An additional $495.3 million has been allocated from Texas’ general fund to support border security efforts through Operation Lone Star.
The funding transfer was approved by Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Speaker Dade Phelan, Senate Finance Committee Chair Joan Huffman and House Appropriations Committee Chair Dr. Greg Bonnen, Just the News reports.
The transfer was secured in response to requests made by heads of several state agencies due to a funding lapse between fiscal years 2020 and 2021 appropriations and fiscal year 2022 appropriations.
The departments of Criminal Justice, Public Safety and Health and Human Services, State Health Services, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and Juvenile Justice requested the funding transfer.
“These transfers are meant to support the deployment of the National Guard with $465.3 million and to support border operations in other state agencies with $30 million. We understand the Fiscal Years 2020-2021 appropriations would otherwise lapse and be unavailable to your agencies and that the Fiscal Year 2022 appropriations have been fully funded with other sources,” the governor and other state leaders wrote in a letter to the department heads.
In a statement, Abbott said the additional funding is necessary for the safety of Texans.
"Texas will not sit on the sidelines as President Biden continues turning a blind eye to the crisis at our southern border," Abbott said. "Texans’ safety and security is our top priority, and we will continue fighting to keep our communities safe. This additional funding ensures the Lone Star State is fully equipped to provide Texans the border security strategy they demand and deserve."
“While securing the border is the federal government's responsibility, Texas will not sit idly by as this crisis grows,” Abbott said. “Texas is responding with the most robust and comprehensive border plan the nation has ever seen.”
