FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 29, 2025
Contact: Jackie Arias-Bryant, Executive Director, jackie@malc.org, (956) 588-5243
MALC Forms Committee to Ensure $11 Billion Reimbursement Supports Border Communities and Strengthens Texas’ Economy
AUSTIN, TX — Today, the Mexican American Legislative Caucus announced its support for Texas taxpayers to be reimbursed for the $11 billion and all money spent on border security that Texans have had to foot for Operation Lone Star—made by Governor Abbott. MALC believes these funds should be allocated to address the real needs of our border communities. The border is an economic powerhouse, generating billions in trade and commerce for our state. For Texas to remain the trade capital of North America, we must prioritize the needs of this vital economic region.
As a bipartisan group of members representing every border county from Brownsville to El Paso, MALC will form a special committee, chaired by State Representative Eddie Morales
(District-74), to develop a comprehensive plan for the border that focuses on infrastructure, workforce development, trade, and security. The committee members know the needs of our
communities and will play a pivotal role in determining how this reimbursement supports the border region.
The committee will also include Reps. Erin Elizabeth Gámez (District-38), Ryan Guillen (District-31), Armando Martinez (District-39), Janie Lopez (District-37), and Vince Perez (District-77).
This Session, the committee will unveil a strategic plan to ensure the continued economic success of the border and strengthen our economy to work for all Texans.
“This is our chance to rebuild the border and keep jobs in Texas,” said Chairman Ramón Romero, Jr. “MALC means business, and we’re going to ensure this reimbursement strengthens
our border communities and the Texas economy.”
State Representative Eddie Morales said, “We have spent record amounts of taxpayer dollars on border security operations, but we have left border communities behind. If we secure this reimbursement, this money should be spent on improving the lives of those forced to bear the brunt of this problem for the past few years. This includes funding for our roads, water supply, ports, public schools, hospitals, and the tools necessary to continue to propel our economy forward.”
State Representative Erin Elizabeth Gámez stated, “Our constituents are tired of the politicization of the border, and the inflammatory rhetoric around it. We all want real border
security for the 21st century, and the investment that our region deserves.”
For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Jackie Arias-Bryant at jackie@malc.org or (956) 588-5243.
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MALC is a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization and the oldest and largest Hispanic/Latino legislative caucus in the United States. MALC is composed of members of the Texas House of Representatives who are of Mexican American descent and/or who represent districts with a majority Hispanic/Latino voting population. MALC’s purpose is to represent the interests of a united Hispanic/Latino constituency across the State of Texas.
1108 Lavaca Street, Suite 110-351, Austin, Texas 78701