Texans For Kay

“Each day brings another example of Rick Perry’s cronyism in state government and how it hurts Texas. While Perry was running up taxpayer charges to jet across the country for a bachelor party, campaign fundraisers and vacations, DPS was planning to cut its budget for border security. Texans can’t trust a governor who would rather enjoy a night out on the town at a ‘scotch and cigar bar’ than ensure that DPS has needed funds for security at the border,” said Joe Pounder, Texans for Kay spokesman.

Austin, TX – This morning, The Texas Tribune reported that the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is proposing to cut over $10 million in border security funds in order to meet the state’s anticipated budget shortfall. While these are tough budget times, maybe the DPS budget would’ve been in better shape if Rick Perry hadn’t spent over $100,000 in DPS funds last year on a bachelor party in Las Vegas, a vacation in Israel, and meetings with campaign donors in New York. While Perry is traipsing the globe on the taxpayers’ dime, Texans back home are being forced to contend with a less secure border because of DPS cutbacks. Check out the facts below:

FACT: Local Law Enforcement Is Losing Out On Border Security Money Due To DPS Budget Cuts:

Due To “An Anticipated State Budget Shortfall,” DPS Is Proposing A $10.3 Million Cut In Border Security Grants To Local Law Enforcement. “The decision follows a mandate by Perry, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, and House Speaker Joe Straus that state agencies chop 5 percent out of their bottom lines to meet an anticipated state budget shortfall. For the Department of Public Safety, which is already struggling financially, the cut ordered last month will mean a $14.6 million hit, and border security funds could take the brunt. The agency is proposing to cut $10.3 million in border security grants to local law enforcement, according to an internal e-mail from DPS director Steve McCraw obtained by the Tribune.” (Brandi Grissom, “Department Of Public Stimulus,” The Texas Tribune, 2/5/10)

The Hole In Border Funds Could Be Plugged By Federal Stimulus Dollars That Perry “Groused About Taking.” “That hole in border funds, though, could be plugged with $16 million in federal stimulus funds that Perry had already planned to dole out to local agencies for border security operations. Perry groused about taking the $15 billion in stimulus funds that Washington sent to Texas last year and said the money should only be spent on one-time expenditures.” (Brandi Grissom, “Department Of Public Stimulus,” The Texas Tribune, 2/5/10)

But Without The Cut In The DPS Budget, Local Law Enforcement Could Have Received As Much As $26 Million To Help Secure The Border. “Without the 5 percent cut, local law enforcement could have received as much $26 million in grants — the $10 million from DPS, plus the $16 million from stimulus funds — to pay officers overtime for border patrols.” (Brandi Grissom, “Department Of Public Stimulus,” The Texas Tribune, 2/5/10)

FACT: Last Year Alone, Perry Spent Over $100,000 In DPS Money On Taxpayer-Funded Trips:

Perry Spent $12,321 In DPS Funds Last Year So He Could Attend A Bachelor Party In Las Vegas. “Well almost everybody who's been there knows you leave a little money in Las Vegas, but they say you can come back and visit it anytime. Texas taxpayers left a little green there in October, as it turns out. Gov. Rick Perry's went to Vegas on Oct. 24 to attend a bachelor party dinner for his son - oh yes, and to also meet with Brian Sandoval, a Republican candidate for Nevada's governor. The cost for his security detail for the overnight trip - overtime, hotel, airfare, rental cars - was $12,321, according to documents just released by the Department of Public Safety.” (Christy Hoppe, “Rick Perry's Cost For Leaving Las Vegas,” The Dallas Morning News’ “Trail Blazers” Blog, http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com, 1/7/10)

Perry Spent Over $70,000 In DPS Funds Last Year On A Trip To Israel, Where He Stayed At A “Swanky” Hotel And Enjoyed An Evening At A “Scotch And Cigar Bar.” “In August, Perry was given the ‘Defender of Jerusalem’ award. So Perry and his wife flew first class to Israel at more than $5,000 per ticket. The governor's security detail of four Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers was also along for the trip. ... According to state documents, the taxpayers' bill just to take Perry's security officers on the 5-day trip was more than $70,000. The breakdown includes $17,000 for rooms at the swanky King David Hotel, nearly $13,000 for food and more than 350 hours of overtime. ... CBS 11 obtained private emails and found the organizer, Katsof, asked attendees what kind of scotch they preferred for a ‘scotch and cigar bar’ where they would admire ‘a starry Jerusalem.’” (“Perry's Secret Jerusalem Trip Raises Questions,” CBS 11, cbs11tv.com, 10/29/09)

Perry Spent $32,840.66 In DPS Funds Last Year On A Trip To New York, Where He Attended “Four Private Meetings With Campaign Donors.” “Perry's most recent out-of-state trips were to New York City, where he visited NASDAQ and held four private meetings with campaign donors, and to Las Vegas, where he met with Nevada Republican governor candidate Brian Sandoval.” (Kelley Shannon, “Perry Frequent Traveler In 2009,” The Associated Press, 11/14/09; Texas Department Of Public Safety, Public Information Request For Protective Services Bureau Records, 12/30/09)