Perry to White: Release Tax Returns, Then Debate

AUSTIN, Texas - Republican Gov. Rick Perry says he won't debate Bill White unless the Democrat releases all of his tax returns by Sept. 15.

Perry gave the deadline Thursday as he released his 2009 tax returns.

Perry has said repeatedly that he won't debate unless White releases all of his income tax returns from the years he's been in public service. A call to White's campaign was not immediately returned.

Perry has released all his income taxes dating back to 1987.

His latest release showed income of $217,000 last year. He paid $40,000 in taxes.

White has released income taxes from 2004 to 2009, when he was Houston's mayor, but not when he was deputy energy secretary or Texas Democratic Party chairman in the mid-1990s.

The candidates have been invited to an Oct. 19 media-sponsored debate.