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Liveblog: Perry at The Texas Tribune Festival

Gov. Rick Perry kicked off The Texas Tribune Festival at tonight's opening session, an interview with Tribune CEO and Editor-in-Chief Evan Smith.

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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

by David Muto
We're moments away from Gov. Rick Perry kicking off the second annual Tribune Festival!
by Jay Root

A hoarse Gov. Rick Perry is on stage.

by Jay Root

Perry says he has a "softer" attitude. Evan starting to ask about his comments about "Satan."

by Jay Root

Perry: "I believe in Satan." Says the devil does exist.

by Jay Root

"I happen to believe that people of faith should be very much involved ... in the public arena."

by Jay Root

Perry says it's "not out of the ordinary" to suggest Satan working his misdeeds in America. "I don't apologize for it."

by Jay Root

Perry says "somebody's values are going to be legislated." Question is whose values it will be.

by Jay Root

Perry says new sources of revenue comes from people who move here

by Jay Root

"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.

by Jay Root

Perry says Texas has "found a fairly good balance" of giving people freedom, keeping taxes low. "We find middle ground," he says.

by Jay Root

Perry says he will call for a four year tuition freeze

by Jay Root

Perry said he's willing to have a discussion about changing franchise tax

by Jay Root

Perry refers to Austin as the "blueberry in the tomato soup" of Texas.

by Jay Root

Revenue is up and Perry says Texas is "doing quite better" than most other states.

by Jay Root

Perry promises an "open and thoughtful debate" about restoring cuts to public education.

by Jay Root

Perry says it's easier to educate children in Connecticut than in Texas, which has more cultural diversity than the Northeast

by Jay Root

Perry says he's always been for vouchers. "That's not breaking any news tonight."

by Jay Root

Perry says he's still focused on higher education reform: "We can transform higher education and make it more accessible make it more affordable."

by Jay Root

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.

by Jay Root

Perry drinking tea. Very hoarse. Suffering from ragweed allergies.

by Jay Root

Perry, an Aggie, professes love for UT

by Jay Root

Chalks up talk that he would fire Bill Powers to "the rumor factory."

by Jay Root

Says Bill Powers will be the" master of his ship."

by Jay Root

Perry says Medicaid is broken. "it is too inflexible. It is too run from Washington, D.C."

by Jay Root

Perry says people should not be forced to buy health insurance.

by Jay Root

Asked about high number of uninsured, Perry says increased health care spending could negatively impact spending on education, infrastructure and other priorities.

by Jay Root

Perry says it's "a fallacy" to suggest that women won't get family planning services in wake of ending Planned Parenthood funding.

by Jay Root

Perry says of presidential race: "they were pleasant days"

by Jay Root

Perry says he favors an "open and vigorous debate" about in-state tuition.

by Jay Root

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."

by Jay Root

Perry says he does not believe a bill ending in-state tuition for illegal immigrants will reach his desk

by Jay Root

Perry says Democrats who try to criticize Mitt Romney as vulture capitalist "will have the same luck with it as I did."

by Jay Root

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.

by Jay Root

Perry calls run for president an "incredibly enjoyable experience." Says running again is an option.

by Jay Root

Perry says "2014 and 2016 will take care of themselves."

by Jay Root

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.

by Jay Root

Perry sidesteps Dream Act question, says border security has to be dealt with first.

by Jay Root

Perry says "porous border" is the problem, declined to say what he would do with people who are here now illegally.

by Jay Root

Perry calls Medicaid "blackmail with our own money."

by Jay Root

Perry says border not safe now. Says it can be accomplished with combination of physical barriers, technology and "boots on the ground."

by Jay Root

Perry is frustrated that TX has spent half a billion dollars to help secure border, a federal responsiblity.

by Jay Root

The opening session is kicked off! Q&A over.

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