A recent effort to bolster emergency communication infrastructure failed in the Texas Senate earlier this year
As the death toll from flash floods in Central Texas climbs past 80, scrutiny is mounting over Kerr County’s past decisions to reject an outdoor siren alert system due to cost concerns.
Kerr County, located in a flood-prone region of the Texas Hill Country, has previously dismissed proposals for siren-based warning systems, citing financial burden on local taxpayers.
A recent effort at the state level to bolster emergency communication infrastructure, House Bill 13, failed in the Texas Senate earlier this year. The bill would have funded improved disaster alert systems and provided grants for counties to build infrastructure like sirens and radio towers, according to the Texas Tribune.
Some lawmakers, including state Rep. Wes Virdell, voted against it due to its projected $500 million cost, though several now admit they’re reconsidering in the wake of recent events.
On the one hand, I can’t imagine the county in question has the type of tax revenue to support $500 million, even if they were the type to have change to raise taxes (they’re not). On the other hand, situations in which local governments can’t afford essentials is exactly when you’re supposed to have larger government (Texas, Feds) step in an subsidize, which of course they aren’t willing under GoP rule. Meh.
I don’t think the 500m Dollar is for just one county. More likely this is for all of Texas.