PHOENIX (AP) - Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey says he wants the Legislature to approve "tens of millions of dollars" in new funding for a border security force made up of state police.
The Republican governor said Monday his new plan to target smuggling along the Arizona border will focus on adding staffing, technology, air assets and highway patrol coverage. He also wants to boost spending on prosecutors, help county jails pay for holding added prisoners and temporarily use Arizona National Guard troops.
The troops, equipment and added staffing will be used by a newly formed Arizona Department of Public Safety unit called the Border Strike Force.
Ducey highlighted the new efforts after testifying at a field hearing of the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee at the state Capitol.
