White Talks Debate, Border Security with ABC-7

Last April’s debate may be the last time voters get to see Gov.Rick Perry and Bill White face off before November’s general election.

“He won’t debate because he’s afraid,” said Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill White. “His handlers are afraid of what will come out of his mouth.”

Perry had previously called on White to release tax returns from his time as Houston mayor. White released those documents, but now Perry said he will not pin down a date for a debate until White releases tax returns from his time as deputy energy secretary.

“He comes up with more and more things all the time,” White said. “It’s really pushing the patience of the people of the state.”

The former Houston mayor said he is willing and ready for a debate.

“I’ve accepted,” White said. “I’ve said that I’ll be willing to debate in El Paso because they deserve that respect.”

In a one-on-one interview with ABC-7, White said El Pasoans need more resources to keep the border secure. He said Perry never secured funding for borderland regions like El Paso to attain more ‘boots on the ground.’

“That’s what I’ll do. I’ll go to bat for local communities in Washington to get the money we need,” White said.

White shied away from commenting on the current debate between the city and the county and law enforcement agencies.

“If I were mayor, I wouldn’t appreciate people in state government giving running commentary on local issues,” White said. “I mean that’s really a local issue.”

White said he won’t forget about the El Paso and that he will provide the city with the proper resources.

“I think El Paso will have a great future if they have a governor who’s in it for Texas.”