Texas Tribune: Rick Perry Showing Leadership on Big Issues

Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who will be ending his 14-year tenure this year, is making the most of his final six months in office, gaining traction and publicity on a number of issues uncommon for an outgoing politician, according to The Texas Tribune.

"The lame duck at the top of the state government is having a pretty good run," Ross Ramsey wrote in an analysis. "Short-timer or not, he is overshadowing everyone else in Texas, including its two United States senators and the candidates who hope to succeed him as governor."

The paper lists a number of different issues Perry has taken center stage on recently, including the national debate on immigration with President Barack Obama, and a public and partisan dispute about changes in the governance of the University of Texas.

The paper also notes that Perry's political activity and influence has overshadowed a number of significant changes happening at the top of the Texas Legislature and other areas of government.

"The news right now is that this governor's point of view is prevailing on a couple of big issues that might lie beyond the powers of the average lame duck in state government."

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