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.
On top of all that, New Orleans is a death trap the way it is currently set up.
I've had it with LA. And I've certainly had it with her politicians on right and Left. Vitter? Jindal? Blanco? Nagin? Landrieux Family? They can go drown their heads in the flooded levy's.
I am more than willing to help MISS, Alabama, Texas, Florida and any other state affected. But at this point I wouldn't mind if LA was Left to Mother Nature. She'd do better with the land than these fools have done.
My, my, that was a very nice speech.
However, the politicians I was referring to are still greedy bastards. They have no support whatsoever behind their $250MM. They should be working hand in hand with the Feds to come up with the number. Bush said yesterday that this process is just beginning. Therefore, I still say F 'em!!!!!
Cut it in half, and we might have something to talk about.
I previously suggested that we sue France for breach of warranty. The design was obviously defective.
Compulsory compassion is a good way to describe what you've been receiving from Louisiana's oil and gas production all these years. We've been having our coastal areas sacrificed so you can toot around all day in your car on cheap gasoline. Do you honestly believe that Louisiana has been fairly compensated for this all of these years? You and others like you have taken our contribution to your lifestyle for granted all these years and now when we are in need, you turn the other cheek.
If it were my choice, I'd tell all of you to either pay your fair share for a problem that effects all of us or allow Louisiana to secede and pay for it's own problems. I'd prefer seccession and the ability to properly reap the economic benefits of our natural resources. It would take us longer to recover but in the long run, we as a state would be far better off. Of course, your budget would suffer due to the higher cost of gasoline and goods. That would be nice as well.
Are you willing to allow louisiana to secede from the union if that means you give up all claims to her natural resources?
I think we all want to know about oversight of all payments going into La. It is inconceivable that the same corrupt system that controls Louisiana be given one cent without tight controls over how it is spent.
Oh, good grief - that is not what is being proposed. If all we want to do is have a port - we can save a few hundred billion of the tax payers dollars.
See poat #16....
My best guess is somewhere between $4 and $9.15!
Bingo!!!!
Uncle Sham wrote: "Compulsory compassion is a good way to describe what you've been receiving from Louisiana's oil and gas production all these years."
Now I know you're baiting me, but I'll bite. First, no one is forcing Louisiana to sell its oil and gas production. Second, it isn't Louisiana's oil in the first place. It belongs to the companies who have invested their time and money to produce it.
Even if we (the rest of the US) were looting Louisiana for years, who determines how much we owe you? What if we've only looted $50 billion in gas and oil and the hurricane recovery is going to cost $200 billion? Certainly you aren't advocating taking more than you deserve, because that would make you just as bad as the rest of us looters.
Are you sure you want to get into a tit for tat as to which states are more or less valuable to the nation?
Louisiana has contributed so much corruption and poor government that you should be charged for it, imo.
I am more than willing to help MISS, Alabama, Texas, Florida and any other state affected. But at this point I wouldn't mind if LA was Left to Mother Nature. She'd do better with the land than these fools have done.
This is my general sentiment. Given the way they've conducted themselves, I stand by my statement Nature would care for the land better than they have.
It's not what I'd advocate elected officials do. Note there is a difference between feelings and responsibility. No where have I stated the Feds should abandon or LA secede. But I make no withdrawal or apology for the sentiment.
That's better than a bailout, but still has an opportunity cost associated with it, since those funds can't be used for other purposes that might have a broader benefit.
Geez...I hope that was tongue-in-cheek...
Really? You mean LA didn't get fair market price for the fuels they sold on the open market? Were they really selling at gun-point? You mean the federal government didn't subsidize any of the development of the Port of NO? You mean the oil depletion give-aways during the decades of the '60's-'90's was unfair to those who work in the oil industry in LA? Hmmm...I must have missed something...
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