Texas is about to receive potentially more than $10 billion in federal reimbursement with the passage of President Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill—funds specifically intended to reimburse the State of Texas for border security efforts under Operation Lone Star. We have a rare opportunity to use this money to do something meaningful for those who helped keep our communities and our state safe.
Governor Greg Abbott has called the Legislature to reconvene in Special Session on July 21. I’ve asked him to add to his call and prioritize some of this money for a much-needed cost of living adjustment (COLA) or 13th check for retired state troopers and retired DPS employees.
These are the men and women who spent their careers protecting Texans—often under extremely difficult and dangerous circumstances. Many of them even served on the front lines of border enforcement, apprehending dangerous cartel members and traffickers. They didn’t hesitate when the state asked them to step up. And now, too many of them are struggling to make ends meet in retirement.
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