[StBernard] LRA Progress Report Highlights New Leadership and Program Successes

[Westley Annis]

LRA Progress Report Highlights New Leadership and Program Successes


BATON ROUGE, La. (June 4, 2008) - As a result of an Executive Order signed in the first days of Governor Bobby Jindal's administration, the Louisiana Recovery Authority spent the first months of 2008 establishing a better working relationship with its federal partners and initiating projects to speed the pace of recovery in the state, according to the latest issue of the LRA Progress Report.

The report, which was released today, details the successes of Executive Director Paul Rainwater's efforts for better communication between the LRA, the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other federal and state partners. 

"During the past few months, we've broken down barriers that may have hampered progress in the past and generated a renewed sense of partnership," said Rainwater. "In order for Louisiana to continue its trek toward recovery, the LRA and the state must work to streamline bureaucracy and find common sense solutions to issues that could impede the state's progress."

The report also illustrates efforts to speed the pace of recovery. LRA staff members are embedded within the city of New Orleans to increase the city's strategic planning capabilities. The LRA staff members act as a bridge between the state and city, streamlining state program requirement requests and assisting the city in meeting these requirements.

Programs like Public Assistance Express Pay, which paid out $102 million in its first two months, reduce the amount of time it takes FEMA Public Assistance applicants, usually local governments and agencies, to be reimbursed for rebuilding projects. In the past, the long wait time made it harder for public entities to hire and pay contractors and workers.

The report also outlines funding flowing through the state. Data provided in the report suggests $38 billion in federal funding has been spent in Louisiana since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. That's 69% of all federal funding allocated to the state. $10.6 billion has been spent on rebuilding efforts.

*	To download the Progress Report, click here <http://www.lra.louisiana.gov/assets/quarterlyreport/April2008QtReport.pdf> . 

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 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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