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March 23, 2006
A Shot Across The Bough
As the 2006 political season in Texas begins to heat up, relations between Governor Rick Perry and fellow Republican State Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn have gotten downright chilly. It's no secret that Strayhorn is no admirer of the Guv's -- in fact, she wants his job. So, while her campaign to gather enough signatures to get on the ballot as an independent continues, Strayhorn, in her official capacity as Comptroller is taking a shot at Perry and (perhaps not coincidentally) is getting her own name in the papers.
Strayhorn announced yesterday that the State of Texas is suspending payments to a lobby firm hired by the Governor's office, pending an investigation into possible misuse of taxpayer money. She began the investigation after the Houston Chronicle reported that the firm, Cassidy & Associates, spent $7,600 to host an event for Tom DeLay's Americans for a Republican Majoirty just days after receiving a $15,000 monthly payment from the State of Texas. (Is every single allegation of Republican wrongdoing these days somehow connected to DeLay?) If state money was used to pay for the event, that would be an illegal use of taxpayer dollars.
Not surprisingly, the Governor's office has taken great umbrage at Ms. Strayhorn's allegations, and has accused her of creating a publicity stunt to advance her own nascent candidacy for Governor. In turn, Perry spokeswoman Kathy Walt fired back that as Comptroller, Strayhorn had inappropriately reduced the tax bills of companies who had given her political contributions. This thing is getting so nasty so early!
This latest dust-up is just a trailer for this fall's feature blockbuster -- Texas Republican Death Match 2006: Goodhair vs. Grandma. We'll be in the front row with popcorn and Twizzlers in hand. This action-comedy is gonna be one good movie.
Posted by houtopia at March 23, 2006 10:08 AM