Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, who is running for re-election against a slew of Republican challengers, has submitted another interim charge asking lawmakers to find $60 million to increase security along border.
Dewhurst appeared with Col. Steve McCraw, the head of the Texas Department of Public Safety, and said he has also reached out to Speaker of the House Joe Strauss and Gov. Rick Perry to shut down all of the illegal operations that he says are happening along the Texas-Mexico border.
"I’m committed to making this work," Dewhurst said. "I’m committed to substantially shut down all of the illegal activities on our border, to build on the $800 million in Texas tax dollars that we’ve already invested and when we get through with the final price tag, I’m going to send an invoice to President Obama."
Lawmakers will need to secure an additional $60 million for the continuation of what the DPS is calling Operation Strong Safety, which McCraw said has reduced crime statistics in the Rio Grande Valley.
"Part of that is for personal overtime, but the majority of that is for the DPS high-altitude spotter aircraft-helicopters, support systems, pilots, putting Ranger SWAT teams in the brush, these six armor-plated gun boats are not inexpensive," Dewhurst said.
Dewhurst said he’ll find the funds in the $190 billion budget passed during the past legislative session for the continuous operational surge along the border.
