U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst said Iowa taxpayers absolutely have a right to know what Iowa State Patrol troopers are doing to assist Texas at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Gov. Kim Reynolds approved the deployment of 29 Iowa State Patrol troopers to the border in June in response to a request for assistance from Texas. Reynolds has said Iowa will pay the cost of the operation. That cost is unknown until expenses are calculated after the mission ends. State officials have not shared details about the troopers duties, citing security concerns. I believe transparency is always the best policy, Ernst said on a call with reporters Wednesday. And so I would love to know of course what our state troopers are doing. I do support the governor’s efforts there, but since our taxpayer dollars are being spent on that, yes, we should have some accountability on what those troopers missions are and how they’ll be utilized at the border.
Iowa State Patrol
An Iowa state trooper on patrol along Interstate 80 southwest of Des Moines.
IOWA CITY, Iowa Agreements released Monday show Iowa is donating the use of state troopers and their equipment at “no cost to Texas” to fight crime along the U.S. border with Mexico, but a spokesman for Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said there still is a chance Texas could later reimburse some costs.
The agreements show Iowa troopers, members of an Iowa State Patrol tactical team that responds to high-risk situations, command staff and an investigator will be part of the deployment. The total number is redacted from the documents, but Iowa officials have said previously they expect to send 25 to 30 officers from the Iowa Department of Public Safety for a two-week mission this month.
KXLY
July 12, 2021 3:09 PM By RYAN J. FOLEY and DAVID PITT
Associated Press
Posted:
Updated:
Kyle Ocker
FILE - In a June 10, 2021 file photo, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds speaks with community leaders during a visit in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Agreements between Iowa and Texas show Iowa is donating the use of state troopers and their equipment at no cost to Texas to fight crime along the U.S. border with Mexico. Despite that language, a spokesman for Reynolds says there still is a chance Texas could eventually pick up the costs after the mission concludes.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) Gov. Kim Reynolds said Monday that Iowa will cover the cost of troopers sent to Texas to fight crime along the U.S. border with Mexico, confirming the state would fund the mission after the release of agreements showing the effort would come at “no cost to Texas.”
Iowa dona recursos a Texas para combatir delincuencia en la frontera con México Iowa despachará a Texas efectivos de la Patrulla Estatal, miembros de un equipo táctico, personal de comando y un investigador Por: Gabriela Nila 12 de julio de 2021 | 18:10 Es la primera vez que Iowa envía recursos policiales fuera del estado desde que se incorporó al acuerdo interestatal en la década de 1990. (Foto: Getty Images)
Iowa proveerá
policías, así como su equipo a Texas para
combatir la delincuencia en la frontera con México sin necesidad de pago, revelaron documentos difundidos este lunes 12 de julio, aunque un vocero de la gobernadora de Iowa indicó que es posible que Texas sí le reembolse el dinero.
Iowa is donating this resource, according to the agreements, signed by the director of Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management on July 2 and released by the department Monday under the open records law.
Pat Garrett, a spokesman for Reynolds, said the agreements don t necessarily mean that Texas won t eventually pay Iowa for part of the costs, saying nothing is final until we really end the mission. Obviously, Texas and Arizona had an immediate need so we wanted to make sure we were answering it, he said. Again, we won t have final payment details until all of this is over.
Garrett said the state has ruled out the use of private donations.