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Top UT officials under fire (Gov Rick Perry tackling Big Education)
Houston Chronicle ^ | July 1, 2011 | MELISSA LUDWIG

Posted on 07/01/2011 2:53:46 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife

Rick O'Donnell, a former special adviser to the University of Texas System who received a $70,000 settlement, this week skewered top UT officials for trying to block the release of faculty productivity data, accusing them of orchestrating a scare campaign to pit donors and alumni against regents pushing for changes at the system.

He also took shots at state Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, who chairs the higher education committee, saying she went to bat for university brass due to overly cozy relations between lawmakers and public universities.

Faculty and administrators "basically want to be left alone," O'Donnell said. "They push back when regents try to run the university. They ask for lots of (state) funding, and legislators get buildings named after them and tickets to bowl games. (Zaffirini) seems to be extremely defensive of the administration, more so than what is in the best interests of taxpayers."

...."I proudly carry the banner of higher education," Zaffirini said. O'Donnell and other critics "seem to hate higher education; they seem to hate UT."

The exchange is a skirmish in a larger philosophical battle over the direction of higher education in Texas.

Some free-market conservatives believe higher education is too costly and bloated and say professors spend too much time on research and not enough time in the classroom. Faculty, administrators and academic boosters say there is room for improvement but add that the "reform" ideas being floated would destroy the elite status of the state's two flagship research institutions.

In 2008, Gov. Rick Perry began pushing "Seven Breakthrough Solutions" for higher education written by Perry donor Jeff Sandefer. The solutions got a tepid response from sitting UT regents. Perry later appointed more like-minded regents, including Alex Cranberg, Brenda Pejovich, Wallace Hall and Gene Powell, chairman of the board....

(Excerpt) Read more at chron.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Extended News; Politics/Elections; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: algoremanager; amnesty; arlenspectoresque; budget; bush3; education; flipflop; formerdemocrat; gardasil; goodhair; illegals; kelo; openborders; perry; rino; rinoperry; romneyclone; texas; ttc; university; universityoftexas
Read it knowing the Houston Chronicle is MSM, like Reuters and the rest of the "nattering nabobs of negativism."

Politics and ideology surrounding institutions of higher learning is a problem and Rick Perry has been working to find solutions.

>>>Agnew was known for his scathing criticisms of political opponents, especially journalists and anti-war activists. He attacked his adversaries with relish, hurling unusual, often alliterative epithets—some of which were coined by White House speechwriters William Safire and Pat Buchanan—including "pusillanimous pussyfooters", "nattering nabobs of negativism" (written by Safire), and "hopeless, hysterical hypochondriacs of history". He once described a group of opponents as "an effete corps of impudent snobs who characterize themselves as intellectuals."<<< Source

1 posted on 07/01/2011 2:53:56 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
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To: All
Good interview.

June 29, 2011: Roger Hedgecock interview with Rick Perry (starts 1/2 way into audio file)

2 posted on 07/01/2011 2:55:06 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

Does Hedgecock ask Rick Perry why he signed a bill that granted in-state tuition those two “flagship” universities to Illegal Aliens?


3 posted on 07/01/2011 3:01:18 AM PDT by trumandogz
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To: trumandogz
Gov. Perry and The Texas Dream Act

[snip]

It’s important to point out that there is a huge difference in the Texas Dream Act and the The Dream Act that was pushed in Congress and failed. The Dream Act in Congress was full of all kinds of goodies other than allowing children of illegals to receive in state tuition. The Texas Dream Act was focused only on that. I happen to agree with The Texas Dream Act, and so did everyone in the Senate in Texas. It passed with ZERO “no” votes. Add to that, it has been proven to be successful.

These are a few things you need to know about the Texas Dream Act. The child has to have lived in Texas the three years leading up to high school graduation. These students are given no special treatment in getting into Texas colleges and universities. They must get in on their own merit. They are paying the tuition (with or without financial aid). It’s estimated that these students make up about 1% of those entering college.

[snip]

Most of us agree that border control MUST be dealt with first. The problem with all other efforts on this issue in the past is that the borders were not sealed. If there is anyone who we can trust to do that it is Gov. Perry (if he decides to run for President). He knows what goes on down at the border. He has gone there many times. He knows what needs to be done. There is no doubt in my mind that if he were President, he would seal our borders. But Perry also understands Hispanic outreach. [snip]

4 posted on 07/01/2011 3:07:28 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
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To: trumandogz
Rick Perry 2007 speaking in Mexico:

“If you show up illegally, without your card or you’re here as a criminal element, I’m for throwing the book at those folks, but the issue of people who want to legally, thoughtfully and appropriately come to America to work and help us build our economy — we should quickly come up with a program and an identification card to do that.” [end excerpt] Source

5 posted on 07/01/2011 3:09:24 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
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To: All
"Seven Breakthrough Solutions"
6 posted on 07/01/2011 3:27:50 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

Rick Perry is full of CR@P!

http://stopaustinscanners.org/2011/06/republican-leadership-derails-restrain-the-tsa-legislation-in-house/

“This citizen sees Mr. “Fed Up” as little more than Bill Clinton adorned in Republican clothing. It is our sincere hope that Republican primary voters will see past the media glitz and deal a blow to the party establishment’s favorite son and Bilderberg attendee.”


7 posted on 07/01/2011 4:24:39 AM PDT by Gadsden1st
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To: Gadsden1st
Rick Perry is full of CR@P!

Take a few minutes and listen to his Hedgecock interview linked in Post #2.

Information is your friend.

Who is your favorite primary candidate?

8 posted on 07/01/2011 4:50:16 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
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To: All
June 24, 2011: MICHAEL REAGAN: Reagan’s vision lives on in Texas --- It’s not complicated: Limited government works"

More than three decades ago, my father took ownership of the smoking ruins of the American economy armed with nothing more than four very basic principles: Keep taxes low, restrain government spending, minimize the amount of regulation on private enterprise and keep the money supply sound.

His approach may have appeared basic, but the results were unassailable. Over the next eight years, more than 16 million new private-sector jobs were created, a payroll expansion of 17.6 percent.

It was called the “American Miracle” and was replicated by world leaders across the globe, who met with similar success.

[snip]

Mr. Perry is continuing the Reagan tradition of removing senseless roadblocks and allowing free enterprise to do what it does best: hire employees and generate wealth.

During a time when most companies appear to be insecure about adding to their payrolls because of the uncertainty surrounding our economy, this country would be wise to carefully study why Texas employers seem to be largely immune to this insecurity.

In short, the Reagan Revolution is alive and well - deep in the heart of Texas."

9 posted on 07/01/2011 4:59:58 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

You are clueless as usual.

Instate tuition for the children of illegals brings in a flood of more illegals.

Contrary to your social liberal agenda - obvious from your stumping for Rudy last time around , that is not okay and it is not socially conservative.


10 posted on 07/01/2011 5:02:19 AM PDT by MrEdd (Heck? Geewhiz Cripes, thats the place where people who don't believe in Gosh think they aint going.)
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To: MrEdd

What did you think of my stumping for Steve Forbes?


11 posted on 07/01/2011 5:18:05 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

There is more to this story.

Perry’s “7 Solutions” proposal threatens the research capabilities of Texas’ two Tier I universities, UT and A&M. I know that there are many of his fellow Ags who are furious with him.


12 posted on 07/01/2011 10:30:56 AM PDT by Jedidah
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To: Jedidah

I know something about research and teaching.

And it needs to be cleaned up. It’s the tip of the iceberg.

If the Aggies are mad, then they need to reassess things.


13 posted on 07/01/2011 10:48:00 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

“If you show up illegally, without your card or you’re here as a criminal element, I’m for throwing the book at those folks...”

Those are very strong words by Perry spoken back in 2007.

Please tell me exactly what Perry has done to stem the tide of illegal aliens coming into Texas?

And Please do not mention that Perry has:

Provided Illegal Aliens with In-State Tuition.

Opposed the Arizona Immigration Law.

He failed to pass the Sanctuary City Ban in Texas.


14 posted on 07/01/2011 12:05:35 PM PDT by trumandogz
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To: trumandogz
And Please do not mention that Perry has:

Provided Illegal Aliens with In-State Tuition.

Gov. Perry and The Texas Dream Act

[snip]

It’s important to point out that there is a huge difference in the Texas Dream Act and the The Dream Act that was pushed in Congress and failed. The Dream Act in Congress was full of all kinds of goodies other than allowing children of illegals to receive in state tuition. The Texas Dream Act was focused only on that. I happen to agree with The Texas Dream Act, and so did everyone in the Senate in Texas. It passed with ZERO “no” votes. Add to that, it has been proven to be successful.

These are a few things you need to know about the Texas Dream Act. The child has to have lived in Texas the three years leading up to high school graduation. These students are given no special treatment in getting into Texas colleges and universities. They must get in on their own merit. They are paying the tuition (with or without financial aid). It’s estimated that these students make up about 1% of those entering college.

[snip]

Most of us agree that border control MUST be dealt with first. The problem with all other efforts on this issue in the past is that the borders were not sealed. If there is anyone who we can trust to do that it is Gov. Perry (if he decides to run for President). He knows what goes on down at the border. He has gone there many times. He knows what needs to be done. There is no doubt in my mind that if he were President, he would seal our borders. But Perry also understands Hispanic outreach.

[snip]

Opposed the Arizona Immigration Law.

Perry said the Arizona law was not right for Texas.

He failed to pass the Sanctuary City Ban in Texas.

Perry called the special session asking the TX legislature to pass secure cities, it was the legislature that failed -- they gave Perry nothing to sign.

15 posted on 07/01/2011 12:21:38 PM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

“It’s important to point out that there is a huge difference in the Texas Dream Act and the The Dream Act...”

So, to be clear, you support both Gov. Perry and President Obama in their efforts to provide In-State Tuition to Illegal Aliens?

“Perry said the Arizona law was not right for Texas.”

Why not? Why does Gov. Perry believe that Texas is a better place for Illegal Aliens than Arizona?

“Perry called the special session asking the TX legislature to pass secure cities, it was the legislature that failed — they gave Perry nothing to sign.”

Perhaps, if Gov. Perry would have spent some time in Austin during the Special Session and not been in New York, Los Angeles and New Orleans, he could have lobbied members of the Texas House and Senate to pass the ban on sanctuary cities.

However, Perry elected to be out of town when Texas needed him in Austin.


16 posted on 07/01/2011 12:59:26 PM PDT by trumandogz
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To: trumandogz

Who is your primary candidate trumandogz?


17 posted on 07/01/2011 1:04:46 PM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

A governor who did not grant In-State Tuition to Illegal Aliens.

A governor who did not sign a law mandating steroid testing of high school children.

A governor who did not sigh a bill banning teenagers from going to tanning salons.

A governor who did not advocate that all 11 year old girls be vaccinated for STD’s.

Rick Perry did all these things.

Gov. Sarah Palin did not.


18 posted on 07/01/2011 1:12:33 PM PDT by trumandogz
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To: trumandogz
Hedgecock asked about the economy, TTC controversy, the failed TSA bill and border control.

Perry was in San Diego for a BSA event at the carrier Midway museum where Hedgecock was broadcasting live.

19 posted on 07/04/2011 1:52:11 AM PDT by newzjunkey
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