ICYMI: Texas Floods Again as July 4 Survivors Demand Abbott Create $500M Disaster Fund
With $24 Billion Surplus, Abbott Chooses Inaction as Federal Disaster Response Collapses Under Trump
AUSTIN, TX — Yesterday, survivors of the July 4 floods rallied to demand that Governor Greg Abbott create a $500 million Texas Forever Fund using some of the state's nearly $24 billion surplus. Though the same communities devastated just months ago are under threat once more, Abbott still refuses to act.
Governor Abbott's claims that he's done everything he can to support survivors ring hollow. This summer, Abbott chose a partisan redistricting scheme over providing flood survivors with comprehensive relief. He had the choice. He chose politics over people. Now, as Abbott dodges responsibility and refuses to step up, survivors are abandoned to face yet another disaster without adequate state support.
Abbott's refusal to protect Texans comes as disaster response at the federal level collapses into unprecedented chaos as Acting Administrator David Richardson resigned. His incompetence proved deadly during the July crisis. He was unreachable for 24 hours during catastrophic flooding. His position remains unfilled as Texans face yet another life-threatening emergency.
The Trump administration has systematically gutted America's emergency response system. Trump proposed eliminating FEMA entirely, then slashed 20% of its workforce, froze critical emergency funds, and cancelled FEMA's flood protection program, eliminating $4.6 billion in funding nationwide.
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KVUE: Sandy Creek survivors rally for $500M disaster fund
Months after flood waters ravaged the neighborhood of Sandy Creek in Travis County over the July Fourth weekend, survivors rallied outside the governor's mansion to ask for more financial help.
A crowd of residents and supporters held up signs and photos that showcased the floods and aftermath. Speeches were made and songs were sung to call attention to the pleas being made.
"I wouldn't say we're poor, but we're not affluent enough to get over this," said Sandy Creek resident Lannie Read. "We need the help."
Some residents are asking Gov. Greg Abbott to create a $500 million Texas Forever Fund through the state's nearly $24 billion surplus to help disaster survivors in Travis County and statewide.
"The fight for survival was the least hard thing we've done through all of this," said Sandy Creek resident Ashlee Willis. "The recovery is much, much harder."
