Tax increase not needed after governor presents check for $50M, Turner says

HOUSTON – After Texas Gov. Greg Abbott presented the city with a check for $50 million on Friday, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said his proposed tax increase to cover recovery costs associated with Hurricane Harvey is no longer needed.

The two leaders, who had recently sparred over using money from the state’s rainy day fund to pay for recovery efforts in Houston, shook hands and smiled as the check was presented.

Turner said the emergency provision he considered activating would have raised about the amount of the state’s check.

Debris removal remains a top priority, both Abbott and Turner said.

Turner said the cleanup effort will likely cost $260 million and $26 million will go to Houston's bill for debris removal. The federal government will cover the other 90 percent. 

About $10 million will be going to additional insurance the city needs after maxing out its current policy to cover damage to city property. The other $14 million goes to miscellaneous bills for Harvey damage and recovery.

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