Railroad Commissioner tours Galveston Island meets with local officials
GALVESTON Texas Railroad Commissioner Elizabeth Ames Jones recently toured Galveston Island an area hardest hit by Hurricane Ike and viewed the progress and challenges that still remain as it recovers from the devastation of the 2008 hurricane season.
Commissioner Jones is a member of the Coastal Coordination Council whos mission is to improve the management of the coastal natural resource areas and to ensure the long-term ecological and economic productivity of the coast.
Texans were challenged last hurricane season weathering three hurricanes and a major tropical storm in 2008 but our state and its people responded well. Hurricane preparation and response in Texas is second to none and there are a lot of lessons the federal government could learn from us" said Commissioner Jones.
Texas sustained more than $50 billion in damage from Hurricane Ike and while Commissioner Jones was pleased to view the tremendous progress made toward rebuilding in Galveston she recognizes the task ahead is still great.
During my visit here to Galveston Im most impressed with the citys response and its residents grit and resiliency" said Commissioner Jones. Make no mistake theres much work to be done and well keep pressing the federal government to step up and fulfill its responsibilities here."
Among the recovery issues is extending FEMAs deadline for 100 percent federal reimbursement for debris removal. Commissioner Jones would like to see an additional six-month extension. Also she would like to see a six-month extension for federal funding for emergency protective measures.
The Coastal Coordination Council is doing our part for Hurricane Ikes response and recovery" said Commissioner Jones. The Council has set aside $850000 in federal grant funds available to assist with long term recovery."
During Commissioner Jones visit to Galveston she met with local officials including Galveston County Judge James Yarbrough and Galveston City Manger Steve LeBlanc as well as toured the University of Texas Medical Branch.
A sixth-generation Texan Jones was elected three times to the Texas House of Representatives before her appointment in 2005 to the Texas Railroad Commission. In November 2006 she was elected to serve a six-year term. Jones is a recognized leader on energy policy and coastal issues.
She serves on the Coastal Coordination Council the Coastal Land Advisory Board and is a member of the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission
