Donors Pay for Perry’s Vacation, Cable

Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s swagger doesn’t come cheaply: Thanks to the state’s lax ethics and campaign laws, rich Texans have paid for the governor's airfare, stays at luxury hotels, tickets to sporting events and concerts, and a vacation to Colorado. They've even helped pay the cable bill at his 4,600-square-foot mansion. Additionally, Perry has accepted many gifts over the years, including 22 pairs of cowboy boots. Perry, however, has been cited for only a minor ethics violation, although he also paid more than $400,000 last year to settle a lawsuit alleging he accepted illegal contributions.