(AP)-Gov. Rick Perry says the Obama administration denied a request to declare nearly all of Texas a federal major disaster.
Gov. Rick Perry said late Tuesday night that the White House rejected his request for a federal major disaster declaration for areas of Texas affected by recent wildfires.
In a statement, Perry said he was "dismayed" by the rejection earlier in the day.
"It is not only the obligation of the federal government, but its responsibility under law to help its citizens in times of emergency," he said.
Perry said the state would consider its options, which include an appeal of the denial.
Last week, he criticized President Barack Obama's administration last week for its speedy disaster declarations for areas hit by the tornadoes in the South that killed more than 300 people while Texas' request went unanswered.
"You have to ask, 'Why are you taking care of Alabama and other states?' I know our letter didn't get lost in the mail," Perry said Thursday.
Since November, 9,000 fires statewide have destroyed or damaged more than 400 homes, Perry said.
His April 17 request for a disaster declaration for nearly all of the state's counties came before last week's wave of tornadoes and other damaging storms.
A "major disaster declaration" would have made the state eligible for help in responding to and recovering from the emergency.
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