Hurricane/Disaster Recovery
Position
The physical and economic devastation brought by Hurricane Ike to the Golden Triangle in September 2008 is very real and very far from over.
For example, Bridge City, a bedroom community in Orange County that serves the chemical-industrial complex, experienced total loss on all but 20 of its 3,200 homes. Sabine Pass-near Port Arthur and ground zero for Hurricane Rita in 2005-was all but wiped off the map. Thankfully, the loss of life was diminished due to careful planning and swift decision making. Now, the 81st Texas Legislature has an opportunity to alleviate economic damage from this and future storms with similar action.
Regardless of physical damage inflicted, industry cannot resume normal operations with a displaced workforce. Pre-existing workforce and housing challenges in the Golden Triangle have been significantly aggravated by this catastrophe.
A community's ability to recover from a disaster is a direct function of the region's economic health, and the Golden Triangle is on the road to recovery-again. However, for the sake of those who suffered this storm and for those to endure in the future, we ask the Legislature take the following actions:
- Support the expeditious allocation of community block grant funds to facilitate housing and infrastructure assistance.
- Support tax incentives to promote affordable housing construction.
- Support the implementation of a statewide bridge loan program specifically designed to assist and expedite the recovery of local economies in the aftermath of a disaster.
For example, Bridge City, a bedroom community in Orange County that serves the chemical-industrial complex, experienced total loss on all but 20 of its 3,200 homes. Sabine Pass-near Port Arthur and ground zero for Hurricane Rita in 2005-was all but wiped off the map. Thankfully, the loss of life was diminished due to careful planning and swift decision making. Now, the 81st Texas Legislature has an opportunity to alleviate economic damage from this and future storms with similar action.
Regardless of physical damage inflicted, industry cannot resume normal operations with a displaced workforce. Pre-existing workforce and housing challenges in the Golden Triangle have been significantly aggravated by this catastrophe.
A community's ability to recover from a disaster is a direct function of the region's economic health, and the Golden Triangle is on the road to recovery-again. However, for the sake of those who suffered this storm and for those to endure in the future, we ask the Legislature take the following actions:
- Support the expeditious allocation of community block grant funds to facilitate housing and infrastructure assistance.
- Support tax incentives to promote affordable housing construction.
- Support the implementation of a statewide bridge loan program specifically designed to assist and expedite the recovery of local economies in the aftermath of a disaster.
News
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BRIEF
Sep 9, 2010 — The Miami Herald
Curtis Morgan Sep. 9, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Get used to Igor. It's an initial track similar to the one followed by Hurricane Earl, which was pushed by a cold trough back out to sea as it approached the mid-Atlantic coast. -
College's island facility 'up and running' after devastation by Hurricane Bill
Sep 9, 2010 — Bangor Daily News
The nearby boathouse was ripped apart by the waves, leaving only one wall standing when the storm subsided. The Coast Guard already has solar panels on the island to power the foghorn and light. Island visitors can collect rain off the building's roof for some uses, Todd said, but all the drinking water on the island has to be brought from the mainland. -
Easton may keep grant money to plug budget
Sep 9, 2010 — The Morning Call
CDBG money allocated. City Council is expected to review applications a second time Oct. 7 and adopt a plan for the money by Oct. 27. The city will then send its application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which oversees the CDBG program. christopher.baxter@mcall.com 610-778-2283 CDBG TALLY Easton anticipates receiving $990,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) money next year, but may need to keep the large majority to... -
The Free Lance-Star, Fredericksburg, Va., Rob Hedelt column
Sep 9, 2010 — The Free Lance-Star
Knabb or any of the others on the weather station's staff try to mislead a nervous public when hurricanes, snowstorms or other potential dangerous weather events begin heading their way. But remote-fueled drama and a drumbeat of "It could always get worse!" has crept into the coverage. Yes, the worse thing they could do, the thing that would leave lots of us vulnerable, would be to underplay a potential hurricane or twister. But after all the hype of the Earl coverage,... -
The Miami Herald Israel Gutierrez column
Sep 9, 2010 — The Miami Herald
Should UM drop to 1-1, it will still have 10 games to play in the regular season. Every UM team believes it can be elite, whether they're preseason top 15 or in the depths of probation. McCarthy is simply acknowledging what this game actually is. But if Miami doesn't walk through it now, it doesn't close up. -
West Boca kicker Bondi puts best foot forward
Sep 9, 2010 — Sun Sentinel
A lot of times the schools with the fewest commitments wind up with the best classes by February because you're waiting for the great players. Miami will catch up." Verbal commitments are nonbinding. We have great running back corps, great receiving corps, our offensive line ... we're a team. -
A tale of 2 QBs
Sep 8, 2010 — The Blade
Matt Markey Sep. 8, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- COLUMBUS -- Call it Round One of the Heisman Trophy elimination battle. -
Between the Lines
Sep 8, 2010 — The Sacramento Bee
The committee also has created programs celebrating the rebirth of the city. The public is encouraged to participate. Highlighting the activities will be an appearance by Eggers, presented by the library in partnership with the Sacramento Bee Book Club. It's sold 75 million copies worldwide. But the protagonist of another, shorter Sanford series is Virgil Flowers, field agent for the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. -
Buckeyes hate the feeling
Sep 8, 2010 — Akron Beacon Journal
Since 2005, the Buckeyes have faced four highly ranked teams in September. That's when we started maturing." This Miami team hasn't reached the level of past USC and Texas teams that have beaten Ohio State. Shannon has played a slew of underclassmen his first three years, which has meant inconsistent play on the field. -
Craven County Community Foundation awards $49,500 to nonprofits
Sep 8, 2010 — Sun Journal (New Bern, N.C.)
Havelock -- Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh Inc., New Bern Regional Office for the Senior Pharmacy Program -- Coastal Carolina Chamber Music Festival for Community Outreach Programs -- Coastal Women's Shelter for the New Choices Program -- Community Coalition Against Family Violence (Promise Place) for Victim Services -- Craven Community College Foundation for Voices of New Bern -- Craven County Schools -- Family Literacy Program for...
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ABC sale outlined in plan
Sep 9, 2010 — The Free Lance-Star -
Ads to Target Democrats who Supported Health Care Law
Sep 9, 2010 — New York Times -
Banking on infrastructure is good policy, election or not
Sep 9, 2010 — The Boston Globe
