Governor’s rent costing Texas $10k

AUSTIN, Texas — With the state facing a budget shortfall of at least $11 billion, Governor Rick Perry has spent almost $600,000 in public money during the past two years to live in a sprawling rental home in the hills above the capital while the state-owned governor’s mansion is rebuilt.

It costs more than $10,000 a month to house Perry in a five-bedroom, seven-bath mansion that has a gourmet kitchen and three dining rooms, records show.

Perry has also spent $130,000 in campaign donations on parties, food and drink, cable TV, and other things.