[Alia]

The administration sought unified control over all local police and state National Guard units reporting to the governor. Louisiana officials rejected the request after talks throughout the night, concerned that such a move would be comparable to a federal declaration of martial law.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/03/AR2005090301680.html

bookmark.

[gg188]

The story here is that the Blanco administration maneuvered during those days to maintain control of incoming resources and funds, to be able to get the gravy without ceding power, maintaining their political supremecy, controlling then who gets what help within their state.

The Administration wisely demanded control rather than allowing the notoriously corrupt Louisiana/NO dem machine to remain in charge...