Texas seeks $61B to ‘future proof’ state

COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Texas is lobbying the federal government for $61 billion for infrastructure improvements after Hurricane Harvey’s destruction, arguing that the amount is necessary to “future proof” before the next great storm.

Whether Congress will oblige is anyone’s guess.

The Texas coast has been hit by three major hurricanes since 2006 and Houston, 40 miles inland, saw Harvey trigger its third “500year” flood in the past three years alone. Everyone agrees on the need for long-term improvements for America’s fourth-largest city and other especially storm-prone parts of the state. But Congress may be unwilling or unable to pay for them, given the vast sums that will go toward Texas’ immediate recovery needs, not to mention toward helping Florida, Puerto Rico and California recover from their own recent disasters.

Congress approved $15 billion in aid for Harvey in September, but four Texas Republican congressmen were among those who opposed it because the measure also included a federal debt ceiling deal that funded the government for three more months. Last month, President Donald Trump signed off on an additional $36.5 billion toward recovery efforts from hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, and the California wildfires.

Texas outlined its proposed infrastructure improvements and upgrades in a report sent to Congress. But that is separate from the past funding packages and from the estimated $50-plus billion in federal assistance the state is expected to need to repair and rebuild housing.

Still, those leading Texas’ recovery say Congress can’t afford not to comply.