Harvey victims don't support higher taxes for improvements, survey says

HOUSTON (FOX 26) - It's their house, but not their home anymore.

Kate Loverin and her daughter Alli are checking on their property, a block off Stella Link.

Like many people, here they've moved out and plan to sell.

"It makes people have to make hard decisions about. It's no longer worth rebuilding. It seems like it's going to continue to be an issue,” Loverin said.

That's a pretty safe bet.

According to a new study out of U of H, Houston-area residents support a third reservoir on the west side, buyouts of flood prone homes and other flood control measures.

The desire to have these things is strong, but the desire to pay for it through property taxes just is a bit weaker at 46%.

Rice University Political Analyst Bob Stein participated in the study and says that's actually a high water mark or support for tax increases.

"My suspicions are that there is a feeling in the community that this is a serious problem. I took it to mean that the people are seriously considering raising taxes," said Stein.

County Judge Ed Emmett is pushing for a ballot initiative to pay for these measures. How big? He doesn’t know until we know how much federal money will come.

Right now, no money is flowing from the state's rainy day fund. Abbott is keeping it dammed up.

"Give the Governor some credit. He's playing a game of chicken with the federal government."

Stein says he's probably worried if the state starts paying for things, the feds won’t step in.

While all of this is plays out, taxpayers -- including the already hard-hit flood victims -- will have to decide what to do.

Like the electorate, Loverin could be convinced either way.. 

"I could see either way especially in an area like this where taxes are already pretty substantial. So it's hard to imagine paying even more. I don't know.”