Judge halts cutoff of rental aid

Times-Picayune ^ | Saturday, June 16, 2007 | By Susan Finch

[BBell]

Judge halts cutoff of rental aid

FEMA must give notice in advance

By Susan Finch

In a strongly worded ruling, a New Orleans federal judge this week ordered the Federal Emergency Management Agency to stop cutting off rental assistance to low-income Hurricane Katrina and Rita evacuees without giving them advance written notice of reasons for the action or telling them they have a right a hearing on the matter.

U.S. District Judge Ginger Berrigan issued the ruling in response to an April lawsuit brought on behalf of evacuees who still need the help after losing everything in the 2005 storm, as well as for those whose housing assistance was discontinued in efforts by FEMA to recoup what it claims were overpayments.

Berrigan said she granted the order, a preliminary injunction that will remain in effect for the time being, because the plaintiffs convinced her they have a substantial chance of prevailing when the case goes to trial.

"The defendants appear to treat the plaintiffs and their prospects of homelessness and the despair and stress of such added worries as if it were gnats to be brushed away while the defendants busy themselves with creating more bureaucratic regulations," Berrigan said in reasons for her order, called a preliminary injunction, that will remain in effect pending a trial.

[HiTech RedNeck]

What happened is Congress hurled a barrel of money at a bureaucracy and said, here, spend it as fast as you can on this, and with virtually no rules. So, guess what, the courts get to second guess the bureaucracy when it tries to make the rules. However, this *will* end when the appropriation is used up.

[BBell]

There are allot of community's in LA and MISS that have taken care of themselves. I live in one. You just don’t hear much about them.

[kilohertz]

Is this gal a judge, or an absolute monarch? My impression was that the congress had to somehow be involved in ordering the spending of public money ...

[Dr.Zoidberg]

Ten years?

I’d wouldn’t be surprised if we’re hearing about New Orleans grifters still suckling from uncle sams teat 15 or 20 years from now.

How in h*ll do these people take a dump without someone there to wipe their arses for them? It boggles the mind...

[Retired Chemist]

From N.O. public housing to FEMA public housing.

[Dad yer funny]

FR *bookmark*

[BBell]

There are lots of jobs here. Hispanics, both legal and illegal, have shown up because they can’t get enough locals to work. Also, people from all around the Country have come here to fill the employee gap. Not always the best of this country have come here to work though.

[AD from SpringBay]

My goodness, those poor folks - it’s been less than three years. They still need their guv’mint teet.

[ApplegateRanch]

We saw that, too; and they did an amazing job.

So why are they now sitting on their lazy butts, instead of going out and doing fo dah po' downtrodd'n NAY-bohs, who isn't gots nottin' to do nuttin' wit', [and nothing is too good for them!] 'cept dah gov'ment dole? /sarc

[BBell]

You could go to these peoples doors,read them the notice and make them sign for it and they would still claim ignorance.

[BBell]

Just remember it’s New Orleans that is the Democrat hellhole. The surrounding community's are pretty nice.

[ApplegateRanch]

You could go to these peoples doors,read them the notice and make them sign for it and they would still claim ignorance.

That is because they are not just ordinarily ignorant, but dey is Shirley Q. Liquor ig'nant.

[TornadoAlley3]

U.S. District Judge Ginger Berrigan, a past president of the Louisiana ACLU...

[Dr.Zoidberg]

Well if they haven't found work and a place to live by now they are gnats. Big gnats to be sure but still gnats.

Gnats, no. Leech is a more appropriate analogue. Gnats may bite, but they fly off. Leeches latch on and stay put until forcefully dislodged.

I don't see the Nawlins "refugees" releasing their host any time soon...

[kcvl]

April 1996

Prior to her nomination to the federal bench three years earlier she headed the local chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union

[goldstategop]

There's a reason for giving people a hearing in this country. The government can make its case further assistance is no longer necessary. But the plaintiffs do have the right to their day in court, even if one disagrees with their cause of action.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[ApplegateRanch]

He’s cute; looks like a gymn teacher my wife once had.

No; I mean whose CLASS she was in. Sheesh!

[The Jabberwock]

"The discretion of the judge is the first engine of tyranny." -- Edward Gibbon

I really wish somebody would stand up to these judges and tell them, "NO! Take your ruling and shove it."

[kcvl]

That is a SHE.

[Godwin1]

What has the judge got to do with this? The Congress appropriates money and the executive spends it. This is yet another case of a Judge abusing authority. There MUST be legislation delineating—and sharply limiting—the impulse of judges to behave as tyrants who trample on representative government in the interest of their own social or political agendas. No one elected this woman Queen.