Texas Democratic Party: Moving Texas Forward

Below is a statement from Texas Democratic Party Chairman Boyd Richie regarding the special session:

“Today, state lawmakers have to return to Austin at taxpayer expense because Governor Perry and the leaders of the Republican legislative majority failed to address important legislative priorities during the regular session. Had the so-called leaders of the Republican majority made it a priority to resolve important issues like skyrocketing insurance rates, traffic congestion and children’s health insurance this spring, the special session could have been avoided. Instead, if the Governor has his way, Texas taxpayers will pay for a special session that will do nothing more than allow the state insurance and transportation agencies to keep operating just as they do today, while Texans keep paying the highest insurance rates in the country. On transportation, instead of taking on the toll road profiteers while traffic continues to get worse, Republicans have forced our Democrats to consider limited options when real change is needed.

“The failures of the 81st Legislature rest at the feet of Governor Perry, Lt. Governor Dewhurst and Speaker Straus, who failed to provide leadership to address these important priorities in a timely manner. The need for this special session is another example of how Republican politicians have failed to address basic pocketbook issues and provide cost-effective state services that are important to Texas families. The time has come to end the era of failed one-party Republican rule in Texas by electing Democrats who will restore common sense, bipartisan leadership in our State Capitol.”