Rick Perry: Living Like Katy Perry
For those of you who do not know, Katy Perry is a young singer/songwriter, but that is not important. What is important (is it?) is that Rick Perry is living a life of luxury on the taxpayer dime. I read this article about how much money ($10,000/month) taxpayers here in Texas are forking over for Perry to live a life of luxury while the governor's mansion is being repaired from a fire in 2008. Now, my first reaction is to rationalize this, "well look at Obama, he is constantly flying everywhere with taxpayer funded jets and helicopters, golfing every chance he can, and I'm sure the bills aren't cheap at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue."
However, I was taught that two wrongs don't make a right. What say you Ricochet, should Rick Perry adopt the same stance as Huckabee and live in a trailer while the governor's mansion is repaired? Would we expect the President to do the same? Is it even fair to compare a governor's lifestyle with that of the POTUS? Should this disqualify Rick Perry from the Tea Party support? What about support from the Ricochetoise?
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Aug '10
Re: Rick Perry: Living Like Katy Perry
Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Britain's Prime Minister have to pay rent on the residence at 10 Downing Street?
If it's good enough for the PM, it should be good enough for a state governor.
May '10
Re: Rick Perry: Living Like Katy Perry
I may not like Rick Perry for other reasons (Trans Texas Corridor, ahem ahem), but this strikes me as not very relevant. Sure it's extravagant, but we're talking about one of the biggest states in the Union. Not a good image, but to me, not a big deal.
Jun '10
Re: Rick Perry: Living Like Katy Perry
This is really bad!
Why can't he tone it down, or live in his own home --- presumably he lived somewhere before being elected. Living in a trailer is just silly & theatrical, so I wouldn't advise that. But he even charges the taxpayers for his Food & WIne magazine subsctiption. His opponents will have a fun time spreading this story around.
May '10
Re: Rick Perry: Living Like Katy Perry
Misthiocracy: Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Britain's Prime Minister have to pay rent on the residence at 10 Downing Street?
If it's good enough for the PM, it should be good enough for a state governor.
Agreed.
Dec '10
Re: Rick Perry: Living Like Katy Perry
The main thing missed in the article is whose decision it was to rent that house and who has the purse strings to pay for it. Without that information it is hard to pass judgement on Perry. The curtains and magazine subscription are more suspect to me than the house.
Feb '11
Re: Rick Perry: Living Like Katy Perry
I think a comparison to the POTUS is a more apt analysis to a Governor in America (because they are in the same country); but nonetheless I do not think the PM pays for 10 Downing Street, at least not for home improvements (that is for sure). I could not find any evidence of rental payments although it sounds like it is taxpayer subsidized. Does that mean Governor Perry should pay the same thing (i.e., nothing)?
Edited on Jul 13, 2011 at 10:26amJul '10
Re: Rick Perry: Living Like Katy Perry
Presumably, Governor Perry has ceremonial obligations - state dinners and the like. With the Governor's mansion out of commission, it's reasonable for him to occupy a suitable home.
And let's have a little perspective: the $700,000 he's spent on that home over four years is less than the cost of Michele Obama's two vacations in Spain and Africa, and far, far less than what Barack Obama has spent jetting around on thinly-veiled fundraising expeditions.
Feb '11
Re: Rick Perry: Living Like Katy Perry
Kenneth: Presumably, Governor Perry has ceremonial obligations - state dinners and the like. With the Governor's mansion out of commission, it's reasonable for him to occupy a suitable home.
And let's have a little perspective: the $700,000 he's spent on that home over four years is less than the cost of Michele Obama's two vacations in Spain and Africa, and far, far less than what Barack Obama has spent jetting around on thinly-veiled fundraising expeditions. · Jul 13 at 10:18am
Kenneth, both good points! Especially the comparison to the extravagant lifestyle of the Obama's, but does that mean we should condone this, or Obama's $200 million/day trip to India?
Sep '10
Re: Rick Perry: Living Like Katy Perry
Governor Rick Perry can hang a big banner laying out the number of new jobs created by Texas compared to the rest of the country and I think that puts the place in perspective. By that measure, he should have a shack like the Sultan of Brunei.
Mar '11
Re: Rick Perry: Living Like Katy Perry
Sorry, I just can't work up any anger over this. Texas is in good shape financially, the Governor's Mansion is being repaired, and as Kenneth pointed out, the official residence of the Governor isn't just a place to sleep. It serves other functions of the Guv's office too. You can't just stick him in a Motel 6. Frankly, $10K a month doesn't sound bad at all for a place of that size. I bet that if you compared it to normal expenses for the Governor's mansion, it wouldn't be that far off.
Aug '10
Re: Rick Perry: Living Like Katy Perry
I know the PM used to pay rent on 10 Downing Street, at least way back in the late 70s/early 80s, and that back then he was responsible for his own meals and such.
The first episode of Yes Prime Minister satirized the arrangement.
However, I fully admit that I also cannot find any information online about who currently pays for the PM's living expenses.
Jul '10
Re: Rick Perry: Living Like Katy Perry
At least he's not sleeping with Russell Brand.
Jun '11
Re: Rick Perry: Living Like Katy Perry
A quick Bing search shows that USA Today ran this story in September of 2007. Yes, 2007. The Puffington Host trotted it out on May 17, 2010. Interesting that Real Clear Politics is doing a relaunch now... If it hasn't bothered the people of Texas since it became news nearly 4 years ago it sure isn't any of my business. I haven't lived in Texas since 1983.
Nov '10
Re: Rick Perry: Living Like Katy Perry
1. Has anyone figured out how much is too much? What is the cost of the alternative that reasonable minds would believe to be an acceptable alternative?
2. If Perry were in the Governor's mansion during this time, what would be the cost of keeping him there? I'm guessing more than $10,000.00 per month. Can't the case be made that $10k per month is actually a savings to the taxpayers?
3. Isn't the real culprit in this the arsonist who booted Perry out of the Gov's mansion? Why are we blaming the victim?
4. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Al Gore's electric bill alone over $30,000 per year? Why yes, it is! http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/national_world&id=5072659. Seriously, $10k/month would not touch a "real" mansion in Austin, heck I know guys around here paying way more than $10k/month, and though they live a pretty decent life, they're far from being "richer than Roosevelt."
5. Does anybody really give a rat's red rear about this issue?
Aug '10
Re: Rick Perry: Living Like Katy Perry
i think they ought to pay Rick Perry 1/10% of all new revenue generated by new industry in Texas since the time he took office. After all, he was partially responsible for it and should be treated like any other CEO in a public company. As for his house, give him Michael Dell's in Austin, or let him stay with Sandra Bullock. Who cares ???
This is democrat bait, don't nibble just pull the plug in the boat.
May '10
Re: Rick Perry: Living Like Katy Perry
I don't know from Texas, but $10,000/month would not suitably house a governor in San Francisco.
Re: Rick Perry: Living Like Katy Perry
I was about to make the same comment! The houses down the street from me (houses, not mansions) are rented for well over $10,000 per month.
If anything, the fact that one can rent out a mansion and estate in Texas for only $10,000 per month is a huge advertisement for the state. Ready to pack my bags and go out to Texas where I can live like a queen on a budget!
Apr '11
Re: Rick Perry: Living Like Katy Perry
Slow news day?
Re: Rick Perry: Living Like Katy Perry
Mansion? That pool looks to be about 30 feet long. That means the house is only slightly bigger.
I've been in rooms bigger than that.
$10K a month? Don't fire the Governor - fire his realtor.
Mar '11
Re: Rick Perry: Living Like Katy Perry
I don't think he pays rent, but he does pay council tax (the UK equivalent of property tax). He also has a nice country house - the arrangement is called "grace and favour".
MP's (equivalent of US Congress, err, people) get expenses for accommodation in London, which led to a big scandal a few years ago.
I think Mr Perry should get equivalent accommodation to his mansion, while it is being repaired.
How about performance-related pay and benefits for Governors and Presidents?
In which case, Mr Obama should live in a tent, and get around on his bicycle - to save the planet.
Edited on Jul 13, 2011 at 1:19pm