Media & News

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott, Commissioner John Sharp of the Governor’s Commission to Rebuild Texas and heads of state agencies today met with local officials in Corpus Christi and Richmond to begin discussions on the rebuilding process following Hurricane Harvey. During their meetings, Governor Abbott and Commissioner Sharp updated the local leaders on the Commission’s goal to oversee the […]

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today released the following statement after the United States Senate voted to allocate $15.25 billion as an initial down payment to Texas in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. “Hurricane Harvey proved to be a devastating storm for the State of Texas, and the commitment by Congress to ensuring our citizens […]

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today has charged Tri-Agency Workforce Partners, including the Texas Workforce Commission, Texas Education Agency and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board with developing an education and workforce training plan to support the rebuilding of communities impacted by Hurricane Harvey and to put Texans back to work. “The impact of Harvey is […]

AUSTIN – Governor Abbott today extended his proclamation suspending both the state and local Hotel and Motel Occupancy Tax for relief-effort personnel and victims of the storm statewide. This suspension will help ease the financial burden of those impacted by Hurricane Harvey currently staying in a hotel or motel. “As the effects of Hurricane Harvey […]

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today announced the Governor’s Commission to Rebuild Texas, which will be led by Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp. The Commission will oversee the response and relief effort between the state and local governments to ensure victims of the storm get everything they need as quickly as possible. The Commission will […]

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today took action to expedite insurance claims for Texans whose vehicles have been totaled by Hurricane Harvey. Working with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV), the Governor suspended a statute and rule requiring a 30-day waiting period and notification requirements for insurance companies that are unable to obtain current vehicle titles […]

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today spoke with German Chancellor Angela Merkel to discuss the response to Hurricane Harvey. A readout of the call can be found below: Chancellor Merkel called Governor Abbott to express her sympathies for the communities and individuals impacted by Hurricane Harvey. The Chancellor offered to provide assistance and support during […]

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today released the following statement after the United States House of Representatives voted to allocate $7.85 billion as an initial down payment to Texas in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. “Today’s bipartisan vote by the U.S. House of Representatives is an encouraging sign that Congress intends to step up and […]

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today visited the storm-affected areas of Wharton and Beaumont, TX where he met with local officials, and received on-site updates on the recovery efforts currently underway. During his visit, the Governor thanked local officials for their tireless efforts and for their commitment to the victims in these communities. The Governor also reassured them that the state is working […]

AUSTIN – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today granted Governor Abbott’s request for Community Disaster Loan assistance for Texas localities impacted by Hurricane Harvey. Texas cities currently recovering from the storm can now receive funding to help maintain their operating budgets and continue their full operations while also focusing on rebuilding their communities. The Governor thanked FEMA for their quick response in helping […]

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today requested seven additional Texas counties be added to the Federal Disaster Declaration previously granted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This request will bring the total number of counties receiving assistance to 43. The newly requested counties will now be eligible to receive Individual Assistance, Public Assistance (Categories A and […]

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today sent a request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department Of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding Community Disaster Loan assistance for Texas localities impacted by Hurricane Harvey. These loans are designed to help cities suffering from major disasters maintain their operating budget and function normally while helping […]