Texas lawmakers pushing back on Gov. Perry in 2013
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Gov. Rick Perry revved up for a presidential bid in 2011 by showing the country who's boss in Texas: He slashed spending, tightened abortion restrictions and declared illegal immigration a state emergency.
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A year after Perry's run for the White House flamed out, the Republican-controlled Texas Legislature is showing signs of defiance in a series of votes that push back against Perry's authority — a poke in the eye of the 12-year governor.
In recent weeks, the Texas House and Senate have approved separate budget plans that increase spending and put some money back into public education, something Perry said the state spends plenty on. The Senate has endorsed a proposed constitutional amendment calling for term limits for statewide office holders and voted to audit Perry's pet Texas Enterprise Fund, which the governor has used for the last decade to give $485 million to private companies looking to expand or relocate in the state.
And members in both chambers have gone on the offensive in challenging Perry's political appointments to the University of Texas System regents, part of a power struggle over who governs day-to-day operations of state universities. The Senate recently voted to curtail regents' authority.
More at http://www.mywesttexas.com/statenation/article_5f958a78-aea7-11e2-8eca-001a4bcf887a.html .
