[StBernard] Washington Newsletter from Rep. Richard H. Baker

[Westley Annis]

Washington Newsletter from

Representative Richard H. Baker

 

December 9, 2005

Thank you for signing up for Congressman Baker's newsletter. Below are issue
updates that you may find interesting. As always, please visit his website
at <http://www.baker.house.gov/>  for the most up-to-date news and
information on what Congressman Baker is working on in the Sixth
Congressional District of Louisiana.

Louisiana House Delegation Unites to Cosponsor "Louisiana Recovery
Corporation Bill"

Rep. Richard H. Baker announced today that Louisiana's entire U.S. House
delegation has signed on as cosponsors of legislation (H.R. 4100) to
establish the Louisiana Recovery Corporation (LRC), a federal agency that
would function in consultation with state and local officials with the
mission of both providing financial stability to property owners and
mortgage lenders through the purchase of damaged or destroyed property from
willing sellers, and facilitating the redevelopment of areas of Louisiana
devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Baker made the announcement after incorporating improvements to the bill
recommended by delegation members pertaining to improving the fair
compensation valuation method for sellers used by the LRC, and enhancing
Louisiana representation and leadership within the LRC's governance and
mission.

"A unified delegation is essential for moving this legislation through the
House, and I want to thank my Louisiana House colleagues for their
recommendations and support," said Baker. "Together with the valuable
support and effort of Governor Blanco and the Louisiana Recovery Authority,
I hope this unity will help us to press for passage of the bill as quickly
as possible."

With the 90-day forbearance period on mortgage payments banks granted to
tens of thousands of people now ending, Baker hopes to be able to avoid
potential mass foreclosures by fast-tracking the legislation prior to
Congress's holiday recess.

"I want to be clear to all those folks who have been contacting my office
about this plan, however, that there's still a great deal of heavy lifting
to do to make it happen, but which is all the more reason why the more hands
the better," Baker said.

Baker will talk about the bill and outline the next steps in the legislative
process when he speaks before the Baton Rouge Press Club at noon on Monday
at De La Ronde Hall in downtown Baton Rouge. For more information visit
www.baker.house.gov. <http://www.baker.house.gov> 

House Transportation Committee Passes 'Gulf Coast Recovery Act' 

The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, which has
jurisdiction over Stafford Act disaster-response policy, passed the "Gulf
Coast Recovery Act," on Wednesday, December 7th.  Included in the bill were
provisions sponsored by U.S. Rep. Richard Baker to aid storm victims and
enhance local and state government resources to aid in Louisiana's recovery.
"The vote today marks one of the most meaningful actions taken in Congress
to help the victims of the hurricane disasters and to help local authorities
tackle Louisiana's recovery," said Baker. "I know Chairman Young shares the
belief that more must be done, and I know he is committed to doing more
early next year. But for now, this bill, when enacted, will put people back
to work, it will help families endure financially, and it will help make way
for recovery. When the committee revisits the issue next year, I expect to
seek specific assistance for schools, hospitals, and utilities."

The bill must now be taken up by the full House, and Baker plans to try to
expedite its enactment before Congress recesses for the holidays.  The "Gulf
Coast Recovery Act" addresses several time-sensitive issues significant to
the continued recovery of the Gulf region.  For more information, click here
<http://www.house.gov/transportation/> .  

Veterans Claims Update  
Recently, the House Veterans Affairs Committee held an oversight hearing on
claims processing at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).   The
Committee heard testimony of excessive wait times for claims decisions and
clear indications that VA needs more claims adjudicators. 
  
The backlog of pending claims and the time it takes VA's Veterans Benefits
Administration (VBA) to process a claim has increased substantially over the
past two years.  Major concerns cited yesterday beyond the backlog of claims
included the temporary closing of the New Orleans VA Regional Office, due to
Hurricane Katrina; a lack of quality in claims decisions; a need for medical
staff who conduct disability examinations to have greater knowledge of
health issues specific to veterans; and the perception that some claims
processors have a complacent or dismissive attitude about their work. 
  
The Committee asked representatives of veterans groups who had provided
testimony, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars, The American Legion,
Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and AMVETS, if
they thought the VA needed more claims adjudicators.  All unanimously agreed
that additional VBA staffing would help resolve the claims backlog and
problems with quality decisions.  The Committee will soon introduce
legislation to increase the staffing at both the regional compensation level
and at the Board of Veterans Appeals. 
Department of Labor Starts Pathways to Construction Employment Initiative

The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration is
launching the Pathways to Construction Employment Initiative to promote the
economic recovery of Louisiana and Mississippi in the wake of Hurricanes
Katrina and Rita. This initiative focuses on helping workers in areas
impacted by the hurricanes enter a career pathway in construction, an
industry which provides substantial career opportunities for individuals
with a range of skill levels and educational backgrounds, while
simultaneously assisting critical rebuilding efforts in the Gulf Coast
Region. It will target the residential, commercial, industrial, and heavy
highway construction sectors, as well as shipbuilding and heavy marine
construction. Click here
<http://www.doleta.gov/whatsnew/new_releases/2005-11-30.cfm>  for more
information.

Rep. Baker Announces Fire Grant for St. George 

U.S. Rep. Richard Baker announced today that the St. George Fire Protection
District in Baton Rouge has been awarded a $1.8 million federal grant
through the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighter
SAFER grant program.

Baker supported the grant through numerous contacts with DHS on the fire
department's behalf.  "Post-Katrina, Baton Rouge first responders require
greater resources to protect a growing population, and I'm pleased to see
our community receiving such a sizable grant award," Baker said.

The SAFER grant program provides financial assistance to local fire
departments for the purpose of hiring additional frontline firefighters, and
to support recruitment and retention programs at volunteer fire departments.