Rep. Cesar Blanco on Texas Legislature

legislature is in full swing in austin… and abc-7 is taking a closer look at the issues inside the state house. abc-7’s andrew j. polk has more. off the top :21 1:42 we’re about 120 days into the 84th session of the texas legislature, with only 20 more to go. i spoke with el paso state rep cesar blanco about what’s going on in the capitol. border security has been an increasing concern over the last year… but a lack of specific measurements of the success texas department of public safety efforts has blanco concerned about what the state is spending it’s money on. “Well, this i about transparency and accountability. The legislature has problems funding $100 million for pre-k, but asks no questions when we’re spending half a billion dollars towards border security through dps. And all I’ve asked is to make sure that we’re spending those dollars wisely.” as more requests for increased funding come in, the austin american statesman reports that less than 10 percent of the drug seisures were handled by d- p-s. “I’d like to find ou where these dollars are going.” also coming before th house soon, changes to how texas veterans can use the hazlewood act. it’s a tuition programs for veterans from texas that served at least 181 days active duty. it covers 150 credit hours at public universities… and the benefits can be passed on to dependents instead. a bill passed by the texas senate and now headed to the house would require 6 years of active duty for the benefits to be available to dependents… and limit it to 60 credit hours, or about 2 years in order to save costs for texas universities. “I’m veteran, and i come from a long line of family service and active duty, and i think it’s a slap in the face to our veterans.” we’ll of course be following developments on these and more issues out of the texas legislature … and bring you the lates on air and online at k-v-i-a dot com. andrew j. polk, abc-7 still to come here on abc 7 at 5. it’s