Governor Perry Invited to Caucus on Rainy Day Fund
By: Ryan Loyd, permianbasin360.com
Updated: March 7, 2011
AUSTIN -- Republicans invited one of their own to caucus Monday in a meeting concerning what lawmakers will do about the Rainy Day fund.
"The well has somewhat, I won't say run dry, but the water flow has been restricted," Perry said. "We're going to make the same types of thoughtful wants and needs."
The meeting, closed to the public, was a full house of Republicans, some who say they are now willing to tap into the fund.
"Have to do it," said Rep. Larry Gonzales, R-Round Rock. "Big difference, want to, have to. We have to. I'm ok with it."
Rep. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, sides with Perry, but he believes many Republicans are having a change of heart in hard budget times. But he knows the governor wants to hold off.
"You never know what the future holds," Taylor said. "The governor asked us to continue through the process, to make sure that we've looked at everything, that the Rainy Day fund is only for a last resort."
"I'm sure there's some people that would say spend it all, spend it now, and raise taxes," Perry said. "Certainly I hope that's not coming from fiscal conservatives."
But Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, the chair of the appropriations committee, says it is painful to continue cutting services he knows will affect Texans.
"We do not have the funds to pay our bills," Pitts said.
He asked if people of the state are having to tighten their belts and use their savings in hard times, why can't the state?
"If Texans in July can't make their house payment, their car payment, can't pay their electricity, and they've got $10,000 in the bank, do they call the banker and say 'come get my house, come get my car?' or are they going to use the savings account?" he questioned. "Texans would use their savings account."
Pitts says he is continuing with a bill to tap into the fund. He hopes it will make it out of committee and eventually to the House floor.
"The well has somewhat, I won't say run dry, but the water flow has been restricted," Perry said. "We're going to make the same types of thoughtful wants and needs."
The meeting, closed to the public, was a full house of Republicans, some who say they are now willing to tap into the fund.
"Have to do it," said Rep. Larry Gonzales, R-Round Rock. "Big difference, want to, have to. We have to. I'm ok with it."
Rep. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, sides with Perry, but he believes many Republicans are having a change of heart in hard budget times. But he knows the governor wants to hold off.
"You never know what the future holds," Taylor said. "The governor asked us to continue through the process, to make sure that we've looked at everything, that the Rainy Day fund is only for a last resort."
"I'm sure there's some people that would say spend it all, spend it now, and raise taxes," Perry said. "Certainly I hope that's not coming from fiscal conservatives."
But Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, the chair of the appropriations committee, says it is painful to continue cutting services he knows will affect Texans.
"We do not have the funds to pay our bills," Pitts said.
He asked if people of the state are having to tighten their belts and use their savings in hard times, why can't the state?
"If Texans in July can't make their house payment, their car payment, can't pay their electricity, and they've got $10,000 in the bank, do they call the banker and say 'come get my house, come get my car?' or are they going to use the savings account?" he questioned. "Texans would use their savings account."
Pitts says he is continuing with a bill to tap into the fund. He hopes it will make it out of committee and eventually to the House floor.
