TXU Donates To Perry - Gets Fast-Track For Plants

Governor Perry has recently accused Grandma of using her state office for her own political gain. Maybe he should have been looking in the mirror. It now looks like he has some questionable political donations himself. TXU made some donations to Perry's campaign around the time they were wanting the governor to fast-track approval of several new power plants, and some are wondering if a quid pro quo existed.

Tom "Smitty" Smith, Texas director of Public Citizen, believes TXU is trying to rush approval of the new plants before they can be forced to consider cleaner [and more expensive] technology. Smith says, "The fast-tracking of these plants is due to a secret deal between Gov. Rick Perry and TXU last October."

Here is how it all came down:

Perry receives $16,000 from TXU in years of 2002 and 2003.

On October 27, 2005 Perry signs the order fast-tracking the new power plants, and receives $2,000 from Erle Nye, ex-TXU chairman, who had retired in June of 2005.

In November 2005, TXU donates $5,000 to Perry campaign.

In April 2006, Perry and TXU jointly announce the building of the new plants, and Perry receives $25,000 from TXU.

Of course, the Perry campaign claims the donations and the fast-tracking had nothing to do with each other. For me though, this just doesn't pass the smell test - smells like corruption to me. The Republicans are so used to corruption being "business as usual", that they don't even try to hide it anymore. Hell, they even let corporations write the bills that affect them.

Remember, a vote for Republicans in November is a vote for the continuation of the corrupt corporate gravy train. The only way to cut corruption is to vote the Republicans out of office. Let's start with Rick Perry.