Texas taxpayers have been billed nearly $800,000 for security during part of Gov. Rick Perry's presidential campaign, according to news reports.

The Austin American-Statesman and other news outlets reported Texans were billed that amount to pay for security for Perry to 48 out-of-state destinations from September through November.

The figures come from a report released late Thursday by the Texas Department of Public Safety, which does not say how many state troopers traveled with Perry. The costs for airfare, rental cars and other travel expenses for Perry's security detail are expected to rise, as invoices continue to roll in.

After quickly becoming the GOP front-runner last August, Perry finished a disappointing fifth in Iowa and sixth in New Hampshire. He ended his White House bid on Jan. 19 -- two days before the South Carolina primary.

Perry has maintained that it is fair for Texans to pay these security costs because he is governor and promotes the state wherever he goes. The Texas DPS says it is agency policy to provide security to governors and their families.

"It's unfortunate that we live in a day and age where security is an issue," Perry spokeswoman Lucy Nashed is quoted as saying to KUT news. She stressed that "not a dime" of Perry's political travel was borne by Texas taxpayers.

The Houston Chronicle says in its story that the total so far for Perry's out-of-state travel since he was re-elected in November 2010 is now $1.1 million. Those figures include out-of-state travel not related to the presidential campaign, such as trips for Perry to promote his book.

Texas Democrats are asking Perry to reimburse the state $2.6 million, estimating that is how much it has cost his security detail to travel with the governor since he began his presidential campaign last August.