Security costs for Perry’s out-of-state trips top $2.6 million
Texas taxpayers have picked up another $126,982 for Gov. Rick Perry’s security detail on out-of-state trips, bringing the total to more than $2.6 million since his re-election.
The Texas Department of Public Safety compiles the cost of Perry’s security detail on a quarterly basis, based on the state fiscal year that starts Sept. 1. The latest report includes expenses through May. Besides costs for the preceding three months, it includes expenses from earlier trips whose bills have since come in.
Trips covered by the latest report include the security detail accompanying Perry to California, where he sought to attract business to Texas; Palm Beach, where he appeared with Florida Gov. Rick Scott at a forum; and Washington, D.C. He spoke at CPAC, the Conservative Political Action Conference, near Washington in March.
Perry’s direct travel costs generally are covered by his campaign or other means.
It also includes February security expenses for a trip to Tennessee. Perry in February tweeted a much-noted photo of himself with Clay Walker, saying they were watching the A&M v Vanderbilt game together.
More at http://blog.chron.com/texaspolitics/2013/07/security-costs-for-perrys-out-of-state-trips-top-2-6-million/ .
