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MustReadTexas.com – @MustReadTexas
BY: @MattMackowiak |
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TUESDAY | 6/17/2025 |
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Good Tuesday afternoon.
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“If something of importance is known in Texas, Matt knows it. With a decline in the number of credible news organizations, the Must Read Texas morning email is indispensable for anyone that wants to continue to be informed.” – Former U.S. Senator Phil Gramm (R-TX) |
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“With only 8% built, Texas quietly defunds state border wall program,” Texas Tribune's Zach Despart and Alejandro Serranos – “Four years after Gov. Greg Abbott announced Texas would be the first state to build its own border wall, lawmakers have quietly stopped funding the project, leaving only scattered segments covering a small fraction of the border.
That decision, made in the waning hours of this year’s legislative session, leaves the future of the state wall unclear. Just 8% of the 805 miles the state identified for construction is complete, which has cost taxpayers more than $3 billion to date. The Texas Tribune reported last year that the wall is full of gaps that migrants and smugglers can easily walk around and mostly concentrated on sprawling ranches in rural areas, where illegal border crossings are less likely to occur.
State leaders suggested the federal government could pick up the effort. However, during President Donald Trump’s first term, when wall building was his top priority, his administration completed just 21 miles in Texas — about a third of what the state was able to build over the past four years. |
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The Tribune reported last year that the state’s wall program would take around 30 years and more than $20 billion to complete.
In early June, lawmakers finalized the state budget, approving $3.4 billion for ongoing border security efforts. |
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State Sen. Joan Huffman, the state’s lead budget writer, confirmed to The Texas Tribune on Thursday that none of that money will go toward the wall. Instead, the funds will flow largely to the Department of Public Safety and Texas National Guard, the agencies tasked with apprehending migrants under Abbott’s Operation Lone Star.
“It’s not that we don’t think it’s an ongoing need to secure the border,” said Huffman, R-Houston. “It should have always been a function of the federal government, in my opinion, and that wasn’t really being done.”
Andrew Mahaleris, Abbott’s spokesman, said in a statement that the Trump administration’s work to secure the southern border have allowed the state to adjust its own efforts. He did not specifically comment on the border wall program, but said the military and public safety departments would carry on their border-related missions.
“Texas will continue to maintain a robust presence with our federal partners to arrest, jail, and deport illegal immigrants,” Mahaleris said.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who controls the Senate, did not respond to an interview request.
In the end, the Republicans who control the Legislature defunded the wall without any public debate.
The Texas Facilities Commission, the state agency in charge of building the wall, said as recently as January that its objective was to build at least 100 miles of wall by the end of 2026.
But it doesn’t have the money to do so.
The wall program project manager in April reported that of the Legislature’s $3 billion in funding from previous years, there was only enough left to complete 83 miles. The state has completed 65 miles. Work will continue on segments under construction but no new projects will begin, state officials said.
Texas Facilities Commission Executive Director Mike Novak did not respond to an interview request.
The Texas border wall has been a signature policy achievement touted by Abbott, who launched an expensive border crack down during the Democratic administration of President Joe Biden. He held multiple press events in recent years, touting construction of the 30-foot high wall — which costs about $28 million per mile to build." Texas Tribune |
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“Some Texans fear a looming THC ban could return them to opioids, illegal options” Texas Tribune |
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“AG Paxton investigates whether undocumented immigrants in Texas voted in 2024 election” DMN ($)
“Attorney General Ken Paxton requests new execution date for Robert Roberson” Texas Tribune
“Texas Railroad Commission shuts down defiant Houston oil field operator after third earthquake” Hou Chron ($) |
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“Ethics board: Marc Whyte, Sukh Kaur broke city rules in campaigns” SAEN ($) |
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“Ex-White House officials to testify on who ‘really ran the country’ during Biden era” Fox News |
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“Goodbye Fort Cavazos, hello Fort Hood. Renaming of Texas Army base begins” San SAEN ($) |
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“Anheuser-Busch invests millions in Houston brewery for second time in 8 months” Hou Chron ($)
“Southwest Airlines adds new cockpit warning tech as crashes, close calls rattle travel” DMN ($) |
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> TX TRIB: "Analysis: The 2025 Texas House, from right to left" TX TRIB |
> TX TRIB: "Texas made sweeping changes to bail and parole, along with increasing penalties for stolen goods" TX TRIB |
> DMN: "Gov. Abbott signs bills to cut Texas property taxes — but voters must still weigh in" DMN |
> TX TRIB: "Some Texans fear a looming THC ban could return them to opioids, illegal options" TX TRIB |
> TX TRIB: "With only 8% built, Texas quietly defunds state border wall program" TX TRIB |
> FWST: "Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signs three bills to provide property tax relief" FWST |
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "San Marcos Police Department updates license plate reader policy" COMMUNITY IMPACT |
> AAS: "US Senate battle: Will Rep. Wesley Hunt shift Texas GOP primary race?" AAS |
> HOU CHRON: "Georgia man charged with leaving threatening messages for 2 Republican senators" HOU CHRON |
> EP TIMES: "GOP U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales urges Trump to focus deportations on violent criminals" EP TIMES |
> THE TEXAN: "Thousands Rally in Anti-Trump 'No Kings' Protest at Texas Capitol" THE TEXAN |
> SAEN: Editorial: "Turning Fort Cavazos back to Fort Hood is repugnant and insulting" SAEN |
> SAEN: "Anti-domestic violence groups are suing over the Trump administration's grant requirements" SAEN |
> EP TIMES: "Trump halts immigration raids at farms, restaurants amid backlash, protests" EP TIMES |
> SAEN: "Alert: Iran’s state-run news agency says state-run television abruptly stopped a live broadcast after Israeli strike" SAEN |
> AAS: "As Austin anti-Trump protests grow, Latino protestors fight to keep attention on immigration" AAS |
> SAEN: "Judge Huff says opponent is running against her because she is Black" SAEN |
> FWST: "2 children die, 1 injured when semi hits pickup in U.S. 380 crash near Decatur" FWST |
> FWST: "Beware of this stinging, venomous, invasive ant species that is now present in Texas" FWST |
> DMN: "High-profile Knox Street announces first restaurant, a 90-year-old cafe from Italy" DMN |
> FWST: "TCU community mourns 19-year-old student who died in ATV accident in Colorado" FWST |
> FWST: "In spasm of violence in Fort Worth, 5 victims dead in shootings across the city" FWST |
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Last night's Texas sports schedule:
> MLB: Oakland 3, Houston 1
Tomorrow's Texas sports schedule:
> 7pm: WNBA: Golden State at Dallas
> 7:05pm: MLB: Kansas City at Texas
> 9:05pm: MLB: Houston at Oakland
Tonight's Texas sports schedule:
> 7:05pm: MLB: Kansas City at Texas
> 7:30pm: MLS: San Jose at Dallas
> 7:30pm: MLS: Houston at Minnesota
> 9:05pm: MLB: Houston at Oakland
DALLAS MAVERICKS: “Cooper Flagg, the consensus No. 1 pick, arrives in Dallas for private visit with Mavericks" DMN ($)
TEXAS A&M FOOTBALL: "KJ Edwards, 4-star RB, commits to Texas A&M Aggies No. 2 overall class" AAS ($)
TEXAS ATHLETICS: "Texas Longhorns poised to win 4th Directors' Cup in 5-year span, first for SEC" AAS ($)
TEXAS STATE ATHLETICS: "Pac-12 eyeing Texas State as reported favorites to join conference" AAS ($)
SAN ANTONIO SPURS: "As NBA trade rumors swirl, Suns' Kevin Durant reportedly eyeing Spurs" SAEN ($)
DALLAS STARS: "Dallas Stars sign goaltender Ben Kraws to two-way contract" DMN ($)
UTSA BASEBALL: "UTSA baseball coach Pat Hallmark agrees to four-year contract extension" SAEN ($) |
