Panel Again Examines Cost Of National Guard Troop Surge

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A legislative panel is again examining how much Gov. Rick Perry's National Guard troop surge to the Texas-Mexico border will cost the state.  

Perry deployed as many as 1,000 guardsmen amid an influx of children crossing illegally into the U.S. this summer.

That wave has since slowed dramatically, but Perry says the order was a success disrupting drug- and people-smugglers.

A Texas House committee on the fiscal impact of border security operations convenes Thursday.

Texas has already earmarked $86 million to continue the law enforcement "border surge" but will send guardsmen home by April and replace them with additional state troopers.

Perry says he'd like the National Guard to stay longer but will take what he can get. He leaves office next month but may run for president in 2016.