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Rick Perry’s Bizarre, Erratic Comments about the Budget

Feb. 8, 2010 “We have billions in surplus,” Rick Perry said in a television advertisement.

Austin American-Statesman, Perry exaggerates what is available to balance budget, Feb. 13,2010; Politifact 

Jun. 3, 2010

When asked about the $18 billion shortfall, Perry said, “I think it's a number that

somebody just reached up in the air and grabbed."Austin American-Statesman, State budget gap figure of $18 billion is grounded in fact, Jun.

10, 2010; Politifact 

Sep. 7, 2010

When Sen. Kirk Watson requested a new revenue estimate from the Texas

Comptroller, “Perry said it's ‘bizarre’ to ask for a revenue update this early and

that it will come at an appropriate time.” Associated Press, White, Perry disagree on revenue estimate timing, Sep. 7, 2010 

Sep. 10, 2010

"Ramsey followed up by asking if Perry fears that Combs might do something

similar and revise up the budget shortfall - estimated now at between $18 billion

and $20 billion - at the last minute. 'I have no idea,' Perry replied. 'I've got a lot

of confidence in this Comptroller.'"Quorum Report, Lawmakers felt sandbagged when Strayhorn doubled shortfall estimate in

2003; Perry asked why he is ok with Combs current silence, Sep. 10, 2010.

Sep. 10, 2010

"I don't par ticularly think it's a good use of the Comptroller's time to be

doing budget estimates every time somebody pokes their head up out of the

hole..."Quorum Report, Lawmakers felt sandbagged when Strayhorn doubled shortfall estimate in

2003; Perry asked why he is ok with Combs current silence, Sep. 10, 2010. 

Sep. 10, 2010

 “I’m not particularly concerned,” Perry said.Dallas Morning News, Vast Crisis, Vague Ideas, Sep. 12, 2010

Sep. 16, 2010

 “There is some discussion that we ’ll be 10 to 11 billion dollars short of 

revenues relative to the last session’s budget…” Bloomberg Television, Sep. 16, 2010

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Sep. 16, 2010

When asked about the estimated $18-$21 billion budget shortfall on Bloomberg

television, Perry responded, “With all due respect to the Bloomberg reporters, they

don’t know what the budget is in the state of Texas and no one does.” Bloomberg Television, Sep. 16, 2010

Sep. 16, 2010

 “I understand all the speculation and the lets-see-how-big-we-can-make-it, but the

fact of the matter is our comptroller is required by Constitution to give that

estimate. She will in January.” Bloomberg Television, Sep. 16, 2010

Sep. 16, 2010

 “As the chief executive officer of this state, of course I take this seriously.” 

KERA Interview  , Sep. 16, 2010 

Sep. 16, 2010

Q: How bad to you think the deficit is going to be?

 “I will use Senator Ogden, who I think is one of the brightest, most capable,

knowledgeable people, and he says somewhere around 10 to 11 billion dollars is

what the workable shortfall…” Perry said.

KERA Interview  , Sep. 16, 2010 

Sep. 16, 2010

 “The idea that everyone is trying to pinpoint five months, six months away from

when the budget will be written exactly what the resources is. I think it’s anexercise that is not particularly productive.”  

KERA Interview  , Sep. 16, 2010 

Sep. 16, 2010

 “If [Bill White] wants to be the budget forecaster for the state of Texas, that’s a

different job it’s called the comptroller. He obviously ran for the wrong job. He

needs to run for comptroller not governor.” 

KERA Interview  , Sep. 16, 2010 

Sep. 18, 2010 “With all due respect to everybody that's out there saying it's this much or it's that

much ... I will tell you that somewhere between 21 and 10's probably right,” 

Perry said.Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Perry says state prepared to deal with rocky economy, posted Sep.

18, 2010