Gov. Rick Perry

By Jill Colvin, Apr. 22, 2014, New York Observer

Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who will be arriving in New York this afternoon for a trip trying to lure businesses to the Lone Star State, offered a Texas-sized take-down of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s record on job creation this morning and challenged him to a debate.

“I’d be more than happy to sit down and have a thoughtful conversation, a debate with Gov. Cuomo over the issues that face us as a state and talk about the economic policies and compare New York to Texas,” said Mr. Perry, speaking on New York Post columnist Fred Dicker’s Live from the State Capitol radio show. “I think that would be not only interesting and fun, but a thoughtful way for us as a country to have a discussion between two of the major states in America, talking about which one of these policies are actually better for our people.”

Mr. Cuomo has made a point of emphasizing tax cuts and job growth as he runs for re-election, but Mr. Perry quickly brushed aside those efforts. Asked about an ad campaign Mr. Cuomo has been running advertising the state’s new tax-free zones to lure new businesses, Mr. Perry ran through a list of companies that had relocated or expanded into Texas recently, and also pointed to New York’s high net migration rate.

“There’s a real message there: More wealth left the state of New York and California than any other two states in the nation,” said Mr. Perry. “And you have to be honest about this: It’s about tax policy, it’s about regulatory policy, it’s about the legal system, and then it’s about a skilled workforce.”

Still the Republican had some kind–if veiled–words for Mr. Cuomo. He pointed to a Tax Foundation tax burden tally that moved New York up two spots from 50th to 48th place this year.

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