Perry Dewhurst Straus direct further state resources to DPS
By Texas House Speaker Joe Straus
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Since I became Speaker of the Texas House in 2009 the
Texas House has tripled the amount of resources devoted to border security. While the federal government tries to get a handle on this problem Texas is taking action. Further the Obama Administration can and should
stem this tide of migration by
enforcing the nations immigration laws.
The rush of unaccompanied minors into Texas and the resulting humanitarian crisis have amplified the administrations failure. The recent influx of tens of thousands of unaccompanied minors into the United States has put a strain on federal state & local officials who are already struggling to fight crime drug cartels and human trafficking near the Texas-Mexico border.
As a result Governor Perry Lt. Governor Dewhurst and I recently directed additional state resources to help law enforcement and improve security in the border region. These resources have provided crucial support to the officers who regularly face the consequences of the federal governments failure to properly enforce our immigration laws.
For several weeks my office and I have been in regular contact with
the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) about increased activity in the Rio Grande Valley. I also visited the Valley recently and talked to federal state and local officials on the ground.
Upon my return Governor Perry Lt. Governor Dewhurst and I agreed to direct additional state resources to DPS for law-enforcement efforts in the border region. Our action will help DPS fight drug trafficking and other criminal activity near the border.
However this is not a blank check and Texas state government is not an ATM machine. The House will work to ensure that DPS uses these dollars prudently and appropriately.
Border security will remain a top priority for the Texas House and I will continue to keep you updated on our efforts.
Joe Straus has been Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives since January 2009. In addition to serving as Speaker Straus represents House District 121 which includes the Bexar County communities of Alamo Heights Olmos Park Terrell Hills & Northeast San Antonio. Speaker Straus was first elected to the Texas House of Representatives in February 2005.
