As we approach the upcoming Primary Elections on March 5, I would like to remind everyone that early voting begins on Tuesday, February 20,and ends on March 1. While I always encourage folks to vote early to avoid waiting in line to cast your ballot, what’s most important is that you make plans to participate in the process and have your voice heard by exercising your right to vote. For more information on early voting locations, what you’ll need to bring with you to the polling locations, or any other questions you may have, please call our office or visit votetexas.gov.
With that, here’s an update from your State Capitol . . .
Capitol Update
As you well know, the situation along our southern border continues to devolve. In December of last year alone, there were a record 302,000 encounters with migrants illegally crossing the border. To put that in perspective, that is more than 9,700 per day, more than the entire population of San Augustine County. Additionally, during the 2023 Fiscal Year, there were 2.5 million encounters. This is a crisis that demands action, and so far, the federal government has yet to act.
In response to this inaction, the Texas Legislature passed a historic border security package during the Fourth Special Session.
As I’ve mentioned in previous columns, Senate Bill 3 distributed an additional $1.54 billion to secure Texas’ southern border. $1.5 billion of the funds from SB 3 are dedicated to the construction and maintenance of physical barriers, and $40 million is dedicated to paying our men and women in the Department of Public Safety serving on the border.
Last week, I was extremely disappointed, like many of my fellow Texans, to learn of the Supreme Court’s decision to essentially override the policies implemented by the Legislature and allow the federal government to cut concertina razor wire to gain access to the border. While this issue continues its way through the legal system, I stand with state leaders working to create solutions to the ongoing crisis.
The mobile office is on the road again this month, and our District Director will look forward to seeing you on the following dates, in the following locations: February 7 at the San Augustine County Courthouse in San Augustine from 9-11 a.m.; February 14 at the Polk County Commissioner’s Courtroom in Livingston from 9-11 a.m. and at the Tyler County Commissioner’s Courtroom in Woodville from 1:30-3:30 p.m.; February 21 at the Houston County Courthouse Annex in Crockett from 9-11 a.m. and at the Trinity County Courthouse in Groveton from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office if we can help you in any way. My district office may be reached at (936) 634-2762. Additionally, I welcome you to follow along on my Official Facebook Page, where I will post regular updates on what’s happening in your State Capitol and share information that could be useful to you and your family: https://www.facebook.com/RepTrentAshby/.
