8 billion is but a start. 
However,if this secretary was honest, it will require a great deal more money. The best way is for America to finance not only fixing texas, but our infrastructure. 

1) raise gas/diesel taxes by .01/gal / month for the next 24-48 months. 
2) pass the gas tax to the state in which it was obtained from. 
3) require that no cuts to other taxes occur. 
4) require that 100% of this money go only to public infrastructures. For example, Texas can not use it to rebuild the homes and businesses there. BUT, they can use it to rebuild the roads, sewage, seawalls, etc.