Private Donations For Border Fence Still Sitting In Fund

By Dennis Lambert
Published: Wednesday, December 11, 2013 - 10:19am

There are still no solutions on what to do with the money raised by a fund that was supposed to build a fence on private property along the Arizona border.

State Rep. Steve Smith, a Republican from Maricopa, helped spearhead the website where people can donate, and denies there has been little progress on coming up with a border security plan.

“I hope, and I will do everything that I can, to get that money out of there as fast as possible,” Smith said. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted to do, just get it out of that account, spend it, show effectiveness, and try to raise some more, and keep doing it.”

There is an estimated $264,000 in the fund, which solicits private donations for border infrastructure. The Joint Border Security Advisory Committee, which will make the decision on what to do with the funds, is made up of state lawmakers and border experts who meet once a month.