| R.G. Ratcliffe has answer the question for us, "how much would a special session cost Texans?"
Answer: $30,000 per day.
When Perry calls the anticipated special session to extend the life of the five agencies, it will cost taxpayers another $30,408 a day for lawmakers to finish their incomplete business.
Ratcliffe writes a detailed story about the real costs of operations at the capitol. While the 140 day regular session only costs $9.1 million dollars, a special session could cost tax payers an additional $900,000 if the session runs 30 days.
Simply put, Lt Gov. David Dewhurst, Speaker Joe Straus, and Governor Rick Perry's failure to lead is literally costing tax payers.
Rick Perry has been the Governor of Texas since George W. Bush became President in 2000. He officially assumed the top spot December 21, 2000. Since becoming Governor, there have been 7 special sessions-- 3 in 2005 to deal with education financing, 3 in 2003 to deal with redistricting and 1 more in 2004 to finish off the job.
Now we are looking at an 8th special session in Perry's long tenure as Governor. That is nearly 2 specials called for every regular session. This time we are going to spend $30,000+ a day because of a failure to pass necessary language to keep the Texas Department of Transportation, Department of Insurance, Office of Public Insurance Counsel, the Texas Racing Commission or the State Affordable Housing Corporation alive.
Now taxpayers are required to pay for a lack of leadership from the Republican Party... again. |
