State Spending On Border Security

AUSTIN (AP) — Republican Gov. Rick Perry pushed for and got $110 million allocated for Texas-Mexico border security in this year’s legislative session, covering the coming two years. Perry’s office is also using federal grant money to step up border security programs. Some of the spending areas are:

Division of Emergency Management for border surge operation overtime for local law enforcement: $20 million. Division of Emergency Management for Border Security Operation Center, intelligence centers, overtime and travel expenses for peace officers or National Guard cooperating in surge operations, grants to local law enforcement agencies for overtime, training and equipment: $43.7 million. Texas Department of Public Safety for highway patrol, narcotics enforcement, vehicle theft enforcement, special crimes, Texas Rangers, new officer training and aircraft operations staff and equipment: $44.4 million. Texas Parks and Wildlife for enforcement programs, game warden training and border security information resources: $2.1 million

With federal grants, the state has allocated

$3.5 million for state-run border video surveillance cameras. $6.5 million for Operation Border Star, to assist with southbound vehicle surveillance at bridges.