Harris County Judge Ed Emmett thinks that politicians aren’t focused enough on protecting Houston against flooding.
Speaking at a Rice University meeting of flood experts, architects and city planners on Wednesday, Emmett said flood mitigation after Hurricane Harvey is the region’s “most important issue.” But he suggested that’s not what politicians are focused on.
“Have you seen any television ads or heard any radio ads where people say: ‘The most important thing we’ve got to do is solve the flooding problem in Houston, Harris County and this region?’ No. They’re talking about border security and all kind of other things that…never mind,” the judge said, trailing off to laughter from the conference crowd.
As Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick continue their push for property tax relief, Emmett said calls for lower property taxes amount to calls to decrease flood control funding. He reiterated his previous suggestion that officials build a more regional approach to flood planning. Emmett said the 1,000 or so municipal utility districts (MUD in the unincorporated parts of Harris County should be part of that effort.
