Rick Perry on Education

Republican Governor (TX)

$305 million for public schools and colleges

The governor’s proposed budget would increase funding for public and higher education, his top priority. “In this new technology economy, learning must not end with a high school degree,” Perry said. “Our investment in higher education will pay dividends long into the future.” The proposed budget would fund:

$88.3 million in general revenue for anticipated growth in enrollment in colleges and universities

$27 million to continue the 2001 faculty pay raise into both years of the next budget cycle.

$150 million to the instructional facilities allotment for Texas’ public schools to reduce the backlog of schools needing facility construction and repairs.

$40 million for an initiative to improve Texas public school children’s math skills and to create a Master Math Teacher certification. Source: Press Release, “State Budget” Jan 16, 2001

Start a pilot voucher program in Texas

The Supreme Court’s ruling that government-funded vouchers can be used for tuition at religious schools may settle the question of constitutionality, but the fight will shift to state courts, in legal battles over state constitutional objections to voucher programs, and to state legislatures and the ballot box.

Texas is among several states expected to seriously consider creating a voucher program. Rick Perry, who said he supports the court’s decision, said a voucher program could be developed next year in the Legislature, where similar bills have stalled before. “What it says is that parents have a place and role in the decision-making process about where their children go to school,” he said. “It’s about parental choice.” Perry said he favors starting with a pilot program.

Source: Dallas Morning News Jun 28, 2002

Supports vouchers, but didn?t push proposal through

On March 29 Perry forced a vote on an ill-fated school voucher proposal. It’s perhaps the issue with which Perry’s campaign was most closely associated, and the one he was expected to push for the hardest. Perry’s campaign was famously funded by a $1 million loan guaranteed by Jim Leininger, the conservative millionaire who champions school vouchers and tort reform.

Perry watchers have varying explanations for the fate of school vouchers this session -- and for Perry’s failure to fight harder or more publicly on their behalf: The first theory holds that he’s not really a true believer in vouchers. The second explanation is that he is a true believer in the voucher issue?among others?but that he’s laying low until assumption of the governorship allows him to reveal his true colors. Yet a third explanation is that Perry is simply learning the ropes and building relationships with legislators before making a serious run at an issue that has proved controversial among voters and politicos alike.

Source: Jenny Staff, The Austin Chronicle, vol. 18. no. 39 May 28, 1999

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