Campaign Finance

Hurricane Harvey destroyed every apartment in Rockport, Texas. Some residents are still waiting for help from lawmakers.


Hurricane Harvey, which caused more than $125 billion in damage, is the most expensive storm in Texas history. It wreaked havoc on nearly every Gulf Coast community when it came ashore Aug. 25, 2017.
The devastating winds and rain destroyed every multifamily development in Rockport. And without affordable housing, the town has struggled to find contract labor to rebuild. The people there are hoping the state helps by providing the matching dollars needed to pull down federal recovery funds.
This is the first time state lawmakers have met since Harvey made landfall. At the time, some legislators thought Gov. Greg Abbott would call them back for a special session. But Abbott told reporters then that a special session wouldn’t be necessary, noting that the state had enough resources to “address the needs between now and the next session.”
Abbott declared disaster response an emergency item near the start of the 86th Texas Legislature, which allowed lawmakers to take up such measures sooner.
In the latest episode of our mini-documentary series, “Under the Dome,” we look at the recovery efforts in Rockport and the legislative work being done to provide an assist.
This story originally appeared on the Texas Tribune. To read this article in its original format, click here.

RA Staff

Written by RA News staff.

Recent Posts

Kelly Clarkson Steps Away from Texas Flood Benefit After Ex-Husband’s Passing

Kelly Clarkson will no longer perform at this weekend’s Band Together Texas benefit concert, stepping…

6 hours ago

Judge Lina Hidalgo Dubs Colleagues the ‘GOP Three’

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo escalated tensions at Commissioners Court on Thursday, branding two of…

1 day ago

Texas Democrats Plan Return to Block Gerrymander, Awaiting End of Special Session

Dozens of Texas Democratic lawmakers are preparing to head back to Austin early next week…

1 day ago

Texas Democrats say they will return to state once session ends, California unveils retaliatory map

Texas House Democrats who left the state in protest of proposed congressional redistricting said Thursday…

2 days ago

Texas Private Schools Face Minimal Oversight Despite State Funding Expansion

For years, some Texas private schools have engaged in governance and financial practices that would…

2 days ago

Abbott vows to immediately call Texas lawmakers back to work if special session ends without new maps

The state's top three elected officials — Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and…

3 days ago

This website uses cookies.