Lean times spending?

[white cloud]

Getting a freebie from the state isn't that hard, even when the state is facing its biggest budget challenge in years.

Flashlights, baby clothes, coloring books, pens, umbrellas, reusable grocery bags, guitar picks and countless other items are given out for free, courtesy of state agencies and universities.


As lawmakers struggle to balance the budget, a Star-Telegram review shows that more than $3 million was set aside in fiscal 2010 to spend on items and events promoting state programs, agencies and universities -- expenses that have drawn both criticism and praise.

"There's no reason why the state should be sponsoring events, handing out tote bags or providing swag and gimmes," said Michael Quinn Sullivan, president of Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, an Austin-based group that advocates lower taxes and less spending. "Every dollar spent on such things is a dollar not available for core services."



Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/04/30/3040027/texas-government-promotions-top.html#ixzz1L8TaKQUK

[sonias]

1. And Perry is the worst of them

'Brand awareness'
In Gov. Rick Perry's office, $35,955.86 was budgeted in 2010 for promotions -- partly paying for USB drives, lapel pins, guitar picks and sports bottles given out through divisions such as the Texas Music Office, Texas Film Commission and the governor's division of Economic Development and Tourism, said Lucy Nashed, deputy press secretary for Perry.

Plus isn't he still spending over $10K a month for his gated community living setup!

:mad:

[TxVietVet]

2. The usual conservanazi bu$hit.

Whine about not having money for the people and then promote thyself.

If we can't afford health care for the poor, education for the kids, then we certainly can't afford to promote conservanazi propaganda.

The conservanazis are in constant campaign mode in Texas WITH HARDLY AN OPPOSITION. In the little community I live in, the local radio station gives time to the state rep so he can issue his "report" which is just a promotion of conservanazi talking points.