The governor’s airfare, hotel bills and security costs are paid for with a mix of campaign and private and public money. And state laws allow the governor to keep confidential much of the cost of his travels.
The Texas Tribune has tracked Mr. Perry’s out-of-state appearances since his re-election last year. Between his previous travels and his forthcoming itinerary, he is on pace to make at least 46 stops before November.
Mark Miner, Mr. Perry’s spokesman, said the governor tries to make the most of all his trips. For instance, Mr. Perry often holds side meetings with leaders from the private sector. “No matter where he goes, a major goal of his is to attract businesses to either relocate to this state or create new jobs in Texas,” Mr. Miner said…
Mr. Perry’s journeys around the country and the world have come under scrutiny in the past. Critics like Keith Elkins, the executive director of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, said the few records that had been released to the public included rentals for a golf cart and scuba gear during an economic development trip Mr. Perry made to the Bahamas in 2005.
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