Galveston County has exploded in population growth, increasing demands on public infrastructure. Even while lowering tax rates and paying off debt early, Judge Mark Henry has been able to invest in infrastructure projects like roads, drainage, and necessary public facility upgrades. 

 

Mark Henry has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in roads and drainage projects, partnering with local and regional jurisdictions covering watersheds and infrastructure all across Galveston County. In 2021, the Commissioners Court completed a comprehensive Countywide Drainage Study that examined every community and the interconnectedness of the county’s drainage systems. However, there is a lot more to do. Permanent and long-lasting drainage solutions will require federal, state, and regional partnerships and billions of dollars in investment. Judge Henry served as one of the original chairmen of the Gulf Coast Community Protection & Recovery District - formed by regional local governments to study and find ways to build the Ike Dike to prevent the devastation we saw after Hurricane Ike. His involvement led to the Texas Legislature creating a special governmental district that is partnering with the federal government to secure the billions of dollars our region will need to complete the coastal barrier system. During President Trump’s first term, the federal government funded a total of $4B, with parts going towards the first phase of the coastal spine project in Texas. As County Judge, Mark Henry remains committed to continuing to build these partnerships and secure buy-in from every level of government.