Legislative Budget Board Approves $86 million for Continued Border Surge

Austin, TX – The Legislative Budget Board, comprised of Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst, Speaker Joe Straus, and four members of both the House and Senate chambers, unanimously approved an $86 million proposal to continue funding the border surge. This funding would increase the Department of Public Safety (DPS) presence through August 31, 2015 along the border, as well as provide for more equipment and surveillance technology. Funding would also be used to maintain a reduced presence of Texas National Guard troops through March 2015.

The deployment of DPS and the National Guard this past summer was a reaction to the staggering number of undocumented immigrants from Central America, including over 60,000 unaccompanied children. Border security beyond immigration is a bipartisan issue, however, lawmakers disagree about how the situation should be addressed. State Representative Poncho Nevárez believes that if the State is going to continue to invest in funding the border surge that such funding should also include monies to the border counties facing such issues.

“I agree, more resources are needed but we need to take the pressure off of the overworked DPS and Texas National Guard. Shift more resources to the counties and their local law enforcement,” Nevárez states. “The issue of a secure and safe border is important, and our counties are willing and able to step in the breach.”