Perry says Hutchison slacking on duties

AUSTIN (AP/KXAN) - Gov. Rick Perry took aim at Republican rival Kay Bailey Hutchison, suggesting she is not doing her job as a U.S. senator.

Perry criticized the more than $800 billion federal stimulus package that is before Congress, telling reporters Monday in Austin that it does not contain enough tax cuts. He lashed out at Hutchison for an appearance she made in Austin. He suggested she should not be campaigning for another job in Texas when she is not tending to her current one in the Senate.

Perry asked why Hutchison thinks she can lead a state, "when she can't do the job she was hired to do in Washington."

Hutchison criticized Perry's job performance earlier Monday regarding an angry letter he sent to Robert Rowling, the vice-chair of UT's board of regents last week.

"I think the letter that was written the night before the hearing was not well thought out and I think it might have spurred some insensitive remarks that were made," said Hutchison regarding the letter. "I think it was kind of a set up and I think it's wrong. Robert Rowling is one of the finest people that I know," added Hutchison after being asked about the resignation of Rowling from UTIMCO. "He's a person that has built a national company. He's kept the headquarters in Texas he's built about 10,000 jobs. I think it is so important that when people volunteer their time in our state government even if there is a disagreement about substance that we would treat them well."

Perry denied the claim that Perry set up the UTIMCO controversy simply because of Rowling's support of Hutchison.

"I would have reacted the same to a CEO getting a million dollar bonus for any other company that is failing," said Perry.

The fight between Perry and Hutchison has been heating up as it gets closer to the 2010 gubernatorial election. Meanwhile, the Texas Democratic Party also slammed Hutchison, saying she was shirking her duties to Washington to play politics in Texas. Hutchison went back to Washington on Monday. She announced Thursday that she would not vote for the stimulus package as it stands.

 

 

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