Thursday, August 17, 2006
Rick Perry...corrupt closet case
I have a feeling that the closeted governor of Texas, Rick Perry, won't come out so easily:
Perry's top donors get business, appointments:
A handful of super-rich political contributors, giving at least $25,000 a year, will put at least $10 million into Gov. Rick Perry's re-election treasury, forming an elite fundraising corps that the campaign calls the Century Council.
In exchange, donors who pledge to give at least $100,000 get invitations to private luncheons with the governor. And many are beneficiaries of government business, plum appointments and other state largesse.
Three Century Council members have lucrative contracts to help build Mr. Perry's multibillion-dollar toll-road initiative. The state has deposited millions in investment funds operated by three other top-tier givers. And 16 are Perry appointees to coveted boards, including the Parks and Wildlife Commission and state university regent boards.
A Perry campaign spokesman says the donors get no special treatment.
