Rick Perry as Governor Introduction
James Richard Perry served as the 47th Governor of Texas, after having served as a lieutenant governor for one year in 2001-2000. On December 21, 2000, he became the governor of Texas, succeeding George W. Bush, who had resigned. He would later serve as the governor until January 2015. Perry is the first Texas A &M graduate to hold the position of governor ("Texas Governor Rick"). During his tenure, he did many things he will be remembered for, especially those that led to the transformation of the post of Texas governor.
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Perry’s Milestone Performance as Texas Governor Economic Expansion
Perry's tenure in the office of governor brought about unprecedented economic expansion that saw the state realize significant job creation. In the period 2003-2013, Texas was credited for producing third net new jobs in the United States, underscoring the effect of Governor Perry's economic policies ("Texas Governor Rick"). At the same time, the state registered high rates of population growth than the preceding decades. These changes were attributed to good economic policies that promoted trade and investment in Texas.
Fiscal Policies
Perry's fiscal policy was anchored in conservatism, which is opposed to state taxation but favors business incentives and the creation of employment. In 2009, Governor Perry signed the Grover Norquist, a pledge to "oppose and veto any efforts to increase taxes," a move that ensured that there were no marginal increase in the rates of taxation for business as well as individuals (Sherman 7). Consequently, his fiscal policy was anchored on the need to maintain low tax rates as a way of allowing the business and individuals to save more and invest.
As a governor, Perry in 2003 started sourcing for loans to pay for the road construction. The move contributed to significant growth in the state debt from $13.4 billion in 2001 to a staggering $37.8 in 2011. At the same time, Perry oversaw the state sell $3.5 billion in bonds for unemployment welfares ("Texas Governor Rick"). Perry's leadership borrowed more to fund the government instead of increasing the tax rates. Therefore, his tenure in office contributed to the exponential growth of the public debt.
Moreover, Perry signed a bill that created the Texas Enterprise Fund in 2003; the fund has since then given out $435 million to businesses operating in the states regarding grants to boost their operation as well as stabilize ("Texas Governor Rick"). The fund was used to support business enterprises that were suffering financial constraints as well as those that needed expansion but did not have enough funds to implement such changes. Nevertheless, Perry has been criticized for having used the fund to benefit more those who are associated with him or his government.
Tax Breaks and Investment Incentives
Perry also offered corporate tax breaks, investment incentives, and other enticements to the corporate world. The move aimed at strengthening the business sector and attracting more investments in the state. The tax breaks created a conducive environment for investment, enticing more firms to set up their businesses in Texas. Consequently, Perry's economic policies of tax breaks and incentives enabled companies such as Toyota to build their American headquarters in Texas. At the same time, the state overtook California as the leading technology exporter ("Texas Governor Rick"). However, he was accused of doing this at the time when the state was experiencing a deficit in its budget.
Healthcare
Perry, as a governor of Texas, introduced the tort reform, a bill that was signed in 2003, restricting non-economic damages or harm in all medical malpractice judgments (Smith 23). However, these changes had adverse effects on the cost of health care services and the supply of physicians. The net effect of these reforms was the increase in the number of persons without medical insurance in taxation, which saw the state becoming the topmost in states have the uninsured population in the U.S.
Perry signed several legislations opposing abortion; as a governor, he did not condone terminating of pregnancy, whether it was a result of rape or incest. At one time, Perry opposed abortion in totality, but later on rescinded to only allow abortion in a special case to save the mother's life (Smith 18). In this respect, he opposed state funding for programs related to abortion. On the other hand, in a move aimed at promoting women healthcare, in February 2007 Governor Perry issued an executive order that made it mandatory for all girls living within the states of Texas to receive the HPV vaccine ("Texas Governor Rick"). This order aimed at lowering the prevalence of human papilloma virus infection among females, which also helps to reduce the probability of women developing a certain type of cervical cancer. However, it was overturned by the Texas State legislature.
Crime
As a governor, Perry vouched for tough laws and policies on crimes. He believed in harsh punishment for crime as a way of deterrence. In June 2002, Governor Perry vetoed the move to ban the execution of the mentally disabled prisoners in the state of Texas ("Texas Governor Rick"). In essence, Perry maintained and promoted tough laws to deal with crimes.
Same-sex relations
As a governor, Perry maintained his opposition to same-sex relation, emphasizing conservatives' views on the institution of marriage. He signed a pledge send by the National Organization for Marriage strengthen the entity's effort's to oppose and reject same-sex marriage in Texas ("Texas Governor Rick"). For this reason, during Perry's tenure, the state of Texas maintained its stance not to recognize same-sex marriage.
Conclusion
Perry, as governor for Texas, managed to implement conservative fiscal policies that contributed to a significant and steady economic growth of the state, create employment, as well as maintain low tax rates. I in general, tax reliefs, investment incentives, and grants to businesses helped in strengthening the state's industrial sector and business. Perry demonstrated strong economic leadership that helped Texas realize major and significant economic growth that created a conducive environment for population growth and improving the Texans living standards. He also maintained conserve laws with regards to issues such as marriage. However, his health policies contributed to an increase in the number of uninsured and also a shortage of physicians. He vouched for the private sector to play a major role in the provision of health services rather than the government. Therefore, as the governor of Texas, Perry managed to steer the state to realize stead and successful economic growth, maintain conservatism towards issues such as marriage and punishing crime.
Works Cited
"Texas Governor Rick Perry: An Inventory Of Governor Rick Perry Appointments Office Records At The Texas State Archives, 1981, 1989-2015, Bulk 2001-2014."
Sherman, Patrice. Texas Today: Leading America into the Future. Huntington Beach, CA: Teacher Created Materials, 2013. Print.
Smith, Jordan. "Rick Perry's War on Women." Nation, 293.25(2011): 18-21. Print.