Abbott, local officials in new fight over Harvey money

[Elderberry]

Houston Chronicle 5/16/2018 by Mike Ward and Mike Morris

Local officials in Houston and dozens of Gulf Coast jurisdictions devastated by Hurricane Harvey on Wednesday asked the state to tap its Rainy Day Fund savings account to pay for billions in disaster mitigation projects, the latest political fight to erupt over state funding.

Gov. Greg Abbott immediately responded with a letter of his own to Houston: Stop complaining. Plenty of money is available, but you haven't applied for any of it.

In addition, he told Houston that of the $50 million the state lent it last September to cover emergency costs, the city has spent less than $5 million.

"There is more money available to you than you have demonstrated the ability to spend to respond to Hurricane Harvey and to mitigate future damage," Abbott said in his terse response to the local officials' plea. "I strongly urge you to begin taking advantage of these funds today."

The governor's office is sending similar letters to the other 55 Harvey-battered counties and cities that signed the request to Abbott.

More: https://www.chron.com/news/politics/texas/article/Abbott-local-officials-in-new-fight-over-Harvey-12919020.php

[Sanguine]

I sure like Abbott.

[thackney]

Stop complaining. Plenty of money is available, but you haven't applied for any of it.

In addition, he told Houston that of the $50 million the state lent it last September to cover emergency costs, the city has spent less than $5 million.

What the heck is going on with Houston?

[Frank Cannon]

I sure like Abbott.

Damn straight. His response is priceless.

[Bigun]

What the heck is going on with Houston?

Houston's mayor is a former democrat member of the state house and it's killing them that Texas has some money set aside that they can't get their grubby paws on!

[Restored]

They don't want the money for disaster relief. They want to put it in their pocket. But the application process makes that difficult because it puts them on the record and it gets audited.

[thackney]

Houston's mayor is a former democrat member of the state house and it's killing them that Texas has some money set aside that they can't get their grubby paws on!

It is more confusing than that if they only spent 5 of the $50 million already given them.

[Sanguine]

It is more confusing than that if they only spent 5 of the $50 million already given them.

...and are demanding more.

[Bigun]

They don't want the money for disaster relief. They want to put it in their pocket. But the application process makes that difficult because it puts them on the record and it gets audited.

B I N G O ! ! !