Rick Perry Says State Should Pay For His Security
Gov. Rick Perry said Monday that it was appropriate for Texas taxpayers to pick up the expense of his security even if costs shoot up dramatically while he travels around the nation running for president.
“We’re still going to have a protective detail that travels with us,” Perry said. “I think that’s kind of a diversion.”
It was the first time in weeks that Perry, who had back surgery on July 1, took questions from the Texas Capitol press corps. Perry spoke with reporters after a bill-signing ceremony to mark passage of a bill expanding managed care and ...
Comments (61)
Doug Bozarth
If he is pushing for personal business, Why should Texas be paying for his transportation or security out of state? That should fall under a personal business clause shouldn't it? If he is receiving donations towards his testing the waters for a presidential run, shouldn't that be footing the bill on all expenses including security? If Texas pays security and travel, isn't that the same as Texas funding his sudo/campaign?
I can save everyone a lot of money! Skip it! Nobody outside of Texas would risk putting G.W.'s second cousin in the big house.
He already has a track record of blowing other peoples money for personal gain! He shifts his loyalty to the biggest contributor. We are still trying to clean up after the last mess, not jump back in the swamp!
Lee Dunkelberg via Texas Tribune on Facebook
So, Perry says, shut up about who's paying the bills for all my travel, just suck it up, Texas.
If he's not going to be around that much, maybe he can find something cheaper than $10K/month.
David Huang via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Are you going to be promoting the gargantuan deficit we had and how we had to slash social programs and education to balance it, laying off thousands of teachers, cutting back on state funding for higher education and passing a ridiculous sonogram bill that invades women's privacy? No? Ok then.
Sharon Richard via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Wow. Speechless.
Dan Eggleston via Texas Tribune on Facebook
with the budget deficit let's throw some money away on guv hair
Steve Coyle via Texas Tribune on Facebook
The last six months has done an incredible amount of damage to our reputation- defunding our schools-phony sanctuary city bill - posturing and bluffing with the TSA and next up CNN will be asking "Is Texas Science Education going the way of Kansas?" Just stay tuned.
Sheri Alexander via Texas Tribune on Facebook
i cant wait to protest Aug 6. what kind of asshole promotes fasting when many american families arent getting enough to eat (isnt a recession sort of like fasting already!?)? by the way theyre still selling food at the stadium hahaha silly hypocrites anything to make money right
Laura Watts Kinnison via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Oh, hell no! Not until he moves out of the condo! Thousands of educators have lost their jobs--we can no longer afford this joke!
River Green via Texas Tribune on Facebook
hahahahaha! oh, brother...
Yaw Asamoah via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Unfortunately parts of the truth is technically still the truth. I hope he runs for president, really really hope. Laughter is the best medicine.
Sharon Richard via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Fox an hour ago, discussion about Perry as a viable candidate. Whew. Scary.
Ann Pittman-Thompson via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I just cringe every time he opens his mouth. Each statement is worse than the last. I used to be proud to say I was from Texas - with him in the spotlight not so much!!
William Foster via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Who the heck is paying for this? Oh that's right we pay for it, we pay for his $9,000.00 a month mansion, his groundskeeper, his wine magazines his parties all of his lavish lifestyle now a whirlwind tour.
Donna Guerra via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Perry, please we cannot afford you. And, by the way, I never hear you telling the story of MY Texas....
Peggy Santschi-Yacoben via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Maybe not!Ask the children of TX who will be crammed into classrooms and Buses if they think we should pay for his Security,Ask the Elderly and the Handicapped being cut off from their much needed services.Maybe thats what he is saving the Rainy Day Fund for?
Vibeke Mendonca Lee via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Can't wait to get to travel ? Is that what a president does ? In that case I want the job.
Bambi Clark via Texas Tribune on Facebook
He can just ask God to protect him for free.
Steve Coyle via Texas Tribune on Facebook
The whole point of slipping in legislation weeks ago to not disclose travel expenses on the tax payer dime for "security reasons' was for exactly to hide these costs. There is a reason that the same rationale to keep how much of our money is being spent a secret is the same one used to get us to accept being accosted at the airport.
Donna Guerra via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Broken logic, not even logic -- utter goonytunes.
Sebastian St Troy via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Can someone put a muzzle on that dog? He opens his mouth and just makes Texas look stupid, like himself!
Scott Nicol via Texas Tribune on Facebook
We already pay $10,000 per month to rent his house. Why not close another school or two to pay for his presidential pipe dream?
Peggy Santschi-Yacoben via Texas Tribune on Facebook
He might actually be successful taking up a collection to run for President in TX.If thats how we get rid of him count me in!
Paul Underbrink via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Promoting Texas, or himself?
Kathi Thomas via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Yep, let's cut fine arts on school so that we can pay millions for Perry to run for President. Make no mistake, the only thing Perry is promoting is Rick Perry,
Karla Bevel via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Sorry ... but we're broke ... no money for education and other necessities needed by Texans ... you've got to be kidding me ... unmitigated gall he has!
David Rutledge via Texas Tribune on Facebook
A very odd set of priorities for spending tax dollars. King Rick?
Toby Marie Walker via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Playing the devil's advocate: What about the President using AF1 to travel around and campaign? That costs a LOT more than anything Governor Perry could even think of! Are you okay with that?
Jimmy Alan Hall via Texas Tribune on Facebook
This Richard Perry choses the nickname of "
Jimmy Alan Hall via Texas Tribune on Facebook
This Richard Perry choses the nickname of "Rick." Isn't another nickname for Richard "Dick" and wouldn't it be more appropriate under these facts?
Bob Brown via Texas Tribune on Facebook
If the president travels on unofficial business either the campiagn or he reimburses the government for that. Now with that said it is seldom that he can't do campaigning around official business.
Sari Hewlett-Pacheco via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Stay home. Take the money you would spend traveling and place it someplace that actually helps someone else.
Debra Haas via Texas Tribune on Facebook
What a hypocrite! I don't want my hard earned money paying for Perry to go on junkets while we are in crisis at home.
Kim Possible via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Not sure he's the best one to tell it.
Dolores Morales via Texas Tribune on Facebook
What an Idiot!
Shelia Enid Cheaney via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Asshat clown
Leo Tynan via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Pride goeth before the fall. A more arrogant, boastful man doesn't exist. He needs to do Texas and the rest of the country a favor and shut the hell up. Does anyone else note the irony that the more he boasts and prays, the more extreme the Texas drought becomes? We are being punished Biblically... and deservedly so for unleashing him on the political landscape.
Kym Munson via Texas Tribune on Facebook
We already pay extra for his house, let him pay or at least supplement
Stephanie Kuykendall Davis via Texas Tribune on Facebook
And Texas Educators would be blessed because he is no longer representing us, please Rick Perry go, chase your dreams, maybe then we can return Texas to the great financially sound state it was before you took over!
Leesa Monroe via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Just waiting for him to crash and burn!!
Karen Hawkins via Texas Tribune on Facebook
What about the texans that think he is an ass clown and don't believe and sincerely hope he would never be president?
Demand Texecutioner Goodhair's Resignation via Texas Tribune on Facebook
thatz like telling your wife she gets all the benefits when you beat the crap out of her.
Mike Openshaw via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Sorry, Dude; you are counting on the Tea Parties for a big chunk of your support and stunts like that will cause it to dissipate pretty quickly. Pick up the check, or it'll cost you a LOT more than the security bill.
Mozelle Osborne via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I think Rick Perry needs to be out, sounds like he is taking all his good life for granted. and to hell with Tx. If he ever cared, he would have accepted the unemployment the government offered people that needed it, but he refused it. But he accepted a lot of money to refurbish his mansion. He's a snake in the grass.
Rudyg43
Wrong! Perry should get security only if he's on state functions, Period! Any other act deems it cost prudent to save taxpayers monies! Any and all travel out of state should be documented and audited for discrepancies or other illegal expenses. Security should be for Perry only! Any other person getting security of any kind should come out of Perry's millions he has accrued on the taxpayers quarter over his past career of public service!
Sean Riley via Texas Tribune on Facebook
What? Don't you want a potential Presidential candidate to be safe?
Carolyn Collier via Texas Tribune on Facebook
i don't think so
Kevin Frazzini via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Yet another politician who grabbed an extra helping when they passed out gall.
LiLi Anne via Texas Tribune on Facebook
oh please!
Carlyn Short via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Sounds like he's planning his "cronyism" on a national/international scale. That can't be good, kinda like our last republican, Texan prez. OMG - where is Molly Ivins when we really need her - I'm sure she's spinning in her grave
Elmo
Lets see, he wants us to pay to protect him while he goes around the USA, he also will not resign from the governor ship and he stays in his 10,000 a month mansion. real conservative
Efrain Alvarado
Texas needs no promotion, especially no promotion associated with Prick Perry as we have come to know him in the HIspanic Texans community... I say run, resign as Gov. and pay your own security, be responsible for your actions, besides nothing will happen to you if you pray real hard. That's just my opinion.
Sebastian St.Troy
Gov. Perry continues to outrage Texans! Every time he opens his mouth, he offends and shows his ignorance of the important issues. Texas has a budget deficient and Texas should NOT be paying for Gov. Perry to run around the country doing public speaking engagements for his book, his apparent preacher want-to-be status, or his unquestioned run for the presidency.
He is only concerned about the fact that if his security detail isn't with him, then he won't be able to continue to enjoy his gay relationships outside of Austin.
NO, Texas should not pay for his travel, his security, or anything else. In fact, it would be best for Texas if he would just resign and go find a church to preach his religion, as politics has no place for religion!
Gerald Tri
I don't understand why he needs protection? I thought he wore a piece on his hip? If he wants to run for president then say so either s@#t or get off the pot. Since he became governor I have never heard of him speaking about religion. All of a sudden he hears a voice telling him to run. If I hear voices I would go to the nearest hospital and check my butt in.
namoyer
When ever Perry is outside of Austin, he's not doing business for TX, and should pay for all travel expenses, including security. What a leech on the public dole...
Demand Texecutioner Goodhair's Resignation via Texas Tribune on Facebook
maybe we should put his face on the flag? will he make a goodwill tour of Mexico?
BayouCrier Comment
The Federal Government will pay for Mr. Perry's security once he formally announces his candidacy. Until then his campaign finance committee will have to pay.
State tax payers should not be paying for the personal ambitions of the govenor.
J. E. Hollan
On the upside if Perry were to be elected President or Vice President, at least we would get him out of Texas. Good riddance. He has probably milked Texas taxpayers for about all he and his financial supporters can get out of us so now he wants to move on to greener pastures. Incidentally, if he runs for national political office, then his security should be paid for out of his campaign donations not with Texas taxpayers money.
Saundra Hopp
Already off to a real bad start.
Wallis Parnelle
Use that $10k month, for his travel expenses. Still can't believe this crook got reelected. Oh well, look at the mess in Washington. Well so I bet a lot of people now see the value of voting, and paying attention.
Blake W Walker via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I did not know the the state had to provide $$ for education, where is that written? I did not know the state was suppose to take care of me or you, if so where is this written? I feel we needed to tighten our belt on the budget, kick some people off the tit.
Only Me
Surprise! Who'd thunk he'd even attempt to do the right thing once his "Christian moral" self returned?
NOT! Old smoke and mirrors is baaaack.