Jason Embry | The Austin American-Statesman

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill White said this morning that Gov. Rick Perry has taken too much credit for the success of the Texas economy.

Speaking at a breakfast event sponsored by the Texas Tribune, White noted that high oil and gas prices in recent years allowed money to stockpile in state coffers, and that the Texas economy historically grows faster than the rest of the country.

White also said that he brought jobs to Houston when he was mayor without help from the state, “nor did I need or want help.” And he said he brought in businesses “without giving them tax dollars.”

Perry has championed the Texas Enterprise Fund, which gives tax dollars to lure businesses to Texas, saying it has helped bring more than 50,000 jobs to the state.

“Texas is leading the nation economically because of the policies that Governor Perry put in place,” Perry spokesman Mark Miner said.

Perry has made job growth in recent years a central theme of his re-election campaign. But White noted that unemployment in Texas is now hovering around 1 million people.

White has said he believes the state can find ways to save money as it closes a budget deficit of at least $11 billion. But Miner was quick to note that White didn’t rule out tax increases at this morning’s event.

However, White said he never rules out tax increases or decreases, noting that he avoided such promises when he campaigned for mayor, then the city cut the property-tax rate five times.

White said he supports some decisions made by President Barack Obama and opposes others. Overall, he said, he thinks the president is trying to spend too much money.

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