Texas Comptroller Freezes Harris Co. Tax Ability Over Police Defunding

[#TexasPolitics365]

Gov. Greg Abbott is putting Harris county on notice that their ability to raise taxes has been revoked after it was discovered they had defunded a police department precinct and cut their budget during a crime wave, and without water approval, contrary to state law.

Abbott tweeted Sunday night:

"Harris Co. has been caught defunding law enforcement.

The result -- by law that I signed -- is that Harris Co. can't raise property taxes.

If they don't spend taxpayer money responsibly then they can't get their hands on more of your taxpayer money."

Texas Comptroller Glen Hegar wrote, in as statement on his website,

"unlike other states, the Texas Legislature has fought to ensure that the “defund the police” movement has no place in our cities, communities and neighborhoods. Lawmakers and state leadership in Texas are committed to preventing the disastrous policies that have led to the mass exodus of businesses and families from crime-ridden, liberal cities.

My office remains vigilant and continues to review complaints against entities that may be either deliberately or inadvertently defunding police."

(Full story HERE.)

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Rise In Austin Sex Crimes Blamed On Police Department Cuts

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47-year-old man who failed to register in the sex offender database was arrested in Austin last week after police officers caught him in the middle of a sexual act with an autistic teenager, and one expert says the city’s move to defund police has put it at the mercy of such criminals.

According to 13-year Austin police officer Justin Berry, the incident is directly related to Austin’s decision to strip funding from the police in 2020, which he says pulled resources from units that monitor and pursue convicted sex offenders. 

"When the city of Austin defunded us by a third of our budget they also cut 150 officer positions," Berry, who is running to represent Texas’s 19th House District, told Fox News Digital on Wednesday.

(Full story HERE.)
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Among New 2022 Texas State Laws: Protecting Police Budgets

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Twenty-three new Texas laws have officially gone into effect as of New Year’s Day 2022, among them is a bill that is designed to protect police budgets from being cut as part of the "defund the police" movement.

Republican authors say Senate Bill 23 intends to fight against cities and counties trying to change police budgets.

The Republican-led effort to protect police department’s from budget cuts is a direct response to the Austin City Council’s decision to "reimagine" the police budget, or reallocate services out of police control.

The legislation was a direct response to Progressive efforts to "defund the police." Crime has risen in Austin as a direct result of the cuts, Republicans assert.

(Full story HERE.)
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#Texas Senate Passes Bill That Penalizes Cities That Defund Police Departments

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Gaining stronger than expected Democratic support, the Texas Senate has approved a Republican priority bill that would penalize cities and counties that cut spending on police.

Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, said Tuesday that her bill was intended to promote public safety and show support for law enforcement amid calls to defund police during last year's protests over police brutality after George Floyd died under the knee of a Minneapolis officer in May. Groups like Black Lives Matter and ANTIFA have championed the "Defund the Police" efforts in that city and elsewhere.

The Democrat-controlled Austin City Council last year partially defunded their police department, by cutting nearly a third of its budget.

(Full story here.)
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State Takeover Of Austin Police Dept. Closer To Reality

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Monday night, Gov. Greg Abbott signaled that legislation could be on the way soon to transfer the powers of the Austin Police Department away from the city council and under the control of the Texas Department of Safety.

Abbott tweeted:

"Just in time for Christmas: The Legislative Council has sent draft language for a proposed law that would transfer control of the Austin Police Department to the Texas Department of Public Safety. One way or another we will pass a law to keep Austin safe."

The tweet from Gov. Abbott was not a surprise, reports KXAN,-TV.  

Back in September, Abbott expressed his displeasure with Austin City Council’s decision to cut $20 million from APD’s budget, in addition to transitioning $130 million out over a year. 

Abbott has vowed to pass law to defund cities that defund police departments.

APD reports a rise in several violent crimes in the city this year. The department says the murder rate increased by 55% over 2019.

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Dallas PD Gets State Assistance Amid Crime Spike After Budget Cuts

[Texas Politics 365] 

Gov. Greg Abbott is sending aid to the Dallas Police Department after they requested help following $7 million in cuts to their overtime budget by city leaders. It comes amid a spike in crime in the city, reports Breitbart.

"Abbott responded to a request from the Dallas Police Department to provide direct support in reducing violent crime, the governor’s office reported. The Texas Department of Public Safety is sending multiple resources to help the city that is currently in the midst of a spike in violent crime.

Those resources include DPS special agents, state troopers, and intelligence analysts. The additional manpower will be directed at helping support gang and drug enforcement operations."

Abbott said in a written statement: “Every Texan deserves to feel safe in their own community, and the State of Texas will continue to provide the city of Dallas with the resources they need to crack down on this heinous activity and protect Dallas residents.”

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