AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ Texas leaders have authorized payment of millions of dollars to companies that helped with emergency services after Hurricane Ike.
Texas emergency management director Jack Colley this week told lawmakers that the state has $134 million in unpaid Ike bills — and vendors want their money.
Gov. Rick Perry’s office blamed the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the delay.
But Perry, in a letter late this week, directed $145 million be transferred to the state’s Division of Emergency Management to pay vendor bills from the Sept. 13 hurricane.
The letter says the money must be used to pay Ike-related expenses in a manner consistent with maximum federal reimbursement.
The Associated Press has requested a list of the vendors from Perry’s office.
FEMA says paying such bills is the state’s responsibility, then Texas will be reimbursed.