Chavez uses decree for disaster fund in Venezuela
– 1 hr 11 mins ago
CARACAS, Venezuela – Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says he is signing his first decree under new powers granted to him by congress to create a fund for housing reconstruction after recent floods and landslides.
The National Assembly earlier this month granted Chavez broad powers to enact laws by decree for a year and a half.
Chavez opponents have condemned that and a package of other laws approved by the president's congressional allies, saying they are aimed at boosting Chavez's powers and enabling the government to crack down on dissent.
Chavez said Sunday that the new government fund will initially receive 10 billion bolivars ($2.3 billion) to pay for rebuilding areas devastated by torrential rains.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101227/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_venezuela_chavez