Tribune-Herald - Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Blasts Perry In Trib Visit
Tribune-Herald - Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Blasts Perry In Trib Visit
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Bell continued attacking Gov. Rick Perry's record during a campaign visit with the Tribune-Herald editorial board Tuesday.
Bell questioned the state's direction on education, tax policy, transportation and energy, focusing on Perry's plans to speed the review of 18 new coal-fired power plants and build a massive toll road near Interstate 35.
The former Houston City Council member and one-term congressman said he wants to lower the stakes of public school testing by cutting its ties to student promotion and teacher pay raises. Like the other challengers, Bell questioned Perry's leadership.
Concerned candidates
"A lot of folks, not just in the Democratic party, but across the board are very concerned about the overall direction of the state and why we find ourselves in last place in so many categories," Bell said.
Independent candidates Kinky Friedman and Comptroller Carol Keeton Strayhorn and Libertarian James Werner are also running in the unusual five-way race.
Perry's campaign spokesman accused Bell of trying to win a "Who hates Rick Perry more contest" among the challengers without advancing new ideas.
"A lot of folks, not just in the Democratic party, but across the board are very concerned about the overall direction of the state and why we find ourselves in last place in so many categories," Bell said.
"Opposition is not a plan and criticism is not a solution to any problem that faces the state," said Robert Black, Perry's spokesman. "Bell's biggest problem is that he hasn't outlined to the people of the state anything that he would do different."
Bell said he would have approached school finance reform differently by proposing a smaller property tax cut and providing more revenue for education.
On transportation, Bell said that he would advocate expanding Interstate 35 instead of building the Trans Texas Corridor, which would charge tolls.
Black countered that Bell's proposals are either insufficient or would represent a step backward.
http://www.chrisbell.com/newsroom/083006_wacotribune