Abbott asks Trump to declare Texas a major disaster

Austin American-Statesman (TX)

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called on President Donald Trump to issue a major disaster declaration for Texas as the state grapples with a growing number of cases of thecoronavirus.

In a letter to Trump on Monday, Abbott said supplementary federal assistance is needed to save lives and protect health, property and safety.

"Texas is all-in on our response to COVID-19 and we need Washington's financial assistance as provided for under the law to support our efforts to limit the spread of this virus," Abbott said in a statement. "COVID-19-related expenses and obligations are already exceeding $50 million and that will only rise as our efforts continue. Additional federal funding is essential for us to maintain our aggressive course of action to protect our state."

A major disaster declaration would give the state access to federal assistance programs for individual and public infrastructure, including funds for both emergency and permanent work, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Trump can issue a major disaster declaration when he believes an event has caused such damage that it is beyond the capabilities of state and local governments.

Trump made the declaration for New York and Washington state, which opened up federal funding for crisis counseling and emergency protective measures.

Abbott's request comes four days after he banned public gatherings of more than 10 people, and closed schools, gyms, bars and restaurant dining rooms. Over the weekend, Abbott relaxed regulations to boost the number of nurses available to work in Texas hospitals, and he sought to increase hospital bed capacity by ordering elective surgeries postponed for a month and allowing hospitals to have two beds per room instead of one.