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Posted on 02/22/2006 8:21:42 PM PST by Ellesu
[From the Office of Congressman William J. Jefferson]
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative William Jefferson expressed his concern about the proposed language for the fourth hurricane relief supplemental proposal submitted last week by the White House. The proposal requests $4.2 billion "subject to the requirements of section 404" of the Stafford Act - which provides money for homeowners to take action to reduce losses from flooding.
"I am especially concerned about the language because it limits Louisiana's use of the $4.2 billion strictly to hazard mitigation, raising or removing property," Jefferson said. "Our delegation was not consulted on this language, and I cannot support the proposal unless it provides the same flexibility that previous supplemental relief bills have given our state in determining how to best use the money."
Section 404 of the Stafford Act authorizes FEMA's hazard mitigation program. It requires that the money be spent one of two ways: to raise or otherwise fortify structures or to remove them from commerce, replacing them with green space or wetlands. It mandates that "any property acquired, accepted or from which a structure will be removed pursuant to the project will be dedicated and maintained in perpetuity for a use that is compatible with open space, recreational, or wetlands management practices." Using the money for that purpose could take significant parts of New Orleans completely out of commerce forever.
"Our aim is to repopulate our city, not depopulate it," Jefferson added. "This proposal limits our ability to bring our citizens back. As I have said before, everyone should be given the opportunity to return to a safer, better community and we need a strong commitment from our federal government to provide that opportunity."
The additional $4.2 billion and another $1.7 billion that was already approved for hazard mitigation would account for half of the total funds for Louisiana's recovery and rebuilding efforts. The language in the proposal must be approved in Congress before the funds are made available to the State.
"I will work with my colleagues in Congress to provide more clarity and flexibility in the use of this money so that our citizens can rebuild and return," Jefferson said.
ping
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Indict this crook.
Maybe he's looking for bail money.
Well he does have a point about the language. I am currious what the Reps are saying
Congressman Jefferson is gone anyway. We were losing a Seat prob anyway in the Congress after the next Census. New Orleans was going to have to be subdivided into the adjoining districts that meant major problems for him. He knows he is gone no matter what
New Orleans interpretation of use of government money.
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