Gov. Greg Abbott Eases State Inspections

News Article Summary

The move by Texas Governor Greg Abbot to ease state inspections will provide some relief as Trade has been hampered between Texas and Mexico. Governor Greg Abbott and Governor Alejandro Sepulveda of Nuevo Leon came to an agreement on 13/04/2022. The arrangement between Texas and Nuevo Leon will help clear the commercial traffic snarl-up that has become a common phenomenon at the Laredo-Colombia bridge since Governor Abbott ordered state troopers to enforce additional inspections on cargo. The deal stops the public safety troopers from inspecting all commercial trucks on the bridge but insists on checkpoints on the Mexican side. The controversial inspections by Texas have caused many delays and prompted protests at the ports of entry due to fears of food shortages. However, these check-ups will continue in the other Mexican states bordering Texas. The deal commits the two states to ensure the border meets the safety standards to reduce drug smuggling, human trafficking, and immigrants from heading to the border.

Governor Abbott has come under criticism recently from the White House, the private sector, and the Mexican authorities due to the potential of his policies to harm the supply chain by leaving grocery store shelves empty (Garcia and Mitchell). The U.S. customs, which conducts commercial inspections, also stated that the state inspections are unnecessary. Abbott adopted the inspections after CDC lifted Title 42, which allowed the turning away of migrants and those seeking asylum at the US-Mexico border. State officials have utilized the Texas National Guard and spent lots of money to curb the problem of the increase of migrants that pass through the Texas- Mexico border. However, the mission, also called Operation Lone Star, has been marred with criticism. Governor Abbott has continuously supported the operation, claiming it has disrupted human and drug smuggling networks. These claims have been refuted by critics who state that the only gains from Operation Lone Star have been arrests of persons accused of trespassing on private property.

Link to the Text

The article primarily covers the executive powers of the Texas governor. The Governor acts as the adjutant general of the National Guard (Brown et al.). From the article, it is evident that Governor Abbott is utilizing his executive powers to order state troopers to enforce additional inspections on cargo. Also, the article shows how the Governor has utilized his powers in the past to order the National Guard to control the Texas-Mexico border. Also covered in the article are the traits covered under the determinants of success that consolidate the informal powers. These elements include the ability to engage the press and communicate essential aspects of the state. The press covered the agreement between Texas and Nuevo Leon. It may be considered a way to improve Abbott’s image or show that he still is in charge.

Prediction

My prediction relates to the issue of the increased state regulations at the borders. The guidelines by Governor Abbott are causing delays that have serious consequences. Most of the grocery in Texas comes from Mexico, and the delays at the borders are likely to cause serious food shortages. The unnecessary inspections will damage trade operations since the traffic has plummeted to low levels, and supply and demand needs cannot be supported adequately. The businesses are recovering from the pandemic and have not reached the levels they enjoyed before the pandemic. Therefore, strains on the delicate supply chain are likely to cause serious consequences. The Governor will have no choice but to rescind the orders to avoid backlashes and tarnishing his image, which has suffered a blow from the failures of Operation Lone Star.

Works Cited

Brown, Lyle, et al. Practicing Texas Politics. Cengage Learning, 2021.

Garcia Uriel and Mitchell Ferman. “Gov. Greg Abbott Eases State Inspections at One Commercial Bridge, as Trade Remains Snarled Across the Border.” The Texas Tribune. 13 April 2022.

https://www.texastribune.org/2022/04/13/greg-abbott-texas-border-inspections-nuevo-leon/