Blaise Ganey
Appearances
Up First from NPR
Mideast Ceasefire Continues, Irish Elections, Texas Politics
Well, they already have a program going called Operation Lone Star. They've spent $11 billion on that program. It was created in March of 2021 by Governor Greg Abbott to respond to the rise in illegal immigration because he said President Biden's administration wasn't doing enough.
Up First from NPR
Mideast Ceasefire Continues, Irish Elections, Texas Politics
He's bused tens of thousands of migrants to blue states, deployed miles of razor wire along the border, and extended a floating buoy barrier in the Rio Grande. And Abbott was recently on Fox News. Here's what he had to say on immigration.
Up First from NPR
Mideast Ceasefire Continues, Irish Elections, Texas Politics
So if Trump increases border patrols, then that could free up Texas from having to invest so much of its own resources.
Up First from NPR
Mideast Ceasefire Continues, Irish Elections, Texas Politics
Yeah, exactly. Another way we might see that play out, though, is the state's general land office offered the incoming Trump administration more than 1,400 acres of South Texas borderland to, quote, construct deportation facilities. But there's already been a lot of pushback on mass deportation, not only from immigrant advocates, but business leaders as well.
Up First from NPR
Mideast Ceasefire Continues, Irish Elections, Texas Politics
They say it could be dangerous for the economy and workforce.
Up First from NPR
Mideast Ceasefire Continues, Irish Elections, Texas Politics
Yeah, I mean, vouchers have been a big ticket item in several states. There's already 16 states with a program so far. Texas is not one of them. The governor has been trying to pass a bill since 2023 with no luck. He even called three special sessions for it, but it never got passed.
Up First from NPR
Mideast Ceasefire Continues, Irish Elections, Texas Politics
But this election cycle, he was successful in getting several of the rural Republicans that voted against it out of office. We'll have to wait and see. But at the time, it does look like he has the votes. Okay, well, what else are you hearing might be a priority? Yeah, so making a return from 2017 session is the bathroom bill.
Up First from NPR
Mideast Ceasefire Continues, Irish Elections, Texas Politics
It restricts the use of public restrooms and locker rooms to be used only by a person whose sex on their birth certificate matches what's on the sign. And this would only apply to government-owned buildings. And another bill that's been filed focuses on stopping people from getting medications associated with abortions. The goal is to prevent people from ordering these pills online.
Up First from NPR
Mideast Ceasefire Continues, Irish Elections, Texas Politics
Yeah, I mean, they filed nearly 2,000 bills so far, but it should be noted that not a lot of bills actually passed. Last session, 8,000 bills were filed, and less than 1,300 of those were passed and signed by the governor. So the lawmakers can brag about introducing legislation or this or that, but But those bills probably don't stand a chance. And, you know, the saying better late than never.
Up First from NPR
Mideast Ceasefire Continues, Irish Elections, Texas Politics
Well, with bills, it's better early than late because the earlier the bills get filed, the more time you have to bring all sides to the table to discuss any issues the bill might have. And then you can get amendments tackled on to fix them.