If it was a "Bipartisan Effort" why was Perry flanked exclusively by Republicans @ the "Ceremonial Signing" ?

Perry signs bills; promises tax cuts
By Celinda Emison / emisonc@reporternews.com
May 19, 2006

BROWNWOOD - Between stacks of lumber and doors, Gov. Rick Perry signed House Bill 3 into law Thursday during his first stop on a three-city tour.
The bill-signing took place at the McCoy's Building Supply in Brownwood. Perry moved on to Irving and San Antonio for more signings after leaving Brownwood.
During his Brownwood stop, Perry was flanked by State Rep. Jim Keffer R-Eastland, Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Marble Falls, and State Rep. Dan Branch, R-Highland Park, as he signed the franchise tax bill, which he called ''the centerpiece of the school finance plan.''
''House Bill 3 will help us lower school property taxes by 33 percent for every homeowner and every other property owner in Texas,'' Perry said.
More than 70 area residents turned out for the event and everyone was encouraged to shop a little on their way out. McCoy's President and CEO Brian McCoy introduced the governor and friends before the signing.
Perry and company made Brownwood the first stop on tour Thursday, because Keffer, who authored HB 3, represents the area.
Perry praised the leadership in both the House and Senate for getting the bill on his desk. He said the bill will provide greater fairness to employers, reliable funding for schools and revenue that will deliver a $15.7 billion property tax cut for property owners.
''This means taxes on an average home in Texas will decrease by about $2,000 over the next three years,'' Perry said.

Keffer said passage of the bill by both the House and the Senate was a bipartisan effort.
''It's the reason we have success today and we had a great team working on this,'' Keffer said.

Fraser said that before the bill was signed, only one in 16 businesses was paying the franchise tax.
''This is an issue we've worked hard on for the past two years and this is a great day for businesses, residents, school districts and students in the Big Country,'' Fraser said.
Special Session Package Details
Replace some school property taxes with $2.4 billion from budget surplus.
Cut local school property taxes 11 percent this year, 22 percent next year.
Franchise tax traded for business tax on 1 percent of most companies' gross receipts; deductions for cost of goods or payroll. Sole proprietorships and partnerships exempt. Should produce $3.4 billion.
Tax blue book value of used car sales, rather than seller declaring price.
$2,000 pay raise for teachers, nurses, librarians, counselors, including $500 insurance stipend removed in 2003.
Provide state money to achieve equal spending per student, while allowing local school districts to raise taxes up to 4 cents per year for local programs.
School districts get money for merit teacher bonuses, plus $275 for each high school student
School year starts fourth Monday in August
(beginning 2007)
Cigarette tax goes from 41 cents a pack to $1.41. Expected increase: $700 million first year.
Authorize $1.8 billion in tuition revenue bonds.
Legislative Budget Board estimates annual deficits of plan at $3.5 billion for 2007, $4.6 billion for 2008.
Source: Dave McNeely, Austin freelance journalist
source: http://www.reporter-news.com/abil/nw_political/article/0,1874,ABIL_7971_4711017,00.html