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Texas, Run by Secessionist Guv, Has Received More Federal Disaster Relief Than Any State

| Thu Apr. 30, 2009 6:32 AM PDT

Like everyone else, I was amused when Texas Governor Rick Perry, a Republican, requested help from the CDC with swine flu medication just a week or so after he said that the "federal government has become oppressive" and that if Texans started considering seceding from the union, "who knows what might come out of that." Perry didn't seem to realize that throwing off the yoke of the federal government would mean no more help when the going got tough.

Today comes news that Perry has issued a disaster declaration for the state of Texas, the first step in getting assistance from federal agencies like FEMA, DHS, and HHS. I decided to take a look at how many times the federal government has bailed Texas out during Perry's tenure. The results are pretty incredible.

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According to FEMA's website, Texas has been the site of 13 "major disaster declarations" since Perry took office following George W. Bush's departure in 2001. That includes five instances of severe storms and flooding, two tropical storms, one "extreme wildfire threat," and Hurricanes Claudette, Rita, Dolly, and Ike. (Texas received significant federal assistance following Hurricane Katrina, but it did not appear on FEMA's website in the "major disaster declaration" category.)

David Riedman, a public information specialist at FEMA, explained to me that a major disaster declaration is issued when a governor "determines the state's resources are overrun." From that point forward, the federal government, under federal law, is required to reimburse the state for at least 75 percent of the cost of recovery. Help is primarily targeted at rebuilding roads and bridges, debris removal, and reparing damage to public buildings. In the relief efforts that are still under way from the damage done by Hurricane Ike, the federal government is reimbursing Texas for 100 percent of all expenses, according to Riedman.

In fact, since FEMA's record-keeping began, Texas has received federal disaster assistance more times than any other state. From FEMA's website:

I've asked FEMA for the total amount of money Texas has received in the form of federal disaster assistance during Perry's tenure as governor. As soon as I get that figure I'll update this post.

Update: Got the numbers. See them here.

Comments

THIS is hysterical!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu Apr. 30, 2009 8:45 AM PDT.

These stats are hysterically funny. And Texas is just plain ol' hysterical! siri@legitgov.org www.legitgov.org

Texas, Run by Secessionist Guv, Has Received More Federal ...

Submitted by Dredd (not verified) on Thu Apr. 30, 2009 10:26 AM PDT.

Jonathan, Texas has more Sheriffs who have been sent to prison for water boarding than any other state too. In US v Lee, 744 F.2d 1124 (5th Cir., 1984), the Federal Appellate Court upheld their convictions in the Federal District Court For The Southern District of Texas. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals said:

Lee was indicted along with two other deputies, Floyd Baker and James Glover, and the County Sheriff, James Parker, based on a number of incidents in which prisoners were subjected to a "water torture" in order to prompt confessions to various crimes ... At trial, Baker's defense as developed by his counsel and his testimony rested on two points. The first was that he actively participated in only a single torture episode, and then only because ordered to do so by his superiors -- a "Nuremberg defense." The second was that while he believed the torture of prisoners immoral, he did not at the time think it was illegal.

( http://bulk.resource.org/courts.gov/c/F2/744/744.F2d.1124.83-2675.html ). The convictions of all of the law enforcement officers were upheld and affirmed. This case would be easy for any bushie lawyers and law professors to find. The law on water torture is very clear. In fact the penalty for it is death if it causes the death of the person being tortured: http://blogdredd.blogspot.com/2009/04/el-cid-vs-joe-six-pack.html

Let Em Go,,Please

Submitted by Frank (not verified) on Thu Apr. 30, 2009 10:55 AM PDT.

One of the best things that could happen to The United States of America is if Texas does leave the union & stops sucking $ from the general fund. First they saddle us with Bush & his gang of thieves & now Perry wants to tell us how to do things. Let em go,,, Please Frank from Boston

While I do not always agree

Submitted by Ron in Texas (not verified) on Thu Apr. 30, 2009 11:44 AM PDT.

While I do not always agree with Gov. Perry, his comments were regarding states rights and the Federal government's blatant disregard for the 10th ammendment to the U.S. Constitution. I do strongly agree that the Federal government has overstepped its bounds in many areas--particularly where states rights are involved. Regardless, your comments about Perry's hypocracy in Texas' requests for Federal assistance are quite slanted. Between 2001-2005, Texas has contributed nearly $658B in taxes to the Federal government. We have received $667B in return over that same period--slightly more than our contribution. However, during that same period, we have had more natural disasters than normal. Texas is quite large and we have more places for disasters to occur. Incidentally, an emergency declaration is required for many things to happen within the state--not just to ask for Federal assistance. Going back to the numbers: Between 1981-2005, Texas contributed $2.09T in taxes to the Federal coffers, receiving $1.96T back in Federal funds. So in the long run (and in most years), we contribute more than we take. As a fully-vested member of this union for more than 160 years, we are "entitled" to our "share" of Federal funding just as any other state. Since we are allowed, we request disaster funding when needed--it's our money, so we should be able to get it. The Federal government provides emergency funds based on their rules--we don't get a say in whether or not we get the money. Going back to the secession thing--I have opinions on that, but I don't think there's any point in expressing them in this forum. Your quotes out of context speak volumes about your positions. I'm only here because a friend pointed me to this article and I was curious.

Ron, that's nice and all,

Submitted by Bugger (not verified) on Fri May. 1, 2009 4:36 PM PDT.

Ron, that's nice and all, but none of that changes the fact that your governor is being a big-time hypocrite. And complaining about being out-of-context doesn't help you in the slightest. Putting it into context shows that he has been whining about Obama in general, and federal financial assistance specifically. He has been throwing in vague right-wing boilerplate about abortion to try to make his secession talk sound less crazy, and you are just hiding behind that. So he was whining about federal financial assistance, to the point of suggesting that it was reason enough for sucession, and now he is requesting federal financial assistance. Like it or not, that is hypocrisy.

A little Texas

Submitted by JayDenver (not verified) on Sat May. 2, 2009 5:22 AM PDT.

A little Texas history. Texas Secession 1861 link Actually, Texas has not been "fully vested" in the United States of America for 160 years. There was that interval in the 1860's when Texas was "fully vested" in the Confederate States of America. Texas was readmitted to the United States of America officially in 1870 after seceding from the US for the first time in 1861. This whole issue should probably be labeled "Second Secession." Many of the arguments being aired today were also in vogue during the first secession debates. I find it interesting that when Texas was originally admitted to the union in the 1840's part of the deal included the U.S. government assuming Texas debt obligations caused by an earlier Texan secession from Mexico. But that's ancient history and discussion of a "Third Secession" would probably muddy the water even more.

Great Idea, Let Texas and GOP KKK red states secede

Submitted by Anon92107 (not verified) on Thu Apr. 30, 2009 12:16 PM PDT.

Right On Frank, Bush proved that Texas has the most brain-dead people in America. It is interesting to note that Texas wants to secede just like the rest of the GOP KKK red states during the Civil War, which explains why KKK states are the core constituency of the GOP. The 5/09 issue of Natural History magazine has an article on "In Science We Trust" with the results of a 2007 Newsweek survey where about half of Americans claimed that evolution did not occur, most of which can be assumed to live in GOP KKK states where science courses must be optional so the radical religious right don't have to learn the facts of life, and can continue to believe the earth is flat. Also reported, in worldwide opinion polls conducted in 34 countries between 2001 and 2005 the United States came in second place behind Turkey in believing that Darwin's Theory of Evolution is false. No wonder Bush was stupid as a doorknob and as dangerous as Caligula. It's time to let the GOP KKK states secede from the United States so our national IQ can get back above 100.

Tread Lightly

Submitted by Godless Heathen on Thu Apr. 30, 2009 2:19 PM PDT.

Although the facts on evolution opinions are indeed dire, our precious Dems have a shit-ton to learn too. Ignorance is not a uniquely Republican characteristic, it's pride in ignorance that's the GOP's specialty.

Re: Great Idea, Let Texas and GOP KKK red states secede

Submitted by Anon in Austin (not verified) on Sat May. 2, 2009 3:18 PM PDT.

Actually, Anon92107 Texas is a big state, with a pretty healthy population of progressives. It hasn't been Red all that long....remember LBJ? Alex Jones and Jim Hightower are from Austin as was the late Molly Ivins. Many small Red towns have turned Blue....esp. those lying in the path of the TTC. Nat'l Geographic stated that Austin has one of the highest per capita IQ's in the nation. The Bushes are not from Texas and many hate the little idiot. The WSJ described Texas as potentially "the next California". The main problem that I see with Texas is that it is the testing ground for the global elite.

Disaster help without federal aid

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu Apr. 30, 2009 12:25 PM PDT.

tagged as:

A letter pertaining to disaster (hurricane, earthquake, tornado, flood, fire, etc.) has been sent to President Obama on behalf of all insurance policyholders. As a matter of transparency on the record of insurance consumer protection, any response by President Obama will be posted on the following Website for review: http://www.disasterprepared.net/president.html

Why are you crying then?

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu Apr. 30, 2009 8:24 PM PDT.

You should be happy to see the "rednecks" go, [deleted].

Perfect.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu Apr. 30, 2009 9:15 PM PDT.

Perfect.

Perfect

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri May. 1, 2009 2:27 AM PDT.

Anon92107 said: "Bush proved that Texas has the most brain-dead people in America." "It's time to let the GOP KKK states secede from the United States so our national IQ can get back above 100." Godless Heathen said: "it's pride in ignorance that's the GOP's specialty." Perfect.

re: texas secession

Submitted by John Wayne (not verified) on Fri May. 1, 2009 11:45 AM PDT.

I loved this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCLz7XQOIOQ

SAME OLD NONUNION RED BELT

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri May. 1, 2009 12:21 PM PDT.

SAME OLD NONUNION RED BELT SUCKING TAX MONEY FROM STRUGGLING UNION WORKERS !! OLE!!

More bux for TX

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri May. 1, 2009 3:57 PM PDT.

Ah yes, more for the greedy. GW did his homework, took care of his boys, continues to fatten the calf. One should expect this targeted largess to his homeland. What to do about it? Eliminate the infestation, rid the country of this virus to the public good. There must be some way, short of an A or H bomb, to rid the world of that failed fatuous foolish phony. I'm open to suggestions, and have __ available for a workable solution.

Believe me, there is more

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri May. 1, 2009 4:59 PM PDT.

Believe me, there is more stupidity per square mile in Tex-ass than anywhere else in America! What else can you conclude when this thrombosed hemorrhoid of a state gave us Dubya and Rick Goodhair Perry? Can't wait to move away!!!

Can't stop laughing ...

Submitted by nacinla (not verified) on Fri May. 1, 2009 5:14 PM PDT.

Thanks, Ron. You made my day with this: "Texas is quite large and we have more places for disasters to occur." I've heard Texans brag over and over about how big everything is there, but this is a hilarious new twist on that. So, let's see now, you have the biggest capacity for disaster, and we're supposed to feel sorry for you? Anyway, I'd like to see the actual numbers of those federal handouts: My guess is they went primarily for hurricane/weather disasters (e.g., Houston's annual flooding) along the coast, and not sprinkled across the state, as you suggest (do you really want to brag that there are disasters everywhere in Texas?). And I'd also like to know if your figure on what Texas got back from the federal gov'mit includes the billions in no-bid contracts the Bush administration lavished on you.

Texas was founded as a slave

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri May. 1, 2009 6:01 PM PDT.

Texas was founded as a slave state, the only one that started out that way, so in its very beginning it has always attracted settlers with an outrageous sense of self-entitlement and an inherent racism. Lots of Texas is barely tenable as a place to live because of its abundance of natural disasters and American taxpayers shouldn't have to subsidize that kind of mass dysfunction. Let them secede but we have to make sure they don't try and re-institute slavery as the vast lot of them are racist to the core. Why anyone would want to live in such a flat,ugly brown place has always been beyond me anyway.

Ron actually comes across as

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri May. 1, 2009 6:13 PM PDT.

Ron actually comes across as a fairly coherent Texan, although it seems he does have a problem with putting together a sentence. Ron's also got a problem with reading comprehension. The whole point of the original post was to highlight the pathetic arrogance of his governor, speaking on the one hand of secession, and sucking up to the fed for money on the other. Irony is clearly lost on Texans. Texans exist in their own world. They've committed the cardinal sin of believing their own BS and their horseshit legends. The United States would do very well indeed, thank you, without Texas, especially its politicians. Texas would not do so well and would ultimately find itself pleading for annexation by Mexico. That would be a fitting end to the Texas saga. Give a six-foot Texan an enema and bury him in a match box.

military bucks

Submitted by mheister on Fri May. 1, 2009 6:36 PM PDT.

Texas also has more than its share of military installations, along with all the money such installations pump into state's economy. Perry's stance is mere political posturing, and I'm glad to see him called on it. http://www.thepodosphere.com

Texas and Texans

Submitted by Clarence D. Smart (not verified) on Fri May. 1, 2009 6:42 PM PDT.

Give a six-foot Texan an enema and bury him in a match box. That is a polite way of saying that they are full of "shit". lol

Ron upthread is right

Submitted by EP res (not verified) on Fri May. 1, 2009 11:21 PM PDT.

tagged as:

solution

Granted I think Rick Perry is an idiot, but TX mostly gives more money in taxes than it receives, plus TX is huge, and is one of the most geologically diverse states meaning more opportunity to run into several different kinds of disasters, so this article is pretty much biased. it doesn't examine how much money TX gives to the federal government and how much TX receives, it makes a difference on the argument. I still think Perry's statement was plain stupid and I disagree with it, this article falls short.

TEXAS defended

Submitted by A Texas Redhead (not verified) on Sat May. 2, 2009 6:32 AM PDT.

First of all, Texas is NOTa flat, ugly brown place. (it is in all the geography books) Second, all Texans are NOT racist. Third, not all of us even like George Bush OR our illustrious and crazed Governor Hairdo. Most of all, being a loyal native Houston, Texan I love my state, but do NOT always agree with everything that happens here. Probably true is the statement that some Texans are full of BS. (tossing my red hair - not sure why that is - cute joke about the matchbox though) So, please get over it, stop generalizing and stereotyping Texans if you don't mind! PS YA'LL, we AIN'T leavin!! GOD BLESS THE USA! GO ROCKETS, GO ASTROS, GO HOUSTON TEXANS!!!

I agree with Texas Redhead -

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat May. 2, 2009 8:35 AM PDT.

I agree with Texas Redhead - stop generalizing about our state - George Bush isn't even actually from here, and every place has it's share of fools. Rick Perry may be our governor now, but we also gave the world Ann Richards, Barbara Jordan and Lyndon B. Johnson. Not to mention Willie Nelson. You can't paint the whole lot of us with the same brush. Was Rick Perry trying really hard to earn the love of the hard right of our state by being incredibly hypocritical in hyping secession in the same month as asking for even more federal money? Absolutely. But he is doing that due to his terror that Kay Bailey Hutchinson will take him down as governor, because even though we are in a state of 20 million, only about 600,000 people vote in the Republican primary and he knows he has to appeal to the most conservative elements of those primary voters if he wants to stay in the Governor's Mansion (figuratively, since is it being renovated from an arson) and possibly run for President. Hopefully the rest of the nation has learned the folly of electing Texas Governors for higher office, because our state constitution doesn't let them do all that much - a hold over from the Civil War and Reconstruction - they are not really prepared to run a country, no matter what their political advertising says. So bash Perry, or Governor Goodhair, as Molly Ivins named him (Molly is another example of an excellent Texas export - her death at a relatively young age was a huge loss for all of us) when he makes a fool of himself, but knock off the Texas bashing. There is more to us than that.

your post on Mother Jones

Submitted by Dan W. Dipert (not verified) on Sat May. 2, 2009 10:34 AM PDT.

Thank you for your post. I live in Dallas and suffer the frustrations of all Texas liberals.

actually TX gets back 94

Submitted by TX Anonymous (not verified) on Sat May. 2, 2009 8:54 AM PDT.

actually TX gets back 94 cents for every dollar they pay in. plus they get MORE disaster aid then any other state. *TX is #1* It seems most of the red states do the same.. they will moan and blast the amount of $$ in the budget but *always* seem to have their hands out. in actuality the blue states pay way more taxes and get much much less in return from the fed.

TEXAS, RICK PERRY, AND YOU

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat May. 2, 2009 10:38 AM PDT.

Oh please, could we let Texas secede? Please? With the money we save in federal handouts, we can build a big wall all the way around the state perimeter to prevent them from entering our country illegally. If you insist, we could do a Cold War Berlin thing for Austin, but other than that, let them go their own way. They want freedom? I say we give it to them and don't let the door muss Perry's hair on the way out.

again with the Tejas-bashing?

Submitted by Anonymous from Dallas (not verified) on Sat May. 2, 2009 9:27 PM PDT.

Jeez. I'm not really that happy with Texas, in general, either (and I live here), but the knee-jerk reactions and condemnations aren't helping anything. Texas is trending Democratic. Almost every major city voted for Obama -- Dallas was ~58% for Obama (and Austin was even more lopsided): "The George W. Bush era is now done. It ended with a rout of his party in his soon-to-be hometown of Dallas; in the race for president, Dallas County voted 57.49 percent for Obama, 41.91 percent for McCain." [http://www.texasmonthly.com/2008-12-01/btl.php ] I worked for Obama in the primary in Collin County, and it was a great experience, and a hopeful one. Those who vote with the Left on important issues (civil rights, economic fairness, environmental stewardship, etc.) do not necessarily do so with a nuanced, comprehensive view of the subject and context, and do not necessarily justify their concordant opinions with clear reasoning free of fallacy or distortion. But the converse is also true -- even among those you think of as your enemies, you will find traits, modes of thought, and impulses that are familiar... perhaps only taking the right fork of a road at some late point in the determination of a stance on an issue or a vote. Anyway, no point in defending Texas beyond this, but people just aren't that different, there are a lot of open-minded, liberal, etc. etc. types in Texas. There are wackos, but they aren't even close to being the majority. The culture will evolve, but I would suggest tending to your own evolution, if you are one of the ones derogating an entire state for the sake of your easy jollies. Also, remember that Perry is running for an election in the Repub primary, so he is trying to pander to the dedicated wackaloon true believers that will turn out to the polls for that nonsense. He is just another politician that doesn't believe what he says, but will say it if he thinks it is in his interest. (So, secession talk to Fox viewers.)

Texas Disaster Declaration for Katrina

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed May. 6, 2009 4:46 PM PDT.

Texas didn't have a disaster declaration for Hurricane Katrina. That was LA and MS and AL only. Texas was declared for disaster 1606 in Hurricane Rita. Hope that helps- the FEMA website is correct.

Yes!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon May. 18, 2009 7:45 AM PDT.

Governor Perry, you are a genius! I fully support your initiative. By the way, when you secede, please take Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia with you. But wait … If you act in the next 20 minutes we will add Louisiana, Tennessee and S. Carolina as a bonus to you.