http://frontpagemag.com/2013/frontpagemag-com/gov-rick-perry-why-texas-works/
HE IS MY FAVORITE GOVERNOR….NOT A GOOD CANDIDATE OR DEBATER ….BUT AFTER BASHING HIM IN THE PRIMARIES, ALL THE OTHERS ADOPTED HIS POLICIES….RSK
Editor’s note: Below is the video and transcript of Gov. Rick Perry’s speech at the David Horowitz Freedom Center’s Texas Weekend. The inaugural event took place May 3rd-5th at the Las Colinas Resort in Dallas, Texas.
Rick Perry: And, David, it’s an honor to get to see you again and be in your presence. And we’re certainly glad to have you here in Texas. And even if your mailing address does continue to be in California. (laughter) I mean, really, California? It — all the cool kids are moving to Texas, David. (laughter)
But I’m just kidding because, I mean, God knows, if there is a place that needs David Horowitz, it is California. (laughter) So, you know, the basic question I love to ask folks when I talk to people in California or Illinois or overseas, for that matter, is that, you know, what makes Texas so special?
And there’s a number of ways to go about that answer. We are a unique culture. We’re proud. We are patriotic. Fiercely dedicated to the values of individual freedom and responsibility. We are a mix of backgrounds.
We are incredibly diverse state, culturally, ethically, philosophically. No matter where you come from or what you believe, you can feel right at home in Texas. Granted, if you’re a liberal, Austin’s probably about the only place that you’re going to feel really at home. (laughter)
But it’s a great place and they love it there. If you enjoy the finer things in life from world class orchestras to world class food, you can find it in Texas. Same if you enjoy camping, fishing, hunting, hiking or even surfing, we have it all.
Of course, that’s what truly sets us apart over the last decade has been our economic climate. And that’s something that we’ve worked very hard to develop, to cultivate. It’s a climate built upon the fiscally conservative principles that have served us well through good economic times and throughout major national recessions.
CEOs are looking for something simple. And that simplicity is predictability. And in Texas, they know that they’re going to get just that. They know they won’t be taxed into bankruptcy. They know that they — that we have a low tax burden here. That’s the foundation of this state’s tax philosophy.
We do that because we realize that more money in the hands of Texans is how you create more jobs in this state. We realize that more jobs for hard working Texas tax payers means more options, more freedom, healthier Texas families.
People have gotten that message, too. Our population continues to grow at somewhere north of 1,000 people every day move into this state. Employers also know that they can put down roots in Texas. That they won’t be tied up in miles and miles of government red tape.
That doesn’t mean that we don’t take care of our own. That we don’t have appropriate regulatory climates. As a matter fact, we’ve cleaned up our air in the last decade more than any other state in the nation during that same period of time.
But it’s proof that you can have thoughtful regulation and at the same time lift your environmental quality as well. What it means is that we’re reasonable. We’re efficient when it comes to the regulatory process.
Don’t a — just take my word for it. Ask people like Andy Puzder. Andy was the CEO of Carl’s Jr.’s, headquartered out in California. He said that opening a new restaurant in California takes eight months.
Eight months before you can even break ground to start the construction. In Texas, it takes about six weeks. That’s a big reason you’re seeing more Carl’s Jr.’s as you drive around, Pat. I don’t know if you use that establishment or not but you’re going to see a lot more of them in Texas.
Employers know that the Texas court system, for instance, won’t allow for over suing. Someone in the audience said a thank you as I walked in for — in 2003 we passed the most sweeping tort reform in the nation. And there — and in 2011 we passed loser pay.
And again, sending the message (applause) that you can come to the State of Texas and you won’t be over sued. The more time and money that’s spent in courtrooms is less time that you’re creating jobs in this state.