Annual State of the State Luncheon with Governor Perry
DALLAS, TEXAS -- On Tuesday October 21, 2008 Texas Governor Rick Perry will share with the Dallas Regional Chamber his thoughts on key issues affecting the state of Texas. The luncheon will take place at the Sheraton hotel (400 North Olive, Dallas) in the San Antonio Ballroom, from noon to 1:15 p.m.
As Texas’ 47th governor, and the first Texas A&M graduate to occupy the Governor’s Mansion, Rick Perry has led a life of public service, starting in the United States Air Force and continuing over two decades in elected office.
Governor Perry’s administration has focused on creating a Texas of unlimited opportunity and prosperity by improving education, securing the border and increasing economic development through classical conservative values.
Under Governor Perry’s leadership, lawmakers recently passed a $153 billion budget, financing:
· a $3 billion cancer research fund
· a health opportunity pool that will help more Texans buy private health insurance
· more college financial aid
· a new incentive program for colleges and junior colleges
· $100 million to border security
Additionally, Governor Perry signed a school finance reform package that provides a 33 percent school property tax reduction, $2,000 pay raise for teachers, record funding for classrooms and a reformed business tax.
Governor Perry also signed the nation’s most sweeping lawsuit reforms, which stand as a national model for addressing skyrocketing malpractice insurance rates. Many hospitals and doctors subsequently experienced insurance savings, obstetricians and specialists are returning to practice in previously high-risk areas and physicians from across the country are moving to Texas to practice medicine.
Starting with his election as lieutenant governor in 1999, Rick Perry has worked to build a stronger safety net for the poorest of the poor. The number of children with health insurance under Medicaid and CHIP has more than doubled since 1999. He is also working to expand opportunities for the private sector to offer health insurance, and signed legislation allowing small businesses to pool together to offer affordable health insurance policies.
Rick Perry’s political career started in 1985 as a representative for a rural West Texas district in the state House of Representatives. He was first elected to statewide office in 1990, and served as Texas Commissioner of Agriculture for two terms.
The luncheon is $45 for Chamber members and $60 for the general public. Reservations may be made online at http://www.dallaschamber.org/govrelations/ or by calling 214-746-6724. For more information, contact Scarlette Dale at 214-746-6724 or sdale@dallaschamber.org .
For media reservations please contact Lauren Parsons at lparsons@dallaschamber.org or 214-746-6690.
