Rick Perry Speaks to Republican Leadership Conference 06/18/11 FULL VIDEO

6/18/11 - Here is complete video of Texas Gov. Rick Perry speaking today at the Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans. From the speech Perry delivered, it is clear he is not just preparing to launch a campaign - he sounded like a man launching a movement. When he finished, the crowd was on their feet chanting, "Run, Rick, Run!"

VIDEO IMAGE and TEXT CREDIT: FreedomsLighthouse

Rick Perry made the following statement regarding Internet sales tax language included in Senate Bill 1

Gov. Rick Perry made the following statement regarding Internet sales tax language included in Senate Bill 1, the omnibus fiscal matters bill, which is set to be debated in the Texas Legislature:

"I urge lawmakers to remove the Internet sales tax language from SB 1. I believe this provision risks significant unintended consequences, including a loss of Texas job opportunities and weakening of our state's competitive advantage. I will not put Texas job creation efforts in jeopardy, particularly as we continue to feel the effects of a challenging national economy. In the debate between jobs and taxes, I side with jobs.

"As I said when I vetoed similar language in a stand-alone bill, my strong preference is to conduct a thorough policy discussion with Texas lawmakers, consumers, retailers and technology experts - and with other states and even the federal government - about interstate commerce and the structure of state sales taxes in the 21st century."

"This conversation is underway, and I believe a consensus can and should be reached that balances competing interests, respects federalism, and is fair and equitable. I call on the Legislature to review this issue further before changing Texas tax policy, while we reach out to our federal delegation and friends in other states to build consensus on the appropriate way to address this issue."

TEXT CREDIT: Office of the Governor • P.O. Box 12428 • Austin, Texas 78711 • (512) 463-2000

IMAGE CREDIT: Texas Governor Rick Perry on Flickr

Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT) and Dallas Police Association (DPA) Endorse Gov. Rick Perry for Re-election

By Governor Rick Perry All Rights Reserved

FORT WORTH – Today Gov. Perry received both the endorsements of the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT) and the Dallas Police Association (DPA) for the 2010 general election. “It is a true honor to receive the endorsements of the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas and the Dallas Police Association," said Gov. Perry. “Because of these brave men and women, people come to Texas knowing it’s a place where they can find a job, raise their families, and enjoy an outstanding quality of life.

The safety that the officers of the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas and the Dallas Police Association provide is crucial in keeping our communities safe and plays an essential role in our continued status as a national economic leader."

In his remarks, Gov. Perry reiterated that abolishing sanctuary cities in Texas will be a priority recognizing that some Texas cities have enacted sanctuary city rules that tie the hands of their police officers as they work to uphold the law. He announced he will make the abolition of sanctuary city rules an emergency item in the next legislative session, which will help ensure that Texas law enforcement professionals have the discretion to use their judgment as they work to keep Texas communities safe.

“Thanks to Gov. Perry’s steadfast support, Texas law enforcement officers and their families’ quality of life has improved,” said Todd Harrison, President of Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas. “Gov. Perry’s true commitment to law enforcement and conservative leadership has been solidified by his unwavering dedication to make sure we have the resources we need to continue protecting the lives of families across the state. Our organization believes the governor has earned our endorsement and deserves our ongoing support.”

CLEAT represents more than 17,500 local law enforcement officers in more than 80 local law enforcement associations. Its mission is to ensure that their brave men and women receive the rights, protections and respect they deserve for their role in enforcing the laws of Texas and protecting the lives and property of its citizens.

“Gov. Perry has been a tremendous help to the Dallas Police Association,” said Glenn White, President of the Dallas Police Association. “Throughout his tenure the governor has upheld his record of support of our police officers to the highest extent, which has been instrumental in allowing us to do our duty as law enforcement officers, effectively, and protect our citizens’ lives soundly. We are proud to endorse Gov. Perry for the 2010 general election.”

The Dallas Police Association is the original and the largest police employee group for Dallas Police Officers. The DPA has over 4,000 active and retired members and is open to any sworn member of the Dallas Police Department.

TEXT CREDIT: Texans for Rick Perry PMB 217, P.O. Box 2013, Austin, Texas 78768

Texas' legal challenge of the offshore drilling moratorium FULL TEXT

Texas' legal challenge of the offshore drilling moratorium FULL TEXT IN PDF FORMAT Case 4:10-cv-02866 Document 1 Filed in TXSD on 08/11/10

Statement by Gov. Rick Perry on Texas Challenge of Offshore Drilling Moratorium

Gov. Rick Perry today (08/11/10) issued the following statement regarding Texas’ lawsuit against the Obama Administration over its offshore drilling moratorium:

“Once again, the Obama Administration has demonstrated a flagrant disregard for the rights and economies of states and the well-being of those whose jobs depend upon a safe and vibrant energy industry, many of whom live in Texas,” Gov. Perry said. “It is unfortunate Texas must take such action against the federal government, but I will do everything in my power to preserve our state’s economy and the jobs that feed our families. The jobs and livelihoods of too many Texans are at stake for them to be denied a voice by the Obama Administration and their federal bureaucracy.”

Court documents filed by the State set forth that the Administration unilaterally imposed its offshore drilling ban without properly coordinating with the State of Texas. Further, the Administration also improperly failed to consider the moratorium’s economic impact on Gulf Coast states, including Texas. Under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), the Interior Secretary must coordinate with affected states and weigh a moratorium’s economic impact before imposing an offshore drilling ban. Despite the OCSLA’s requirements, the Obama Administration did not consult with Texas on either issue.

State of Texas Challenges Federal Government's Offshore Drilling Moratorium

AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott today (08/11/10) filed a legal challenge to the Obama Administration’s offshore drilling moratorium. The State’s legal challenge charges the Administration with violating a federal law that requires the Secretary of Interior to consult with affected states before imposing an offshore drilling moratorium. Filed on behalf of the State of Texas, Governor Rick Perry and Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, today’s legal action names the following defendants: the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI); DOI Secretary Kenneth Salazar; the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement – formerly known as the Minerals Management Service – and BOEM Director Michael Bromwich.

“The federal government ignored the State of Texas and failed to comply with the law when the Secretary of the Interior unilaterally imposed the Administration’s offshore drilling ban,” Attorney General Abbott said. “Under federal law, affected states are guaranteed the right to participate in offshore drilling-related policy decisions, but the Obama Administration did not bother to communicate, coordinate or cooperate with Texas. Worse, the Secretary of the Interior failed to consider the economic consequences of his decision, which will cost the Texas economy millions of dollars – and threatens far too many hard-working Texans’ jobs.”

Court documents filed by the State set forth that the Administration unilaterally imposed its offshore drilling ban without properly coordinating with the State of Texas. Further, the Administration also improperly failed to consider the moratorium’s economic impact on Gulf Coast states, including Texas. Under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), the Interior Secretary must coordinate with affected states and weigh a moratorium’s economic impact before imposing an offshore drilling ban. Despite the OCSLA’s requirements, the Obama Administration did not consult with Texas on either issue.

On July 12, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced the current offshore drilling moratorium without any prior notice to or communication with the State of Texas – despite the fact that Texas refines more oil than any other state. As the State’s complaint explains, an economic impact analysis produced by Louisiana State University has projected that Texas will suffer a $622 million decrease in Gross State Product because of the six-month moratorium. Thus, Texas clearly meets the statutory definition of an “affected State” under the OCSLA. Nonetheless, the Department of the Interior did not give the State of Texas an “opportunity to participate” in the federal government’s decision-making process – which constitutes a violation of the OCSLA and the Administrative Procedure Act.

As the State’s legal challenge asserts, the Administration’s failure to consult Texas led the Secretary of Interior to implement an unjustified, arbitrary and capricious policy that will inflict economic harm upon coastal communities – particularly those that are most dependent upon offshore drilling for jobs and tax revenue. The legal action seeks a court order declaring that the State of Texas must be provided a reasonable opportunity to participate in the formulation of the Secretary’s offshore policy. Further, the Secretary must give due consideration to the drilling moratorium’s economic impact.

Today’s legal challenge targets the Administration’s second offshore drilling moratorium. The first drilling moratorium, which was also imposed without proper notice to – or consultation with – the State, was retracted by the Administration after multiple private parties successfully sued the Administration in a federal district court. A June 22 decision in the federal district court for the Eastern District of Louisiana enjoined the Administration from enforcing its moratorium. Undeterred by the court ruling – and once again without notice to or consultation with Texas – the Interior Secretary simply withdrew the initial moratorium and imposed a second offshore drilling ban on July 12, which halts all drilling operations in water depths of greater than 500 feet.

Assistant Attorneys General Nicholas Canaday III and Nichole Bunker-Henderson with the Environmental Protection and Administrative Law division will serve as lead counsel to the State of Texas in this case.

TEXT CREDITS :

• Office of the Governor Rick Perry Office of the Governor P.O. Box 12428
  Austin, Texas 78711 Phone: (512) 463-2000 Fax: (512) 463-1849
• Texas Attorney General Office of the Attorney General PO Box 12548 Austin, TX 78711-2548 Physical Address: Office of the Attorney General 300 W. 15th Street Austin, TX 78701 e-mail: greg.abbott@oag.state.tx.us Main agency switchboard: (512) 463-2100 By FAX: (512) 475-2994

Rick Perry securing the border,letter to President Obama FULL TEXT VIDEO

Gov. Perry: Warning Signs Along Border Must be Heeded by Washington. Governor addresses TPPF shortly after greeting President Obama. Monday, August 09, 2010 • Austin, Texas.

Gov. Perry’s letter to President Obama IN PDF FORMAT

Gov. Rick Perry today described the rapid escalation of drug cartel-related killings in northern Mexico, and said that absent federal action it was only a matter of time before communities on the Texas side of the border would be further swept up in the violence.

“Washington has been an abject failure at securing the border, leaving it vulnerable to exploitation, and our citizens exposed to grave danger,” Gov. Perry said. “An unsecured US-Mexico border is a serious national security threat, menacing the safety and security of our citizens, and the federal government is obligated to secure it. Our citizens deserve the best possible effort to protect them from this advancing network of criminal gangs.”

Gov. Perry spoke to the Texas Public Policy Foundation shortly after a brief meeting with President Obama on the tarmac at Austin Bergstrom Airport as the president exited Air Force One. The governor presented President Obama with a four-page letter outlining his concerns about the state of border security and the growing threats posed by drug cartels and transnational gangs.

“Drug cartels and related forces are waging war in Northern Mexico, their tactics including death threats, torture, car bombings, kidnappings, assassinations and beheadings. Since 2006, this war has taken 28,000 lives,” Gov. Perry wrote in the letter. “We cannot afford to allow these cartels to believe they’re free to extend their reach across the border onto American soil.”

A series of incidents in Texas indicate the violence has already begun reaching U.S. communities, Gov. Perry said, noting a midlevel member of the Juarez Cartel living in El Paso was shot eight times outside of his Texas residence in May 2009; Mexican pirate attacks occurred on Falcon Reservoir in May; and bullets from a gun battle in Juarez struck El Paso City Hall in June.

Gov. Perry also reiterated his request for 1,000 Title 32 National Guard troops to be deployed in Texas, along with an increase in other resources.

VIDEO CREDIT: govperry

IMAGE and TEXT CREDIT: Office of the Governor Rick Perry