Washington, D.C. - Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt testified today before the House Ways and Means Committee and announced that Texas will receive close to $88 million in Social Services Block Grant funding in response to hurricanes Katrina and Rita. 

 

"The $88 million allocated to Texas today is very welcome news and will help many of our communities' health care and social services infrastructure rebound from Hurricane Rita. Early estimates put Texas' Social Services Block Grants needs anywhere between $120-$200 million, so today's funding represents a huge step forward," said Congressman Kevin Brady (R-The Woodlands) who serves on the House Ways and Means Committee.  

 

Texas' $88 million represents roughly 16% of the total $550 million allocated nationally for Social Services Block Grants in December as a part of the $29 billion total hurricane relief package included in the Department of Defense appropriations bill.

 

The Social Services Block Grant is a flexible source of funds that states may use to support a wide variety of social services activities. States have broad discretion over the use of these funds.

 

For Southeast Texas the Social Services Block Grant funding could possibly be applied toward case management and direct client services, reimbursement for non-profits and the faith-based community, short-term increase in social service and mental health needs, and health infrastructure. 

 

Southeast Texas Recovery Team Meets with Brady in Washington

 

Congressman Brady stepped out of the hearing with Health and Human Services Secretary Leavitt to meet with The Southeast Texas Hurricane Recovery Team.  The Southeast Texas Hurricane Recovery Team formed to represent the immediate and long-term recovery interests of the communities most affected by Hurricane Rita.  The group met today with Congressman Brady to thank him and other members of the Texas Delegation this week, for their hard work and continuing advocacy for Texas as the state and its communities seek equal treatment and federal funds for both hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

 

At the start of today's meeting Hardin County Commissioner Bobby Franklin stated, "We are here to thank you for what you've done for our region."  Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission Executive Director Chester Jourdan quickly followed up and said, "We've been working lock step together.  Your bill, HR 4440 (Gulf Opportunity Zone Act) that provided much needed tax relief, helped get Rita on the radar screen here in Washington." 

 

While grateful for the work that has been done, Mr. Jourdan and the other members continued to share the housing and Social Services needs that exist in Southeast Texas and pledged their support to continue working with Congressman Brady, the Texas Congressional Delegation, and the Governor's office in finding ways to address those needs. 

 

"Every nickel Texas gets from Washington in the way of hurricane relief is welcome news and will be put to good use.  I've been very disappointed with HUD, FEMA and others and the way they've treated Texans like second class citizens.  I won't stop fighting and scratching in Washington until Texas gets its fair share of relief funding," said Brady.   

 

The Southeast Texas Hurricane Recovery Team includes:

Judge Joe Folk-Jasper County Judge

Bobby Franklin-Hardin County Commissioner

John Dubose-Orange County Commissioner

Elgin Davis-Polk County Minority Representative

R.C. Horn-Jasper County Minority Representative

Walter Diggles-DETCOG

Chester Jourdan--SETRPC

Judge Carl Griffith-Jefferson County

Mayor John Windham-Center, Texas

Commissioner Eddie Arnold-Jefferson County

Commissioner Charles Simmons-Nacogdoches

City Manager Steve Fitzgibbons-Port Arthur

Mark Viator-Director of Gov't Affairs, BASF Corp.

Henry Gernhauser-Entergy

Randy Reese-Jefferson County Navigational District