Texas receives infusion of funding for border region law enforcement

Capital Highlights

AUSTIN- On July 9, Gov. Greg Abbott announced the receipt of $15 million in federal funding meant to increase operational capabilities of federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies.

The Operation Stonegarden Grant Program allocation is part of $30 million approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency. The funds are meant to equip law enforcement “to confront the complex and dynamic challenges that exist along the Texas border,” according to the governor’s office news release.

Local jurisdictions to receive the grant funding include 50 law enforcement agencies operating in these 18 counties: Bee, Calhoun, Cameron, Dimmit, Duval, El Paso, Hidalgo, Jim Wells, Kinney, Kleberg, Nueces, Presidio, Refugio, Val Verde, Victoria, Webb, Willacy and Zapata.

Disaster funding is asked

Gov. Abbott sent a letter July 10 to President Trump requesting a presidential disaster declaration for the Rio Grande Valley counties of Cameron, Hidalgo and Willacy.

“The recent severe weather in the Rio Grande Valley has caused widespread damage leaving many without the resources they need to recover from these storms,” Abbott said. “Combined with state and local resources, this federal aid will allow those impacted to rebuild as quickly as possible.”

Also urging the president to declare the Rio Grande Valley a federal disaster area in response to severe flooding and rain in recent weeks were U.S. Reps. Vicente Gonzalez, D-McAllen; Filemon Vela, D-Brownsville; and Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo; and Texas’ U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz.

Ed Sterling the Director of Member Services for the Texas Press Association.