Thread: REPORT: Border Security Strains Relations Between Texas and Mexico

by Sylvia Longmire
9 Mar 2015

A recent report by in the Dallas Morning News suggests that the historically strong ties between the State of Texas and Mexico may be under a considerable amount of strain. Despite the region’s powerhouse cross-border economy, recent decisions regarding illegal immigration and border security have left Mexico feeling rebuffed.

After last summer’s border immigration crisis in south Texas, former Governor Rick Perry deployed one thousand National Guard troops to the region, leading Mexican political leaders to regard the move as a militarization of the border. In February 2015, the Texas Department of Public Safety issued a travel warning for Texan spring breakers planning to make parts of Mexico a holiday destination. This warning, as well as the fatal police shooting of an unarmed Mexican immigrant in Grapevine, were cited as additional sources of cross border tension.

Some analysts are concerned that these kinds of incidents, should they continue, might push some of the $7 billion in monthly cross-border revenue away from Texas and towards California. The Golden State is now offering driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants and limiting the role of state law enforcement to pursuing only those suspected of serious crimes. Former Mexican ambassador to the US, Arturo Sarukhan, said during a recent talk to the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth, “California has displaced Texas as the spark plug in the bilateral relationship between the United States and Mexico.”

Governor Greg Abbott expressed concern to the News about these developments. “All Texans should be concerned … because Mexico represents our No. 1 trading partner and a valuable source of foreign direct investment,” he said.

http://www.breitbart.com/texas/2015/...as-and-mexico/

Well, Abbot is caving, eh? I thought the only cross border trade the enforcement was interfering in was illegal drugs and smuggling people. Sounds to me like if Mexico economy the trumpet, republicans loosen their morals, huh?

Governor Greg Abbott expressed concern to the News about these developments. “All Texans should be concerned … because Mexico represents our No. 1 trading partner and a valuable source of foreign direct investment,” he said.

No, Texans should not be concerned about protecting the US border or travel warnings to their young people making travel plans for Spring Break. Why would this or should it be a concern to Texans? Texas wouldn't need "foreign direct investment" from Mexico if Texas wasn't footing the bill for millions of illegal aliens in Texas, stealing jobs from Americans, deflating wages and salaries, living on welfare, and bankrupting our nation, our nation by the way which is by far and away the single largest trading partner and source of direct investment in the Texas economy.

And you mean to tell me Mexican manufacturers are opening plants in the United States to hire Americans? Really? Name one. The foreign direct investment is going out of Texas not into it.

Scratch Abbott as a possible "dark horse". He gets some of it, but not enough of it.

Some folks are just too darn quick to label and/or brand people that are helping us simply because they throw one sentence out there that may not be agreeable. How quick we forget that our goose would now be cooked on Obama's attempt at giving amnesty to 5 million illegals if not for Gov. Greg Abbott. Yep, it was Abbott that initiated the lawsuit that is giving us a fighting chance at halting Obama's unlawful amnesty! After all, it's not like he's telling us he supports open borders and amnesty. As the states governor, he has to be concerned about the states economy. His concern about the states economy is also why he is doing all he can to secure the border and stop Obama's amnesty. He needs illegals pouring into Texas like he needs a hole in the head and he knows that.

Look, I understand your frustration and anger at people we feel are counterproductive to our cause, but sometimes I think our negative judgements can be too quick, and maybe even petty. Very few politicians are going to be 100% where we want them on the issue, but sometimes (IMO) we need to be satisfied with just 85%. Sure, I wish all governors and congressman were like Sen. Sessions but unfortunately that's just not going to happen. There probably aren't twenty office holding politicians in the whole country that align with our goals as closely as he does.

It's just a fact of life that on occasion you have to settle for a T-Bone even though you had your heart set on a Ribeye. Abbott may not be that Ribeye you wanted, but at least he isn't a hotdog like Sen. Graham and Sen. McCain! Oh, and please spare me the "your either with us or you're not" comment because unless your are a amnesty/open border supporter, you can be with us to a certain degree. It's understood that no person that supports the legalization of an illegal immigrant residing in this country illegally can be with us. It's also understood that no person that feels the border is secure in its current state is with us.

Sorry for the rant. It's just that I feel a little frustrated when I see some of us turn on those that are helping or have helped us so easily. This is not a personal attack directed at any one individual, it's just my attempt at expressing my feelings on what I feel is a very important subject. Thanks for listening.

3/09/2015 @ 11:40AM 512 views

Gov. Greg Abbott: Texas Means Business

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Guest post written by Greg Abbott Mr. Abbott is the governor of Texas.

Texas is once again the top state for job-creating capital investment projects.

We have built a framework that allows free enterprise to flourish, including less government, low taxes, reasonable regulations and the right-to-work laws that attract job creators and keep job growth here in the state of Texas. As governor, I intend to do more to build an even stronger business environment.

Tracked by Site Selection magazine, the 689 capital investment projects completed in 2014, the most of any state, represent a significant investment of a minimum of $1 million per project, with 20 jobs or more created by each new or expanded corporate facility.

This banner year for economic development was celebrated with Site Selection’s presentation on Monday of the annual Governor’s Cup—the third in a row for the Lone Star State and the sixth since 2004.

Showing the geographic breadth of these capital investments, Odessa, Houston and Dallas were also named among the top metro areas for business facilities growth.

I was honored to accept this coveted award on behalf of the job creators and community economic leaders in Texas and the hardest working job force in the world. But we cannot be complacent and rest on past accomplishments. Challenges remain.

Texas will defend our championship title in the coming years with policies promoting even greater economic development.

To attract even more businesses and encourage even more Texas entrepreneurs to invest their capital in themselves by opening a business or growing a business, I am committed to reducing taxes for employers and property owners.

Best States for Job Growth

1 of 10

#1 Texas

Projected annual job growth: 2.7%
Median household income: $51,443
Unemployment rate: 5.2%

My priorities also include reducing the regulatory burden that drives up the cost of doing business—especially for small businesses, women-owned businesses and veteran-owned businesses.

We will speed up the permitting process to help businesses get their projects done faster. We will invest in the roads needed to keep commerce moving without raising fees, tolls, taxes or debt. And we will ensure our students are equipped with both the technical skills and critical-thinking skills employers demand for the jobs growing here in Texas.

With clear economic development policies focused on creating jobs and expanding opportunity, we will take Texas to the next level for business recruitment. We expect to have businesses from around the world knocking on the door to set up operations here in Texas.

Texas is the top state for capital investments, for job creation, for exports, for energy production and more. The Texas model is proof that limited government encourages unlimited opportunity for all. By limiting the size and scope of government, controlling spending, reducing debt and removing barriers to business growth, we unleash job creation and innovation.

When it comes to doing business, there really is no place like Texas. And we intend to make it even better.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/realspin...eans-business/

Note in the post above about Texas rated No. 1 in economic development that North Carolina was No. 10.

Congratulations to both states!