Texas legislators encourage municipalities to take advantage of federal infrastructure bill dollars

During the Southeast Texas Transportation Summit on Oct. 25, U.S. reps. Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston; Brian Babin, R-Woodville; and Randy Weber, R-Friendswood, discussed President Joe Biden's federal infrastructure bill and what it could mean for the Houston region.

The bill, which Garcia pointed out not a single Texas Republican voted for, includes $1.3 trillion earmarked for infrastructure projects, such as road work. Texas is poised to receive $35.44 billion of the total over the next five years—the second-largest allocation of any state, following California.

In Texas, the bill will fund roads and highways, infrastructure for electric vehicles, bridges, water infrastructure, and replacing lead pipes in schools, Garcia said.

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To secure the federal dollars for local projects, Garcia and others encouraged municipalities to "apply, apply, apply" for grants. The Houston-Galveston Area Council is one resource municipalities can use to find out how much money is available and how best to secure some for local projects, Garcia said.