Perry-O-Meter: Tracking the promises of Rick Perry
Perry-O-Meter Scorecard
- Promise Kept 16 (%)
- Compromise 3 (%)
- Promise Broken 12 (%)
- In the Works 3 (%)
- Not yet rated 1 (%)
PolitiFact Texas has compiled promises that Gov. Rick Perry made during the 2010 campaign and is tracking their progress on our Perry-O-Meter.
We rate their status as Not Yet Rated, In the Works or Stalled. Once we find action is completed, we rate them Promise Kept, Compromise or Promise Broken. (See our About the Perry-O-Meter page for details on our ratings.)
The report card at right provides an up-to-the-minute tally of all the promises.
Browse the Perry-O-Meter:
Promises we’ve rated recently
Pass law permitting prosecutors to seek life without parole for certain repeat sex offenders
The Promise:
Will work with lawmakers to "pass legislation allowing prosecutors to seek life without parole for repeat offenders convicted of sexual assault or aggravated sexual assault."
Serve full four-year term as governor
The Promise:
Perry said he would "absolutely" serve his full term if elected, provided he lives that long.
Expand Advanced Placement training program to 50 additional high schools
The Promise:
"Expand the Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program to 50 additional high schools."
Expand Texas Virtual School Network
The Promise:
"Secure $5 million to enhance Texas Virtual School Network so it serves more students and districts are encouraged to participate and contract with private course providers to expand course offerings."
Update November 28th, 2012:
Lawmakers signed off on funding method that could bolster online courses
Require active monitoring of high-risk sex offenders for three years on release from prison
The Promise:
"The governor also is proposing legislation requiring the active monitoring of high-risk sex offenders using tracking technology as part of the sex offender's sentence, and requiring all high-risk registered sex offenders who have served their entire prison sentence be actively monitored for three years upon release from prison."
Update November 23rd, 2012:
Lawmakers did not approve GPS monitoring of certain sex offenders
Will work for constitutional amendment limiting growth in budget to changes in population and inflation combined
The Promise:
Will promote a constitutional amendment to "require the Legislature to limit growth in the state budget to no more than growth in population and inflation combined."
Update November 20th, 2012:
Proposed spending cap may be in play during 2013 legislative session
Establish statewide inspector general
The Promise:
Establish "a statewide inspector general to maximize cost efficiency and effectiveness at state agencies."
Create teams to arrest sex offenders who have violated parole
The Promise:
"The OAG, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) and local law enforcement will work together to create Sex Offender Parole Violation Apprehension Teams, which will arrest high-risk sex offenders who have violated parole. These teams will coordinate with local law enforcement to conduct additional registration compliance checks on predatory, high-risk sex offenders."
Require the legislature to say when it creates a new cause of action in statute
The Promise:
Require “the legislature to explicitly state when they are creating a new cause of action in statute, forcing courts to read statutes strictly and providing only those rights and remedies the legislature intended.”
Update August 23rd, 2012:
Lawmakers shied from saying new laws should say if they are creating new causes for legal action
Increase access to courts for legitimate claims
The Promise:
Make the court system “more accessible to Texans with legitimate claims without the incurred costs associated with drawn out trials. Lawsuits with claims between $10,000 and $100,000 should have expedited trial settings and limited discovery in order to get litigants in and out of court quickly and allow swifter recovery for damages.”
Update August 23rd, 2012:
Perry signed measure into law intended to increase access to courts for legitimate claims
Let Texas judges dismiss frivolous lawsuits
The Promise:
“If a lawsuit is frivolous, Texas judges should be able to dismiss the case immediately before the legal bills pile up.”
Update August 23rd, 2012:
Lawmakers ordered court to make rules guiding judges to dismiss frivolous lawsuits
Pursue state aid to pay share of education center at Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington
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
Fund state water plan
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."
Create $100 million Texas-Science, Technology, Engineering and Math scholarship fund
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."
Double Texas-Science, Technology, Engineering and Math academies
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."
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