Very Frustrated with Gov. Rick Perry

As the Chair of the local chamber I write an article in our weekly paper. This is my draft for my Monday deadline. I usually am positive and try to find the good news about our area, so this will be a departure. Thought I would put it here too. Although not real estate related this type of gubernatorial veto doesn't put us into a great light with the rest of the world. In Texas the veto is final because only the Governor can call a special session to overturn his veto. Don't see that happening.

Draft of this weeks article...

I have written mostly positive articles for over a year now about both our region and our state. Last week, the Christian Science Monitor published a report that San Antonio is the MOST recession proof city in the country and that four of the top five recession proof cities are in Texas. Yet, something else last week overshadowed this good news. Gov. Perry vetoed SB488, the safe passage bill which would require motorists to give 3' of clearance to pedestrians, wheelchairs, cyclists, etc. He did this at the end of the day Friday, so many of you may have missed it. There are people who don't believe that the roads are for anything other than trucks and cars. As a cyclist, I have been shot at (yes, I heard the pop out of a truck and the thud in the embankment next to me,) I have fought dogs that the police and sheriff's office don't have the resources to go after, and have had people yell and throw things at my friends and me. My brother has suffered broken bones from getting hit. This last weekend, on the kick-off ride for the MS Valero Ride to the River, a driver pulling a 40+ foot long trailer came within one foot of my single file group, and we watched as this driver did the same to two other groups.

This is not just about a recreational activity. Our children ride bikes, and many commute on foot, bicycles, motorcycles and mopeds to help the environment, exercise, or for any number of reasons. This bill protected them, too, as taken directly from the Governor's Website: "These vulnerable road users would include pedestrians; highway construction and maintenance workers; tow truck operators; stranded motorists or passengers; people on horseback; bicyclists; motorcyclists; moped riders; and other similar road users." I hope all in these categories join the cycling community in demanding an explanation of this veto!

The metro area is getting great accolades, yet to the rest of the country, this will be complied with the articles proclaiming San Antonio one of the fattest cities in the country and start to erode all the great press and truly wonderful aspects of living in this area. Gov. Perry has announced that he wants to be re-elected. We need to remember this if he decides to run again for governor (or another office) or throws his support behind someone else. For the record, Senators Wentworth and Zaffirni both supported this bill. Please reach out and thank them!

----

I am posting this for a few reasons. First, just to see the response before I push send on the editors copy. Second, to promote awareness, I don't understand that less than 50% of the people in this country vote. Third, to get the word out on an issue that I am passionate about. I involved in many cycling activities to include helping the MS society and their local ride.

All comments welcome