Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed the “historic 10-year agreement” known as the Statewide Intergovernmental Support Agreement (S-IGSA). The recently signed military infrastructure bill is the largest of its kind “between the State of Texas and the United States Military."
The measure is intended to strengthen the federal military’s “infrastructure and transportation improvements” located in the state of Texas. Furthermore, various restorations and acquisitions will be made by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).
Discussions about the legislation began two years ago when Gov. Greg Abbott signed House Bill 3399, “allowing TxDOT to provide road services on federal military property.”
The Governor was not alone at his signing ceremony, accompanied by Assistant Secretary to the United States Army Installation, Energy and Environment Rachel Jacobson; Deputy Assistant Secretary of the United States Air Force for Installations Robert Moriarty; Navy Region Southeast Chief of Staff Captain Gregory Smith; and several others.
“Thank you to everyone here for all your hard work, dedication, and vision that went into developing the S-IGSA in the Department of Defense. This 10-year S-IGSA is the type of partnership that strengthens our Army’s relationship with the State of Texas, and we look forward to seeing what other innovative partnerships come next," stated Rachel Jacobson, Assistant Secretary to the United States Army Installation, Energy and Environment.
"The U.S. Navy has three installations that are privileged to call Texas home," said Navy Region Southeast Chief of Staff Captain Gregory Smith. "The Navy is proud to partner with the State of Texas in the first S-IGSA, saving us up to $36 million over the next 10 years just in road maintenance alone.”
Regarding the new signing, Gov. Abbott praised the partnership.
“I’m proud to sign the largest S-IGSA between a state and the U.S. military,” said Governor Abbott. “By entering this partnership between the State of Texas and the U.S. military, we are ensuring infrastructure projects at our bases are built faster and more efficiently to support growth and development in these important communities. Texas will always support the brave men and women who serve in our military, and together we will continue to help these heroes serve and protect the greatest nation in the history of the world.”
Abbott’s infrastructure bill addresses the longstanding bipartisan issue of America’s infrastructure. It is possible that this bill is one of more to come, with the others addressing other parts of the state as well.
