The Brief: DPS Requests $1 Billion for Border Security

The Big Conversation

Security along the U.S.-Mexico border could become a $1 billion expense to the state, following a total budget request from the Department of Public Safety for an additional $320 million — on top of a base budget of $750 million — in the new two-year budget.

The proposed funding would be used to cover the cost of salaries for the 250 troopers approved last year, recruitment for another 250 troopers and new technology and equipment. However, many Democrats are skeptical about whether the additional funding would be worth it, especially with worries about a tight state budget. State Rep. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas, told the Dallas Morning News that “if DPS wants $1 billion — after getting almost a billion last session — taxpayers need to know what they are paying for.”

In February 2014, Gov. Greg Abbott proposed a $345 million plan to hire 500 additional border troopers. At the time, his goal was to halt drug cartels and increase security. Abbott has not commented on DPS’ request.

As the Tribune’s Jay Root reports, border security has remained a top issue in Texas. On Thursday, the brother of a U.S. Border Patrol agent who has been charged with capital murder in a reported Mexican cartel drug hit struck a plea deal. The defendant, Fernando Luna, pleaded guilty to drug possession and the murder of a Honduran immigrant.

Trib Must Reads

Analysis: Texas Politics Ain’t Fun and Games, But This Year is One of a Kind, by Ross Ramsey — Nastiness and politics go together like expensive coffee and free wifi. Presidential races often prompt urges for civility. Even so, the forces of decency, propriety and good taste kinda have a point this year.

A Decline in Texas Power Looms in Washington, by Abby Livingston — Lone Star clout and the benefits it generates back home look to be on the decline in the coming years.

Texas Tech's New President Wants University to be Elite, by Matthew Watkins — In an interview, Texas Tech University's new president describes his vision for the school, his love for Lubbock and the future of the Big 12.

After Supreme Court Setback, Texas Ultimately Wins Fair Housing Lawsuit, by Neena Satija — A year after the U.S. Supreme Court allowed a lawsuit against Texas over segregated housing to go forward, a federal district judge has dismissed it. 

Auto Title Companies Sue Texas DMV Over New Fee Limit, by Nicole Cobler — Eight title service companies filed a lawsuit against the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, saying the department’s service fee limits could put them out of the business.

Controversial GOP Chairman's Tenure Ends in Travis County, by Patrick Svitek — The brief, zany tenure of Travis County GOP Chairman Robert Morrow came to an end Friday, as party officials made clear the conspiracy theorist abandoned his post by running for president and he accepted their conclusion without question.

The Day Ahead

The House County Affairs Committee travels to San Antonio for an interim hearing addressing the progress of a federal waiver program that seeks to transform the way health care is delivered to low-income patients. Also on tap for the 12:30 p.m. hearing on the campus of Texas A&M-San Antonio: the state's child protective services agency and criminal justice programs in Bexar County.

Elsewhere

(Links below lead to outside websites; content might be behind paywall)

Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins interfered in major contract on behalf of local firms, colleagues allege, The Dallas Morning News

Deadly Accidents, No Answers, Houston Chronicle 

Houston woman says Chinese forced her to confess, Houston Chronicle 

Candidates sue to get on the November ballot in Texas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram 

Details of Texas voter ID outreach program shielded from public view, San Antonio Express-News

A bare-knuckled turf war over trash, Austin American-Statesman 

Wal-Mart Takes Texas To Court To Crack Liquor-Sales Market, The Associated Press 

Businesses rush to comply with Kari's Law, Amarillo Globe-News 

Quote to Note

“Texans might have to wander for 40 years in the wilderness before we have substantive leadership in Washington again."

— Jenifer Sarver, a former Department of Commerce staffer in the George W. Bush administration, on Texas' decline in Washington leadership over the past years

Today in TribTalk

Texas' resources should go to schools, students most in need, by state Sen. José Rodríguez, D-El Paso — With the 2017 session fast approaching, it's time to tackle school finance issues head on and do something about high-stakes testing.

News From Home

On Tuesday, The Texas Tribune will launch "Unholstered," a seven-part, data-driven investigation into police shootings in Texas. For the project, we collected and analyzed data from the state’s 36 largest cities on every incident in which police officers pulled the trigger between 2010 and 2015.

Trib Events for the Calendar

•    San Antonio & the Legislature: The Election and Beyond on Sept. 14 at University of Texas at San Antonio – Downtown Campus

•   The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 23-25 at the University of Texas at Austin

•   The Washington Post's Politics & Pints with Chris Cillizza: TTF Edition on Sept. 24 at Scholz Garten

•   TribFeast: A Dinner To Support Nonprofit Journalism on Sept. 24 at the University of Texas at Austin's Etter-Harbin Alumni Center

•   A Conversation with state Reps. Four Price and John Smithee on Oct. 4 at Amarillo College in Amarillo

•   A Conversation with state Reps. Andrew Murr and Jason Isaac on Nov. 14 at Schreiner University in Kerrville