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

[Westley Annis]

September 7, 2007

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 <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.  

Baker Announces $74.5 Million Grant for Katrina Cottages

Rep. Baker today announced a $74.5 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to begin construction of Katrina cottages. In early 2006, Rep. Baker spearheaded the Katrina cottage model, which provides an alternative to "trailer cities," and instead proposes the use of safer, more cost-effective, and longer-term alternative housing. At Baker’s urging, House and Senate leaders last September adopted amendments to the Stafford Act which will allow Katrina cottages to be used in response to future disasters across the nation. Click here for more information <http://baker.house.gov/html/news_item.cfm?id=684> .

Baker Announces $581,853 in Grants for Ascension and Iberville Parishes

Rep. Baker was joined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in announcing $425,978 in funding through its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) to acquire three residential properties in Prairieville, St. Amant, and Gonzales. The HMGP funding provides mitigation alternatives to reduce or eliminate long-term risks for properties affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. With these funds, local governments will purchase the properties and remove flood-prone structures, thus eliminating future damages and reducing potential health and safety risks. An additional $43,375 was set aside to elevate a severe repetitive loss structure in Gonzales.

FEMA has also approved $112,500 for Iberville Parish to upgrade existing hazard mitigation plans. This grant, funded through the Expanded Mitigation Strategies Planning Grant Pilot, will allow Iberville Parish to update hazard mitigation plans to incorporate newly identified properties with flooding and drainage problems.

Rep. Baker is pleased that these communities are receiving additional hazard mitigation grants, and he is excited that there will be new opportunities for communities and homeowners to break the cycle of disaster damage and reduce the area’s number of repetitive flood loss properties.

New Features on Congressman Baker's Website

In a recent online poll on Rep. Baker's homepage, 83 percent of participants wanted to see a direct link to bills introduced in the House of Representatives. Rep. Baker is pleased this feature has been added to his website; just visit his homepage <http://baker.house.gov>  and type in your inquiry. 

You may also be interested in viewing past email newsletters which can be found on the homepage and in the email newsletter archives <http://www.baker.house.gov/html/email_newsletter.cfm> . As the recipient of the 2006 Bronze Mouse Award <http://baker.house.gov/html/release.cfm?id=253> , and recognized as one of the best web sites on Capitol Hill, Rep. Baker always welcomes any comments or suggestions you may have to improve his website.

House Passes Bill to Provide $250 Million for Minority Serving Institutions

Legislation cosponsored by Rep. Baker authorizing $250 million to expand Internet and digital access to minority serving institutions passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 331 to 59 this week. Institutions such as Southern University will have the opportunity to qualify for grants for acquiring or augmenting digital and wireless networking technologies and expanding technology education programs. Click here to read the full press release <http://www.baker.house.gov/html/news_item.cfm?id=681> .

Transportation Committee Reviews Bridge Program, Baker Stresses Big Picture

As a response to the I-35W bridge collapse in Minnesota, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee held a hearing earlier this week on structurally deficient bridges. Rep. Baker shares his condolences with the families who lost loved ones as a result of the bridge tragedy, and took the opportunity at the hearing to stress the importance of public safety when assessing transportation infrastructure. As the committee continues to debate improvements and increased funding for the bridge program, Rep. Baker will stress it is imperative to look at the "big picture" in prioritizing and funding transportation projects across the board to ensure safety wherever you travel.