Newsroom

Welcome: Save Our State Rally

Wednesday, April 06, 2011

Thank you all for being here.  Welcome to Senate District 14, and welcome to Austin, Texas.  And welcome to your State Capitol.

We're all here today because of the evolving catastrophe in that building behind me – a crisis that’s threatening our children, our families, and our future.

We’re here because of the sadness – and yeah, probably some anger – we feel over the tragic failure to meet Texans' priorities: a failure that undermines the hopes of our kids, the needs of our parents and grandparents, and the necessary foundation of our economy.

We’re here because we’re justifiably frustrated that those who helped cause this disaster are doing so little to fix it.

And we’re here because we’re all wondering, Why are the priorities of those in control at the Capitol so different from the priorities of Texans?

Never forget: This crisis is a disaster, but it’s not an entirely natural disaster.  Those in control of our budget have hobbled the state through years of debt, diversions and deception.

People must be held responsible for this crisis.  They must be made to responsibly solve it.

And they must not pack our kids into overcrowded classrooms; dismantle our parents' and grandparents' nursing homes; undermine our economy; or paper over their mismanagement with pinkslips for the great teachers and public servants who serve our state.

But as we all know, rhetoric is overshadowing responsibility in our Capitol.  By being here today, we’re asking that those in control align their priorities with the people of Texas.

We’re requesting that they pass reforms to be transparent and accountable about how they’re running the state so we can protect Texas from another fiscal catastrophe.

And we’re demanding that Texas defend our children, our seniors, and our economy.

Thanks again for being here.  God bless you.  And thanks for your passion, your hard work, and your commitment.