Texas Inauguration 2011

Gov. Rick Perry addresses the crowd at the 2011 Inaugural Ball at the Palmer Events Center on Jan. 18, 2011. (Charlie L. Harper III/KXAN)

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Top leaders sworn in on South Lawn

Updated: Tuesday, 25 Jan 2011, 3:38 PM CST
Published : Tuesday, 18 Jan 2011, 6:43 AM CST

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The scope for Gov. Rick Perry's historic third-term inaugural celebration is smaller than 2006.

In the current economic climate, Perry chose to forgo the traditional Congress Avenue parade. At Tuesday night's celebration, First Lady Anita Perry will wear a dress she wore to her son's graduation, rather than something new.

An invitation-only ball Tuesday night funded by private donations will feature music from country singers Pat Green and Clay Walker.

Perry was sworn in for his third four-year term as Texas governor Tuesday morning. Perry said the message from Texans he met during the last 18 months was to cut spending while protecting the most vulnerable Texans.

"I heard their belief that tough economic times require strong leadership and tough choices for everyone," Perry said. "I have heard their calls for government that is smarter, leaner and more accountable. They reminded me that there is no such thing as government money; it’s the people’s money in government’s hands."

KXAN Austin News broadcast the inauguration live on-air and online -- click here to see the videos.

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst was sworn in by Chief Justice Jefferson Wallace with a Bible used by Sam Houston 150 years ago.

"We have big challenges facing us in this 2011 Legislative Session. But we will be successful because our challenges are not bigger than the sheer will and determination of the people of Texas. I know this for a fact because eight years ago when I was sworn in for the first time, we faced some of the same problems," Dewhurst said during his speech. "But we didn’t shrink from these challenges. We looked at the mountain in front of us and began to climb. And working together, we passed major lawsuit reform, school finance, and we balanced four state budgets without raising taxes, while protecting essential services for our most vulnerable."

State leaders hit a pro-Texas, anti-Washington theme during an inauguration on the south lawn of the Capitol on Tuesday afternoon.

"Washington has run roughshod over state sovereignty," Dewhurst said. "The examples are more and more outrageous: the offshore drilling ban, misguided Congressmen blocking almost $1 billion of funding for our Texas school children, the EPA taking over 167 clean air permits, cap-and-trade which will increase your taxes, and Obamacare – the largest expansion of government in a generation!"

If fiscal discipline can be achieved anywhere, it can be achieved in Texas, Perry told the assembled audience.

"With our nation mired in more than $14 trillion of debt, accountability and fiscal responsibility will not come from Washington – it will come from places like Texas," Perry said. "Texas is still the engine of America’s economy, and we’re proud to lead the nation in Fortune 1000 companies, international exports and job creation."

Dewhurst called for tripling federal agents along the Texas-Mexico border. Perry echoed Dewhurst's comments about the need to secure the border.

"For all of us, a secure border means a more stable economy, safer families and a brighter future," Perry said.

The $2 million inauguration tab is being picked up by donations because of the nearly $27 billion budget shortfall the state is facing.

During the swearing-in of both Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, F-16 attack jets from the Texas Air National Guard will do a flyover and entertainment will be provided by the Texas A&M Singing Cadets and the University of Texas Longhorn Band.

Following the inauguration, there was a barbecue lunch for the 10,000 people who secured free tickets online.

Billionaire Red McCombs donated $100,000 so guests didn't have to pay $8 per ticket for the lunch.

Due to the cutbacks, there was no parade down Congress Avenue this year.

Here is the Texas A&M band:

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Top leaders sworn in on South Lawn

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