Press Releases

Bill White Hiding His Wealth After Making Houston’s Disappear

As Bill White hides his wealth from Texans by refusing to release his income tax returns, the truth about his fiscal mismanagement of Houston is being revealed to the public.

“It would nice for the public to see if Bill White handles his own finances better than the city of Houston’s, but we may never know because he is refusing to release his own tax returns,” said Texans for Rick Perry spokesman Mark Miner. “What is Bill White hiding? The current Houston mayor is now talking about furloughs and layoffs as she attempts to clean up the mess Bill White left for her, while he continues to hide from Texans the truth about how much he made personally while spending Houston into the financial mess it is now facing.”

“For years now, we have spent more money than we have taken in. You can't spend more than you earn. It is a very unbusinesslike approach to running things.”

- Houston Mayor Annise Parker, Houston Chronicle, March 11, 2010

Bill White Hiding His Taxes and Denying His Trial Lawyer Background

Former Houston Mayor Bill White continues to refuse to release his tax returns, but the truth about the first part of his hidden fortune is already public knowledge: he got rich as a trial lawyer.

“Bill White is trying to prevent the public from learning the truth about his multi-million dollar fortune, but no matter how long he hides his taxes, the fact remains that he first became rich as a trial lawyer,” said Texans for Rick Perry spokesman Mark Miner.

Statement from Texans for Rick Perry spokesman Mark Miner:

“Bill White has a tax problem – he won’t rule out raising taxes for Texans and refuses to release his own tax returns. His opposition to transparency raises questions about what he is afraid of and what he is hiding regarding his own personal fortune and how he may have profited during his six years as Houston’s mayor.”

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today received the endorsement of the Automotive Parts and Services Association for re-election in 2010.

“The Automotive Parts and Services Association (APSA) is pleased to announce our endorsement of Rick Perry for the office of governor of the state of Texas,” said Jim Quinten, president of APSA. “Governor Perry has steadfastly fought for an environment supportive of small and independent businesses. Through his actions to bring meaningful tort reform, proactive economic development, job creation and conservative fiscal management, Texas has remained the number one business climate in the nation. The automotive aftermarket here continues to thrive due to the governor’s leadership.”

The Automotive Parts and Services Association was founded in 1932 as the Automotive Wholesalers of Texas. APSA serves over 600 Texas members with approximately 1200 locations throughout the state. Members include independent auto parts retailers, machine shops, engine rebuilders, paint stores, service and collision repair shops. APSA members average eight employees per location.

“I am honored to have the endorsement of the Automotive Parts and Services Association,” said Gov. Perry. “Small business owners are the backbone of the Texas economy. I look forward to continuing our work together to keep the tax burden low and a predictable regulatory climate available for those who continue to risk their capital in the Lone Star State.”

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today received the endorsement of the Texas Travel Industry Association for re-election in 2010.

“Here in Texas, we are fortunate to know that we live in a state that is the envy of the nation,” said David Dunham, Chairman of the Texas Travel Industry Association’s Legislative Affairs Committee. “Not only do our citizens recognize how fortunate we are because of low taxes and opportunity, but people from across the world are rushing to visit Texas and see what our greatness is all about. From promoting our film industry to attracting the Super Bowl, from business development to maintaining public safety, Gov. Perry has been on the forefront of making Texas a premier, global travel destination. The Texas Travel Industry Association passionately supports Gov. Perry for re-election.”

The Texas Travel Industry Association (TTIA) is a nonprofit organization made up of over 800 businesses, organizations, associations and individuals dedicated to developing Texas tourism to its fullest potential. TTIA and its members work together to meet this goal in several ways: by building a strong, on-going program of work to support tourism initiatives across the state; by linking with affiliated groups to assist in their tourism activities; and by charting a course for the future of the tourism industry to ensure its preeminence as a powerful, positive force. TTIA's purpose is to help ensure the most effective tourism program possible, by complementing and maximizing the results of promotional efforts of private businesses, city and regional organizations and the State of Texas.

“It’s no secret that people vote with their feet when they come to Texas,” said Gov. Perry. “We are committed to keeping Texas a top destination for tourists and ensuring our travel industry continues to excel by highlighting what our great state has to offer.”

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today received the endorsement of Dr. Arthur B. Laffer, founder and chairman of Laffer Associates who is widely known as the economic guru behind former President Ronald Reagan’s policies of supply-side economics.

“Governor Perry understands sound economic principles, including the fact that tax cuts and restrained spending stimulate private sector growth and opportunity,” said Laffer. “The Texas economy continues to outperform the nation, and that is testament to policies that limit taxation, reduce frivolous litigation, and provide predictable regulation. I endorse Governor Perry as the best candidate to keep Texas on strong financial footing.”

Dr. Arthur B. Laffer is the founder and chairman of Laffer Associates, an economic research and consulting firm that provides global investment-research services to institutional asset managers, pension funds, financial institutions, and corporations. Dr. Laffer’s economic acumen and influence in triggering a world-wide tax-cutting movement in the 1980s have earned him the distinction in many publications as The Father of Supply-Side Economics. Dr. Laffer was a member of President Reagan’s Economic Policy Advisory Board for both of his two terms (1981-1989). He was a member of the Executive Committee of the Reagan/Bush Finance Committee in 1984 and was a founding member of the Reagan Executive Advisory Committee for the presidential race of 1980. Dr. Laffer has been widely acknowledged for his economic achievements. Recently he was noted in Time Magazine’s March 29, 1999, cover story The Century s Greatest Minds for inventing the Laffer Curve, which it deemed one of a few of the advances that powered this extraordinary century . He was listed in A Dozen Who Shaped the 80s, in the Los Angeles Times on Jan. 1, 1990, and in A Gallery of the Greatest People Who Influenced Our Daily Business, in the Wall Street Journal on June 23, 1989. Dr. Laffer received a B.A. in economics from Yale University in 1963. He received a MBA and a Ph.D. in economics from Stanford University in 1965 and 1972 respectively.

“I am honored and humbled to have the support of one of the greatest financial minds in our country, Dr. Art Laffer,” said Gov. Perry. “His work has set a precedent and model for fiscal conservatives. Here in Texas, I am proud of the work we have done to follow in his example to keep the tax burden low on businesses and provide a fair and predictable regulatory climate. I look forward to building upon our successful efforts to continue to keep Texas strong and prosperous.”

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry proudly received the support of the Texas Beverage Association for re-election in 2010.

“The men and women of the Texas beverage community – from bottlers to distributors to franchisers – have Gov. Perry to thank for creating a business climate that benefits our industry,” said Brenda Eschberger, Executive Director of the Texas Beverage Association. “Fiscal restraint, low taxes, economic development and being a champion of the business community have been hallmarks of Gov. Perry’s tenure. The Texas Beverage Association enthusiastically endorses Gov. Rick Perry.”

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today received the endorsement of Pat Carlson, president of the Texas Eagle Forum, for re-election in 2010.

“Gov. Perry is the only conservative leader in this race willing to make the hard choices to address the needs of Texas families,” said Carlson. “He has been an unyielding advocate for the rights of the unborn and protecting Texas families. Texas was last in and will be first out of one of the worst recessions in U.S. history because of his stewardship over our state’s economy. On every issue important to Texas, Gov. Perry is the obvious choice in this race.”

Carlson has served as president of the Texas Eagle Forum since 2009. She is a member of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Advisory Council, board member of the Trinity River Authority and a Republican Precinct Chairman.

“I am grateful for Pat’s leadership on important fiscal and social issues important to Texas families,” said Gov. Perry. “I am honored to have the support of a proven conservative like her in this election. Texas has been resilient in overcoming obstacles because of conservative principles, economic restraint and putting families first. I will continue to make these principles my top priorities as governor.”

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry proudly received the support of the Texas Wildlife Association (TWA) for his re-election campaign.

“Texas Wildlife Association is proud to once again support Rick Perry for Governor,” said Tina Y. Buford, president of TWA. “He has a terrific understanding of land stewardship, hunting, and conservation issues, and he was a leading proponent in the passing of the Prop 11 constitutional amendment on eminent domain reform in 2008. We look forward to working with the governor on efforts to achieve further meaningful eminent domain reform in the Legislature.”

“The TWA candidate selection policy has remained consistent through our history, and we continue to support our long-term friends in office that have helped with our private landowner, hunting and conservation issues,” said Dr. Wallace Klussmann, legislative committee chairman for TWA. “Governor Perry understands and supports issues important to the economic well-being of rural Texas. He has made great decisions and appointments in areas and issues affecting our members, and we are glad to put TWA’s support behind his campaign.”

The Texas Wildlife Association is a statewide membership organization that actively advocates for wildlife and natural resource conservation at the local, state, and national levels.

“I am honored to have the support of the Texas Wildlife Association,” said Gov. Perry. “The TWA is a tremendous partner in protecting our state’s natural resources.”