[StBernard] LRA Executive Director's Statement Regarding the Baker Bill

[Westley Annis]

Statement from LRA Executive Director Andy Kopplin 

Regarding Cong. Richard Baker's Legislation


"I learned from Chairman Don Powell that the Bush Administration does not
support HR 4100, Cong. Richard Baker's bill to create the La. Recovery
Corporation. 

"Hurricanes Katrina and Rita left Louisiana with housing challenges that are
unimaginable. According to estimates from Chairman Powell's office, the
hurricanes destroyed over 200,000 housing units in Louisiana. But our
rebuilding challenges don't stop there. In addition to having three times
the housing units destroyed of any other state, we estimate Louisiana
sustained 10 times more businesses destroyed than any other state and had
about 85 percent of the total property and infrastructure damage from the
two hurricanes. 

"Congressman Baker's bill would help us get these destroyed houses back into
commerce and prevent them from being stranded in neighborhoods of blight and
ruin. It would also allow Louisiana to use some of its limited CDBG
allotment to address critical infrastructure and economic development needs
as well as housing, which Governor Blanco has identified as her top
priority. "




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The LRA, a 26- member body appointed by Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco
to identify and prioritize short and long-term needs of the recovery, is the
planning and coordinating body that will assist in implementing the
Governor's vision for the recovery of Louisiana. It will seek out and value
local input as it plans and implements the recovery. 

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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.