Gov. Perry's temporary digs costs Texas big bucks

[Union Yes]

Source: AP/Yahoo

By JAY ROOT, Associated Press Writer Jay Root, Associated Press Writer – Mon May 17, 5:35 am ET

AUSTIN, Texas – With the state facing a budget shortfall of at least $11 billion, Texas Gov. Rick Perry has spent almost $600,000 in public money during the past two years to live in a sprawling rental home in the hills above the capital, according to records obtained by The Associated Press.

It costs more than $10,000 a month in rent, utilities and upkeep to house Perry in a five-bedroom, seven-bath mansion that has pecan-wood floors, a gourmet kitchen and three dining rooms. Perry has also spent $130,000 in campaign donations to throw parties, buy food and drink, and pay for cable TV and a host of other services since he moved in, the records show.

The public spending on Perry's rental comes as the state grapples with a budget shortfall forecast to reach at least $11 billion over the next two years. Perry has asked state agencies to cut their budgets by 5 percent and the Republican House speaker has begun to consider furloughs and shortened workweeks for state employees.

Ethics watchdogs, meanwhile, say Perry's campaign may have violated state disclosure laws because of the vague way he's reported what his staff calls "incidental" spending at the mansion


Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100517/ap_on_re_us/us_texas_governor_temporary_mansion

---

Is this RepubliCONMAN small government?

Is this shrinking it down til it fits in a bathtub and drowning it?

Is this watering the tree of liberty with the blood of tyrants?

Is this don't tread on me?

I wonder if Rethug Perry opposes public housing/rent assistance for the poor?

As he feeds at the govt trough.

[madmax]

1. 'It's good to be the King' Mel Brooks nt

[efhmc]

2. Finally getting into the main stream media. Been known and

talked about in Texas (especially by Dems) for a nice long while. Could not believe it when I logged on and found it as a yahoo headline. YIPPEE!!!

[Jennicut]

3. Small govt. is for the peons. For the Gov, he gets only the best.

[efhmc]

4. For the sake of our beleaguered, funds depleted by

right-wing policies state, please recommend this post. This news need to be shared. Thanks.

[Hawkeye-X]

5. Then he should have not set the damn fire in his Mansion

Fuck Perry. I hope the Democratic candidate (whoever that may be) makes full use of that abuse to the public by airing it. It's negative, and it's also completely true. There is absolutely no way that Perry can avoid it.

Rec'ed

[efhmc]

6. Bill White is the candidate and he is an excellent one.

He was mayor of Houston during Katrina and opened the city and its resources to the people of NO. BTW, he was also reelected with 90% of the vote. Thanks for the recommend. The way to get this info out is for it to come from the outside back into Texas. That way it will have a chance to be heard.

[pinboy3niner]

7. K&R

Good post, Union Yes :kick:

[Arkansas Granny]

8. Maybe he wanted to avoid the comments made about Mike Huckabee when he

moved into temporary digs while the Arkansas Governor's Mansion was being repaired.

Arkansas Gov. Moves Into Triple-Wide Trailer

Gov. Mike Huckabee celebrated his 45th birthday in a new home today, giving a nationally broadcast tour of the “roomy and comfortable” manufactured mansion where he will live while his regular home is being repaired.

The 2,133-square-foot triple-wide home features two living rooms — one equipped with a remote control gas fireplace — a large master bedroom and bathroom and three wooden outdoor decks.

<snip>

The tours are intended to put a positive spin on a move that has been the subject of jokes by Jay Leno and other comedians. Today host Matt Lauer jokingly asked if the mobile home had indoor plumbing.

Mrs. Huckabee said the first family could live in the mobile home for up to 2½ years while the mansion undergoes plumbing and wiring improvements and perhaps an expansion. She is leading a fund-raising drive for an $8 million project that would add a large reception hall, new residential wing and perhaps a cement pond (swimming pool) and sculpture garden.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=123041&page=1

Gov. Perry's expenses seem to be pretty extravagant, but I've always heard that "things are bigger in Texas".

[sonias]

12. That includes political corruption too

I've been hoping the Feds would take a look at Perry's campaign finances for awhile. I know he's got to be dirty. I find it hard to believe that he wouldn't have done some of the same kind of selling that got Rod Blagojevich in trouble. Everything is for sale in Texas and Slick Rick would sell his mother - twice if he could.

:kick:

[Judi Lynn]

9. Who remembers what the Texas Speaker of the House did to refurnish the Speaker's Apartment

in the Capitol?

This may refresh your memory:

Updated: 11:52 AM Jul 17, 2006

Texas Speaker’s Apartment Plans Include Pricey Appliances
Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick and his wife won’t be shopping sales as they purchase appliances for their renovated Capitol apartment.
Posted: 11:55 AM Jul 17, 2006

(July 17, 2006)—Texas Speaker of the House Tom Craddick and his wife won’t have to scrimp as they purchase appliances for their renovated Capitol apartment.

The Associated Press reports lobbyists, business people and a corporate foundation are among about 40 donors who've contributed more than $1 million for the project.

The money is being used to renovate the 2,000 square-foot apartment behind the House chamber.

In a letter to potential donors, Craddick and his wife, Nadine, say the renovation is a "gift to all Texans" that will let the speaker's residence "reflect the same attention to detail that is seen throughout the Capitol."

But watchdog groups say people and businesses that could benefit from future legislation should not pay to spruce up the taxpayer-provided home of the House speaker.

~snip~
Apartment Shopping List
Here is a list of items included in State Preservation Board documents outlining the project, with prices determined through manufacturer and home improvement Web sites and Austin appliance stores. (Source: Associated Press)

MAIN KITCHEN:
- Faucet: $288
- Primary sink option 1: $1,340
- Primary sink option 2: $1,344
- Hand sink: $323
- Sub-Zero refrigerator: $7,349
- Dishwasher: $1,299
- Ice maker: $1,249
- Range: $14,686
- Pot rack: $568.99 to $854.99
AUXILIARY KITCHEN:
- Primary sink option 1: $3,550
- Primary sink option 2: $1,498
- Hand sink: $740
- Range: $8,274
- Ice maker: $4,195
MASTER BATH:
- Toilet: $1,066
- 2 sinks: $153 each
- 2 sink faucets: $766 each
- Tub: $1,495
- Shower door: $1,314
- Shower head: $267
- Tub spout: $262
GUEST BATH:
- Toilet: $1,066
- Sink: St. Thomas Creations Antigua Petite: $153 on
homeclick.com
- Sink faucet: $766
- Tub: $1,495
- Shower head: $267
- Tub spout: $262.50
UTILITY ROOM:
- Washing machine: $1,399
- Dryer: $849

http://www.kwtx.com/news/headlines/3365116.html

http://images.chron.com.nyud.net:8090/blogs/texaspolitics/archives/cradnad.JPG

Texas Speaker's apartment.

http://www.dallasnews.com.nyud.net:8090/sharedcontent/dws/img/v3/12-09-2008.nsw_09lounge.GU62HFNLU.1.jpg

Texas House members' lounge!

~~~~~
Great questions about Republican politicians and the way they pass around the taxpayers' hard earned dollars, Union Yes.

Apparently the G.O.P. God blesses these reverse Robin Hoods "real good."

[sonias]

11. I do, I do and it makes me laugh

It is so rich that Craddick raised all that money to upgrade the Speaker's apartment only to have to vacate it. Now mind you, i's still occupied by the Republican - Joe Staus from San Antonio, but he is a little more moderate than crazy right wing Craddick.

I'm hoping for the same thing on the Governor's mansion. It's undergoing a major renovation because some of it burned on Perry's watch. I hope that Slick Rick and Anita Perry never get to live in our Governor's mansion again - ever!

:kick:

[MO_Dem]

10. But, but, but......

He's just preparing for his big secession! I mean, ya just CANNOT have King Perry of the great nation of Texas living in some downtown apartment! It would not be fitting AT ALL! :sarcasm: :evilgrin:

[Mr. Sparkle]

13. now theres a fiscal conservative, when nobody is looking, he robs the state blind. n/t

[texastoast]

14. K&R n/t

[sonias]

15. YouTube video of the rented digs

Courtesy of the Texas Democratic Party
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hub-GUE0kCc

Lifestyles of the richly corrupt.

:dem:

[Union Yes]

17. Thanks for posting that vid. Good to see a Dem response. Have they aired that ad on TV?

:fistbump:

[sonias]

18. No - media is too expensive in Texas

It's an Internet ad mainly. We do what we can.

I'm hoping this does become a huge issue for Perry however. It certainly doesn't mean independent PACs can't use the theme against Perry in the fall.

:hi:

[Union Yes]

19. I hope Texas Dems do run that ad on TV closer to election time. It's kinda early yet.

:hi:

[TEXASYANKEE]

16. Arson?

I could easily be convinced that he hired someone to torch the Gov's mansion.