AUSTIN, TX — Today, Senator Hinojosa announces that he will release a Border Security Proposal in the coming days to work in collaboration with current budget recommendations. Senator Hinojosa's proposal does not include extending the deployment of the National Guard Troops along the state's border. The deployment of 1,000 troops, which cost tens of millions of dollars, was set to end in March. To fund the Guard through May will cost an additional $12 million and does not adequately address the needs of our communities in the border area.

In December 2014, the Legislative Budget Board approved an additional $86.1 million to continue the state's border security efforts through August 2015. The funding was to be used to wind down the National Guard presence along the Rio Grande Valley border, a presence Senator Hinojosa has opposed from the very beginning.

Currently, the proposed Senate Budget adds $815 million for border security and a supplemental bill would be needed to fund the Guard deployment through the end of the August which would allow the legislature to make the decision to keep the Guard on the border longer.

Senator Hinojosa issued the following statement:

"Utilizing the National Guard creates an image of militarization of the border and sends the wrong message. We can make better use of our money on border security by investing funds in a DPS training facility in the Valley so that troopers will become acclimated and familiar with our Valley culture and communities.

We can also invest in providing additional funding to our local communities who need more resources to hire more police officers and deputies as well as additional funding to hire more Texas Rangers, Game Wardens, and DPS troopers.

I intend to release a detailed border security proposal and work with my Senate colleague to craft a solution. It is my priority to ensure the safety and security of our families living along the border and to support cost effective and carefully crafted border security measures."

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