While Rick Perry fails to disclose how he became a multi-millionaire while in public office for a quarter century, his business ties continue to be troubling. In the wake of one of the worse environmental disasters, Perry has turned the Governor's mansion into a public relations house for British Petroleum (BP).
It makes sense he would be quick to defend the multi-billion dollar, multi-national energy company, they been scratching each others backs for years.
When Rick Perry needed to raise money to restore the Governor's Mansion after a major fire, he turned to his friends at BP. According to the Austin American-Statesman, "The largest donation is $250,000 from energy giant BP America." (Source: Austin American-Statesman, January 30, 2009)
Perry paid BP for jobs already in Texas Perry gave BP $750,000 to create 150 jobs in League City, Texas. It was soon revealed that, "50 already work for BP and live in the area." One expert called it, "a classic case of getting paid for doing what you're going to do anyway." (The Houston Chronicle, January 13, 2005)
Perry has been widely criticized for his Texas Enterprise Fund after a report revealed that almost half of the companies that received taxpayer dollars have, "failed or struggled to meet job goals." The companies, including key player in the subprime mortgage market Countrywide Home Loans, have been given a total of $363 million taxpayer dollars. (Source: Austin American-Statesman, January 28, 2010)
This is a tragedy. If Rick Perry wants to be the spokesperson and defend BP, then I am sure Bill White would be happy to take over as the Governor of Texas.
