Rick & Anita Pick Out A Home Away From Home
September 26th, 2007 at 9:59 pm
Word broke early Wednesday afternoon that Texas’ first couple have settled on a home away from home while the Texas Governor’s Mansion is renovated. It’s a cozy pad — only five bedrooms and five bathrooms, three stories, and one pool — and one measely guest house, and, oh yeah, a cabana house.
It will cost the state of Texas $9,900 per month starting Oct. 1. The official tenant on the lease is “The State of Texas” and the lease is signed by Ed Johnson, the executive director of the Texas Facilities Commission.
Rick and Anita have a year lease on the home with a month-to-month option thereafter. It is located in what can only be called unincorporated Austin — technically Travis County — just west of Westlake Hills nestled between golf courses. It’s a ritzy, gated community.
The fact that the house is not located inside the Austin city limits seems contrary to the directive in the Texas Constitution which states:
Sec. 13. RESIDENCE OF GOVERNOR. During the session of the Legislature the Governor shall reside where its sessions are held, and at all other times at the seat of Government, except when by act of the Legislature, he may be required or authorized to reside elsewhere.
Perry’s office said Wednesday they interpreted “seat of government” to mean “Austin” — but when it was pointed out that it’s not technically in the city, a spokesperson said that Barton Creek was certainly a part of Austin. It’s a minor point and all, but the law is the law…
As we have said, it sours the stomach that Texas taxpayers are bearing the cost and the estimated $10 million it will take to have the pipes fixed back at the mansion — for Mr. 39%. Come on, Rick. We know you have it. Why don’t you offer to pay half?
The pet deposit (for a rambunctious, five-and-a-half-year-old Dachsund) is listed on the lease at $1,800. Somebody is getting ripped off here, and I don’t think it’s the Perrys.
