Hutchison speaks out on governor's race, Trans-Texas Corridor

S-T reporter Gene Trainor was at a press conference in Dallas today where US Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison was in attendance. Here's her responses to some of Trainor's questions.

Q: Are you running for governor?

A: We’re in the process now of organizing our committee. My timetable is make the formal announcement this summer. The decision really now has been made. It’s a process of setting everything up to make an announcement.

Q: Will you give up your Senate seat to run?

A: I haven’t made that decision.

Q: What do you think about President-elect Obama’s stimulus package? Have you decided whether you will support it or not support it?

A: I haven’t seen it in its final form yet. There are parts of it that I think are good, but parts of it that I will have a concern with. And I think if we have the ability to help shape it.... I’m concerned about the impact on the deficit and whether it will have the desired effect, which is to stimulate the economy. So we’ll have to be very careful.

Q: What do you like about it?

A: I think that tax cuts are an important part of it, and leaving the tax cuts in place rather than trying to repeal any tax cuts, which I think have been helpful to our economy is one good part. I think just giving people $500 which is what we did last year. It did not stimulate. So I don’t think that’s probably a good use of going into deficit. I would like to do something that would create the stimulation of private sector jobs.

Q: Any comment on the Trans Texas Corridor?

A: I haven’t seen exactly what they intend to do with the newly named Texas Corridor. My efforts in the Senate have been to ensure that we don’t toll highways that are already built. I don’t think that massive tollways, without proper local imput, is the right approach. I’ve said that before. They’re looking more carefully at increasing the the I-35 corridor, I think that’s good. I think building for capacity is important. But I think we’ve got to do it with a lot of local input.

Comments

[JR]

I have a couple of questions for Hutchison;

Considering that your constituents flooded you with correspondence pleading you not to vote for the bailout. Why did you ignore them and vote for it anyway?

Knowing that foreign companies will profit from the newly renamed trans-texas corridor. What makes this a good idea?

[Chris L]

"Considering that your constituents flooded you with correspondence pleading you not to vote for the bailout. Why did you ignore them and vote for it anyway?"

Hear hear!! I second that remark. Her and Cornyn both did us proud eh?

Can't wait to see what they do with the trillions more that Pelosi, Reid and Obama are going to spend.

Can't wait also to see how quick she jumps to vote for the amnesty and "guest worker" program that Reid, McCain and Obama say they have a deal on.

As a conservative the good Senator sure loved spending money - loves rewarding illegals even more.

I detest Rick Perry and his toll roads. We should not be paying forever to drive on Texas roads after paying for them once, giving profits to god only knows who. Sen Hutchisons comments on the Trans Texas Corridor are pathetic.

Oh I did get her request for donations to her Exploratory committee. She wants me to be one of the first in Tarrant County.

I guess she never read any of the hundreds of letters I have written to her over the past few years.

[Budswisr]

I guess no matter what americans want Texas and Washington is still planning to open up our southern borders allowing anyone who want in this country to march right in and fill out claims for welfare, foodstamps, free schooling and medical care. Thats what the Trans-Texas corridor is all about. To make Canada-USA-Mexico all one country with USA taxpayers footing the bills and becoming a great country like Mexico.

[Jeff]

To all those that criticize Sen. Hutchinson and others for trying to do something about the economy - would you prefer that nothing be done and you can stand in line at a soup kitchen? Can you truly have your head that far in the sand? Mayber you get all your "news" from Rush and the boys at Fox "news".
When you have a positive idea (assuming you would recognize it) why don't you present it. Anyone can sling mud and criticize. What have you done to help? Blame all all your problems on someone else most likely.
Sen. Hutchinson is at least trying to address these issues. She doesn't have all the answers - you don't seem to have any.

[JR]

Jeff,
I don't hear any ideas coming out of your mouth except for the mistaken idea that the government can spend its way out of this mess. You need to read more and you will find plenty of posts from me describing how we should make severe cuts in spending and start eliminating entitlement programs for one. Right above your post is a complaint about illegal immigration, I bet that poster has many ideas on curbing the flood of illegal aliens into our country. Your sitting there poking fingers yet you yourself have nothing to offer. want some more ideas, I will be happy to oblige.