Texas
House
of
Representatives
COMMITTEES:
Transportation
Vice Cha
ir
Homeland Security
Public Safety
June
17,2014
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State
Representative·
District 130
Cy
Fair·
Klein·
Tomball & Wa
ll
er
The Honorable Joe Pickett, Chairman House Committee on Homeland Security Public Safety Capitol Extension E2.146 Dear Chairman Pickett,
CAPITOL
OFFICE
P.O.
Box
2910 Austin, Texas 78768-2910
512-463-066
1
FAX 512-463-4130 E2.902
DISTRI
CT OFFICE
25222 Ronald Reagan Memo
ri
al H
wy
S
ui
te 9199 Cypr
ess
Texas
77
4
29
28
1-373-5454' FAX
28
1-758-2772
The third interim charge assigned to the Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee by Speaker Straus is to evaluate state and local entities' effectiveness in meeting the state's border and homeland security program goals and objectives. What is happening along the border must be addressed and disclosed to the public. I am requesting that you add this charge to the agenda for the Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee hearing scheduled for July
1,2014.
Although border security is a federal issue, it
is
a problem facing Texas.
t
is straining our state resources and affecting our citizens. While some members
of
the Legislature are calling for a special session to address the crisis, I am simply asking that it be investigated at an upcoming committee hearing. Action
is
needed, but a special session may not be necessary. First and foremost, as you know, special sessions cost Texas taxpayers millions
of
dollars. In addition, much
of
the action during a special session occurs
in
the committee room, which can take place outside
of
a special session. Holding committee hearings will allow us determine
if
new law
is
appropriate. Once that is accomplished, a decision can be made about whether a special session is necessary. There are many questions that need to be answered about the mounting border crisis. Addressing this at an upcoming hearing will allow us to take the first step in answering these questions.
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