State Senate Passes Border Security Bill
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AUSTIN (AP) - The Texas Senate has passed a $300 million border security bill — one of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's priorities and part of a sweeping, $800 million border package.
Senators advanced the bill Tuesday 27-4 Tuesday, then gave it final approval later by the same vote. It now heads back to the House, which must agree upon tweaks.
The plan includes hiring hundreds of new troopers to guard the Texas-Mexico border, where they'll replace National Guard troops that then-Gov. Rick Perry deployed last summer.
Also included in the proposal is allowing state troopers to work 50-hour weeks, and a provision for a committee to eventually oversee Department of Public Safety border activities.
Sen. Brian Birdwell, the Senate sponsor, said the border security measure addresses the "No. 1 concern in Texans' mind."
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