Perry's motives behind recent travel questioned by local representatives
With the state legislature on formal vacation, some political figures say Gov. Rick Perry is marketing Texas across the nation and world just in time for a vice presidential bid.

In recent months, Perry traveled to Israel to accept an award for promoting a close alliance between America and the Jewish state, to California for the California Republican Party's state convention, to Turkey to speak on state-federal relations and to Mexico seeking opportunities in renewable energy.

Sherri Greenberg, a UT lecturer and expert on state and local government, said the Texas Constitution allows the governor to take these trips between legislative sessions.

"Texas is a weak government state and a great deal of power lies with legislators and other elected officials," Greenberg said. "So when they're not in a legislative session, there aren't as many issues going on."

She also said the governor of Texas has always seen himself or herself as an ambassador of Texas promoting economic development and tourism.

UT The Daily Texan, TX