Rick Perry’s record on race in Texas is a mixed bag

dallasnews.com
By CHRISTY HOPPE and WAYNE SLATER
Austin Bureau
Published: 03 October 2011 10:58 PM



Texas Gov. Rick Perry sampled chili with Manchester, N.H., Mayor Ted Gatsas at a chili Cookoff on Saturday.


AUSTIN — Racial divisions still run through Texas, and they swallowed part of Gov. Rick Perry’s presidential campaign over the weekend with a revelation that his leased hunting ranch was known by a racist name.

For Perry friends and detractors alike in Texas, it has spurred outrage — at the implicit accusation that he is in any way bigoted but also at his penchant for slashing budgets and for partisan politics that have disproportionately affected blacks and Hispanics.

Perry’s 10-year record as governor includes his appointment of Hispanics and blacks to an impressive list of “firstsâ€