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.
Here is what the taxpayer dollars are going towards, based on great research by Jay Root at the Associated Press:
$18,000 for "consumables" such as household supplies and cleaning products
$1,001.46 in window drapes from Neiman Marcus
$1,000 "emergency repair" for an ice machine
$700 clothes rack
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