Not that, overall, there's anything wrong with paying security detail for elected officials, but read the Trib article to see how, first, Ken Paxton uses it. Second, why does Greg Abbott need to go overseas so much? Add that with the fact he's putting out a book and one wonders, what is he running for next?
The latest records available from DPS show that from January 2015 to February 2016, travel, lodging and meals for Paxton's security detail cost taxpayers $78,000. Nearly half of that — about $35,000, which includes $16,000 for lodging alone — was spent on the DPS team's travel to cities in Collin County. Those totals do not include overtime pay for the officers traveling with Paxton.
Security costs for Abbott, who as governor often travels out of state to promote Texas interests, are more than five times those of the attorney general. Abbott's expenses also include several international trips to Israel, Mexico, France, England, Cuba and Italy in the last year.
Patrick spent slightly more than Paxton, about $81,000, but that included an international trip to Israel and more travel around the state. Since he's been in office, Patrick's made a trip with his security detail to his hometown of Houston about once a month.
