Perry Challenges Cuomo to Debate Over Which State's Policies are Better

Texas Republican Gov. Rick Perry says he is interested in debating New York's Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo about economic policy, the New York Observer reported.

Perry is in New York to encourage businesses to relocate to Texas. He was interviewed on Fred Dicker's Live from the State Capitol radio program.

"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 Perry.

"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."

Cuomo is seeking re-election to a second term by pointing to his support for tax cuts, tax-free zones, and job creation in New York.

Perry said many New York companies have actually been relocating or expanding to his Lone Star State.

"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 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," according to the Observer.

Perry also criticized Cuomo for not coming out for hydrofracking – a method to extract natural gas from rock formations. The New York State Health Department has said the technique can be safely carried out but there is strong opposition within the Democratic Party to hydrofracking,  The New York Times reported.

The Texas governor said Cuomo was caving into "radical environmentalists" at the expense of job creation.

He did give Cuomo a thumbs up for supporting charter schools. "Gov. Cuomo understands that to be competitive in the world and prepare these kids in New York City for the jobs of the 21st century, you've got to be competitive and have these schools performing at a higher level."

Both men have been mentioned as possible 2016 presidential candidates.

Perry said he would decide in 2015 whether to seek the Republican presidential nomination. Cuomo has said almost nothing about a possible presidential run.

Responding to the debate challenge, a spokesman for the Democratic Governors Association pointed to Perry's poor performance in a 2011 debate. "A little free advice for Rick Perry: the fewer debates with anyone, the better," said spokesman Danny Kanner, the Observer reported.

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