Here’s how Perry’s double-dipping compares to other top paid governors.
| Rank | State | Governor | 2012 Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | Rick Perry | $242,000 ($150,000 salary + $92,000 state pension) |
| 2 | Pennsylvania | Tom Corbett | $183,225 |
| 3 | New York | Andrew Cuomo | $179,000 |
| 4 | Illinois | Pat Quinn | $177,412 |
| 5 | Michigan | Rick Snyder | $177,000 |
Perry has been Governor of Texas going on 13 years, but his high pay is not due to seniority. Perry takes more than his share from taxpayers through a loophole – he double dips.
While a state-by-state survey of all potential income is not yet completed, Rick Perry appears to be the only governor in the nation who draws a fulltime salary from the state payroll office AND takes full payment as a state retiree. Perry gets $150,000 each year for serving as governor, but then he gets another $92,000 as though he is a retiree. Perry’s double-dipping payments of course are on top of his free housing, transportation and travel also covered by Texas taxpayers.
Perry pay is top tier – other TX public servants lag behind
While Perry tops the list of states for governor’s compensation, the news is not so good for Texas teachers and firefighters
Texas teacher salaries rank 38th in the nation at just over $48,000 per year, down seven spots from just two years ago. Firefighters in Texas have been hurt too. Budget cuts have damaged the ability of local fire departments to meet basic needs, forcing some firefighters to pay for essential equipment out of their own pockets.
