Those of us that have known Sen. Dan Patrick for a long time know that he is not a small government conservative. Quite the contrary, Sen. Patrick is a reactionary big government believer. Today’s press release is another reminder of that.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Allen Blakemore
Tuesday, June 17, 14
713-526-3399Patrick Statement on Emergency Funding of Border Security
HOUSTON – Dan Patrick, Texas State Senator and Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor, released the following statement seeking emergency action by the Governor, Lt. Governor, and Speaker of the House for emergency funding for border security:
“I’ve focused on the importance of border security since I joined the Texas Senate in 2007. I’ve been criticized by Democrats for talking about the overwhelming number of people illegally crossing into Texas, the potential for disease being brought into our state, the number of hardened criminals crossing our border, and the possibility of terrorists coming into Texas.
“Over the past few weeks the lack of security along our Texas Border has been exposed for all to see. Thousands of unaccompanied children and teens, along with adults, are swarming into Texas. Currently, the federal Immigration Statistics Office has increased the estimated number of unaccompanied children projected for this year up from 60,000 to 90,000. Two years ago 11,000 unaccompanied teens and children crossed the Border illegally.
“There are many concerns about the latest influx of illegal aliens, including the health impact to our state. Chris Cabrera of the U.S Border Patrol says, “agents are worried about illegal immigrants coming over with contagious infections. We are starting to see chicken pox, MRSA staph infections, we are starting to see different viruses,” Cabrera said. He went on to say that the U.S Border Patrol is overwhelmed.
“The state is making sure each child is vaccinated, but our overall resources are being stretched to the limit. If we have a major hurricane this summer requiring mass evacuations our own citizens they may not be able to get the help they need because of this latest crisis.
“There are many theories about why the wave is hitting Texas now. Some say Obama Administration policies are to blame; others believe the current wave is orchestrated by the drug cartels. Nevertheless, we are overwhelmed by the current humanitarian crisis and our border is less secure than ever to the drug cartels, human traffickers, and potential terrorist activities.
“As a member of the Texas Senate I am calling on the Governor, Lt. Governor, and Speaker of the House to take immediate action.
“The Texas Department of Public Safety has indicated that sustained operations along our southern border will require $1.3 million per week. I am calling on the Governor, Lt. Governor, and Speaker of the House to immediately allocate $1.3 million a week in emergency spending for the rest of the year for added border security through Texas law enforcement.
“In January 2015 the legislature must take up border security as the first priority of the new session. As Lt Governor, I will insist our budget funds border security at levels recommended by Texas Law enforcement on a 24/7/365 day basis. We must do all we can to protect Texans until Washington meets its responsibility to secure our border and pass responsible legal immigration reform, which brings an end to illegal immigration.
Forget the fact that the border is not the responsibility of Texas taxpayers – we already send money to Washington, DC for that. If Sen. Patrick has his way, we’ll throw $1.3 million of Texas taxpayer dollars per week down the tube trying to “protect the border” with state troopers. I’m sure that the DPS can’t wait to get more money to become even more militarized. But if you read the fine print, all we’ll be doing is helping the federal government process the “wave” of children that are coming across. There is no hint of actually stopping them from coming across.
Folks, get ready for Lt. Gov. Patrick. This is how he operates, throwing money and government at the “crisis” of the day. No long term planning because he has no core belief in small government conservatism. No collaboration with the Feds to find out what they are doing. Just Dan being Dan. Of course, he does have an opponent in November.
plindow says
Dave, will you join me in reserving the right to say, “I told you so,” about a year from now?
Robert says
Laughable if it weren’t sad. Republicans may have Libertarian leanings, well some of us, but we are not Libertarians. We believe that there are some things government is supposed to do and border security is clearly such an item. Categorizing such as big-gov’t backing is ridiculous in the context of the GOP favoring smaller gov’t.
David Jennings says
Robert, laughable is bringing libertarian into the discussion. Another person that doesn’t inderstand Republican small government principles. If you did, you would understand that the best, smallest government is that which is done at the right level. Wasting money at any level for any reason is still wasting money. The pressure should be on our 2 US Senators and our 36 US Representatives.
Don Hooper says
Wait until did repays Tilman with Gamnling in Galveston.
Jim Baxa says
I disagree with your conclusions, David. If Texas can secure its own border, then we have no need for a federal govt. Texas should secure its own border, and then declare that we are better off free and independent.
Ross says
The whole declaring independence thing didn’t work out so well the last time we tried it.
The DPS has better things to do than playing Border Patrol, like arresting Dan Patrick for aggravated idiocy.
Dave says
I sincerely hope you are just trolling. The idea that Texas would be better off through secession is the most ridiculous thing I’ve heard in a long time (probably since the last time someone suggested it).
Janet Thomas says
David, you have a problem with us trying to protect our Southern Border? The feds aren’t going to do it, so you think we should just let this happen. In the last couple of days, we’ve had another stash house busted in NE Houston, a load of pot hidden in a piece of construction equipment stopped along US 59, a truck load of illegal aliens stopped on US 59 and an illegal alien woman who killed 3 people on 610 @ Woodridge. This is just the beginning of the crime spree. Give it a couple more months and we can call US 59 “The Smuggling Highway”. While our border patrol agents are busy baby sitting, the cartels are moving more people and drugs across the border unimpeded. You’re for smaller government? Wait until these illegals start getting food stamps, medical care, kids in school, you think this isn’t going to create bigger government? For all that I don’t like Dan Patrick, this time he’s right. Perry & Dewhurst are both on board with this, Straus isn’t. Guess both of you are living in the same bubble.
Manuel Barrera says
Protecting the Southern Border, really, you think it can be done?
Why did the woman have a car, who sold it to her?
Who hired her?
Drugs are brought in because Americans buy them.
People come here because people hire them.
If one thinks they can stop people from crossing the 2000 mile border they are living in a fantasy world, it does not even happen when nations are at war much less when there is commerce between them.
Berlin Wall with order to shoot to kill did not keep people from escaping. North Koreans still manage to get to South Korea.
Immigrant – a person who intends to remain permanently. Those people you dislike are immigrants, name calling certainly does not encourage Latinos to vote Republican. If you look at me would you be able to tell that I am probably more American then you, Ms. Thomas and not one of those despised “illegal”.
More than half of all “illegals” get here legally via tourist, student, HB-1 visas, etc. What is illegal about that? There were no crimes committed.
David Jennings is correct as to where the security of the border should come from. Blame Obama if it makes you feel good, but people have been coming here “illegally” since this country was founded.
A National ID may go a long way into helping curb immigration, are you in favor of that?
I don’t know what the solution is but I am convinced that you don’t either.
filmmaker01 says
Manuel: Where to start? Hmmmm. . . .
1. “Protecting the Southern Border, really, you think it can be done?” Um, Yeah. Do you think it can’t? Has the inrush of detritus from all of the Latin American countries that can’t manage their own affairs so overwhelmed us that we cannot remain a sovereign nation any longer?
2. “Drugs are brought in because Americans buy them. People come here because people hire them.” Wow! That’s deep! People rob banks because that’s where the money is. We should let that go too.
3. “If one thinks they can stop people from crossing the 2000 mile border they are living in a fantasy world.” This is the one that always gets me. It’s a really stupid statement and one that could be applied to every other crime know to man. You can’t stop murders from murdering. . . you can’t stop rapists from raping. . . . you can’t stop thieves from stealing. . . so why even try!
4. “Immigrant – a person who intends to remain permanently.” Well, yes. I you intend to remain permanently, then your allegiance should be to your new home. You should learn the language, immerse yourself in the culture and become American. (By the way, the next time that Mexico has a soccer match with the US, I wonder how many “immigrants” will be waving Mexican flags.) The US has become strong by being a melting pot (remember that phrase). Legitimate immigrants come here to be Americans, not to hang out for a while and then go back home.
5. “More than half of all “illegals” get here legally via tourist, student, HB-1 visas, etc. What is illegal about that? There were no crimes committed.” Well, at least until the term or requirements of their visa expired, at which point they were committing a crime. Once again, if I walk into my bank and make a legitimate withdrawal from my account that doesn’t mean that I then get to take an extra $10,000 at gunpoint.
6. ” people have been coming here “illegally” since this country was founded.” Well maybe, but certainly not in the numbers that they are today. I will agree that our immigration laws need to to be totally re-written. But that is (or at least should be) a separate issue. By the way, if you don’t like the present immigration laws blame the Democrats and Teddy Kennedy.
7. “A National ID may go a long way into helping curb immigration, are you in favor of that?” Yes, and amputation would totally cure those leg cramps. What an imbecilic remark.
I certainly don’t have all of the answers, but I will totally agree with you: “I don’t know what the solution is”. One think that I am certain of – doing nothing will only make things worse.
Karen says
AND thousands did not manage to escape from East Germany into the West, and I highly doubt that many North Koreans have managed to make it across the border into South Korea. Just keeping it real….,
Cathy says
Spot on, David! Thank you for bringing this to our attention. The big decision in November just got clearer!