Gov. Perry Earns Endorsements from Three Statewide Building Groups; Discusses Negative Impact of Cap and Trade Legislation on Texas

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DALLAS – Gov. Rick Perry today received the endorsement of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Texas PAC, Associated General Contractors of America (AGCA) Texas Building Branch PAC and Texas Construction Association (TCA) PAC at a press conference in Dallas where he also spoke about the devastating effects of cap and trade legislation being considered in the U.S. Senate.
     “I am honored to accept the endorsement of these three groups, because they have devoted their lives to building Texas homes, factories and highways, just as we have worked to build a stronger Texas,” said Gov. Perry. “Thanks to years of conservative leadership, Texas has a strength and stability that is setting the tone for the rest of the country as America works through some of the toughest economic conditions we’ve seen in generations.”
     Gov. Perry noted his concerns regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s recent ruling on the danger of carbon dioxide and language in the Senate energy bill that includes mention of a national energy code for construction. As it stands, authorities at the state and local level adopt energy and building codes that reflect local realities. The new code would not only preempt standards adopted by State Energy Conservation Office, but would also set attainment levels based on tainted science surrounding climate change, significantly increasing the cost of building projects across the state.
     “The one-two punch of the EPA’s ruling on carbon dioxide and the Kerry energy bill will put hundreds of thousands out of work and, as our president said, cause prices to ‘necessarily skyrocket,’” said Gov. Perry. “Those prices that will go up include everything that is manufactured, transported or assembled using traditional energy, affecting the cost of everything including the construction materials Texas builders need to build homes, office buildings, and roads, killing jobs, raising the cost of living and stifling our economy.”
     “The Associated General Contractors Texas Building Branch PAC is proud of Gov. Perry’s leadership to maintain a strong economic climate and create jobs, even in light of the national economic struggles,” said Paul Workman, Immediate Past Chairman of AGC – Texas Building Branch. “We enthusiastically endorse his bid for re-election and look forward to working with him to uphold our state’s strong economy well into the future.”
     Last week, Gov. Perry sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson urging her to withdraw the EPA’s recent ruling on the danger of carbon dioxide, especially in light of the recent “Climategate” scandal, which uncovered that data had been manipulated and destroyed in order to falsely show a preordained result regarding climate change.
     “On behalf of the more than 2,000 contractor members of the eight ABC Chapters in Texas, I’m proud to announce our endorsement of Gov. Perry for re-election,” said Mike Gremillion, Chair-Elect of Associated Builders and Contractors of Texas. “We know that businesses must have a stable business climate in order to provide jobs. Gov. Perry has done his part to create a business and civil justice climate in this state that allows business to better calculate its costs and thus provide jobs to Texans.”
“Gov. Perry has a proven track record of supporting efforts to improve the business climate in Texas and create new jobs,” said Mackie Bounds, Chairman of the Board of the Texas Construction Association. “He is a fiscal conservative who has led the fight to cut the fat out of the budget of our state government. TCA PAC is proud to have the opportunity to endorse Gov. Perry in his re-election.”
     ABC of Texas has more than 2,000 members among its eight chapters across the state and represents commercial and industrial contractors who promote the principles of free enterprise and the merit shop philosophy. AGC Texas Building Branch was created in 1973 as the legislative office for all AGC building chapters in the State of Texas and acts as a legislative representative and capitol presence for Texas AGC building chapters. TCA is comprised of subcontractors and suppliers primarily engaged in commercial construction in Texas and represents more than 2,000 businesses with more than 150,000 employees.

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