November 1, 2009:
Number 570
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A newsletter for the students, faculty and staff of the Collin College. Published semi-monthly. For information or submissions, call 972.599.3142. Cougar News welcomes student and faculty submissions. Next deadline: Nov. 15. All submissions are due by 5 p.m. on the due date. Photos cannot be returned. Text should be emailed to mrobinson@ccccd.edu or sent on disk. Submit copy that is proofed, edited and saved in Word format. Cougar News staff: Lisa Vasquez, director; Mark Robinson, editor; Marcy Cadena-Smith, contributor; Justin Jones, contributor; Heather Darrow, contributor; Nick Young, photography and layout.
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Gov. Perry focuses on education during 'Tweet Up' at Collin College
By Justin Jones
Contributor
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| Gov. Rick Perry spoke and took questions at the Spring Creek Campus Oct. 15. | Fittingly, the topic of education took top priority in Gov. Rick Perry’s address during the Lincoln Society-sponsored “Tweet-Up” at Collin College’s Spring Creek Campus Conference Center in Plano Oct. 15.
Gov. Perry is running for re-election in the upcoming governor's race.
“Students at Collin College, you make us feel so good about your future to know that there are bright young men and women like you who will be taking over this state, country and world as we go forward,” Gov. Perry, who also touched on subjects such as healthcare, job creation, taxes and the importance of small business, said. “You will be leading the charge out there, and it is an honor to be here with you.”
While discussing the importance of education, Gov. Perry added that many people owe their success to being able to access and afford an education.
“Education is an extraordinary gift that the people of this state have access to,” he continued. “To make it more affordable and accessible is one of the great goals we should have as people. We have really focused on that.”
The state, Gov. Perry says, has increased the funding for public education over the past nine years by 43 percent and improved access to colleges and universities by increasing financial aid.
“The most important thing that I do as a governor is to create an environment where men and women have an opportunity to succeed and to invest their hard-earned capital, knowing that they will have a return on their investment,” Gov. Perry said. “It doesn’t take a rocket scientist or Ph.D. from Harvard to understand the principles of government.”
A few of these principles, according to Gov. Perry, are:
• don’t spend all the money
• keep your taxes fair and balanced
• have a light touch on those who are generating jobs
• have a legal system that does not allow for over-suing
• have a funded, accountable public school system
“What this says, is that (companies) can come to Texas and there will be a (solid) workforce (here),” Gov. Perry said. “That is the message this state is sending out day after day, [that] we are able to make a real difference in the state of Texas.”
Also important, according to Gov. Perry, is making sure that Texas residents are safe in their neighborhoods, securing the border with Mexico and fighting the rise in gang violence.
He also thinks that there needs to be a voter ID bill and a way to create more jobs by continuing to purge the state and government agencies.
“We didn’t reach this place that we find ourselves in by accident. It was (the citizens of this state) making hard decisions over the past six years,” Gov. Perry concluded. “We can continue to sustain this momentum. We can set the example for the rest of the country and keep Texas going strong. To get this done, we all have to work together. I hope that you will hear the challenge, be involved and continue to make Texas the greatest place do business, raise a family and call home.”
[PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION]
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