Little support for "Storm Tax" in flood-hammered Kingwood

KINGWOOD, Texas (FOX 26) - "I don't know what this is going to be worth going forward. I just had my FEMA guy here and I was staggered by the amount of money he said to replace it," said Mike Quinn, whose Kingwood home also flooded.

Houston City Council member Dave Martin says folks in his district have heard the Mayor's pitch for more recovery cash and still oppose the additional tax burden by a margin of nearly 10-1.

"The people who suffered the most are the people who are probably going to pay the dearest and we don't want that to happen. If you suffered damage you shouldn't also be subject to another 9 percent tax. That makes no sense," said Martin.

Martin, a budget hawk with deep knowledge of city finance, believes the city can tap existing reserves for much of the recovery and contends the Mayor's tax hike could trigger an ugly backlash with devastating consequences.

"My fear is that if we implement a tax increase at the end of October and then we turn around and ask our voters to give us money for pension obligation bonds it will go down in flames," said Martin.