[StBernard] The Advocate Salutes Outgoing Executive Director Andy Kopplin

[Westley Annis]

The Advocate Salutes Outgoing Executive Director Andy Kopplin


Our Views: Kopplin Led La. Recovery
The Advocate
December 22, 2007

"The departure of Andy Kopplin from the Louisiana Recovery Authority is a milestone in a still-incomplete trek toward recovery. He has been a tough advocate for Louisiana as the state has tried to deal with the tragedies of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

"One of the LRA's most significant accomplishments is one it really cannot brag about: It kept the Legislature away from the money.By appointing the LRA, and giving it a key coordinating role, Blanco undermined from the outset the idea abroad in Congress and the White House that Louisiana's government would treat recovery funds as the mother of all political pork barrels. While the Legislature appropriately was consulted on LRA spending plans, the mere existence of the agency under Kopplin's leadership kept the focus of spending where it should be."

To view the editorial in its entirety on the Advocate Web site visit: http://www.2theadvocate.com/opinion/12758057.html <http://www.2theadvocate.com/opinion/12758057.html> . 

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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