Texans angry about amount of HUD hurricane aid

[TexasStooge]

WASHINGTON D.C. (AP) - Texas officials said Thursday the $74.5 million that Housing and Urban Development is making available to the state for hurricane recovery falls short and treats Texas residents like second-class citizens.

HUD announced late Wednesday it would divide $11.5 billion, which Congress approved in December, among five hurricane-devastated states. The others are Louisiana, which is eligible for $6.2 billion; Alabama, $74.3 million; Florida, with $82.9 million; and Mississippi, $5.05 million.

"We were stunned at HUD basically turning its back on our state," said Rep. Kevin Brady, R-The Woodlands, who represents a swath of East Texas that suffered significant damage when Hurricane Rita hit in late September. The region also took in many evacuees from Louisiana when it was hit by Hurricane Katrina the month before.

Brady said the state wanted at least $1.2 billion.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry is deeply disappointed and believes HUD has short-changed Texas, said Kathy Walt, Perry's spokesman.

"Thousands of Texas families and senior citizens whose homes were destroyed or severely damaged in Hurricane Rita will lack the funds to rebuild their homes as a result of this decision," Perry said in a statement.

[f5]

only NO was hit if you listen to the media.

[HurricaneBill]

Rita: The Forgotten Hurricane

[HoumaLa]

Why is Mississippi only getting 5.05 mill.

[Stratosphere747]

I'm sure it's a typo and should be 5 billion.