[mikedfox]

Yes, that huge public debt number is just what the media will want you to look at.

Of course, considering the rapid growth rate in Texas, and a huge need for infrastructure to support it (in advance of any tax revenue generated), it might be understandable.

I have my problems with Governor GoodHair, but the high spending on infrastructure isn’t one of them. Every government overspends, but between trying to accomodate the illegals (which we aren’t allowed to send home) and the Yankees (which we aren’t allowed to send home) :) , there’s an enormous pressure for new spending. Some of it is not justified, but a lot of it is necessary in the short term.

[CowboyJay]

Of course, considering the rapid growth rate in Texas

What rapid growth rate? 250K jobs over the last two years in a state with about 30 million people? Just because it's marginally better than other places doesn't mean it's going through the stratosphere.

The corporate welfare schemes Perry's been running for 10 yrs aren't revenue-neutral even over the long term. What's more, the minute the kickbacks stop those companies will be on their way out the door. Perry's failure to hold the line on spending (while publicly beating his chest on fiscal responsibility) is the reason your next governor will have to deal with a 27 billion dollar budget gap. I'm pretty sure none of what Perry's been up to could be confused with leadership.