"The Trump administration is sitting on billions of dollars intended to help vulnerable cities and states prepare for extreme weather, prompting growing criticism from state officials worried about the next storm season.

In February, following a string of severe natural disasters in 2017, Congress provided a record $16 billion for disaster mitigation -- building better defenses against hurricanes, floods and other catastrophes.

Eleven months later, the administration has yet to issue rules telling states how to apply for the money. On Wednesday, Texas, which stands to get more than $4 billion, sent a letter to President Donald Trump’s budget director, Mick Mulvaney, asking him to break the logjam."

Christopher Flavelle reports for Bloomberg January 3, 2019. [2]