Posted on 09/23/2005 2:48:35 PM PDT by econjack
Louisiana Senators Propose $250-Billion Katrina Reconstruction Package, Other Lawmakers Seek Offsetting Cut
September 23, 2005
Louisiana's Senators, Mary Landrieu (D) and David Vitter (R), have proposed legislation to provide about $250 billion in federal aid to help their state rebuild from Hurricane Katrina. The massive, 10-year plan, contained in a bill introduced on Sept. 22, includes about $180 billion in direct federal spending, Vitter said. The rest would represent the cost of various tax breaks.
But Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) and several other GOP colleagues want at least some of the federal hurricane relief spending to be offset with spending cuts. Among their suggestions: a 5% across-the-board cut in discretionary spending other than defense and homeland security; and rescinding $24 billion in earmarked highway projects in the recently enacted highway and transit authorization bill.
Already, Congress has approved $62.3 billion in post-Katrina relief aid for Louisiana and other Gulf Coast states. The Office of Management and Budget has said it further spending would be requested.
The Landrieu-Vitter package would draw most of its funds from federal appropriations, but they also are seeking 50% of the revenue from oil and gas leases off their state's coast. Vitter says that 50% share of lease payments recently has ranged between $3 billion and $4 billion annually. Those revenues would go for restoration of coastal wetlands and barrier islands as well as infrastructure.
The energy bill signed into law in August provides Louisiana with $135 million in oil and gas lease revenue annually for four years to be used for coastal restoration work.
The new plan also includes more than $16 billion for transportation, of which $2.9 billion would be emergency relief aid to repair highways and other infrastructure; and $50 billion in Community Development Block Grants "to provide disaster relief and promote long term recovery" in the affected area, according to a summary of the bill prepared by Landrieu's staff.
There also would be $40 billion that an envisioned new "Pelican Commission" would use for Corps of Engineers hurricane and flood protection, coastal restoration and navigation projects."
Landrieu says she recognizes that the sum she and Vitter are seeking is large, but she says of the hurricane's aftermath, "It's not a local problem. It's not a state problem. It's a national tragedy and it needs an unprecedented national response."
The legislation also would allot $150 million to the National Park Service for historic preservation grants "to owners of historic structures and artifacts affected by Hurricane Katrina," says the bill summary. The non-federal matching share for the grants will be 25%, instead of the usual 50%.The non-federal match could be cash or services, labor or equipment. The program would be administered together with the State Historic Preservation Office and National Center for Preservation Technology and Training in Natchitoches, La.
In addition, the measure would provide $30 million to the Park Service for preservation grants for National Historic Landmarks, plus $8 million to technical assistance and training for people who want to restore historic property, and $20 million for the Trust's preservation services.
Exactly!!
Moon Landrieu crime family is getting ready to battle the other LA crime families. Gee...like the God Father.
Why in Gods name are the taxpayers responsible to rebuild some one elses' private property?
This country is going to hell in a handbasket pretty darned quick.
NO and LA allowed their city and state to get messed up and want Uncle Sap to write them a big check.
No...not what I meant. The increased NO taxes would ONLY be used for public infrastructure, including the levees. If you lived below sea level and didn't insure your own private property, you are totally screwed...and don't come whining to me to help you pay for it.
Not only all of that, but Blanco wants us to pay for all of their local law enforcement and other personnel. She says they're out of money and so the feds have to pay.
I suppose that means you an I will be paying for those Las Vegas junkets they sent their stellar police force on. Isn't that a gas?
How about a 1 page write-off of NOLA instead?
Tin foil hat time: Maybe they didn't repair the levees because eventually they knew the Feds would pick up the tab for rebuilding the city.
Okay Tin foil hat off:
I have no problem with Federal money going for infrastructure, roads, etc., but when ditzo Blanco said she wanted Federal money to pay salaries of state and city workers, I about flipped out.
The "Pelican Commission" wasn't that some movie about crooked politicians? Seems a little strange to name something that...maybe I've got the movie name wrong.
.....use the 250 billion to build a NEW New Orleans, in a higher, drier spot *might* make more sense than puting it into a sinking hole in the ground....
THEM 2 democrat senators better worry about the black voter base that elected them and are now scattered all over the place
A lot ain't coming back
Can you say TWO GOP senators in the future
I think congress should be forced to look at all the waste pet projects and eliminate all of them to help fund. LA forgets that Florida, Mississippi and Alabama ALSO suffered losses, and now we have Texas. Who are they to expect the Fed to completely rebuild the state. They should be bearing a large portion of the rebuilding.
Insurance companies estimated of the $500 billion they insure in LA, 40-60 Billion are insured losses due to Katrina and of that 15-25 Billion is related to NO. They expect losses to exceed $125 Billion. So the Fed should be able to cut that aid off. The businesses that were uninsured shouldn't profit from all the give aways.
Why should the FED completely rebuild the corrupt State, I'd like to see RITA take a sharp turn and send NO off to sea. Surely the state has already allocated expenses funded by the FED that need to be deducted from their demands.
Then, screw it. It's not worth it just to restore LA corruption. Let it silt up and leave it be.
You are so right. Did you hear Rush talking about this today?
It's going to take a lot of hard work from fiscal conservatives all over this country to bring some sanity to the "reconstruction" effort. The ball of government spending, waste and fraud is rolling. Politicians love to spend the people's money. At this point I think only a national outcry will slow this down..
Which just goes to prove what a racist you are. (/sarcasm)
This statement can apply both ways you know. A greedy bastard is someone who lives his life oblivious to the efforts of others who make his life more livable and then abandons them in their time of need. A stupid, greedy bastard is someone who does this against his own economic best interest. New Orleans and Louisiana have contributed greatly to the economic well being of this nation. Your cost have been held down by there being a port at the mouth of the Mississippi River and your fuel cost have been held down by the hard working oil and gas platforms out in the Gulf of Mexico off of the Louisiana coast. You've taken them both for granted. Your pocketbook feels their pain but your brain hasn't figured it out yet. As for your heart, well it seems you don't possess one.
Oh, goody. Given their record over the last decade, more Republicans will spend $500 Billion instead of $250B.
I'm about to quit my job just so I don't have to donate another dime to Landrieux's folly. Then I can stand in line and demand that someone support ME...
It's one Dem, not two.
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