Texas’ Constitution is pretty specific in what a governor can and cannot do, and what one legislative session can impose upon the next. In the irresponsible world of DC politics, where it’s common to saddle future generations with a mountain of debt, adhering to a constitution must be unfathomable. That Barack Obama has no regard for the laws of Texas is one thing, but that a congressman from Texas wants the governor to ignore our constitution is something else entirely.
It’s being reported today that the federal Department of Education is (so far) denying Texas’ application for almost a billion dollars in education money. Why? Because Gov. Rick Perry refuses to break the laws of Texas.
In applying for the federal dollars, Gov. Perry said he couldn’t agree to the onerous strings violating our constitutional and legal restrictions.
That’s been a common theme from this governor; Texas is happy to take back the money paid in taxes, but isn’t willing to accept burdensome and costly strings. And especially those which run in direct contradiction to our constitution and laws.
Liberal Lloyd Doggett purports to represent Texas in the U.S. House, but he has clearly decided he’d rather side with the West Wing over the Texas mainstream.
It’s shameful that as a former state senator and one-time Texas Supreme Court justice, Doggett is taking the side of the DOE in demanding that Texas only gets our money back if the governor will agree to break the law.
According to the media reports, Doggett says concerns about the state constitution are “phony legalistic arguments.”
For that, Doggett says the governor is acting in “bad faith.” It would appear Doggett is the one breaking faith with the people and laws of Texas.
Whether he likes it or not, Doggett should know the Texas constitution says there can be no “appropriation of money be made for a longer term than two years.” But the administration wants the governor to agree to do just that. And, by the way, the legislature — not the governor — drafts the budget.
By pushing an unconstitutional course of action, he is betraying Texas. By conspiring to tie-up Texas’ money with a demand of unconstitutional action, Doggett is demonstrating bad faith to the people he once pretended to represent.
It’s apparent Mr. Doggett is more concerned with currying the favor of the Obama Administration than fighting for Texas.
