Rick Perry is courting the Tea Party and the far right, Sarah Palin wing of the Republican Party. Why then is he spending $9,000 a month of taxpayer dollars on a rental mansion?
While living in this mansion, Perry compared himself to hurricane evacuees who lost their homes. While Texas families tighten their belts, why should we pay for Perry's extravagant rental mansion?
As we wrote on September 2008, Perry once said, "I absolutely understand they want to get back to their homes ... I'd like to get back to the mansion."
The Governor's Mansion, a designated National Historic Landmark, is set for a facelift starting this fall. In addition to new plumbing, the project will include lead and asbestos abatement and an effort to preserve some of the historic pine wood used around the windows.
Since moving in October 2007, Perry has spent over $300,000 in rent, in addition to a $9,900 security deposit, and the state paid a $1,800 pet deposit.
That's fiscal conservatism at work.
If the video and amount don't upset you, read an original write up of the rental mansion on CBS 11.
