Houston area officials write letter to Mike Miles asking for federal funding for storm damage – Houston Public Media

Following storms that caused damage in the Houston area last month, some state lawmakers are asking Houston ISD officials if they plan to file for federal disaster aid .

In a letter sent Friday, Texas House of Representatives Gene Wu, along with eight other state officials representing Houston, signed a letter to state-appointed HISD Superintendent Mike Miles stating whether the district would request a federal funding for storm damage that kept dozens of people out of work. schools to reopen.

“The big fear is that if this is intentional, it shouldn’t take this long to apply for federal aid; something schools have done a dozen times in the last 10 years,” Wu said. “We think that maybe it’s because he’s deliberately, he didn’t take the money to force a vote and force people to vote on the bond issue. He’s trying to push a bond package. of $4 billion by holding these schools hostage.

Following several storms last month, HISD officials said the district could not reopen schools due to outdated air conditioning units and a gas leak. As the 2023-24 school year drew to a close, the district announced it would deploy a bond package worth just over $4 billion to help with the long-overdue repair and renovation of old infrastructure, electrical and HVAC systems, as well as education funding. programs. The last HISD bond election was in 2012.

“Everyone is concerned that there are many financial irregularities within HISD that people have not yet discovered and are only beginning to scratch the surface. In the aftermath of a disaster, fiscal responsibility is crucial,” Wu said.

HISD officials have not yet responded to Houston Public Media about whether they have filed for federal disaster assistance.