Read the article in the Express-News.
AND
Read the article in the Express-News.
Perry’s re-election tour stops in S.A.
Web Posted: 01/11/2006 02:45 PM CST
Peggy Fikac
Chief, Express-News Austin Bureau
Targeted by critics over his use of a state economic development fund, Gov. Rick Perry emphasized job creation as he brought his re-election tour to the Alamo City today with a rally at a textile company.
Perry cited successful efforts to lure Toyota and the Washington Mutual expansion, telling a crowd topping 200 at Reyes Industries that they came to San Antonio “because they saw the type of leadership that would work with the state to create those jobs” and because Texas “went out and aggressively fought for those jobs we brought home to San Antonio with incentives.”
“I happen to think that that’s working pretty well. Somebody wants to complain about the Texas enterprise fund, I tell em you go to San Antonio and complain first,” Perry said.
Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn, a Republican officeholder and independent hopeful for governor, has criticized the fund as a slush fund and suggested the money could better be used elsewhere. Democratic candidate Chris Bell also has lobbed criticism at its use by Perry.
The crowd was the largest Perry has drawn on the second day of his three day tour of Texas. Two employees of the company said employees were required to be there, with one adding they took lunch early to be able to make the event. Other Perry supporters also came to the facility, which had a line of protestors outside, mostly campaigning against creating toll roads.
The tour will continue today to Corpus Christi, Brownsville and El Paso.