By KRWG News
Texas – The state of Texas has given more than $16 million to high-tech startups whose investors are big donors to Republican Gov. Rick Perry.
The Dallas Morning News reports companies with ties to at least eight big donors have received awards from the Texas Emerging Technology Fund administered by Perry's office.
Perry says the donations played no role in the awards and he often doesn't know who has invested in the companies.
The companies receiving state technology funds include Terrabon Inc. of Houston. The Morning News says it got $2.75 million, and its backers include Perry's college friend Phil Adams. Adams has donated at least $314,000 to Perry's campaign.
Overall, the state has given $173 million to 120 companies through the tech fund created in 2005.
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Information from: The Dallas Morning News, http://www.dallasnews.com
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.