Perry-O-Meter: Tracking the promises of Rick Perry

The Promise:

"I will work with the legislature to ensure Texas does its part to make this dream a reality by pursuing an appropriation that will enable Texas to bear its fair share of the project's costs."

Update April 23rd, 2012:

No state money appropriated for D.C. Vietnam memorial Education Center

>> More

The Promise:

"On the water side, I sincerely believe that the 82nd Legislature must finally execute our state’s water plan to help meet a demand that is expected to grow 18 percent over the next 50 years as our population doubles. Some might call the current price tag steep, but we must invest soon to avoid a water crisis in the not too distant future."

Update April 13th, 2012:

Lawmakers tiptoed on funding water plan

>> More

The Promise:

"Create a $100 million T-STEM Challenge Scholarship for students at universities, community colleges and technical colleges pursuing degrees and certifications in the science, technology, engineering, math or medical fields."

Update March 5th, 2012:

Scholarship fund created, but goal scaled back

>> More

The Promise:

"Double the number of Texas-Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (T-STEM) academies from 46 to 92, significantly increasing the number of students attending the academies."

Update March 5th, 2012:

Academies still being added

>> More

The Promise:

Impose "criminal penalties on employers who knowingly violate employment laws by hiring workers who are in Texas illegally."

Update February 27th, 2012:

Criminal penalty proposals introduced, but none became law

>> More

The Promise:

In "order for high school-aged individuals to get and keep a driver's license they should be enrolled in school, be it bricks and mortar or our virtual high school, and, most importantly, working toward their diploma or GED."

Update August 22nd, 2011:

Key provision stripped from bill in Senate

>> More

The Promise:

"I don't want to be president of the United States. I'm not going to run for the presidency of the United States."

Update August 13th, 2011:

Perry breaks promise not to run for president

>> More

The Promise:

Will "oppose and veto any and all efforts to increase taxes."

Update August 8th, 2011:

Perry opposed state tax increases

>> More

The Promise:

Make "permanent the recent tax cut extended to 40,000 small businesses in the last legislative session (under current law, the $1 million business margins tax exemption will expire in 2011)."

Update July 24th, 2011:

Tax exemption extended for two years

>> More

The Promise:

Offer businesses a tax incentive of $1,500 for each full-time employee who earns a high school diploma or GED. Business would be required to grant their employees two hours a week of paid time off to study or attend class.

Update July 24th, 2011:

Proposal never cleared committee

>> More

The Promise:

Will reduce a state backlog of more than 38,000 pending veterans claims.

Update July 18th, 2011:

Agency helped Texas veterans file 16,771 claims

>> More

The Promise:

Fund "up to 12 new veterans counselors to help the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) assist the VA to more quickly process benefits claims."

Update July 18th, 2011:

Counselors came and went

>> More

The Promise:

"Texas will continue to live within its means, and under my leadership, we will do it without a tax increase."

Update July 8th, 2011:

State budget balanced without tax hike

>> More

The Promise:

"To make education even stronger I have proposed several initiatives, which include... implementing a four-year tuition freeze at state universities..."

Update July 8th, 2011:

Four-year tuition freeze did not happen

>> More

The Promise:

Will seek a "constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds vote of the Legislature to increase state taxes."

Update July 7th, 2011:

Proposal requiring a two-thirds vote of Legislature to raise taxes didn't pass

>> More