[StBernard] Louisiana Speaks Update: Key Recommendations Accomplished

[Westley Annis]

Louisiana Speaks Update: 

Key Recommendations from Regional Plan Accomplished this Session

Baton Rouge, LA (June 29, 2007) - This Session, the Louisiana Legislature acted upon several key recommendations from the Louisiana Speaks Regional Plan that will increase hurricane protection, lower insurance rates, and improve local, regional and state planning initiatives to move Louisiana forward. 

Coastal Master Plan Approved

The first and most crucial step to restoring confidence in South Louisiana's future is to provide physical safety from storms. Recognizing this, the Louisiana Speaks Regional Plan called for the immediate adoption, funding, and implementation of the state's master plan for coastal restoration and hurricane protection. 

This session the Legislature unanimously approved resolutions to adopt the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority's master plan and annual plan for the 2008 fiscal year. This measure clears the way for the state to immediately begin implementing projects to rebuild and sustain coastal marshes, restore barrier islands, and enhance hurricane protection for key population centers.

Louisiana's $510 million share of Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) revenues that will be generated over the next four years, and administered through the federal Coastal Impact Assistance Program, will be used to fund the first steps of implementation of this master plan. 

The Legislature's supplemental appropriations measure, House Bill (HB) 765 / House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) 10, also includes $200 million in state funds that will be used to further accelerate implementation of the coastal master plan.

Insurance Rating Commission Abolished

Because the accessibility and affordability of insurance is critical to recovering businesses and homeowners, the Louisiana Speaks Regional Plan also called for the Legislature to abolish the Insurance Rating Commission as one part of a detailed strategy to mitigate risk and encourage more private insurers to do business in Louisiana. 

Consistent with this recommendation, the Legislature passed House Bill 960 by Rep. Karen Carter, which abolishes the seven-member Louisiana Insurance Rating Commission as of Jan. 1. Because Louisiana is the only state in the nation that still has such a commission, this panel is largely seen as a deterrent that inhibits the expansion of private insurance capacity in the state. HB 960 also establishes a consumer advocate's office that will receive complaints and represent consumers' interests. 

Support for Comprehensive Planning and Model Zoning Codes

Because some of the challenges facing Louisiana extend beyond city and parish lines, the regional plan also called for the creation of a coordinating and capacity-building entity which would provide a framework for state, regional, and local governing bodies to coordinate and implement Louisiana's strategic vision for the future.

Acting upon this recommendation, staff from the Louisiana Recovery Authority and Louisiana Speaks worked with the Legislature to pass House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) 229, a measure introduced by Representative Cheryl Gray in the House and sponsored by President Donald Hines in the Senate, which supports the establishment of a task force that will study and make recommendations for implementation of a comprehensive Office of State Planning.

Once established, this task force will work with citizens, local governments and state agencies to integrate planning for hurricane protection, land use, transportation, health care, education and economic development. 

The Legislature also passed a resolution, HCR 123, to recommend the Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance to parishes and municipalities as a means of promoting the development of affordable housing for low and moderate income families. 

Background

Louisiana Speaks recently concluded an extensive public outreach campaign to engage citizens across South Louisiana in the development of a long term recovery and rebuilding plan in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. 

Over the last 18 months, more than 27,000 citizens weighed in on South Louisiana's Regional Vision, including thousands of responses from residents living in 32 different states, making Louisiana Speaks the largest and most inclusive regional planning outreach campaign ever conducted in the United States to date. The responses generated from this unprecedented, privately-funded initiative formed the foundation of the Louisiana Speaks Regional Plan. 

Released to the public and officially adopted in May 2007, the Louisiana Speaks Regional Plan now serves as the state's roadmap for long term recovery and growth over the next 50 years. To learn more, visit www.louisianaspeaks.org <http://www.louisianaspeaks.org> . 




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