Abbott Threatens Funding Cuts Over Sanctuary Policies

0:00It's April 17th, U.S. News Today starts now. AI-powered and nationwide. I'm Cory with the story. Texas Governor Greg Abbott just dropped a bombshell, threatening to yank about $200 million in public safety funding from Houston, Dallas and Austin. He's demanding these cities scrap their local rules that stop police from holding people longer during stops to help federal immigration agents. This all ties back to Senate Bill 4, a state law that bans so-called sanctuary policies and forces cooperation with immigration enforcement. Abbott's team says these city rules straight up clashed with that law, making streets less safe. Local leaders are firing back hard. Austin's mayor points out their cops lack to ban with for federal jobs, and that cutting funds hurts public safety. Houston calls it a crisis-wasting resources on partisan fights, while Dallas insists they're following all laws, but prioritizing safety first. The governor expanded his crackdown this week to more cities, and Attorney General Ken

1:00Paxton filed lawsuits against spots like Houston to block their policies. It's part of Texas' bigger push to ramp up immigration checks statewide. Cities now face a tough call. Tweet their rules or lose cash for cops, emergencies and big events, which could reshape how enforcement plays out across.