[StBernard] Governor fights for Louisiana contractors

[Westley Annis]

Governor Blanco fights for Louisiana contractors and businesses, Louisiana
companies should rebuild the state

BATON ROUGE--Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco today released the following
letter, sent on Friday to acting FEMA director David Paulison, urging FEMA
to require its contractors to use Louisiana businesses. 

"A contractor should be required to demonstrate that IT has exhausted
available local and in-state resources before reaching out of state to
identify possible firms," Governor Blanco wrote in her letter. 

FEMA has announced that prime contracts which were awarded without a bid
process after Hurricane Katrina are being awarded again through a new bid
process. 

"...we have firms in Louisiana and the Gulf Coast which are capable of being
prime contractors. These firms will have better local contacts to
subcontractors and will be more able to link the resources made possible by
reconstruction efforts into the affected areas," said Governor Blanco. 

Additionally, Governor Blanco wrote that subcontracting should be managed
through federal procurement resources or state government resources such as
Lousiana Economic Development. 

You can read the full text of the letter at www.gov.state.la.us/letters/ 

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The Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation (LDRF), Louisiana's fund for
Louisiana's people, has been established by Governor Kathleen Babineaux
Blanco in order to support long-term family restoration and recovery and
help provide assistance to our citizens in need through a network of
Louisiana charities and non-profit agencies. 

1-877-HELPLA1 (877-435-7521) www.louisianahelp.org