Democrats push to speed Katrina aid

[Kadie]

Democrats push to speed Katrina aid
6 minutes ago

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - In an effort to speed up aid to U.S. Gulf Coast states devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita more than a year ago, House Democrats on Thursday unveiled legislation to waive state matching requirements for federal aid for Mississippi and Louisiana.

Democratic leaders said they expected the legislation would move quickly through the U.S. House of Representatives. It represents the first of what is expected to be several bills to help speed up recovery from the natural disaster that struck the region 18 months ago.

"This is a priority for America," said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (news, bio, voting record), a Maryland Democrat.

Hoyer said waiving matching requirements of the Stafford Act should help money already approved by Congress to flow more smoothly to the region.

more...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070215/pl_nm/katrina_congress_aid_dc_1

[fooj]

1. Hear that Louisiana? Mississippi?

Think about it next time you cast your vote for a Repub. 18 months ago! I'm thrilled that the Dems are making this a priority. It doesn't take a rocket scientist...

[RufusEarl]

2. Finally!

[redqueen]

3. Isn't it nice to have the grown-ups back in charge?

:bounce:

[finecraft]

4. And this is what my stupid a-hole Rep. from Louisiana had to say:

I read this and said WTF????? :wtf:

http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpage/index.ssf?/base/news-7/117152270665700.xml&coll=1

Democratic Party commitment to Gulf questioned

An irate Rep. Charlie Melancon, D-Napoleonville, blasted the congressional leader of his party Wednesday for what he called unfulfilled promises to deliver help to hurricane victims on the Gulf Coast.

Melancon's criticism of House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California goes against the public image Democrats have tried to project of caring more about the hurricane recovery than Republicans do. As recently as last week, Democratic House leaders met with Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco and renewed their commitment to the recovery.

But Melancon said the words haven't been backed up with action and, "I want it exposed."

"I am disappointed that Speaker Pelosi hasn't lived up to her commitment to people of Louisiana, Mississippi and the Gulf Coast," Melancon said in an interview. "I've gotten past the point where I think it's just happenstance."

[Firespirit]

5. Details...

As a former Gulf Coast resident with a vested interest in the region still, this is very important to me.

First, thanks so much for the link. This is my pet issue. I am considering starting a PAC focused on Katrina/disaster recovery/disaster prevention. It would support candidates who do real things to address the problem. But before I do something that drastic (and expensive!), I am trying to determine if it's really necessary.

What, exactly, does this legislation do? Is there an easy way to find that out? The reports I'm getting from the coast are that the coastline, the strip right near the ocean, has been pretty much restored to its former tourist-extravaganza glory. But when you go inland, about to I-10 or so, where people actually LIVE, it looks like the storm just hit. I haven't seen it for myself in awhile; this is just what I hear from people who have been there recently.

If this aid is going to help the local businesses and coastal residents get back on their feet, I'm all for it. If it's keyed to big industry, or is a generic "slush fund" type of aid that can be used at the discretion of locals, then there needs to be more done.

[Neecy]

6. here's a partial answer....

I think that by waiving the Stafford Act requirements the money will get to the affected individuals much faster (although I thought the Stafford Act requirements had already been waived for MS - guess I was wrong on that).

By asking the states to match funds, the idea was that money wouldn't be wasted by corruption, fraud, or bureaucracy because the state's money was at stake as well. This should help somewhat, although I'd like to see them take on the insurance industry as well.

[Firespirit]

7. Thanks...

The insurance industry has just decided to shaft Mississippi residents -- State Farm, I should say. That company has decided to freeze writing any new policies to people in the state, and there's talk about revoking some current coverage. This is all a retaliatory act in response to losing the big lawsuit.

I too wish someone would take them on. The Attorney General, Jim Hood, seems to be a decent person. I still lived there when that election took place, and he seemed a very conservative candidate. Typical Southern Democrat. But he surprised me by taking on the homeowners' cause as he did. Not a Mike Moore by any stretch of the imagination, but a welcome voice in the midst of the big business Barbour administration.

[BlackVelvet04]

8. The aftermath of Katrina is a national

disgrace. All of our politicians are accountable for this fiasco. Why in the world there hasn't been a national outrage about this I don't know.

I saw When the Levees Broke the other night and was appalled at how little has been accomplished in getting the hurricane ravaged areas back on their feet.

I can't possibly fathom the level of suffering and despair the residents of New Orleans must feel. And now the vultures in the form of land developers are trying to buy up all the land and permanently displace the residents. It's disgusting.

I know if it were me I would feel totally abandoned by my government and fellow citizens.