For Immediate Release: January 27, 2009
Contact: Cindy Mallette, (512) 476-5905

"In his State of the State address, Gov. Rick Perry today outlined a legislative agenda for Texas which sets spending priorities and balances the budget without raising taxes.

"Texas taxpayers expect government to live within its means, and though special interest groups will demand more funding, we encourage lawmakers to remember that every dollar the state spends comes from Texas taxpayers’ pocketbooks.

"While the federal government is mortgaging our children’s future, local governments are growing four times faster than Texans’ paychecks, and most states are facing staggering budget deficits, Texas is a beacon of fiscal responsibility.

"Texas has been a bastion of responsible fiscal policy and has led the nation in job creation, population growth, and attracting Fortune 500 companies. Elected officials in Washington, D.C, could learn from the Texas model.

"We at Americans for Prosperity encourage lawmakers to follow the Governor’s lead and not raise taxes on Texans, set spending priorities and balance the budget even if it means making tough decisions.

"The Governor called for spending limits proportionate to the increases in population and inflation, one major issue AFP has championed.

"We hope to reign in local government spending and end the practice of using Texans’ hard-earned tax dollars to lobby for bigger government.

"Texans can spend our money more wisely than government can and we deserve a government that understands that Texas will remain competitive and prosperous by limiting government regulations, litigation and taxation."

Read the full text of Gov. Rick Perry’s State of the State Address at: http://governor.state.tx.us/news/speech/11852/