Texas taxpayers are funding Governor Abbott's obsession with border security

Maine Writer - This opinion letter published in the Austin American Statesman, a Texas newspaper, raises the salient issue in my mind, being, "where does all this money for border security come from"? Ahhhh! Let me guess. Maybe, it comes from taxpayers?

(But wait, wait! Did anybody tell Governor Abbott about the promise #TFG made?  Mexico was going to pay for the wall!)

Texas finds big money for border, but can't adequately fund services.

Re: May 2 article, "Troopers at border make big money."

I was appalled upon reading the details of the Texas Department of Public Safety's engagement at the southern border.

It troubles me that our elected officials seem to find the means for nefarious enterprises at the border that the governor, et al., champion, but can’t adequately fund more essential services such as education, health services or child care.

Delving deeper into the details, in addition to 10,000 Texas National Guard troops, Texas has committed 1,600 out of 4,200 officers to the border detail. What about the neglect due to the absence of these same officers around the rest of the state? What about the rationality of having troopers working 12 to 14 hours on 9-day shifts? 

This seems inhuman and calculated to increase errant behavior.

(Check this Newsweek headline:  Texas Dedicates Nearly One Billion $$$ To Secure It's Border With Mexico.)

And as to the overtime pay: $164,000 in overtime for a 6-figure salaried captain! What agency director can sanction close to $200 million in DPS overtime from March 2021, through February 2022, without incurring the wrath of the taxpayers?

Peter Ellis, Austin, Texas