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State Officials Release $874.6M for Public Safety, Tech Included

The money is earmarked for public safety initiatives.

Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Speaker Dade Phelan, Senate Finance Committee Chair Joan Huffman and House Appropriations Chair Dr. Greg Bonnen announced on Thursday the transfer of more than $874.6 million to support critical public safety and recovery initiatives, such as border security and school safety, during the current biennium.

The $874.6 million will be transferred to state agencies and programs for initiatives that include enhanced border security operations and school safety.

The funding will provide:
  • $400 million to assist school districts in replacing or upgrading doors, windows, fencing, communications and other safety measures.
  • $15 million to assist in the construction of a new elementary school in Uvalde.
  • $339 million to the Texas Military Department for continued border security activities related to Operation Lone Star.
  • $20.6 million to support other state agencies under Operation Lone Star to continue responding to the border crisis.
  • $100 million to the Texas Division of Emergency Management for COVID-19 response expenses.

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