03.13.09

UI debate must be maddening for the GOP supporters of Hutchison

Posted in 2010 Primary, 81st Legislature, Around The State, Bad Government Republicans, Had Enough Yet?, Right Wing Lies, Taxes, The Budget, The Economy, Uncategorized at 10:22 am by wcnews

A lot has happened politically since Texas Gov. Rick Perry chose yesterday to make it harder for Texans to receive Unemployment Insurance (UI).  State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte said it best.

“Governor Perry’s decision will harm Texas families,” said Van de Putte. “I am amazed that Governor Perry would put partisan interests above the interest of already unemployed Texans and those who will unfortunately lose their jobs due to this economy.”

This is an issue that must be killing a certain segment of the Texas GOP, those on the extreme right who have chosen to support Kay Bailey Hutchison in the 2010 Primary for governor. They so much want to cheer on Perry, and give him an “attaboy”, but have already decided to cheer on Hutchison instead, so they are forced to sit on their hands. Many in the “wing nut” brigade across Texas have made the political calculation that they would likely lose the Texas Chief Executive post, even against Tom Schieffer, if Perry is nominated, again, as their standard bearer. And it’s just got to be killing them to be sitting on the sidelines in this fight, over this issue, that they agree with Perry on. Especially when Hutchison gave such a weak kneed response.

“I hope that the Governor has carefully thought through the potential outcomes of today’s decision. With the state unemployment fund dangerously close to falling below the legal threshold, it is imperative that the Governor does nothing that potentially burdens small businesses with higher taxes in tough economic times or pushes those who have recently become unemployed and their families into further economic peril,” said Hutchison, in a statement.

Ouch!  That’s got to be hard for a rabid right wing supporter of Hutchison to take.  That’s not the kind of rhetorc they like, and that collegial senatorial attitude won’t server her well against Perry.  Here’s a list of those that are sticking with Perry and love his decision, at least in the Texas House, link via Elise Hu, Responses to Stimpak Rejection Start Coming In.

Republican lawmakers, sent a letter to Perry to support him. It’s signed by State Representatives Wayne Christian, Tan Parker, Linda Harper-Brown, Warren Chisum, Brandon Creighton, Geanie Morrison, Dan Flynn, Leo Berman, Phil King, Ken Paxton, Jodie Laubenberg and Larry Taylor.

Their statement can be found here [.pdf].Despite all of that the house committee dealing with how the federal stimulus money will be spent in Texas, , is already moving forward on how to circumvent the governor, Perry aside, House committee says to take unemployment money.

The House committee charged with recommending how to use the federal stimulus money does not see eye to eye with Gov. Rick Perry on the $555 million for unemployment insurance.

In a 5 to 1 vote, the committee on Thursday endorsed enacting the necessary changes to state law so that Texas would be eligible for the money. Earlier today, Perry said Texas should not take the money.

But it looks like cooler heads may be prevailing.

Also, Pitts plans to join Rep. Tan Parker, R-Flower Mound, as a co-author of a bill that would enact the required legislative changes but allow the extended benefits to expire when the federal money is gone. Estimates indicate the federal money would cover seven years of the additional benefits.

Most people, regardless of party, who aren’t running for governor of Texas in 2010, agree that this money is needed and will not be the burden that Perry and his ideological cohorts disingenuously make it out to be.

Economist Ray Perryman, testifying before the committee, said taking the money is on balance a good deal for Texas. The federal infusion would lessen a tax increase on employers now and would cover the extended benefit for at least seven years.

Passing this with the phase out option may be the best chance we have of getting Texans the help they need in these tough economic times. If that’s what it takes to get the money to those in need, then so be it.

With that in mind here are some wise words from Wayne Slater on Hutchison’s dilemma.

Politically, the Perry camp is convinced that the rejection of the money is catnip to lots of fiscally conservative voters who’ll be a big part of the Republican primary electorate next March.

Hutchison is challenging Perry for the GOP nomination, and the governor has seized on her support of the Bush administration’s financial industry bailout in October as evidence she’s part of the spendthrift culture of Washington.

In fact, Hutchison voted against last month’s stimulus package. And Perry is accepting most of the $17 billion headed Texas’ way.

But in politics, the rule is: If you’re explaining, you’re losing. A crisp message beats the fine print. Thursday’s decision lets Perry cast himself as the true anti-Washington, fiscal conservative in his re-election race.

It would seem that a compromise of some sort will be worked out and Perry will be try and claim a mild victory for his attempt to show he stood up to Washington. All the while making Hutchison look “wishy-washy” and soft.  Which leads into one of Hutchison’s main weaknesses in this race.  She hasn’t had to run a tough race in some time, and its unclear if she’ll get down in the mud with Perry. Either way, the “wing nuts” that support Hutchison are doing everything they can to tamp down their usual Pavlovian reaction, to what Perry is doing.

But the debate that’s going on in the Texas GOP about their candidates in 2010, is of no consequence to most Texans that just need some relief in these troubling economic times.  The question is, will the Texas GOP show they can govern, for all Texans, and not just the slim segment of the base of their party?  If not they’ll only continue to marginalize their party in Texas.

Much  more on this from Kuff, here, with statements from Rep. Garnet Coleman and others. And BOR, they’ve worked up some great graphics here, here, and here.

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