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Political Report

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The Legislative Report
By SHEILAH PEPPER
The Gazette Staff
When the Texas Legislature gets back to business in January, the first order of business will be finding budget cuts to address the budget shortfall anticipated in the 2012-2013 state budget.
Estimates of the shortfall have varied widely, ranging from $9 to $10 billion, all the way up to $19 and even $21 billion. The numbers seem to fluctuate according to the bias of the reporting agency or media. My guess is it is around $14 to $15 billion.
Various states agencies have offered up 9,800 job cut to help close the shortfall. Agencies have been asked to come up with cuts totaling 10 percent of their respective budgets.
In some quarters, it is thought that trimming at the edges may not be the answer. Actually cutting out ineffective programs may offer a better and deeper solution. Texas, with its two-year budget process has time on its side when it comes to sifting the good programs from the bad ones.
On the political scene, Gov. Rick Perry kicked off the RedState bloggers recent summit in Austin. He praised their use of technology and the blogosphere to reinforce the values of the Founding fathers. "As bloggers, you are the people I dare to speak about those who have grown drunk on power in D.C.," Perry said.
In terms of specific issues in the campaign, Perry and challenger Bill White differ on the CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program). Perry opposed failed legislation in 2009 that would have allowed families who earn too much to qualify for CHIP, to buy their way into the program, White said he would have supported that measure.
Perry campaign has been referring to White as a "liberal trial lawyer." But White's campaign is focusing on his political experience as the mayor of Houston and his business experience as a former corporate chairman and CEO.
White's career as a lawyer ended about 17 years ago. In fairness, he worked solely in commercial law, a complex practice involving companies that are suing other companies.