FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Eichler
January 11, 2017
463-0564

Contact: Shera
512-

Bonnen Demands Feds Reimburse Texas for $2.8

Billion in Border Security Costs
AUSTIN State Representative Dennis Bonnen (R-Angleton) today called on the
federal government to reimburse Texas for $2.8 billion in costs unfairly borne by
Texas taxpayers as a result of Washingtons failure to secure the border.
Today we make one final request of the Obama Administration: do your
constitutional duty and reimburse Texas for your failure to secure the border,
said Bonnen. The drug epidemic, the growing sex trade and the surge in
unaccompanied minors stem from a crisis of lawlessness on our southern border.
For years, Texas has stood in the gap. With a new Administration coming into
office, we hope the tide will turn and that the federal government will do its duty
so that Texas no longer has to.
Texas is proud to have gone beyond the call of duty in defending Americas
border, but we have done so at great cost to our taxpayers, said Rep. Tan Parker
(R-Flower Mound). If the Obama Administration refuses to meet our request, we
are hopeful President-elect Trump will give it due consideration so that we can
make our communities, schools and hospitals whole.
Since January 2013, the state of Texas and local governments have been forced to
spend $2.8 billion as a result of the federal governments failure to secure the
border. Costs include:
BORDER SECURITY OPERATIONS
Texas Department of Public Safety
$1,410,563,257
Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
Texas Military Forces

INCARCERATION OF CRIMINAL ALIENS

Texas Department of Criminal Justice
$463,278,833
County Jails
$265,563,826
HEALTHCARE
Texas Health & Human Services Com.
$416,882,000

$20,268,215
$62,976,798

EDUCATION
Texas Education Agency
$181,185,708

TABC ENFORCEMENT
Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission
$670,728

TOTAL KNOWN COSTS

$2,821,389,365

###