July often accounts for a large portion of waterfront rental shops’ annual revenue. Devastating Central Texas flooding is taking a toll on their bottom

AUSTIN, Texas — State Senator Paul Bettencourt of Houston is pushing for major upgrades to Texas flood warning systems through new legislation aimed at preventing future disasters like the July 4th flooding in the Texas Hill Country that killed more than 130 people.

The first hearing of the committee will discuss the state’s response to the flooding, the state’s disaster preparedness more generally, flood planning and infrastructure.

Texas lawmakers gathered this week for a special legislative session to discuss emergency procedures and early warning systems following the deadly July 4 flash floods. Gov. Greg Abbott called the special session in the wake of the flooding, which killed more than 130 people in Hill Country.

Voting on new congressional maps before any response to the Hill Country floods could create a political liability for Republicans, who control all levels of Texas government. Texas is still reeling from the disaster, which is one of the worst in the state’s modern history, and few Texans have voiced concerns about the state’s political maps.

The Austin, Texas, fire chief is being accused of denying requests to send rescuers to Kerrville days before the catastrophic flooding — because of an $800,000 dispute with the state government.

The flash floods that killed at least 135 people in Texas' Hill Country was the main topic during the opening of a special legislative session in the state on Monday.

Austin Pets Alive! is encouraging the public to adopt pets in need during PetSmart Charities week and National Adoption Week.

Districts in Houston, Austin, Dallas and South Texas could be part of the push to create up to five new Republican seats in Congress.