Perry calls on Romney to release tax returns

By Matt Viser, Globe Staff

WASHINGTON – Rick Perry, after calling Mitt Romney a “fat cat,” today also called on the former Massachusetts governor to release his income tax returns, an indication that Perry will increasingly make an issue of Romney’s wealth in the Republican presidential primary.

The strong charges from Perry are striking coming from a candidate who himself two months ago accused President Obama of “trying to engage in class warfare and shooting high-powered bullets at people who have corporate jets.”

Now, as Perry tries to gain an edge on Romney – by far the wealthiest candidate in the race – the Texas governor is criticizing his wealth as a way to cast him as out of touch.

“Governor Perry has always released his tax returns and Mitt Romney and the other candidates should do the same,” Perry spokesman Mark Miner told Politico earlier today.

Perry has voluntarily released his tax returns going back to the 1980s. In his most recent returns, he reported nearly $217,500 in adjusted gross income in 2010, and $51,000 in federal taxes, according to the Texas Tribune.

Romney has never released his tax returns, and has declined requests to do so this year. His total worth is estimated at $190 million to $250 million, according to his personal financial disclosure statements and his campaign.

Romney campaign spokeswoman Andrea Saul said they would “look at the question of releasing tax returns during the next tax filing season.”

“The Perry campaign is in no position to lecture anyone on disclosure,” she said. “They have been stonewalling on releasing the most basic records involving taxpayer-funded spending in Texas as it relates to Governor Perry’s travel records. Governor Perry should immediately release these public documents.”

Texas newspapers for years have been trying to get a full accounting of Perry’s travel records. Lawmakers in June inserted a provision into a school finance bill that will keep all of Perry’s future travel records sealed for 18 months.

The Texas Supreme Court also ruled in July that previous travel vouchers for Perry’s security details could remain secret because revealing all but the lump sum of the costs could pose a security risk. The court did ask a lower court to force the Department of Public Safety to provide further explanation on the security risks.

The Globe reported in 2006 that Romney’s out-of-state trips had increased by 60 percent over the previous year, as he was considering a run for president.

The Massachusetts State Police released the costs under a public records request, but like Texas cited security concerns and refused to provide any details on the out-of-state travel, including destinations, the purpose of the trips, or the number of troopers on the trips.