AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ The Associated Press says records it examined show Gov. Rick Perry has squeaked over the millionaire line thanks to his investments and a series of private land deals.
Some of the deals took advantage of his political connections
Perry’s Democratic opponents have suggested that Perry traded on his power and influence to turn a buck. Now that he is in a tough primary for a third full term, Perry’s Republican opponent, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, is raising the same accusations.
Perry aides say the governor has benefited from nothing more than strong business acumen and good timing. He has also lost some dough along the way, most notably last year, when a trust fund he owns took a huge hit during the Wall Street meltdown and shed more than a half million dollars in short and long-term losses, tax records show.