L.A. Times to Gov. Rick Perry: 'Oh, Yeah?'

L.A. Times to Gov. Rick Perry: "Oh, Yeah?"

By Robert Wilonsky Mon., Feb. 7 2011 at 9:01 AM

The cover of The Economist that appeared on newsstands on July 10, 2009

Throughout 2009 and '10 there were a series of magazine pieces wondering how it was that Texas "powered through the global fiscal crisis" (per Fortune) and experienced "something like an economic boom" (according to The Atlantic) while California suffered. But then, of course, we discovered that the state's facing a $27-billion budget shortfall, which could crush public education; the Dallas Independent School Board, matter of fact, will begin its public discussions about the impact of a looming $260-million gutting this Thursday.

On the front page of this morning's Los Angeles Times is a piece that attempts to dismantle Governor Rick Perry's long-standing claims that all's well in the Lone Star State. An excerpt:

The Texas budget crisis is prompting some experts to reconsider what had been dubbed the Texas Miracle. The state has much lower unemployment than California, but economists note that many of the jobs are low-paying. One out of three wage earners in Texas earns too little to keep a family of four above the federal poverty level, according to a 2009 study by the Corp. for Enterprise Development, a Washington-based nonprofit. That is double the percentage of similarly low-wage Californians.

Such figures call into question whether Texas' economy has really transitioned into a new 21st century model, or whether it has been buoyed by high oil prices and lots of loosely zoned land where construction of cheap houses endured through the recession.

"You have to separate out what your public policies have done for you and what God has done for you," said Scott McCown, executive director of the left-leaning Center for Public Policies and Priorities in Austin. "People shouldn't be fooled by what is going on here."

Perry couldn't be reached for comment for this article. He was in California at the time.

We Recommend

Casey

Perry goes to California to celebrate Reagan's 100th birthday. Perry switched parties in 1989, so he was a Democrat during the Reagan years. Meanwhile back at the ranch (Valley Ranch), Ginger (my sweet doggy) and I are waiting on the electricity to kick back on, so we can get some heat!

rachum

According to today's daily, pointless list on yahoo (yet I read them every time) ....(Forbes says) 4 out of the 5 most miserable cities to live in are in....California. We're just gonna be too uneducated to know how miserable thangs really are.

TimCov

I find myself wondering what Texas' poverty rate is compared to California when adjusted for inflation. According to this map, there is not that much of a difference. But, it does not appear to adjust for cost of living. http://www.npr.org/templates/s...

Steve

The state has much lower unemployment than California, but economists note that many of the jobs are low-paying.

Ahh, yes, the ever familiar refrain.....

Those of us old enough to have been through a few political cycles remember this line very well, it's always used to discredit a politician from the political right, but if the politician in charge is from the left (Bill Clinton for example, i still remember Cokie Roberts and the rest of the ABC crew praising Clinton for all the low paying jobs of the late 90's), those low paying jobs are touted as not just good, but necessary. It's a shame that people continue to allow themselves to be played for fools just so they can get in a cheap meaningless political point or two. The media isn't your friend, neither is the government, don't count on either to do what's right for you.

Los Politico

and neither is my boss so why should we suck his d instead?

Tad Banyon

They can keep their high paying jobs for liberal elitists. Send us your dumb and unskilled. What do you expect from a state full of people who believe in evolution and science and all that other claptrap?

Fooled

I just realized this post is a joke. I was getting pretty fired up there. You got me Tad. Funny stuff.

Orey1216

What is a craptrap? Not all Californians are elitists. There are hundreds of conservatives in California. There are many Christians who do not believe or support evolution. I am one of the many.

Rooster

I will call the Peoples Republic of California if I need tips on how to save the 3 toed wombat.

If I need advice on how to run an econcomy, they're not exactly making the speed dial list....

Montemalone

The Califonia economy is one of the largest on the PLANET. Larger than most nations.

Rooster

And since they are currently running the one of the largest economies on the PLANET into the ground, I would like their advice on how to run one because?

East Dallas Mark

California's economy ranks 8th in the world. Texas' economy ranks 14th in the world.

Jean Val Jean

*Texas

Jean Val Jean

So is Texsa. Your point?

Rooster

When I see the People Republic of California institute a model that works, I might be inclided to listen to them.

Unitl then its all sour grapes, and we will continue to welcome with open arms all the businesses that are currently fleeing California for Texas, even if they do employ folks at minimum wage.

Montemalone

"Such figures call into question whether Texas' economy has really transitioned into a new 21st century model, or whether it has been buoyed by high oil prices and lots of loosely zoned land where construction of cheap houses endured through the recession."

Why yes, this is the new 21st century Kleptocracy wet dream.

Ellum08

I'm glad all this is coming out AFTER the election. I am not sure Bill White would have been better, but he couldn't have been worse.

Governor Good-Hair is primping for a presidential run, so we better get used to him being AWOL.

Jay Hawk

It wouldn't have mattered. So long as Perry is the guy with the "R" next to his name on the ballot, he's not going to lose.

Heywood U Buzzoff

Going to the least screwed-up of states does not mean things here are not screwed-up. it is just that California put extra effort into doing all the wrong things for the right reasons. Turning the San Joaquin Vally from productive farm land back to desert to save a small fish is noble for the fish but not for the farmers. But as more Californians show up here, they will want us to stop irrigating farmland or lawns to protecting the canoeing ground of the Wild Schuitz.

James

Wrong... I think the people moving here from Cali are the ones who are sick of that type of stuff. The tree huggers will most likely stay in the CA!

Look around. Have you watched elections in the last four years? Transplants in Dallas have ALWAYS wanted to emulate the places they've left, it's why we are in such a sorry state right now.....

RS1963

Surprise!

I think the job statistic says everything. Maybe it's not so great if all of our employment numbers are supported by minimum wage earners.

Our education system is being dismantled (hey, that's what you get when your Board of Education has been made up of people who don't even BELIEVE in public education), our parks are falling apart, our old people are soon going to be out on the street, etc.

What makes it worse is Governor Perry "writing" a book about how Washington is so screwed up when his own state is falling apart. And then skipping town during the bad weather. I'm sure he'll blame it on Washington too.

Phelps

I'm sure that the people out of work in California are glad that there are no minimum wage jobs for them to take. Oh, the horror of being underemployed! Better to slowly become unemployable as time goes on as the noble unemployed, right?

MX5bob

No, as a matter of fact plenty of unemployed people took minimum wage jobs. The difference being cited is about the overall employment base, standard of living.