Security for Perry's Asia trip cost $129,000

[sonias]

AAS 9/20/10
Security for Perry's Asia trip cost $129,000

Officers who protect Gov. Rick Perry on out-of-state trips cost taxpayers more than $129,000 for his 12-day trip to Asia in June, according to figures obtained by The Associated Press on Monday.

Lawyers for the state have fought in court to keep secret the details of Texas Department of Public Safety security costs for Perry's travel. DPS does release totals for expense categories — such as airfare, hotels and overtime — and those costs for Perry's trip to China, Taiwan and Korea were obtained by the AP under a Texas Public Information Act request.

Perry, a Republican who has been criticized by political opponents for his out-of-state travel, has said his trip led to greater exposure for Texas business opportunities in Asia.

A spokeswoman for Democrat Bill White, Perry's opponent in the governor's race, criticized the governor. Katy Bacon said Perry should "stop hiding the facts on fiscal issues like what he's charging taxpayers for travel."

The Asia travel costs of the governor and first lady Anita Perry were paid by TexasOne, a fundraising program for the Texas Economic Development Corp., Perry's office has said. His office did not immediately return messages Monday.

Yes while Rick and Anita Perry vacation in exotic places in Asia, and live in an exclusive gated mansion at the cost of $10,000 a month paid for by the Texas taxpayers, they expect everyone else to cut back their expenses. :nuke: