Texas Democratic Party: Moving Texas Forward

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

“With indications the legislature will soon adjourn sine die and end the special session, the only good news for Texans is that the Republican politicians who control the legislature are getting out of town before they do any further damage to our state.

“The bad news is that this special session offered more of the same misplaced priorities from do-nothing Governor Perry and his fellow Republicans, who once again failed to address skyrocketing insurance rates, traffic congestion and children’s health insurance. In fact, a special session could have been avoided had the Republican legislative majority been willing to work with Democrats to address these important issues in a timely manner during the regular session instead of placing a higher priority on a divisive partisan agenda.

“But what is truly ugly is Governor Rick Perry’s decision to add only one additional issue – expansion of private toll road contracts – to the special session. While more Texas kids remain uninsured than in any other state, families continue paying the highest insurance rates in the nation and traffic congestion continues to get worse, the Governor is still trying to reward the toll road profiteers who contribute to his campaign.

“Gov. Perry and the Republican legislative majority are taking a toll on Texas families, and Texans will keep paying the price for failed Republican rule until Democrats are elected to end Republican control of state government.”