While Gov. Rick Perry took a whirlwind tour of Iraq Tuesday to support 3,800 Texas troops deployed to the Mideast, his likely GOP nemesis in 2010, U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, was circulating criticism that Perry's tenure has set a poor tone back at home.

As the 81st Texas Legislature gets ready to start next week, Perry was focused on the Middle East and Hutchison was sending out fundraising letters accusing him of "challenges unanswered, too little trust and consensus, and too much infighting."

With no major budget or school finance crisis dominating the Legislature this year, no issue will be too big or too small for political overtones.

"It all gets down to politics at the end of the day," said House Appropriations Chairman Warren Chisum, R-Pampa.

In what was seen as a shot at Hutchison, Perry in December endorsed a bill to create a "Choose Life" automobile license plate, legislation that has died in every session of Perry's governorship.

The governor says his unwavering support for the issue is simply a sign that he is the most "pro-life governor in Texas history." But others say Perry is hoping to broker support from right-wing Republicans in preparation for a GOP primary challenge from Hutchison.

Other issues with political undercurrents will include transportation, college tuition, children's health insurance, border security and hurricane relief — all of which are expected to echo through campaign rhetoric leading up to a governor's race in 2010.

In her fundraising letter, Hutchison said the state budget has doubled under Perry and said state government was indifferent to private property rights "in a quest to cover our state with massive toll roads" under his Trans Texas Corridor plan.

Perry spokesman Mark Miner said Hutchison has been ineffective in Washington, so "all she can do is attack."

Plan gets a new name
The letter coincides with Tuesday's announcement by the Texas Department of Transportation that the Trans Texas Corridor project will be scaled back and renamed the Innovative Connectivity Plan.

Perry, in a conference call from Iraq, said the name had changed largely because political opponents had misrepresented it.

"The idea that there was misrepresentation of what it was certainly plays into the decision that (the Texas Department of Transportation) made, and I support their decision," Perry said.

When the Legislature convenes Jan. 13, this convergence of policy and politics will not be limited to the governor.

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst is looking at re-election or a run for Hutchison's Senate seat. State Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, already is running for Hutchison's spot.

In 2003, both were part of the Senate surrendering to House Speaker Tom Craddick on higher education tuition deregulation as part of budget negotiations.

Tuition and fees since then at Texas' public universities have increased 53 percent.

Shapiro already has introduced a proposed "Tuition Stabilization Act" to freeze a student's tuition at freshman year rates.

Houston Mayor Bill White comes to the Legislature with an agenda that includes fighting air polluters and sexually oriented businesses, improving the city's share of transportation dollars and hurricane preparedness. His effectiveness likely will become a measure in his campaign for Hutchison's U.S. Senate seat.

And even policies in Washington could have an impact on the Legislature and Texas politics.

New CHIP fight looms
Hutchison last year voted in the Senate for a Democratic measure to expand the federal Children's Health Insurance Program, raising eligibility to families at 300 percent of poverty.

The bill died in Congress, but likely will come back up this spring in time for the Legislature to change state regulations to maximize federal dollars for the program.

Texas currently sets eligibility for the program at 200 percent.

If the Legislature does not match the federal level, then Texas would lose millions of dollars to other states.

Republican legislators may be reluctant to raise the state limit, especially when Texas hasn't even signed up children already eligible. An estimated 190,000 children are eligible, but still not enrolled, according to state records.

State Rep. Garnet Coleman, D-Houston, said the issue could make Hutchison seem "more caring" than Perry if the state failed to step up its commitment.

Critical, however, could be the abortion issue and Perry's support of a "Choose Life" license plate.

While Hutchison has voted to ban partial birth abortions and federal funding for abortions, she has supported the U.S. Supreme Court decision affirming abortion rights for women.

"He has a proven record that is more conservative," said Cathie Adams, president of the Texas Eagle Forum.

Coleman said Perry's support for the "Choose Life" plate is clearly in answer to the controversy over HPV and the Gardasil vaccine. Some conservatives believed the vaccination promoted sexual promiscuity and invaded parental rights to decide the medical care of their children.

"If you're Perry, you have to make up for the Gardasil issue and re-establish your credentials on the right," Coleman said.

'Focused on good policy'
Miner said when the governor gives his State of the State Address on Jan. 27, it will focus on issues such as higher education, border security, state budget transparency and protecting the state's economy.

"The governor's always been focused on good policy, and the rest will take care of itself," Miner said.

Todd Olsen, a spokesman for Hutchison, said she plans to keep a low profile as far as the Texas Legislature is concerned.

"Senator Hutchison views this legislative session as a clearly challenging session and doesn't see any room for political diversion," Olsen said. "She views the less politics involved in the next 140 days, the better."