Truth AWOL on HB 13
May 8th, 2007 at 12:51 am
Tonight, truth took a hit—from the outset to the aftermath of the debate on HB 13. House State Affairs Chairman David Swinford set the tone as he introduced the bill. “There is no sense in talking about this bill because we have talked about it before.”
Actually, tonight was the first time that a real discussion of the policy implications of this bill took place. Thank Rep. Frank Corte and Rep. Abel Herrero for that. Herrero had an amendment to move Homeland Security to DPS. “This amendment removes any politics when it comes to border security and homeland security.” Corte responded: “We should not today reorganize the way we have done it for four years with a simple amendment.”
Maybe if the leadership had allowed a real debate on the issue, critics wouldn’t have had to try and do it with an amendment. Herrero’s amendment went down. In fact all the amendments not acceptable to the chair failed before an awesome coalition of border and Craddick Ds and Republicans. The border reps who supported the bill all seemed to do so for one reason — money.
In an exchange with Rep. Jessica Farrar, Swinford suggested that the federal money—he promised is on the way—had to go to the governor because it was Byrne Grant money. You probably remember the Byrne Grant money. That’s the cash that fueled the drug task forces behind the Tulia scandal. Scott Henson over at Grits explains why Swinford is wrong. Whether the border reps ever see any of the patronage that they hope to receive by supporting the governor’s power grab remains to be seen.
The bill passed overwhelmingly. In the process some good amendments made it on to the bill including one to fully move TDEx to DPS.
In a press-release, Farrar lays out her objections to the bill.
Gov. Perry also made a statement through spokesman Robert Black:
“Gov. Perry applauds the members of the House of Representatives for recognizing the tremendous success of Texas’ border security efforts under the current homeland security structure and for believing in the old axiom: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. By passing HB 13, House members have affirmed that the proper place for homeland and border security coordination is in the office of the state’s chief executive and that Texas’ homeland security efforts are a model for the nation.”
It would be the final falsehood on HB 13 for the night.
