We're liveblogging from The Texas Tribune Festival, a weekend of debate, discussion and dialogue featuring some of the biggest names in the world of Texas politics and public policy.
Gov. Rick Perry kicked off the festival at tonight's opening session, an interview with Tribune CEO and Editor-in-Chief Evan Smith. The state's longest-serving governor was asked about everything from higher education, immigration and health care in the upcoming legislative session to his ambitions in 2014, 2016 and beyond.
Follow us here for updates from the University of Texas at Austin campus, and learn more about the weekend's schedule of events here.
Liveblog
Perry says it's "not out of the ordinary" to suggest Satan working his misdeeds in America. "I don't apologize for it."
"There is a reason that TX is the No. 1 state in the nation to do business." Now to the stump speech: tort reform, budget cuts, low regulation.
Perry says Texas has "found a fairly good balance" of giving people freedom, keeping taxes low. "We find middle ground," he says.
Perry says it's easier to educate children in Connecticut than in Texas, which has more cultural diversity than the Northeast
Perry says he's still focused on higher education reform: "We can transform higher education and make it more accessible make it more affordable."
Under Perry's proposal, a student who enters as college freshman would pay same tuition rate for four years. If it takes longer, the student could face hike.
Asked about high number of uninsured, Perry says increased health care spending could negatively impact spending on education, infrastructure and other priorities.
Perry says it's "a fallacy" to suggest that women won't get family planning services in wake of ending Planned Parenthood funding.
Perry says he still supports giving in-state tuition to certain illegal immigrant children. "Let's have the debate," he said. "We made a correct, economic decison for this state."
Perry says he does not believe a bill ending in-state tuition for illegal immigrants will reach his desk
Perry says Democrats who try to criticize Mitt Romney as vulture capitalist "will have the same luck with it as I did."
Perry says he will announce his intentions about his political future in June of next year. Passes up opportunity to endorse Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst for re-election.
Perry calls run for president an "incredibly enjoyable experience." Says running again is an option.
Perry says comparing state mandate to require car insurance and federal requirement to buy health insurance is ''a bit of a stretch." Says people can choose not to drive.
Perry says "porous border" is the problem, declined to say what he would do with people who are here now illegally.
Perry says border not safe now. Says it can be accomplished with combination of physical barriers, technology and "boots on the ground."
Texas Tribune donors or members may be quoted or mentioned in our stories, or may be the subject of them. For a complete list of contributors, click here.
Information about the authors
Learn about The Texas Tribune’s policies, including our partnership with The Trust Project to increase transparency in news.