FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Part-Time Perry ignores $18 billion budget hole
Incumbent’s schedule shows an average seven hour work week
AUSTIN — Today Bill White hammered Rick Perry for failing to address the state’s $18 billion budget crisis. White pledged that as governor, he’ll get taxpayers their money’s worth.
Perry’s state schedules released today show that from January to May 2010 Perry did not work on the budget crisis, or, it appears, much of anything. Schedules are available at www.billwhitefortexas.com/parttimeperry.
"As governor, I’ll make sure Texas taxpayers get their money’s worth – a full work week from the CEO," said White. "It’s no wonder the state was unprepared for an $18 billion shortfall, when the governor puts in so few hours."
"Like most career politicians, Rick Perry has lost sight of who he answers to," said Katy Bacon, campaign spokesperson. "Bill White is a successful businessman who never would’ve allowed Texas to plummet into this ditch of debt. Leadership starts at the top, but Perry’s sticking his head in the sand on the budget crisis because it’s inconvenient for his political career."
In 21 weeks of work, Perry enjoyed 16 long weekends and worked an average of seven hours per week. Press conferences, photo ops, lunches and conferences accounted for 60% of his "work" time.
- 38 of 106 – business days with no state work scheduled
- 7 hours – average work week scheduled
- 29 – number of photo ops
- 0 – meetings on $18 billion budget hole
No meetings or phone calls were scheduled regarding the $18 billion budget crisis, though Perry did have a meeting with Newt Gingrich and attended the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington D.C.
Contact:
Katy Bacon
press@billwhitefortexas.com
713.613.5326