Governor Greg Abbott (R) says his state’s response to recent catastrophic flooding outpaced California’s efforts following last year’s wildfires, citing speed, efficiency, and direct aid to victims.
Abbott joined country music legend George Strait to present $25,000 checks to more than 60 families in the Texas Hill Country. The region was devastated by floods that killed over 100 and destroyed homes and businesses just a month ago.
Abbott credited the quick response to a public-private partnership, including Strait’s July 27 benefit concert.
“We’ve seen in other states when travesties occur, like the fires in California, money is raised but never reaches the people who need it,” Abbott Said. “We wanted to make sure that didn’t happen in Texas.”
In contrast, a similar event in California, the FireAid concert, raised over $100 million for wildfire victims in Los Angeles but little of that money had been distributed six months later.
Abbott pointed to bureaucracy as a key difference.
“We cut through all the red tape,” he said. “Our job was to identify those most impacted and make sure help got directly to them.”
Despite partisan gridlock in the Texas Legislature, where Democratic lawmakers left the state to block a redistricting vote, Abbott said the state’s disaster relief moved forward through cooperation with local officials and private donors.
“The people suffering the most don’t have time for political delays,” Abbott said. “We acted fast so they can start rebuilding now.”
Abbott said more relief is coming, calling the initial checks a “down payment” on broader recovery plans. He emphasized that Texas’ approach demonstrates how government can work quickly when focused on results.
