Posted in [News from Mike], [Recent Posts]

 State Representative Mike Villarreal

Texas House of Representatives

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 19, 2012 

Contact: Peter Clark, 512-463-0532 (o), 512-417-9262 (c), Peter.Clark@house.state.tx.us 

Education & Budget Challenges Await Perry in Texas

Austin -  Following Governor Rick Perry's announcement that he will end his campaign for the Republican nomination for U.S. President, State Rep. Mike Villarreal released the following statement:

"I welcome the Governor back to Texas. I would be happy to fill him in on all the things that he missed while he was gone, from the harm done by his education cuts to the state's struggles for clean air and water. While he was campaigning, students in thousands of elementary schools have been crowded into classrooms that exceed the state's standard class size limit due to education cuts he championed. The state is facing multiple lawsuits because of a school finance system that fails to meet constitutional muster and treats kids unfairly just because of the school district they live in. We are headed towards a second summer of water shortages while the state's water plan is unfunded. We hit #1 among all states for most greenhouse gas emissions. The state has not taken any steps to fill the hole in the revenue system that pays for schools, roads, water, and other essentials. I believe Texas should be leading the way on education and clean air and water, not lagging behind. I'm sure the Governor is ready to get back to work to prevent the state from remaining in worse shape than he found it when he first entered the Governor's Office."

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