Texans United for Rick Perry

Gov. Perry asks for Border Help

2010-03-16T19:29:00.000-07:00

Gov. Perry once again has made a request to Homeland Security and while Janet Napolitano once ran a border state, she doesn't seem too concerned. Perry has every reason to be concerned as violence pours over the border into Texas.

He has requested 1,000 fresh troops and more surveillance.

"How many Americans will have to die before our federal government takes serious action along the Texas-Mexico border?” Perry spokeswoman Allison Castle said this afternoon. "The administration has been reviewing the governor's request for 1,000 National Guard troops to support local law enforcement along the border for over a year. It’s time for the federal government to allocate the appropriate resources to the Texas-Mexico border.”

Is Debra Medina a Truther?

2010-02-11T16:18:00.000-08:00

In a Glenn Beck radio show Medina was asked about the idea if the U.S. Government was involved in 911.

"I don't have all of the evidence there, Glenn," Medina said. "I think some very good questions have been raised. In that regard there's some very good arguments and I think the American people have not seen all the evidence there."

She quickly backed off by issuing a statement:

"There is no doubt in my mind that Muslim terrorists flew planes into those buildings on 9/11," Medina said in the written statement. "I have not seen any evidence nor have I ever believed that our government was involved or directed those individuals in any way."

Both Perry and Hutchinson issued critical statements about Medina's response to Glenn Beck's question.

Gov. Rick Perry calls for discipline in state spending

2010-01-07T06:48:00.000-08:00

LUBBOCK, Texas — Texas Gov. Rick Perry took another swipe at Washington and big government, issuing proposals Wednesday that would make it difficult for the Legislature to raise taxes and would limit the amount state spending could grow.

Read the rest of the article here: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/business/6802019.html

Texas Governor Says Obama Is 'Hell-Bent' on Socialism

2009-11-12T08:17:00.000-08:00

Texas Governor Says Obama Is 'Hell-Bent' on Socialism

by David Sessions
11/12/09

Speaking at a luncheon Wednesday in Midland, Texas Gov. Rick Perry said President Obama is "punishing" the Lone Star State and called for a new wave of "tea parties" to oppose his policies, Politico reports.

"This is an administration hell-bent toward taking American towards a socialist country," Perry said. "If you all think those tea parties didn't work, then let me tell you something. When they all came home in August for those town-hall meetings, they got an earful. Then they went back to Washington, D.C., and the Senate voted that public option down in committee with a majority of Democrats in the Senate."

Perry also accused the administration of dumping illegal immigrants in Texas, citing a recent phone call informing him that illegal immigrants captured in Arizona would be dropped off in El Paso. "I say it's time to make tea parties twice as big as what they were. I think it's time for us to stand up and say to Washington, D.C., that we are no longer going to accept that kind of stuff sitting down and being quiet."

http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/11/12/texas-governor-says-obama-is-hell-bent-on-socialism/

Objective news report on the facts of the Willingham case

2009-10-15T06:11:00.000-07:00

This clearly leaves Perry's hands clean on his decision not to stay the execution.

Notice KBH has yet to sign on to this!

2009-10-11T14:57:00.000-07:00

S.Res.307 A Resolution to require that all legislative matters be available and fully scored by CBO 72 hours before consideration by any subcommittee or committee of the Senate or on the floor of the Senate.

Sponsor: Sen. Jim Bunning (KY) (introduced 10/7/09) Co-sponsors (26)

Committees: Senate Rules and Administration, Latest Major Action: 10/7/09 Referred to Senate Committee.
Status: Referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration

Co-sponsors (26): These signed on 10/07/09

Alexander, Lamar TN
Barrasso, John WY
Brownback, Sam KS
Burr, Richard NC
Chambliss, Saxby GA
Coburn, Tom OK
Corker, Bob TN
Cornyn, John TX
Crapo, Mike ID
Demint, Jim SC
Ensign, John NV
Enzi, Michael WY
Grassley, Chuck IA
Gregg, Judd NH
Inhofe, James OK
Johanns, Mike NE
Kyl, Jon AZ
McCain, John AZ
Murkowski, Lisa AK
Risch, James ID
Roberts, Pat KS
Sessions, Jeff AL
Thune, John SD
Vitter, David LA
Voinovich, George OH
Wicker, Roger MS

TAKE ACTION: Contact your Senator if you do not see him/her on this list.

Note: This will be cross posted on List of Congress with Fax#'s thread.

The U.S. House refused via Pelosi and her instructions to the Democrat members. Let's get on this ASAP, along with our other duties. Thanks in Advance! We will check often to see which Senators have signed on.

http://bunning.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=NewsCenter.NewsReleases&ContentRecord_id=2f6e0ff7-d87b-5095-052c-af1acffff486

Sarah Palin coming to Texas!

2009-10-09T07:08:00.000-07:00

From a Politico article: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1009/28071.html

Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s campaign told POLITICO the Alaskan [Palin] is slated to come to the Lone Star State early next year after she completes her book tour, during the latter part of Perry’s primary against Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison .

Texans sign up to show your support for Gov. Perry!

Get a Free Perry 2010 Button

2009-10-04T21:16:00.000-07:00

Hey Texans here's how to get your free Perry 2010 button, sign up at http://hq.rickperry.org/join/vhz76 Here you will be given your very own grassroots website where you can invite your friends and family to support Governor Rick Perry for reelection.

After you are all signed up send me an email to tiffany4perry@gmail.com with your mailing address. The reason for this is that I have access only to your name and email address but not your mailing address. Once I verify that you are signed up by your name and email, I will mail out your button. It's that simple!

Washington Should Follow Texas' Lead on Alternative Energy

2009-10-01T10:56:00.000-07:00

September 30, 2009

HOUSTON – Gov. Rick Perry today met with business and industry leaders to discuss the impact of proposed cap and trade legislation in Washington. The governor emphasized the importance of diversifying the state’s energy portfolio by pursuing innovative energy sources as an alternative to the burdensome regulations associated with proposed federal cap and trade legislation, which would increase the cost of living for Texas families and crush Texas and the nation’s energy producing sectors.

“Texas has shown you don’t need federal mandates to improve the environment or foster the next generation of energy technology,” Gov. Perry said. “Rather than emulate Texas’ success, Washington seems determined to cripple our economy by imposing sweeping mandates and draconian regulation. Texans should be wary about a cap-and-trade bill that would not only impose the largest tax hike in the history of the United States, but also inject the federal government further into every Texas home, farm and workplace.”

Implementing the regulations associated with the Waxman-Markey Bill, also known as the American Clean Energy and Security Act, would be the single largest tax increase in U.S. history, significantly increasing the cost of living for all Texas families by an additional $1,200 per year, according to the comptroller. Additionally, a study by Texas A&M University suggests that virtually all Texas ranchers and farmers would be negatively impacted by the bill.

This bill would also cripple Texas’ energy sector, irreparably damaging both the state and national economies and severely impacting national oil and gas supplies. Texas’ energy industry fuels the nation, supplying 20 percent of the nation’s oil production, one-fourth of the nation’s natural gas production, a quarter of the nation’s refining capacity, and nearly 60 percent of the nation’s chemical manufacturing. Additionally, Texas’ energy industry employs 200,000 to 300,000 Texans, with $35 billion in total wages.

Rather than adopting this misguided legislation or allowing the EPA to overly regulate every sector of the economy, Gov. Perry has proposed that the federal government follow Texas’ lead by making alternative energy technologies less expensive, thereby encouraging widespread commercial use and removing barriers to innovation and competition. Modernizing the national energy grid to support wind and solar energy transmission, facilitating investments in the development of carbon capture and sequestration technologies, and removing barriers to investment in nuclear generation would reduce carbon emissions while encouraging competitiveness, innovation and growth in alternative energy sources.

Diversifying the state’s energy portfolio remains a priority for Gov. Perry. Texas has already installed more wind power than any other state and all but four countries, and is developing new transmission lines that will move more than 18,000 megawatts across the state – nearly as much as all other states’ current capacity combined. Texas has also attracted more than 9,000 megawatts of energy from the development of next generation nuclear power plants. The state is also looking to add new clean coal plants, which will capture and sequester carbon dioxide emissions or use the carbon dioxide to increase production from Texas oil fields.

Perry on Fox News

2009-09-30T17:08:00.000-07:00

Gov. Perry will be on Neil Cavuto's on FOX NEWS tomorrow Be sure to tune in at 3:45 PM CDT

Join me and show your support for Gov. Perry by signing up as a Perry Home Headquarters at http://hq.rickperry.org/join/vhz76

Texas is The Place to be

2009-09-28T07:13:00.000-07:00

The following is an excerpt from Americans Tame Their Wanderlust from CNN Money.

Don't mess with Texas

In terms of net migration -- those moving in minus those leaving -- Texas was the star performer in 2008, with the population growing by 140,000.

That meshes with what moving company Allied Van Lines experienced. "We moved more people here than anywhere in the U.S. in the last several years," said David King, general manager of Berger Transfer and Storage in Houston, Texas, and Allied Van Lines' largest booking and hauling agent.

The moving company recorded 5,891 inbound shipments and 3,988 outbound shipments in 2008, a net gain of 1,903. That was just slightly lower than last year's net gain of 2,041.

That influx may be due to the state's employment picture, which has remained rosier than most other places thanks to the energy industry and a welcoming business climate. Plus, home prices never cycled through a boom-bust period: They've remained affordable, which facilitates mobility.

There is something to be said here about the leadership of Gov. Rick Perry.

Great Information About The State of Texas

2009-09-24T09:35:00.000-07:00

Now why would we want Kay Bailout Hutchinson to bring her Washington ways to our great state?

Keep Texas properous! Do your part to reelect Gov. Rick Perry.

Support Gov. Rick Perry for Reelection

2009-09-24T09:13:00.000-07:00

Please join us as we fight to get Governor Rick Perry re-elected! We are gathering thousands of conservative individuals not unlike yourself across the great state of Texas and asking them to join with us to keep Texas great by keeping Perry in office for another term. Please follow the link below and fill out the form provided to publicly support Governor Perry. It is vital that all information is received , especially zip code and email address, so that we can make our records as accurate as possible and widen our online influence. Thank you for making this stand with us!

Click here to sign up! http://hq.rickperry.org/join/vhz76

Gov. Perry: Cap and Trade Legislation will Significantly Increase the Cost of Living for Texans

2009-09-22T13:36:00.000-07:00

Governor Rick Perry talks about energy in Texas...

Click here and sign up to support Gov. Rick Perry for reelection!

T. Boone Pickens Endorses Gov. Rick Perry for Re-election

2009-09-22T11:46:00.001-07:00

T. Boone Pickens Endorses Gov. Rick Perry for Re-election

September 22, 2009

Environment and Natural ResourcesCampaign UpdateEndorsements

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today received the endorsement of energy entrepreneur T. Boone Pickens for re-election in 2010.

“Governor Perry is a proven leader who has been instrumental in helping Texas maintain a key role in the national economy, despite the many challenges we face,” said Pickens. “He understands what needs to be done to address the threat of foreign oil imports and how we should begin using a cleaner, cheaper, domestic option – Texas’ abundant natural gas supplies.”

“Boone has been an undisputed success in making Texas’ energy industry the economic pillar it is for our state today,” said Gov. Perry. “He has been a powerful partner in our state’s efforts to not only cultivate our fossil fuels industry but to diversify our energy sources so Texas can remain a leader in the worldwide energy market. I’m honored to have Boone supporting my campaign and look forward to working with him as we keep Texas at the forefront of the global and national economy.”

Utilizing natural gas in heavy duty fleet applications – along with an expanded use of renewables such as wind and solar energy in power generation – is a key element of “The Pickens Plan” to reduce U.S. foreign oil dependence. The U.S. now depends on foreign nations – many unfriendly to America – for nearly 70 percent of its oil consumption.

Pickens is founder and chairman of BP Capital Management, one of the nation’s most successful energy investment funds. He unveiled The Pickens Plan in July 2008 as a grassroots campaign to address America’s foreign oil dependency crisis that threatens the nation’s economy, environment and national security.

Pickens founded Mesa Petroleum in 1956 and subsequently grew it into the largest independent oil company in the United States. Additionally, Time magazine featured him on its 2009 list of the 100 most-influential people in the world, Financial World named him “CEO of the Decade” in 1989 and the Oil and Gas Investor listed him as one of the “100 Most Influential People of the Petroleum Century”.

Pickens joins the Texas Municipal Police Association, Texas Chemical Council, Texas Society of Professional Engineers, RNC Committeewoman Cathie Adams, Texas Right to Life, Houston Realty Business Coalition, Texas Apartment Association, Texas Republican County Chairman Association President Linda Rogers, Heidi Group Founder Carol Everett, Texas Alliance for Life, Texas Department of Public Safety Officers Association PAC, Texas Home School Coalition PAC, Texans for Life President Kyleen Wright, Conservative Republicans of Texas President Dr. Steve Hotze, Free Market Foundation President Kelly Shackelford, Texas Chiropractic Association, Americans for Prosperity State Director Peggy Venable, the Texas State Association of Fire Fighters, Texas Association of Realtors, Texas Civil Justice League PAC, Texas Oil Gas Association President Rob Looney, Concerned Women for America State Director Ann Hettinger, Texas Optometric Association PAC and Texas Pest Control Association in their endorsement of Gov. Perry.

Governor Sarah Palin endorses Governor Rick Perry

2009-09-18T18:59:00.000-07:00

Tue, 02/03/2009 - 10:27am — wfranklin

One of the best Governors in America-- Sarah Palin of Alaska-- has officially endorsed another of America's best Governors-- Rick Perry-- in Texas' 2010 primary race.

The news underscores the appeal Governor Perry has among both social and fiscal conservatives in the GOP. Sarah Palin is a true rock star of the Republican Party and has earned high praise for her fiscal discipline and her commitment to transparency and government reform.

Wayne Slater of the Dallas Morning News broke the news:

AUSTIN – Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has endorsed Rick Perry for re-election, calling him the "true conservative" in a primary election showdown with fellow Republican Kay Bailey Hutchison.

Palin, who electrified the GOP base as the party's vice presidential nominee last year, has strong support among the party's social conservatives. Her endorsement appeared aimed at undercutting Hutchison's appeal with GOP women. Both groups will be important in picking the party's nominee in next year's GOP primary.

In a letter to "Texas Republican women" distributed by the Perry campaign, Palin touts the Texas governor's conservative credentials.

"He walks the walk of a true conservative. And he sticks by his guns – and you know how I feel about guns," she said.

Palin cited one of the Perry campaign's top issues – opposition to federal financial bailouts. And she singled out Perry's opposition to abortion rights.

"Not every child is born into ideal circumstances, but every life is sacred," Palin said in the mail appeal. "Rick Perry knows this – it is at the core of his being."

The 2010 Governor's race in Texas is an important test for the direction of the Republican Party, even nationally. Do we want principled, pro-life, pro-growth, limited government conservatives, or do we want "Republicans In Name Only" acquiescing to permanent minority party status and merely going along to get along with the increasingly far left Democrats?

We now know where Sarah Palin stands on this question.

Perry Standing Strong for Texas Rights

2009-09-16T08:47:00.000-07:00

Governor Rick Perry's Op-Ed at BigGovernment.com

Message to Feds: Enough! Remember the 10th Amendment
by Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX)

As the federal government continuously churns out ideas and policies that drive our nation deeper and deeper in debt, citizens and taxpayers are right to be worried. From federal “stimulus” bills that force state governments to change laws, raise taxes and increase spending, to cap and trade proposals that will run our energy industry into the ground, to emerging plans for an unprecedented and unsustainable expansion of government health care, it is clear that the swollen river of our federal government has overflowed its banks.

Washington is increasingly out of step with folks out here in flyover country who do not share the inside-the-Beltway belief that a benevolent, all-knowing government can expand and encroach without limit, because individual Americans simply cannot be trusted to make right choices.

This mindset has driven the explosive growth of the size, spending and intrusiveness of the federal government. Our founding fathers would be appalled at the way their successors are ignoring individual liberties, contemplating more tax increases and interfering further into private enterprise.

Washington bureaucrats must be reminded that America is not some windowless laboratory where they can tinker with theories with no regard to consequences. Real harm is resulting from policies that are disastrous for America’s future, bankrupting our country, and mortgaging our children’s future. Fear of this emerging future and frustration with an administration run amok are fueling the resurgent interest in the 10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. “We the people” are standing up and demanding an audience.

It drives the talking heads crazy, but I’m proud of those level-headed Americans who are pushing back through the growing TEA Party movement. This groundswell of classic American activism is giving citizens a conduit for their beliefs and sending a clear message they will not stand idly by as Washington’s spends their tax dollars and limits their freedoms with increasing arrogance. I predict that our increasingly frustrated national electorate will look to the states for answers, starting with Texas.

The success of the Lone Star State has proven that the journey to a desirable future begins with fostering individual liberty and encouraging personal responsibility while celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit. Our relative economic strength is proof that people thrive when given the opportunity to strive with minimal government interference.

In 2003, our Legislature’s first order of business was tackling a $10 billion deficit. Fortunately, conservative leadership principles prevailed and we cut spending to right our listing ship of state. Six years later, Texas has a balanced budget with money set aside to cover contingencies and leads the nation in exports, Fortune 500 companies and economic vitality. At last check, our unemployment rate was nearly two points below the national average.

Because Texas leaders not only cut spending but also pushed through tort reform and began sensible investments in job creation, our state is in much better shape than just about any other. Our reformed legal system has not only protected employers from frivolous lawsuits, it has also increased access to healthcare for our citizens while lowering their overall costs.

This continued application of proven, conservative fiscal principles and unapologetic embrace of individual liberty has created a magnetic pull on business owners and citizens looking for a fresh start. We haven’t been adding roughly one thousand people to our population every day solely because of our great live music and barbeque. That certainly doesn’t hurt, but folks are more attracted to a climate where people know they can not only risk their capital with a chance for a good return, they can also enjoy a quality of life that is unreachable in most other states. People come to Texas for the modern version of the classic American dream.

Our success notwithstanding, you won’t catch Texas resting on its laurels or abandoning its principles. During our recent legislative session, we turned a few heads when we refused federal unemployment funds that would have mandated increased taxes over the long term and more government expansion. We also cut taxes for 40,000 small businesses, knocked out legislation that would have opened the door to frivolous lawsuits, and passed bills that will improve education by bolstering our universities and increasing accountability in our public schools.

I’m pleased that a number of other states are taking a similar tack by drawing clear lines and standing on proven conservative principles. Fortunately for their citizens, leaders like Bobby Jindal of Louisiana and Haley Barbour of Mississippi are also standing tall in the face of a metastatic federal bureaucracy. We can only hope that more states will follow suit and pursue reforms that actually work.

Barring the unforeseen and unlikely event that the powers-that-be in Washington wake up and change their approach, people will continue to press for limited government, endure in their belief in the power of the individual, and cast their lot with the protections of the Tenth Amendment. Hopefully, exercising our speech rights guaranteed by the First Amendment will finally rouse Washington from its slumber and bring our nation out of this recession, strengthen our Union, and chart a course to long term prosperity and opportunity for all.

Texas Association of Realtors Endorses Gov. Perry for Re-election

2009-09-14T10:49:00.001-07:00

September 14, 2009
Campaign Update

AUSTIN – The Texas Association of Realtors (TAR) has endorsed Rick Perry for re-election in 2010.

“Throughout his time in office, Gov. Perry has been a tireless champion for Texas homeowners and those who aspire to be homeowners,” said Brooke Hunt, TAR Chairman. “Gov. Perry shares our core values: protecting private-property rights, supporting the free enterprise system, reducing the state’s heavy reliance on property taxes, and advancing public policies that benefit homeowners. His outstanding record proves that Rick Perry is a true friend to all Texas consumers.”

The Texas Association of Realtors is one of the largest statewide professional associations, representing nearly 90,000 members who are involved in all aspects of real estate. All political committees and entities of TAR, and its executive board and board of directors, unanimously endorsed Gov. Perry at their annual convention in Dallas over the weekend.

“I firmly believe that our state’s efforts to keep taxes low, government spending down, our legal system fair and our regulations predictable are the forces that have made our state’s housing market less susceptible to the negative effects of the national mortgage crisis,” said Gov. Perry. “These principles, combined with Texas realtors’ resolve and competitiveness, are what will maintain our record of lower default rates and home values that surpass the national average. I’m proud to have the endorsement of Texas realtors and confident that together, we will keep Texas strong and at the front of the pack during these uncertain economic times.”

TAR joins the Texas Municipal Police Association, Texas Chemical Council, Texas Society of Professional Engineers, RNC Committeewoman Cathie Adams, Texas Right to Life, Houston Realty Business Coalition, Texas Apartment Association, Texas Republican County Chairman Association President Linda Rogers, Heidi Group Founder Carol Everett, Texas Alliance for Life, Texas Department of Public Safety Officers Association PAC, Texas Home School Coalition PAC, Texans for Life President Kyleen Wright, Conservative Republicans of Texas President Dr. Steve Hotze, Free Market Foundation President Kelly Shackelford, Texas Chiropractic Association, Americans for Prosperity State Director Peggy Venable and the Texas State Association of Fire Fighters in their endorsement of Gov. Perry.

# # #

Ranger Recon Teams

2009-09-13T23:47:00.000-07:00

Gov. Perry Announces Highly Skilled Ranger Recon Teams as Texas Efforts to Enhance Border Security

Taxpayer Advocate Peggy Venable Endorses Gov. Perry for Re-election

2009-09-11T13:54:00.000-07:00

September 10, 2009

Government ReformCampaign UpdateElection 2010State and Local IssuesEconomic OpportunityEndorsements

AUSTIN – Gov. Perry has received the endorsement of Peggy Venable for re-election in 2010.

“Thanks to Gov. Perry's leadership, the Texas economy is the envy of the nation, serving as a beacon of fiscal sanity for the country,” said Venable, state director of Americans for Prosperity (AFP). “Texas is the only large state without a significant budget deficit; we lead the country in job creation and business relocation; and we have one of the healthiest housing markets in the nation. It is important that we stay the course. These achievements would not have been possible without the strong, insightful, fiscally responsible leadership provided by Gov. Perry and that is why I am personally endorsing him for re-election.”

Peggy Venable has worked in public policy and grassroots campaigns for more than 30 years and has served as a taxpayer advocate in Texas for 15 years. As state director of AFP for five years, she has worked to educate and engage citizens in helping restrain state and federal government growth and return government to its constitutional limits. She is also a former state director of Citizens for a Sound Economy, and served on the Texas Women's Alliance President's Council.

“Peggy has been an essential component in efforts to protect taxpayers’ interests, positively reduce the size of our state government, promote government transparency and put a stop to public-funded lobbying,” said Gov. Perry. “Her work has been invaluable to our state’s growth as one of the most productive, successful economies in the nation and world, and I am proud to have her support.”

Venable joins the Texas Municipal Police Association, Texas Chemical Council, Texas Society of Professional Engineers, RNC Committeewoman Cathie Adams, Texas Right to Life, Houston Realty Business Coalition, Texas Apartment Association, Texas Republican County Chairman Association President Linda Rogers, Heidi Group Founder Carol Everett, Texas Alliance for Life, Texas Department of Public Safety Officers Association PAC, Texas Home School Coalition PAC, Texans for Life President Kyleen Wright, Conservative Republicans of Texas President Dr. Steve Hotze, Free Market Foundation President Kelly Shackelford and the Texas Chiropractic Association in their endorsement of Gov. Perry.

Gov. Perry Securing The Border

2009-09-10T13:45:00.000-07:00

Gov. Perry Announces Highly Skilled Ranger Recon Teams as Texas’ Latest Efforts to Enhance Border Security - Urges federal government to approve request for National Guard resources along border

September 10, 2009 HOUSTON – In the absence of adequate federal resources to secure the state’s southern border, Gov. Rick Perry today announced the state’s latest border security enhancement using highly-skilled Ranger Reconnaissance (Ranger Recon) Teams to address the ever evolving threat along the Texas-Mexico border. He also repeated his call for Washington to approve the 1,000 Title 32 National Guard troops he has been requesting since January. Additionally, the governor announced the award of $2 million in state criminal justice funds to the Border Sheriff’s Coalition for continued utilization of video surveillance technology along the border.

"Texas’ proven border security strategy is based on putting boots on the ground and equipping those personnel with the technology, training and funding they need to stem the flow of contraband across our border. Deploying Ranger Recon Teams to high-traffic, high-crime areas along the border will enhance our efforts,” Gov. Perry said. “This is the latest in a series of aggressive actions we’ve taken to fill the gap left by the federal government’s ongoing failure to adequately secure our international border.”

Comprised of Texas Rangers and Texas National Guard Counterdrug forces, the Ranger Recon Teams are supported by the Operation Border Star Unified Command, including Texas sheriffs, Highway Patrol strike teams and Department of Public Safety aviation resources. This effort was launched in early August to address the increased burglaries of rural homes, ranches and hunting camps in remote areas along the Texas-Mexico border.

With nearly 73 percent of Texas’ 1,254 mile border privately owned, landowners along the boundary often face extortion or threats from violent criminal organizations that smuggle drugs, people and weapons across the border. The Ranger Recon Teams will identify high-intensity smuggling routes in remote areas, and conduct operations to reduce border-related crime in these corridors. These activities are also an essential element of a proactive strategy to deter spillover violence.

In addition to drug and human smuggling, increasing violence in northern Mexico poses a significant threat to Texas communities. More than 5,700 homicides occurred in Mexico in 2008, with roughly 1,600 in Juárez alone, which borders El Paso on the southern side of the Rio Grande. Already in 2009, Juárez has seen more than 1,500 brutal homicides.

In order to maintain operational security, the specific number, composition and location of the Ranger Recon Teams will not be disclosed.

Additionally, since January Gov. Perry has repeatedly urged the federal government, through letters to President Barack Obama, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, to approve his request for 1,000 Title 32 National Guardsmen to support civilian law enforcement efforts to enhance border security in Texas.

A porous border places Texas and the nation at risk from international terrorists, organized crime cartels and transnational gangs. Until the federal government fulfills its responsibility of securing our border, Texas will continue filling in the gaps by putting more boots on the ground, providing increased law enforcement resources and leveraging technology along the border.

These efforts include the Virtual Border Watch program, a system of cameras along the border which creates a virtual online patrol presence, allowing the public to view and report suspicious activity to law enforcement. Members of the public may assist law enforcement by participating in the Virtual Border Watch program online at http://www.blueservo.net.

Under the governor’s leadership and thanks to action taken by the Legislature, the state has dedicated more than $110 million to border security efforts in each of the last two legislative sessions.

Success in Texas!

2009-09-08T07:21:00.000-07:00

Great video with lots of facts about the great state of Texas. Thanks to Gov. Perry who leads the way to prosperity and freedom for Texans.

Texas Going To Washington 9-12-09

2009-09-07T12:56:00.000-07:00

God bless the good people of Texas that are headed to Washington D.C. for September 12th March! I so wish I was going with them.

Welcome to Tiffany 4 Perry

2009-09-07T11:01:00.000-07:00

I'll be using this blog to work hard to get Governor Rick Perry reelected for Texas Governor!