Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced key components of the Lone Star state’s plan to build its own barrier along its 1,200-mile border with Mexico at a press conference in Austin on Wednesday, including authorizing $250 million as a down payment to kickstart the process. The Republican governor said that the funds are being drawn from the state budget, which allocates $1.1 billion towards border security—a record for Texas. The down payment will be used to hire a project manager and contractors for the border wall. A letter (pdf) authorizing the transfer of the funds was signed at the press conference by Abbott, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, state House Speaker Dade Phelan, state Senator Jane Nelson, and state Rep. Greg Bonnen. Abbott also signed a separate letter (pdf) directing the Texas Facilities Commission to hire a project manager to oversee the border wall construction, as well as the planning and …