Living Within Our Means Makes Sense in More Ways Than One

In a move that makes as much common sense as fiscal sense, Gov. Rick Perry today announced his Texas Budget Compact in preparation for the 2013 legislative session. In essence, the governor called for fiscal responsibility and accountability from lawmakers, city leaders and citizens. In other words, we all must live within our means.

Low taxes, no state income tax and higher-than-average employment rates have long made Texas the envy of the nation. These attributes and many others have made Texas the best state in which to live, work, start a business and raise a family. This is no time to raise taxes or go on a governmental spending spree. A conservative approach to the state budget got us where we are and will guide us into the future.

At the Texas Department of Agriculture, we recently were faced with a state funding budget-cut directive of 40 percent. The cuts required innovative thinking and greater efficiencies in order to maintain the same quality level of services our constituents pay us to deliver. It wasn’t easy, but we are succeeding thanks to the initiatives and dedication of our employees who feel a responsibility to deliver day in and day out.

Cutting wasteful and redundant government spending is something we all can support. Keeping taxes low and employment high is also hard to argue.

Living within our means not only makes sense today, but also into the future when our children will inherit our great state.