[StBernard] LRA Vice Chair Walter Isaacson Applauds Delegation, Conference for Work on Supplemental

[Westley Annis]

LRA Vice Chair Walter Isaacson Applauds Delegation, Conference for Work on Supplemental 

BATON ROUGE, La. (April 24, 2006) - Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) Vice Chairman Walter Isaacson issued the following statement today in response to the United States Congress's completion of a conference report on the Emergency Supplemental Spending bill, H.R. 1591 that includes several key provisions for Louisiana's hurricane recovery.

"I applaud the conferees for their quick work and the action they've taken on Louisiana's behalf. We are incredibly fortunate to have had Senator Landrieu appointed to the conference and in the room fighting for us, when it mattered most. 

"Our delegation has done an outstanding job of telling our story and making hurricane recovery funding a high priority in this comprehensive package. No one understands the challenges we're facing like they do. They have lent their ear when we needed it and we are grateful. Because of their hard work and leadership, we have a very good chance of getting our ten percent match waived. As we have explained time and time again, this is an issue of fairness. All we ask is that we are treated the same as New York after 9/11 and Florida after Hurricane Andrew. I hope President Bush will agree and waive our cost share, once and for all. 

"We were also pleased to see the conference report included the extension of the Gulf Opportunity (GO) Zone Tax Credits for low-income housing. This legislation will be critical as we continue the work of rebuilding our neighborhoods and communities. Our delegation has led this charge for quite some time and we're hopeful it will soon become law."

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated South Louisiana, claiming 1,464 lives, destroying more than 200,000 homes and 18,000 businesses. The Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) is the planning and coordinating body that was created in the aftermath of these storms by Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco to lead one of the most extensive rebuilding efforts in the world. The LRA is a 33-member body which is coordinating across jurisdictions, supporting community recovery and resurgence, ensuring integrity and effectiveness, and planning for the recovery and rebuilding of Louisiana.

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