Texas reportedly paid a private company $75.5 million in the span of a year to transport migrants to sanctuary cities across the U.S.

Transaction data provided by the Texas Department of Emergency Management shows the state paid Wynne Transportation $75,561,032.72 from Aug. 19, 2022, through Aug. 23, 2023, to bus migrants out of state.

13 Investigates asked the department for more details on the spending, but our questions were referred to Gov. Greg Abbott’s office.

Abbott’s office did not respond to ABC13’s questions by Tuesday afternoon.

Since April 2022, Texas has bussed nearly 52,000 migrants to Washington, D.C., New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia, Denver, and Los Angeles, according to a news release from Abbott’s office.

    • iforgotmyinstance@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      And a lot of fraud. These bus tickets do not run 1500 per person, even with associated rounding-up costs (although the victims likely assembled themselves as they were deceived).

    • KoboldCoterie@pawb.social
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      That’s $14,519.23 per migrant; wouldn’t have lasted them long, but it could have taken care of them long enough for them to get their feet under them, surely.

      I don’t understand how it costs $14.5k per person to transport them… Sounds like someone’s pockets were getting lined.

      It’s $1,453.09, not 14.5k. Still more than it should cost to transport people but not as unreasonable as I previously claimed.

        • JJROKCZ@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          Yea 1400 from Texas to Chicago is still pretty pricey but w/e. That money wouldn’t go far towards feeding/housing them but even if it covers a month that’s all most need to find work and pay for themselves after

        • FontMasterFlex@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          You’re both wrong. the article states the $75 million is from AUGUST 2022 to August 2023. The 52,000 number is from April 2022.

      • TinyPizza@kbin.social
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        1 year ago

        Why not be a monster AND make some sweet side cheddar. Everything’s bigger in Texas, including the amount stolen off the top.

        • HobbitFoot @thelemmy.club
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          Yeah. Greyhound charges about $330 to go from San Antonio. In this case, the bus is likely fuller and only has to stop for gas and maybe a driver switch. Flights are actually cheaper, but then you’d have to explain to TSA why all these people without documentation and with flights paid by others are going through the airport.

    • ShittyRedditWasBetter@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Do people even try due diligence before mouthing off? 4th grade math would tell you that we’re taking like 1.5k. You are a part of our problem.

      • CmdrShepard@lemmy.one
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        1 year ago

        And you are part of the problem by deflecting away from the fact that these Republicans are funneling taxpayer money to their buddies by paying $1500 for a one-way bus ticket. You can get first-class airfare for that price.

      • Rob@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Do people even try being kind about mistakes before mouthing off? 4th grade social skills would tell you that you’re talking like a jackass. You are a part of our problem.

  • SatanicNotMessianic@lemmy.ml
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    1 year ago

    Texas is basically the Iraq of the US. Specifically, Saddam-era Iraq, not the lovely paradise it’s become since liberation.

    It’s run by a ruthless dictator with a corrupt and criminal government dependent on him for protection. The oil-based economy keeps the money rolling in, with the poor getting the bare minimum to keep them from revolting while the rich get richer and the “elected” leaders get patronage.

    He exploits religious and ethnic differences to make sure Texans remain divided and conquered, and will not hesitate to use violence to keep them in line.

    I think it’s clear that we will eventually have to invade them and liberate them for their oil.

    • Madison420@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Specifically, Saddam-era Iraq, not the lovely paradise it’s become since liberation.

      Specifically pre ottoman fall and subsequent transfer between a dozen world powers.

  • dogslayeggs@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    $1500 for a bus ticket out of state seems pretty damn high (almost fraudulently high), but not as ridiculous as the headline makes it sound. What is ridiculous is trafficking 52,000 people who have no resources, no support, no contacts, no anything to someplace they didn’t choose to go to thousands of miles away.

    • timicin@lemmygrad.ml
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      1 year ago

      They agreed to being bussed (but they didn’t know exactly where) and Texas officials made sure to get that on paper to cya themselves against lawsuits and criminal charges

  • Optional@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    You gonna tell me Wynne Transportation isn’t a major donor or otherwise owned by a rabid republiQan?

    Last time we dug into Florida’s human trafficking we found all kinds of exciting illegal turds. SOP.

    • CmdrShepard@lemmy.one
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      $1500 per bus ticket. You can buy first class airfare for that price. These Republicans sure do love spending other people’s money.

  • Bwaz@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Wondering whether we in the PNW could use our tax $$ to deport some of the MAGA aholes here down to Texas?

  • Nougat@kbin.social
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    1 year ago

    Headline is badly worded. The private company did not pay that amount; the private company was paid that amount by the State of Texas.

  • WindyRebel@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Aaaaaaaand how much does the state get in tax payer funds/year that is supposed to be used to help with these people and their plight in that state? I’m sure they get humanitarian aid.

  • Dkarma@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    “we don’t have the resources to support these numbers of people” Spends 75 mil to bus them out of state

    I simply don’t get these ppl. They act like migrant workers are a drag on the economy when they’re exactly the opposite.