ShareHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
AUSTIN- Gov. Rick Perry proposed curbing spiraling tuition costs at the state’s colleges and universities on Tuesday as he laid out his priorities before a joint session of the Texas Legislature.
In his fifth State of the State Address, Texas' longest-serving governor also proposed increasing small-business exemptions on a 3-year-old business tax, toughened border enforcement against violent Mexican drug cartels, and a continuation of spending policies that he said has helped Texas fare better than many other states weathering the nation’s economic crisis.Perry, a strong anti-abortion advocate, also backed legislation requiring women to review their ultrasound before being allowed to terminate a pregnancy."As we consider the growing threats to our nation's unborn," he said, "I believe it’s time to add another layer of protection for those most vulnerable Texans."Perry endorsed a growing push to curtail tuition costs, which have risen by 53 percent since state lawmakers "deregulated" state tuition in 2003, allowing colleges and universities to set their own rates without legislative approval. Critics of the dergulation bill, which Perry signed, say the spiraling tuition costs have effectively priced many families out of a higher education for their children."Let's work together together to make college accessible and affordable for more qualified, motivated students than ever before," Perry said. "Freezing a student's tuition rates will help families plan for the long term and give students a powerful incentive to finish college in a timely manner."The proposal would freeze students' college tuition rates for four years at the rates they paid as entering freshmen. Perry said increasing the busiiness tax exemption to $1 million for small businesses help "free up entrepreneurs" to expand businesses and create up more job opportunities to help the state overcome the economic downturn. The tax was passed by the 2006 Legislature to help offset a reduction in school property but has fallen short of producing expected revenue. Many small businesses have complained that the tax is overly burdensome.The Repubican governor also addressed immigration, saying that state enforcement efforts have helped drop illegal immigrations by 47 percent since 2005. But he called for $135 million to strengthen the state-led enforcement effort to confront what he called a continued threat from "brazen transnational gangs" tied to Mexican drug cartels."Because we have seriously hindered the Mexican drug cartels ability to move contraband across the border, they are relying with increasing frequency on those unprincipled gangs to do their dirty work," he said. Addressing lawmakers packed into the House of Representatives chamber, Perry also called for:■ A state constitutional amendment on eminent domain to strengthen protections for property owners.■ A fund to help local communities confront local disasters such as the two hurricanes that struck the Gulf Coast last year.■ Allocating $622.5 million to continue and expand teacher incentive and reward programs.■ Increasing funding for higher education incentives and funding for nursing education.DAVE MONTGOMERY, 512-476-4294
@Nyx.CommentBody@