By Shelley Kofler, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-930228.mp3
Dallas, TX – Governor Rick Perry was the only one missing when the three candidates running against him appeared last night in an hour-long televised debate.
But KERA's Shelley Kofler reports Perry certainly wasn't ignored by Democrat Bill White and the others.
As the old saying goes, be there or be talked about.
Perry opponents had no problem painting a bull's eye on the missing Governor as they tackled plenty of serious questions and a few lighter ones posed by journalists.
Libertarian Kathie Glass got the best laugh when asked if Governor Perry has done anything positive in his decade as governor.
Glass: Governor Perry keeps like a seven hour day or maybe a seven hour a week schedule. And I think that's good. If he were full time I don't know what shape the state would be in.
With more than one million Texans unemployed, candidates were asked how they'd put people back to work.
Glass says she'd begin by cutting the state budget a full 50%
Glass: Another thing we must do is revise some of the licensing laws that are barriers, red tape that keeps out of work people from setting up their own businesses.
Green Party Candidate Deb Shafto called for using state money to fund a massive public works project that would create green energy and jobs.
Shafto: One of the things we dearly need is a power grid we can generate from wind and sun. There is research work for scientists and engineers to develop solar power.
Democrat Bill White repeated a plan he talks about on the campaign trail, having businesses that fund unemployment benefits pay a little higher rate in good times so they're not hit as hard when the economy nose dives.
White: As Governor I will run the whole unemployment insurance system different. I will plan for the future. We've seen unemployment payroll taxes more than double for some firms and almost double for most because Rick Perry failed to plan ahead. That's bad for business
Although polls show many Texans support casino gambling to pay for the state budget deficit the three debating rejected it.
Libertarian Glass provided the most shocking answer of the night when asked what she'd do to keep students from dropping out of school. She basically said let them go.
Glass: If a 16 year old wants to drop out maybe he's making the best decision. Let him go his own way if he's of that mind because he's not getting anything out of the experience. Sometimes they learn better out on their own than they do in a structured environment.
White: I ran into so many people who dropped out once and I haven't run into a single person who thought that was a great decision I made.
While he was Houston's mayor White and his wife launched a program to keep students in school. It's one of his top priorities.
White: We need to have more flexible schools. We need to make sure work is compatible with attending school that means hours on Saturdays and weekends. We need to make sure there are some facilities for the young mothers so they can return to school.
With just two weeks until Election Day White used his closing statement to make a plea.
White: I'm asking everybody out there to have an impact. I'm asking for your vote.
Recent polls say White is trailing Perry but within striking distance.