Texas Gov. Rick Perry under fire for executive order

In an item that was previously reported here in my Sunday roundup, Texas Governor Rick Perry has come under fire from both parties for bypassing the legislature altogether and issuing an order Friday making Texas the first state to require that schoolgirls get vaccinated against the sexually transmitted virus that causes cervical cancer (HPV). Governor Perry's position is that this vaccine is no different from polio, etc.

The Texarkana Gazette makes it the subject of today's editorial (p.9A). This matter is also being considered in Colorado, where Minority Leader Mike May (R) has introduced legislation mandating that this vaccine be given to students 12 years of age and older (or show that their parents have declined the vaccine). The proposal has also been introduced in Kansas and West Virginia.