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Honesty Agenda part 3: We’re on Common Ground

Monday, November 15, 2010
by Kirk Watson

So let’s all keep something in mind as we head into what’s obviously going to be a tough session:

All of us – no matter what party we belong to, no matter where we live or who voted for us, no matter what label we associate ourselves with – all of us are in the same burning house. We’re all scared, or should be, looking for a way out, racking our brains to figure out a way to put out the flames, and trying to decide what we want to save, what’s most important to us.

But here’s the good news – I believe in my bones that we can get out of this. We can save our house, we can save ourselves, and we can save our state.

People say it’s impossible to do in this session alone – and they’re probably right about that. But over the next seven months, we can chart a path that will take Texas to the safe ground it used to know, where budgets were not just balanced but sustainably balanced.

We can start to rebuild to the point that it’s possible to follow the example of our elders, who responsibly invested in the roads, water projects, security, schools and world-class universities that were good for them, good for Texas and good for our future.  
 
It's possible to have fiscally responsible government that can meet the essential needs of our people – providing roads and water and education and parks and health and safety and security – that every single person and business in this state relies on, things that strengthen the foundation of individual prosperity.
 
It's actually fiscally irresponsible to do anything but this.  But to do it, we have to look – honestly and responsibly – at how we got here.

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