Poignant Letter to Governor Urges Him to Support HB2068
4-14-2025 – Two weeks ago, I posted about HB2068, State Rep. Dennis Paul’s bill. It has the potential to create more effective flood control for more people.
The post prompted 192 readers from across the river basin to write the House Natural Resources committee in support of HB2068. But not all concerned citizens stopped with the committee. One, who wishes to remain anonymous, sent me the text of a poignant letter he wrote to Governor Abbott. It expressed sentiments I hear from many flood victims.
Letter to Governor about HB2068
Honorable Governor,
We desperately need your help in the Harris County, Kingwood, Conroe and Lake Houston Area.
As we all know, flooding rivers and streams do not respect jurisdictional boundaries. The water from several counties, cities and tributaries all end up in Lake Houston.
Eight (8) years ago I received 3 1/2 feet of water in my 1 1/2 year old single-story house. The financial, emotional and physical impacts of this event were devastating.
Red tape and politics aside, VERY LITTLE has been done during the past 8 years to mitigate future flooding. This is proven by several flood threats as a result of flooding from slightly greater than normal rainstorms.
The Harris County Judge and certain Commissioners have totally failed us. We supported a Flood Bond in 2018 to implement a number of much needed projects. But what did the County officials do? They changed the “rules of the project prioritization.” They said they would tackle the hardest-hit areas first. Instead they’re funneling the money almost exclusively to folks in low-to-moderate income areas.
The officials refer to it as “equity”; I refer to it as buying votes. Now, it is my understanding that all funds have been spent.
The City of Houston clearly knows additional gates need to be added to the Lake Houston Dam to handle the release of water from Lake Conroe. The City has been overseeing this project for over 6 years and not one thimble of dirt has been moved.
We are sick and tired of hearing excuse, after excuse, after excuse of why it is taking so long. It is my understanding that funding was approved. But I have to believe that inflation has seriously reduced the amount that will be available to spend.
Study, after expensive study, has been performed. BUT – no meaningful projects to curb flooding have been implemented.
I do not minimize the cost, time and complexity of these projects. BUT IT HAS BEEN 8 YEARS.
I’m convinced the current governing structure, as well as the officials involved, are incapable of planning and executing efforts to successfully mitigate future flooding.
THE TEXAS HOUSE IS CURRENTLY CONSIDERING A BILL THAT WILL CREATE A MULTI- JURISDICTIONAL BODY TO OVERSEE FLOOD CONTROL: HB2068.
ANY HELP YOU CAN PROVIDE TO MOVE THIS FORWARD WOULD BE DEEPLY APPRECIATED.
We have been very “lucky” to not have a repeat of Harvey since 2017. However, I fear everyday for my family that our luck is about to run out!
Sincerely,
(Name withheld at reader’s request)
Don’t Stop Now
Sound familiar? Please support HB2068. Write the governor and your other elected representatives.
But don’t wait too long. The vast majority of bills die in committees and never even see a vote on the House or Senate floors.
HB2068 received some good news today. State Rep. Charles Cunningham signed on as a co-author. But the bill is still pending in committee.
For More Information
For more information about HB2068, see these posts:
25/04/09 Natural Resources Committee Hears Testimony on HB2068
25/04/08 Action Needed: Support HB2068 NOW!
Follow progress of the bill on Texas Legislature Online website.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/14/2025
2785 Days since Hurricane Harvey
