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Legislator announces a bill that would cap the amount of taxpayer dollars that the governor can spend on housing
Recent reports on Governor Rick Perry’s rental mansion have led one Texas lawmaker to call for reform. State Representative Jim Dunnam, the House Democratic Leader, announced today that he will pre-file legislation to limit the amount of taxpayer dollars available to the Governor to cover living expenses while in office.
“Texas will face an $18 billion budget deficit next session,” said Dunnam. “As working families across Texas tighten their belts, I believe that the Governor should limit his wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars.”
Dunnam’s bill would cap the amount that a Texas Governor is permitted to spend on rent, utilities and upkeep to 200% of the average rent for a reasonably-sized apartment in downtown Austin, excluding all security costs. The definition of “reasonably-sized” and “downtown”, as well as the exact dollar amount, would be determined by the State Preservation Board.
“The Governor would still have access to double the dollars that the average renter pays to live downtown,” said Dunnam. “But at least taxpayers won’t be charged over $10,000 a month to house their Governor.”
Governor Rick Perry was forced to relocate from the state-owned governor’s mansion after an arson attack three years ago. Since 2007, he has spent almost $600,000 in rent on his Austin mansion, all at the taxpayers’ expense. Officials claim it will take another two years to finish its reconstruction.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill White, the former Houston mayor, stated that if elected, he would rent his own home until the mansion is repaired.
“Whether Texans elect a new governor or re-elect Perry for another term, this is a change that needs to be made,” said Dunnam. “We can’t afford to keep this up for over two years - our tax dollars are too precious.”
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