AUSTIN – Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced this week that his office received more than 500 applications for financial assistance from rural law enforcement offices requesting nearly $125 million for salary assistance using funds made available through the enactment of Senate Bill 22 during the 88th Legislative Session.
State Representative Trent Ashby (R – Lufkin) had this to say about grant funding that will be awarded to rural law enforcement offices in House District 9:
“I am immensely pleased to report that every county in House District 9will receive funding from this new rural law enforcement fund. In total, $3.7 million will be distributed amongst our six-county Sheriff offices, as well as some County and District Attorney offices. As I traveled across the district and met with county officials before session, it was made abundantly clear to me that more needed to be done to help our rural law enforcement offices recruit and retain qualified officers and purchase much-needed equipment. Senate Bill 22 was designed to prioritize rural Texas by allocating state funds to support salary increases for law enforcement offices in rural counties, allowing them to compete with larger cities for qualified officers and enhance operations through criticalinvestments in additional patrol cars or safety equipment. I was proud to have worked intently on Senate Bill 22, serving on the House Conference Committee to negotiate the final version of the bill, and ensure this legislation reached Governor Abbott’s desk for his signature.”
Trent Ashby is in his sixth term as a member of the Texas House of Representatives. He is the Chair of the House Committee on Culture, Recreation & Tourism and serves on the House Committee on Transportation. He currently represents a six-county region that includes: Angelina, Houston, Polk, San Augustine, Trinity, and Tyler Counties
