by Bob Price 18 Nov 2014, 12:07 PM PDT 3 post a comment

Texas Governor Rick Perry, Lt. Governor David Dewhurst and Speaker of the House Joe Straus have extended the Texas led border surge through the end of the current fiscal year that ends in August, 2015. The three leaders reached an agreement on Tuesday after a previous disagreement where Speaker Straus held back support for the extension.

The budget execution will marshal resources from a variety of state sources to further enhance the current border surge operations according to a press release obtained by Breitbart Texas. The new agreement extends the presence of law enforcement and Texas military personnel along the border. The resources will come from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Texas Military Forces (TMF) and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).

“Texas has proven beyond any doubt that this border can be secured, even if the federal government refuses to take the steps necessary to do so as required by the Constitution,” Gov. Perry said. “This agreement will ensure the hardworking men and women from DPS, the Texas National Guard and Texas Parks and Wildlife, who have been working with local and federal partners, have the resources they need to maintain a robust law enforcement presence along the border until the Legislature can act.”

Perry announced the initial deployment of DPS and TMF resources earlier this year when he announced Operation Strong Safety, a program design to demonstrate the state’s ability to secure a small section of the Rio Grande Valley Sector of the Texas Mexico border region.

Last Thursday, Gov. Perry and Lt. Governor Dewhurst called for an extension of the program but Speaker Straus expressed opposition stating the decision and discussion should be left to the incoming Governor, Lt. Governor and State Legislators. Apparently changing his mind on that, Speaker Straus said today, “This approach provides an important bridge to the 2015 legislative session. The state's law enforcement agencies will have the tools and technology they need to continue an enhanced presence on the border. Meanwhile, this funding will allow members of the next Legislature to evaluate the state’s border security strategy during the session and make adjustments if necessary.”

Without this extension there could have been an extended gap where border security could have been negatively affected while new funding traveled through the legislative process.

“Having spent the last eight years appropriating more than $800 million for border security, I am proud to see the effectiveness of Operation Strong Safety and believe its continuation is essential to the safety of all Texans. I am very pleased to have reached the consensus needed to extend border surge operations through the end of next August,” Lt. Gov. Dewhurst said. “In the absence of sufficient action from the federal government, the state of Texas has proven it is possible to secure the border, reduce crime, and combat the impacts of illegal immigration. This agreement proves Texas is serious about border security.”

The estimated $86 million will temporarily come from Disaster Funds ($13.7m), TxDOT General Revenue Bond Debt Service ($47.9m), TPFA Dond Debt Service ($17.5m) and the Emerging Technology Fund Revenues ($7.0m).

Funds for DPS would include the addition of new shallow-water boats and other technological capabilities, which would be used to extend tactical capabilities as well as the surge footprint beyond the Rio Grande Valley Sector.

http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-T...gh-August-2015