On close inspection of the Texas Senate’s passage of a bill that limit terms, it appears, some will be affected, but others will not. The newly elected will have short stays in Austin, while the old timers will continue abusing their limits. So much for fairness.
Some say, Governor Rick Perry will certainly have to retire, but with details sketchy at best, it’s hard to figure out exactly who will be affected by this new constitutional amendment. The word play is executives, versus lawmakers.
Apparently, only future state executives will have to serve only two terms, which will, if passed by voters, will begin next year. One can safely assume that if this measure does in fact, affect Perry, it’s dead on arrival to his desk.
“I filed this resolution not because I was concerned about any of our current statewide officeholders, but simply as a way in the future to bring fresh ideas and perspectives to state government,” said Sen. Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler.
That argument crashed and burned. It does not include ‘the tenure of current officeholders,’ which was the sole purpose of the legislation. Texas does in fact needs to clean up it’s house, invite a system of revolving politicians every two years or so, as well as, limit the office of governor. State lawmakers have become entrenched in the dark and seedy land of ‘special interests,’ and for sure, term limits won’t put an end to that, but it will certainly, curtail it’s atmosphere around Austin.
As for Perry, the perks are without limits, and maybe, the legislation was drafted with him in mind. As the longest serving governor of Texas, Perry receives a salary of $133,000 annually, cost free living in the Governor’s Mansion, including furniture.
There’s house keeping at taxpayers expense, a kitchen staff, including a chef. Taxpayers fund groceries, security, a state-owned aircraft, a limousine with driver and health insurance. Kickbacks are on Perry.
Truthfully, Perry would be a lot better off if he retires. ‘According to the Texas Tribute, if Gov. Rick Perry retires at the end of his term in 2014, he will receive an annual pension of $119,025 a year. When you add social security benefits, he could receive $140,000 annually upon retirement.’
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