Governor Rick Perry Blames State Senator Robert Duncan for the Failure of Sanctuary City Legislation
Texas Governor Rick Perry issued a tersely worded statement this evening blaming State Senator Robert Duncan (R- Lubbock) for the failure of SB 1 in the Texas Senate.
"As the special session appears to be winding down, I am disappointed the Legislature did not address sanctuary cities. Working with legislative leaders last weekend, we worked to include sanctuary city legislation in Senate Bill 1. Unfortunately, SB1 Conference Committee Chairman Robert Duncan ultimately refused to allow language related to the ban of sanctuary cities into the final version of Senate Bill 1. Because of this action, the special session will not provide our peace officers with the discretion they need to adequately keep Texans safe from those that would do them harm."
Governor Rick Perry had considered Sanctuary City legislation a top priority for the 2011 Legislative Session. Senate Bill 1 is a budget-balancing bill which was approved by the House just after 6pm, and since the Senate has already adjourned, no further modifications may be made to it. By law, the special session of the Texas Legislature must end June 29th.