Posted on 09/05/2009 2:53:11 PM PDT by BuckeyeTexan
U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison plans to restructure the Texas Department of Transportation, she told a crowd of about 30 people Thursday.
Challenging incumbent Rick Perry for the Republican nomination for governor, Hutchison made a campaign stop at the East Texas Regional Airport before flying to Tyler for another event.
"I want a Texas Department of Transportation that doesn't dictate from the top down," Hutchison said to applause.
She said local leaders should have more say in transportation decisions in their areas. Hutchison said she would like to divide the state into regional transportation areas led by councils of city and county officials that have control of transportation planning for their regions.
She also expressed support for increased rail service within the state. She said innovation could lead to more rail travel and service, and she would like to see train service throughout the state.
The former journalist also expressed her desire to make changes in education, especially at the local level.
Hutchison said she wants to promote community and junior colleges that could help students acquire skills for high-paying jobs, such as welding and nursing.
"We can take our state to another level," Hutchison said.
Growing the party is another priority for the senior Texas senator.
She spoke of a need to attract more people with conservative views to the Republican Party. She said people with conservative views should be able to solve problems together.
"I want to build the Republican Party," she said. "I want the Ronald Reagan 'big tent.' "
Hutchison criticized Perry's leadership of the state, noting the Republican presence in the Texas House of Representatives has fallen from 88 representatives to 76 representatives during his tenure. She said she has watched the party's numbers dwindle, and she felt she needed to run for the office.
Perry has been the state's leader for 14 years, a period of time that "breeds cronyism," she said.
"I want to get rid of the politics as usual in Austin that's hurting us," Hutchison said.
Mark Miner, Perry campaign's spokesman, said Hutchison has only offered criticism since formally announcing her candidacy three weeks ago. Miner said people want someone to lead the state rather than someone "with no real vision."
"During her 16 years in Washington, you've seen out of control spending, record deficits and earmarks," Miner said, noting that the state's Republican Party has maintained control of state government.
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A crowd of 30 people?
Haha, yeah, that's what I noticed first. It was probably the largest crowd of her trip.
First, 30 isn’t a crowd.
Second, KBH shouldn’t dictate.
Third, after 4 decades KBH *is* politics as usual
Fourth, KBH is slowly but surely losing her mind
Fifth, I informed her office back during her border fence fiasco that that was the last straw and not to expect a future vote from this house.
I can’t believe Louie Gohmert is endorsing her!
Hmmm...Catch a clue, Kay.
Sixth, KBH is all Big Tent & No Principles.
I’m right there with ya.
Another confirmation bullet.
She looks horrible in that picture — why is she running for Governor? Thirty people at the event? We had more then that for the OK Lt Governor announcement by Sen Lamb last week like a lot more.
She looks like Pat Nixon with the flu.
I would guess she’s running for governor instead of the senate because she probably knows she’d get booted back to Austin on her pompous derrier. She’s hopin’ the “I vote but don’t pay attention” crowd will follow her.
I’m wary of both of these “POLITICIANS”! Hopefully there is a real candidature in the wings who will come forward. Have no idea who though.
What is he thinking??????????
Allow me to introduce you to Debra Medina ... give her a good look.
Hutchison versus Perry ... versus Medina? (TX)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2330444/posts
Debra Medina on property rights and a move from property to sales taxes (TX)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2330300/posts
Debra Medina for Texas Govenor 2010
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2317481/posts
You’ll find other articles about her by doing a keyword search for “medina.”
Hey, that's barely a Posse!
Kay Baily - we elected you to serve as our senator. Please serve until you term is expired!
Who is Louie Gohmert?
Kay Baby, the only Republican worse than Perry (except the two U.S. Senators from Maine, a U.S. Senator from SC...aw, hell, there’s a bunch of Washington Republicans worse than Perry).
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