Thread: TX: Border security bill ultimately fizzles, dies

Border security bill ultimately fizzles, dies
By Brandi Grissom / Austin Bureau
Article Launched: 05/27/2007 12:00:00 AM MDT


AUSTIN -- A border security bill that would have set up a plan to distribute millions to border sheriffs officially died Saturday, said state Sen. John Carona, R-Dallas.
Carona said he would try to revive some of the provisions by adding them to other legislation still moving through the Capitol.

The border security legislation, among Gov. Rick Perry's top priorities, would have created a council to advise the governor about distributing money to fight border-related crime. It also would have put the Texas Department of Public Safety in charge of law enforcement databases.

Carona said he would try to attach those provisions to another bill.

Both the House and Senate overwhelmingly approved the border security bill, but a legislator who opposed it on Friday pointed out a technical error that resulted in its demise.

Robert Black, a spokesman for Perry, said that his main goal was to ensure money for border sheriffs and that the money was in the budget. Perry asked for $100 million, and the budget that lawmakers were expected to vote on today includes $43 million.

"The governor's ability to continue homeland security efforts, border security efforts, is in the budget," Black said.

http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_5998858

Perry didn't need any play money disguised as border security.

Dixie