During her tenure, Texas instituted site-based decision-making in its public schools(What kind of beurocracy dismantling horseshit is that??!?), increased prison space and introduced a nationally respected substance-abuse program (Which actually prototyped in Connecticut. A program now starving to death as repubs, beginning with W, divert and do away with funding. Not always successful, as no treatment completely is, it still beats just warehousing them. I mean, we're spending shitloads anyway to keep people in prison - why NOT give them a dose of re-hab. I'll tell ya why not: other interest groups wanted the money and w said whawright then.) in its prisons. The state also became the nation's leader in the creation of new manufacturing facilities and new or expanded corporate facilities. Hmm, you mean like in new jobs?

A longtime advocate of civil rights and economic justice, Richards created the most representative and inclusive administration in Texas history. She also sought to make government more efficient, authorizing audits that saved the state $6 billion.Wow!

Born in Lakeview, Texas, Richards graduated from Waco High School in 1950 and attended Baylor University on a debate scholarship. After graduating, she went to the University of Texas at Austin probably why WW doesn't like 'er , where she earned her teaching certificate. From 1955 to 1956, she taught social studies and history at Fulmore Junior High School in Austin.

Richards first became politically active at the University of Texas and remained active while she reared her four children, volunteering in local and statewide campaigns and working for critical social causes.

PLUS, she overcame personal difficulties before and during some of the above that most folks don't survive.