Gov. Perry on Border Security

In late June, bullets fired during a skirmish in an ongoing and escalating drug war in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, struck El Paso City Hall. Thankfully, no one was injured, but this incident is far from the first time cartel-related violence has impacted communities on the Texas side of the U.S.-Mexico border.

It’s hard to imagine a clearer sign of what’s in store if our nation’s border security issues are not dealt with conclusively and immediately.

Protecting the country’s border and ensuring the safety of its citizens are the basic functions of a federal government. Unfortunately, all signs indicate Washington will, once again, fall far short of achieving the task at hand.

"Governor Rick Perry issued the following statement regarding Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s amicus brief in the U.S. v. State of Arizona case:

All Americans should support today’s actions by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott and other state attorneys general in their efforts to uphold the 10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and the right of states to provide for the public safety and security of their citizens.

The federal government has failed to secure our borders as drug activity and murder rates soar in many border communities.

States are left with no choice.

Until the federal government secures the border, I expect more states to legislate in an effort to protect their citizens.

Regardless of anyone’s feelings on the Arizona law, we must protect the 10th Amendment and right of states to legislate public safety to keep families and communities secure.

I join Texas Attorney General Abbott in opposing the Obama Administration’s effort to undermine the right of states to protect their citizens and govern themselves."

"Governor Rick Perry issued the following statement regarding Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s amicus brief in the U.S. v. State of Arizona case:

All Americans should support today’s actions by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott and other state attorneys general in their efforts to uphold the 10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and the right of states to provide for the public safety and security of their citizens.

The federal government has failed to secure our borders as drug activity and murder rates soar in many border communities.

States are left with no choice.

Until the federal government secures the border, I expect more states to legislate in an effort to protect their citizens.

Regardless of anyone’s feelings on the Arizona law, we must protect the 10th Amendment and right of states to legislate public safety to keep families and communities secure.

I join Texas Attorney General Abbott in opposing the Obama Administration’s effort to undermine the right of states to protect their citizens and govern themselves."

President Barack Obama is sending 1,200 troops to secure the U.S.-Mexico border, with most of the soldiers headed to Arizona.

What about Texas?

Gov. Rick Perry on Wednesday said he would wait to see whether his request for help in securing the Texas-Mexico border would be fulfilled before determining if Texas was being dissed.

"We have not received anything from the current administration about additional support of our border," Perry said Wednesday after a ribbon cutting ceremony in Richardson.

In January 2009 Perry met with Obama and requested 1,000 National Guard troops for the Texas border.

Last month Perry met with Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and asked for 3,000 border patrol agents.

Perry said he would withhold judgment on whether Texas was being stiffed "until the Obama Administration clearly tells us what the policy is going to be."

"We've got some substantial request in, but to date there has been no indication that Texas is going to get any support," Perry said. "I hope we have an administration and Congress that understand that this situation along the border is untenable and they have to help us secure that border."

Democratic candidate for governor Bill White said the need for federal troops was a short-term solution.

"We need more federal support for border security and border regions," the former Houston mayor said. "We need more support for local police and sheriffs, who can enforce criminal laws. National Guard troops are not a long-term substitute for sustained federal commitment to border communities."

Perry has been at odds with the Obama Administration on a number of issues.
Wednesday he called a move by federal environmental officials to regulate pollution from Texas refineries another step in the Obama Administration's "campaign to harm our economy."

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Tuesday that it would take over the process of issuing a permit for a Corpus Christi refinery, taking the responsibility away from state regulators.

Perry wondered aloud whether the administration's environmental stance toward Texas was personal.

"There are some very troubling decisions that this administration has made toward Texas," Perry said. "When you have the state that's creating more jobs than any state in the nation and at the same time cleaning up its air...it might make you think that they have something against Texas."

http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/05...

MISSION – Gov. Rick Perry today accepted the endorsements of 30 elected officials from the Rio Grande Valley region, including mayors, mayors pro-tempore, school board members and city commissioners, including several Democrats. They pointed to Gov. Perry’s principled leadership and success in maintaining a friendly business climate and strong economy in offering their support of his re-election campaign.

“It is an honor to stand here today with a group of leaders who have dedicated themselves to public service and worked tirelessly to strengthen their communities, and I am deeply honored to have their support,” said Gov. Perry. “Working together, we will keep our state moving forward with Texas values and proven leadership, and the support of hardworking Texans like those here with me today.”

"I’ve been supporting Gov. Perry since 1998 and I'm very proud of him,” said Mission Mayor Norberto Salinas. “Texas has never had as good a governor as Rick Perry. I am proud to endorse him and offer my full support. Texas needs him for another four years."

In his remarks, Gov. Perry discussed the importance of efforts to create jobs and uphold the fiscally conservative policies that have kept Texas comparatively strong in the midst of a challenging national economy. He noted Texas’ unemployment rate has remained a point-and-a-half below the national average and the state has created more jobs in the last six months than any other state. He also pointed to the state’s success in keeping taxes low, restraining spending and upholding a predictable regulatory climate, which has enabled entrepreneurs and businesses to succeed.

Gov. Perry also highlighted efforts to continue strengthening education, citing his proposals to double the number of Texas Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (T-STEM) schools and increasing the number of U-Teach programs in state universities.

“I am a Democrat and I am supporting Gov. Perry because he's been a good governor for Pharr, the housing community and economic development,” said Pharr Mayor Polo Palacios. “My family came from Mexico and growing up I was always taught to respect those that help you and treat you well. Gov. Perry’s efforts have helped our community. We have worked together and, time after time, Gov. Perry has not let us down.”

“Gov. Perry has worked so hard for South Texas and I am so proud of him,” said La Feria Mayor Steve Brewer. “His team did an unbelievable job during Hurricane Dolly – we were underwater and Gov. Perry wasted no time in dispatching the state guard.”

“Gov. Perry really cares about South Texas,” said Elsa Mayor Senovio Castillo. “The City of Elsa has been helped tremendously by Gov. Perry. He was there when we needed him. We were well prepared before Hurricane Dolly hit because of his efforts.”

The following elected officials today endorsed Gov. Perry:

Mission Mayor Norberto Salinas
Pharr Mayor Polo Palacios
Palmhurst Mayor Ramiro Rodriguez
South Padre Island Mayor Robert Pinkerton
Laguna Vista Mayor Susie Houston,
Lyford Mayor Henry De La Paz, Jr.
Elsa Mayor Senovio Castillo,
La Feria Mayor Steve Brewer
Mission Mayor Pro-Tem,Leo Olivarez
Pharr Mayor Pro-Tem Adan Farias
Mercedes Mayor Pro-Tem Leonardo Garcia
Edcouch Mayor Pro-Tem Eduardo Gonzalez
Pharr Commissioner Oscar Elizondo, Jr.
Pharr Commissioner Arturo Cortez
Pharr Commissioner Bobby Carrillo
Mission Commissioner Ruben Plata
Mission Commissioner Maria Elena Ramirez
Mission Commissioner Norie Garza
Elsa Commissioner Cain Caceres
Elsa Commissioner Oscar Garcia
Mission I.S.D. School Board Member Oscar Martinez
Mission I.S.D. School Board Member Raymond R. Longoria
Mission I.S.D. School Board Member James E. Olivarez
Edcouch-Elsa I.S.D. School Board Member Antonio Barco
Mission Chief of Police Leo Longoria
Former Donna Mayor Rick Morales
Former Harlingen Mayor Rick Rodriguez
Former Rio Grande City Mayor Kevin Hiles
Former 92nd District Judge Horacio Pena
Former 430th District Judge Tom Wingate

MISSION – Gov. Rick Perry today accepted the endorsements of 30 elected officials from the Rio Grande Valley region, including mayors, mayors pro-tempore, school board members and city commissioners, including several Democrats. They pointed to Gov. Perry’s principled leadership and success in maintaining a friendly business climate and strong economy in offering their support of his re-election campaign.

“It is an honor to stand here today with a group of leaders who have dedicated themselves to public service and worked tirelessly to strengthen their communities, and I am deeply honored to have their support,” said Gov. Perry. “Working together, we will keep our state moving forward with Texas values and proven leadership, and the support of hardworking Texans like those here with me today.”

"I’ve been supporting Gov. Perry since 1998 and I'm very proud of him,” said Mission Mayor Norberto Salinas. “Texas has never had as good a governor as Rick Perry. I am proud to endorse him and offer my full support. Texas needs him for another four years."

In his remarks, Gov. Perry discussed the importance of efforts to create jobs and uphold the fiscally conservative policies that have kept Texas comparatively strong in the midst of a challenging national economy. He noted Texas’ unemployment rate has remained a point-and-a-half below the national average and the state has created more jobs in the last six months than any other state. He also pointed to the state’s success in keeping taxes low, restraining spending and upholding a predictable regulatory climate, which has enabled entrepreneurs and businesses to succeed.

Gov. Perry also highlighted efforts to continue strengthening education, citing his proposals to double the number of Texas Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (T-STEM) schools and increasing the number of U-Teach programs in state universities.

“I am a Democrat and I am supporting Gov. Perry because he's been a good governor for Pharr, the housing community and economic development,” said Pharr Mayor Polo Palacios. “My family came from Mexico and growing up I was always taught to respect those that help you and treat you well. Gov. Perry’s efforts have helped our community. We have worked together and, time after time, Gov. Perry has not let us down.”

“Gov. Perry has worked so hard for South Texas and I am so proud of him,” said La Feria Mayor Steve Brewer. “His team did an unbelievable job during Hurricane Dolly – we were underwater and Gov. Perry wasted no time in dispatching the state guard.”

“Gov. Perry really cares about South Texas,” said Elsa Mayor Senovio Castillo. “The City of Elsa has been helped tremendously by Gov. Perry. He was there when we needed him. We were well prepared before Hurricane Dolly hit because of his efforts.”

The following elected officials today endorsed Gov. Perry:

Mission Mayor Norberto Salinas
Pharr Mayor Polo Palacios
Palmhurst Mayor Ramiro Rodriguez
South Padre Island Mayor Robert Pinkerton
Laguna Vista Mayor Susie Houston,
Lyford Mayor Henry De La Paz, Jr.
Elsa Mayor Senovio Castillo,
La Feria Mayor Steve Brewer
Mission Mayor Pro-Tem,Leo Olivarez
Pharr Mayor Pro-Tem Adan Farias
Mercedes Mayor Pro-Tem Leonardo Garcia
Edcouch Mayor Pro-Tem Eduardo Gonzalez
Pharr Commissioner Oscar Elizondo, Jr.
Pharr Commissioner Arturo Cortez
Pharr Commissioner Bobby Carrillo
Mission Commissioner Ruben Plata
Mission Commissioner Maria Elena Ramirez
Mission Commissioner Norie Garza
Elsa Commissioner Cain Caceres
Elsa Commissioner Oscar Garcia
Mission I.S.D. School Board Member Oscar Martinez
Mission I.S.D. School Board Member Raymond R. Longoria
Mission I.S.D. School Board Member James E. Olivarez
Edcouch-Elsa I.S.D. School Board Member Antonio Barco
Mission Chief of Police Leo Longoria
Former Donna Mayor Rick Morales
Former Harlingen Mayor Rick Rodriguez
Former Rio Grande City Mayor Kevin Hiles
Former 92nd District Judge Horacio Pena
Former 430th District Judge Tom Wingate