THE ANUS THAT SPEAKS IN THE GOVERNORSHIP CONTINUES TO SHAME TEXAS
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Perry criticized for pushing his own charity foundation
Governor's office defends promotion of relief effort
12:00 AM CDT on Thursday, September 8, 2005
By CHRISTY HOPPE / The Dallas Morning News
AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry, in hurricane relief tours around the state, in news releases and on his official state Web site, has urged Texans to contribute to three groups: the Red Cross, Salvation Army and the OneStar Foundation.
The last of those is a volunteer-coordinating effort founded by Mr. Perry. His prominent promotion of his own foundation has prompted some to question whether the governor is trying to benefit politically from the outpouring of sympathy and good works in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
"One thing about politicians, you can never overestimate their shamelessness," said Fred Lewis, director of Campaigns for People, a group that favors greater disclosure of political donations and limits on the influence of large donors.
Mr. Perry created OneStar as a nonprofit charitable organization in January 2004 to coordinate faith-based initiatives and promote volunteerism. Its chief executive is Susan Weddington, who left the state Republican Party chairmanship to run the organization.
"There are such heavy political overtones, and when you're governor, you can never separate yourself from the politics to promote an altruistic cause," Mr. Lewis said.
The governor's press secretary, Kathy Walt, said OneStar was the natural vehicle to help coordinate statewide donation efforts and direct individuals and businesses that want to provide goods and materials. She said politics was not a consideration.
"There had to be one place to send people to," Ms. Walt said. "It was the right place within the state structure to go."
Through legislation, the governor placed his divisions of faith-based initiatives, adult mentoring and the AmeriCorps volunteer program in the OneStar Foundation. It operates with federal grant money.
Ms. Weddington and Mr. Perry have also been featured speakers of the Texas Restoration Project, a statewide effort to unite churches and organize their membership to vote in coming elections.
Mr. Perry's picture is prominent throughout OneStar's Web site, which says the foundation was "birthed from the heart and vision of Governor Rick Perry."
Ms. Weddington said that her office is serving as a clearinghouse for evacuee relief efforts, trying to connect donated goods with those who need them through the One-Star Web site's Texas Responds page.
"Obviously, the governor tapped us because we do work for and on behalf of the state," she said. "This is the logical place."
Ms. Weddington said that there is nothing political about the foundation, and that she was chosen for her longtime interest in volunteerism and community service.
Suzii Paynter, director of citizenship for the Baptist General Convention of Texas, said OneStar has done well at coordinating the huge influx of donations. The foundation's Web page has made information available to groups throughout the state, she said.
"Rick Perry has never lacked for photo ops. But there is a huge need for money and donations that can be used in this state that don't need to go through the big national organizations," Ms. Paynter said.
She said that while there might be some political benefit, One- Star is also fulfilling a huge need.
"Does it look like that there might be an incidental self-serving aspect to it? Perhaps. My experience with politicians is that if you give them a handle, they'll grab it," she said.
Ms. Walt said the governor has promoted OneStar not because he established it but because it is well-suited to the task.
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