What have you done for me lately?

Now that the biggest suspense story in politics is settled and we’re getting used to the idea of a new administration in Washington, some political types in Texas are turning some of their left-over hyper-attention to matters closer to home and the rough-and-tumble of Austin politics.

For example, now we can concentrate on getting Tom Craddick out of the Speaker’s chair, maybe along with his personal Parliamentarian, Terry Keel.

And you thought I wasn’t paying attention!

For Governor Rick Perry, the front-page worthy item seems to be the fact that this month he will become the longest-serving governor of Texas. Ever. This past summer he celebrated becoming the second-longest serving Governor after 2,745 days; I guess length of service becomes noteworthy when that’s all there is.

Now as he approaches 2,919 days you’d think that might be enough, but you’d better think again: he wants more, and plans to run for a third term.

Might be a challenge, though. For openers, think Trans-Texas Corridor and toll roads. Think about good ol’ Tom Craddick who, according to the Houston Chronicle, has said “Governor Perry's public service has been exemplary and unique.”

Rumors were that he was angling for a VP slot, but that didn’t work out. And his chances of following the George W. Bush path from Governor to the White House went down the tubes with Rove. Since it’s unlikely he could find a job in Washington anytime soon, it looks like his best hope is to try to stay put.

Enter Kay Bailey Hutchison.

Now, I have had kind of a soft spot for Kay ever since she came out strongly for Amtrak several years ago; her support for SCHIP, the children’s insurance program, made me pretty happy, too — though, to be sure, that support has been somewhat softened by the politics of the Republican opposition, but I have a sneaky suspicion she’d strengthen her position given the opportunity.

Say, as Governor.

Here’s what I think: Two terms of Perry does not seem to have produced much to brag about. Don’t believe me? Ask the person to your right — or left — what he has done for us.

Well, he’s brought us toll roads around Dallas, for starters, roads that were supposed to be built and run by private companies and pay for themselves with toll charges, but now the problem seems to be that a significant number of drivers are using alternate routes to avoid the toll charges. Even though the “scenic” routes take longer — and use more gasoline.

Folks don’t like toll roads, I guess. And now, according to a Dallas Morning News report a couple of months back, we are looking at a gasoline tax increase. The Governor has this to say about that:

“I am not going to block the debate, or if it is the will of the people, and of the legislature, I suspect I would go along with it.”

So much for that accomplishment.

And what about the Trans-Texas Corridor? Well, despite the strong opposition of what seem to be most Texas citizens — at least we know how Ellis County feels about it — Rick Perry remains a believer.

The good arguments against the TTC would fill a column; that has happened before in this space and I suspect will happen again, but that’s not the point here.

The point is that, good hair notwithstanding, this Governor hasn’t done much for us, let alone lately.

Texans should welcome “Kay Baby” into the arena and support her bid for the office of Governor in 2010. It’s time.

And she’s prettier, too.