[anymouse]

Hawkins said it is unclear whether sect members have private insurance. He also said that officials have found no evidence that anyone from the sect is receiving public assistance.

"I think my response is to ask the state on what legal grounds it believes it would be entitled to take FLDS assets," Parker said in an e-mail to the Star-Telegram. "This is a country of laws; they cannot simply go after assets without legal basis."

[weegee]

So they conduct a raid and want to bill the accused for the prison stay? Can we apply this billing process to Mexico for any and all illegal immigrants who are staying in government facilities?

[Tennessee Nana]

BTTT

[BenLurkin]

Pedophiles are disgusting people.

But then... out of control government is simply disgusting.

[Utah Girl]

I just read that it cost the state of Texas 7.5 million dollars for the first 19 days after the raid. I was generous and calculated how much a day this is costing the Texan taxpayers. If there are 500 people in custody right now, then it is costing a mere $750.00 a day for each person.

[NittanyLion]

"That compound didn't grow out of fairy dust," Sen. Robert Deuell, R-Greenville, said after a Senate Finance Committee hearing in which he urged state health officials to determine whether members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or even the sect as a whole, should be held responsible for the cost of care. "Why should we be footing the bill when they've got assets?"

After that comment I had to check to make sure this wasn't satire. And sure enough, it wasn't. Just stupidity and arrogance.

[olezip]

With the price tag of providing care for more than 400 children seized last month from a polygamist ranch in West Texas expected to reach the tens of millions of dollars, a legislative panel suggested Tuesday that the state explore garnisheeing the religious organization's assets to recoup the costs.

I am surprised that a so-called Republican would make such a vile suggestion! Are not Republicans supposed to be compassionate conservatives?

The children were seized illegally. The State and Federal governments are, or should be liable for the costs and damages to the wronged mothers, IMO. It is no wonder that the approval ratings of our congress are so low; they are out of touch with the people.

[neodad]

This is a mess. The state is going to be hit with lawsuits into the tens if not hundreds of millions, and the legislature is worried about who’s going to pay for the raid? I don’t agree with the FLDS on any level. I think it’s creepy, but if the state can’t prove abuse, Texans are going to pay.

[greatvikingone]

Bill them and all criminals. That would be a CHANGE I can believe in.

[nralife]

This HAD to be proposed before the court decision about CPS having no reason to take all of the children?? If not, there really are some loons down there.

[KarlInOhio]

Just wait until the FLDS lawyers are done with the state of Texas. That $7.5 million bill so far will be a drop in the bucket.

[kittymyrib]

This is no different than seizing other fraudulently obtained assets. The FLDS lied to the owners of the property and told them they would be putting in a hunting operation, knowing full well that no one would sell their land to a cult. They seem to have plenty of money, so let them reimburse the state of Texas for the expenses incurred by their child abuse.

[heywoodubuzzoff]

Local rumor is that there is natural gas or petroleum suspected on their land —

[Blood of Tyrants]

$4,100 per month PER CHILD? Who says that government is wasteful and inefficient? </sarc>

[org.whodat]

Albert Hawkins, the state's executive commissioner for health and human services.

Yes I'm sure they are keeping a two bit commissioner up to date. NOT!

[padre35]

That article contains one factual error (at least) “A tip from a anonymous caller”.

Nope, it was some woman in AZ who called 911 and lied like a rug about the sect, that should not be simply glossed over.

Add in the Appeals Court saying the DHS was in error by removing all of the children even ones that were of legal age, and this just gets uglier.

[brityank]

Sounds very like the Chinese government.

Shoot the one they've convicted and given the death penalty to -- then bill their family for the charges, including the cost of the bullet!

[machenation]

I heard the Chicom government sends a bill to the parent's of an executed criminal for the cost of the bullet. Fancy that.

[apillar]

If the appeals court ruling stands, this senate panel better be worrying about where it's going to come up with the Billions needed to pay the judgments the FLDS members are going to have against the state...

[CindyDawg]

If this is over-ruled and child abuse is proved then yeah...go for it. Make that compound a women/childrens shelter for abused women all over the state to seek shelter and education.

[varon]

Unfrickingbelievable. I think the people in Texas CPS and law enforcement have a personal agenda/vendetta and are out to destroy this religious group under the cover of law. Bunch of sick bas7ards!