2008 Hurricane Season Prompts Texas Governor to Seek More Disaster Relief

Texas Governor Rick Perry has asked for more disaster relief in the wake of Hurricane Ike, saying his state needs the same level of federal support and attention others have received after costly natural disasters.

According to an article on the Government Technology website, Perry has requested that the Federal Emergency Management Agency extend for 18 months its agreement to pay 100 percent of emergency protective measures and debris removal to give the state some more disaster relief for Hurricane Ike.

Perry also “asked federal officials to adjust the federal cost share to 100 percent for all categories of public assistance and expand direct federal assistance and hazard mitigation for all counties included in the governor’s original emergency declaration,” the article says.

“Hurricane Ike did at least $11 billion in damage to our state,” Gov. Perry told the publication. “Texas deserves the same level of federal support and attention given to other states that have recently endured disasters.”

In a letter to President Bush requesting additional disaster relief, Perry noted that Hurricane Ike may be the costliest disaster in the history of Texas. To date, more than 700,000 households have registered for individual assistance and more than $250 million has been disbursed to individuals.

To read the full article, click here: http://www.govtech.com/em/424102?topic=290167