible cuts in programs and services.
Then Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Within a week Gov. Perry applied for stimulus funds. Texas will now receive nearly $16 billion in stimulus money. Every penny was formally requested by Gov. Perry. These funds will pay for Medicaid, public education, road construction, job training and more. Individuals and businesses will also receive millions in tax cuts.
Thanks to President Barack Obama's Recovery Act, Gov. Perry used stimulus money to balance the Texas budget while simultaneously indulging himself in public fantasies of secession.
We are proud of our state. But our governor does a disservice to both Texas and the truth by railing against Washington while using federal dollars to pay for state services. Texans, who are also proud Americans, deserve better.
Texas State Rep. Jim Dunnam
House Democratic Leader
Waco, Texas
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203440104574402991925434058.html