Perry: Pre-K initiative belongs before voters

SA mayor honored for 'Excellence in Education'

SAN ANTONIO – Preferring to stay out of local ballot initiative, Texas Gov. Rick Perry said he agrees San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro's "PreK-4-SA" initiative to expand early childhood education belongs before voters.

Early voting is now underway in advance of Election Day, Nov. 6.

"We're big believers in local control, so local entities that want to have programs like this, certainly put them in front of the electorate and see how the cards fall," Perry said.

Perry and Castro shared the stage Thursday at the annual United Negro College Fund Governor's Luncheon that raises money for scholarships.

The group presented Castro with its Excellence in Education award.

Dr. Michael Lomax, UNCF president and CEO, endorsed the mayor's Pre-K initiative during the event.

Perry also was asked about perhaps someday being challenged for re-election by those urging Castro to run for governor.

"I think we'll all decide what we're going to do after June," Perry said.

The governor said he has the next session of the Texas Legislature before him.

Castro has said he will weigh his options after he is finished being mayor, now that he will be term-limited out.

However, the governor lavished praise on the San Antonio's mayor.

"We're blessed to have really great talent. The mayor is one of those and I'm proud he lives in Texas. He's doing a good job in San Antonio," Perry said.


About the Author:

Jessie Degollado has been with KSAT since 1984. She is a general assignments reporter who covers a wide variety of stories. Raised in Laredo and as an anchor/reporter at KRGV in the Rio Grande Valley, Jessie is especially familiar with border and immigration issues. In 2007, Jessie also was inducted into the San Antonio Women's Hall of Fame.