Gov. Perry to trumpet state at Italian GP

Gov. Rick Perry and First Lady Anita Perry will travel to Italy next week to meet with several business and government leaders, and attend a Formula One race near Milan.

Perry also will participate in the Ambrosetti Forum, an annual global economic development conference.

“We have a good story to tell in Texas, and he’ll be kind of spreading the word,” said Josh Havens, a spokesman for the governor’s office. “Hopefully, it’ll bring more jobs to Texas.”

Perry will attend the Italian Grand Prix at the Monza circuit scheduled for Sept. 9.

Perry was instrumental in helping secure a grand prix scheduled for November at a racetrack under construction in southeastern Travis County.

In August 2008, Perry and state Comptroller Susan Combs gave thenrace promoter Tavo Hellmund the credibility to pursue a F1 race with the suggestion Texas would be willing to pay $25 million a year over 10 years to lure the race.

He signed an agreement for those funds to come out of the Major Events Trust Fund in 2010.

The trip will be paid for by TexasOne, a fundraising program for the Texas Economic Development Corp., and the Ambrosetti Forum.

“No tax dollars will be used for the Perry’s travel and accommodations on this trip,” the statement said.