Burnt Orange Report

In Other Gubernatorial News...

By Damon McCullar

$250,000 Life Insurance Benefit for National Guard

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Bell said that paying the life insurance premiums of members of the Texas National Guard serving in active federal duty in combat zones would be a top priority of his administration.

“A parade is not enough thanks for the Texans who risked their lives overseas,” said Bell. “We can never thank them enough for their sacrifice for our national security, but we can do something about the financial security of their families. Nothing would ever be enough, but this is a start.”

Governors in Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Rhode Island have either signed or called for legislation to have their states pay the life insurance premiums of National Guard members on active federal duty in combat zones. These soldiers are eligible for $250,000 in federal life insurance benefits. The premium is $16.25 a month. The other states that have done this typically reimburse the National Guardsmen and women.

The Austin-American Statesman also had this story on the same subject.

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Bell: Tax Panel is "Cronyism Run Amok"

AUSTIN – Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Bell today criticized Rick Perry’s Texas Tax Reform Commission as “cronyism run amok” because the members of the tax panel have given Rick Perry’s campaigns almost $1.4 million during the past five years, according to a report in the Houston Chronicle.

“This is cronyism run amok,” said Chris Bell. “Rick Perry says ‘this talented group of individuals’ offers ‘a broad, fresh perspective.’ What they offer is political cover for a politician facing re-election. That, and hundreds of thousands of dollars to pay for the campaign, of course.” (Press Release, Office of the Governor, Nov. 4, 2005)

Much of Texas business and the population is unrepresented by the Perry Tax Commission. According to Texas Weekly, “car dealers, at odds with Perry, are out. Manufacturing, commercial real estate, the Internet end of the technology business, and utilities” also lack representation on the roster.