Thread: Tx - Bill Takes Aim At Border Violence

Bill Takes Aim At Border Violence


AUSTIN (February 23, 2009)--A border town representative joined two state senators in filing a bill Monday that takes aim at criminal enterprises and violence along the border by making it easier for the state to seize money from crimes such as drug and weapons trafficking.

Senate Bill 1065 would create a civil racketeering offense, lowering the burden of proof required for seizure of illegal profits in criminal charges.

"This bill is going to give us the ability to put these kinds of criminals out of business, by taking the very thing they're trying to make, which is money based on illegal kinds of conduct and crime," Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott said in a press conference.

Democratic Rep. Aaron Pena of Edinburg said he is concerned about crime across the border and around his home district, particularly as violence has picked up in recent news events.

"In the neighboring city of Rio Bravo, literally 12 miles from my district, the mayor was killed in machine gun fire," Pena said.

"This sort of criminal activity is wrong and it is, quite frankly, spilling over in to our area of Texas."

Senators Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, and Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, co-authored the bill in the Senate.

Abbott said there are billions of dollars changing hands in criminal enterprises around the state that could potential go into state general revenue if seized.

http://www.kwtx.com/centraltexasvotes/l ... 47607.html

Abbott said there are billions of dollars changing hands in criminal enterprises around the state that could potential go into state general revenue if seized.

What about protecting the United States Citizens?