Hurricane Harvey Aftermath Could Cause a Political Storm

[corbe]

Hurricane Harvey Aftermath Could Cause a Political Storm

Bloomberg

5 hrs ago
 
With Hurricane Harvey set to be the most damaging storm to hit the U.S. in a dozen years, Congress may be called upon to provide billions in extra storm relief this fall to help with the recovery.

That could put Texas Republican Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz — and Vice President Mike Pence — in a political bind, forcing them to choose between quick aid and their own past demands for spending cuts to offset emergency disaster funds.

<..snip..>

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/hurricane-harvey-aftermath-could-cause-a-political-storm/ar-AAqJKYP?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=ientp

[corbe]

   Mods if you think this would be more appropriate in the Harvey or Texas Thread, please move.

[Wingnut]

Non story.  Ginning up the dem base. 

[Emjay]

   Mods if you think this would be more appropriate in the Harvey or Texas Thread, please move.

Everyone is interested in the hurricane and federal relief will be necessary.

[corbe]

   Maybe they should rename this to something else then.



What to Watch: Texas Isn't Alone in Rainy Day Fund Fight

Texas' rainy day fund has more than $10 billion at a time when slumping oil prices have left Texas facing a shortfall of as much as $6 billion just to maintain current spending levels.

March 26, 2017, at 11:13 a.m. 

By WILL WEISSERT, Associated Press


AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Is it raining in Texas? That depends on who you ask.

The rainy day fund contains $10-plus billion at a time when slumping oil prices have left the state facing a potential $6 billion shortfall just to maintain current spending levels in the 2018-2019 budget the Legislature is now devising. Democrats and Republicans in the House want to spend some of that to forego widespread cuts.

But in its version of the budget, the Senate avoided raiding Texas' piggy bank by using an accounting gimmick that would temporarily divert $2.6 billion previously earmarked for highway funding. House Speaker Joe Straus decried that as "counting money twice."

<..snip..>

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/texas/articles/2017-03-26/what-to-watch-texas-isnt-alone-in-rainy-day-fund-fight

[InHeavenThereIsNoBeer]

Have they started criticizing Trump's response yet, or are they going to wait until he actually does (or doesn't) do something first and then tell him he's wrong?

[Wingnut]

Have they started criticizing Trump's response yet, or are they going to wait until he actually does (or doesn't) do something first and then tell him he's wrong?

They have all the responses drafted. 

[dfwgator]

Have they started criticizing Trump's response yet, or are they going to wait until he actually does (or doesn't) do something first and then tell him he's wrong?

They'll say that Trump only helped Texas because it's a "Republican" State.

[corbe]

   If Trump really wants to help Texas, He'll OK our petition to secede. JS

[Emjay]

   If Trump really wants to help Texas, He'll OK our petition to secede. JS

I thought Texas was the one state that had historical permission to secede.

[Emjay]

I thought Texas was the one state that had historical permission to secede.

Apparently that is a myth that I've always believed.  Probably not the only one.  Texas can split into 5 states ... just think of the senators !!

But Texas will never split.  It wouldn't be Texas.

[Applewood]

The haters have never given up on the no votes against the Hurricane Sandy aid package.  What no one tells you is that the package funded everything but aid to the people who needed it.  The pork in that bill was insane. Funding for fisheries in Alaska?  What do they have to do with hurricane relief in NY/NJ?  Meanwhile, the people who needed help never saw a dime. 

Let's hope this time the aid goes to those who need it, not to some powerful congressperson's pork project.

[Cyber Liberty]

Did you say "haters?"

@Applewood