FEMA asks Louisiana for $3.7 billion (& ends $2,000 aid program, angering Rita victims)

FEMA asks Louisiana for $3.7 billion
By BRETT TROXLER
btroxler@wbrz.com
2theadvocate.com staff
From a report by News 2's Tony Jones tjones@wbrz.com

The federal government is asking Louisiana to come up with more than $3.7 billion. According to FEMA, the amount is a down payment for what the state owes for its share of hurricane relief.

Denise Bottcher, a spokeswoman for Gov. Kathleen Blanco, said the state just can't come up with that kind of money. Bottcher said when members of the governor's staff first heard the request, they "just about fell over."

Louisiana is already facing a $1 billion budget shortfall due to the damage created by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

The agency estimates it will spend more than $41 billion on hurricane relief in Louisiana, which comes out to about $9,000 per resident. FEMA is obligated by law to ask for the money, which is roughly 9 percent of the total cost.

The amount requested is just under half of the state's annual $8 billion budget. In order to forgive Louisiana's debt, Congress would have to enact legislation.

I agree that people should be able to build where they want, as long as they pay for it. The people in Cameron parish did pay for their premiums, to the tune of 4,000 per year. The new restrictions are ridiculous so chances are real good that they tell the feds to get out and don't bother. The cajuns are like that. They are resilient and resourceful, of course that was never reported on just the inner city folks of New Orleans.

As for the refineries, have fun trying to get the zoning passed to build one. How many years has it been since one was built? The government would have to fork over a LOT of money to the companies anyway and it would take years to complete not a couple of weeks to repair and restart.

We don't have time or capacity to shut down refineries for several years here while they negotiate, rezone, fight the NIMBY's, rebuild, reroute the pipelines, and then get a trained workforce in place.

It isn't just about gasoline but the entire petrochemical industry that's located here. Plastics, detergent, tires, gasoline, synthetic rubber, the building materials for everything we use every day like this nice computer. Look at all that plastic, the next time you drive your car look at your dashboard, tires, body, building materials, etc that is what is made here. Without the basic building material to make stuff the manufacturers are SOL. Without the stuff for people to buy the economy tanks.

Yes people are working their butts off getting paid, most of the people here are doing that. However, the MSM didn't show that did they, they didn't show that over one million people got out of the way, they didn't show the hard work being done to recover because that would show americans in the best light possible, resourseful, determined and able to take a few punches and get back up.

I did not say the oil industry created the problems, I said the oil industry made it worse due to their building shipping channels through those swamps allowing a much higher and damaging storm surge further inland. Those swamps were natural barriers that took the punch out of the hurricanes.

FWIW the most damage was to overpriced newer construcion that was cheaply made. The solid older homes, like mine did just fine. I barely lost a shingle.

So we are just going to give up on a place after a nature or man destroys it.

If you stand in the middle of the railroad tracks, don't be surprised when it hits you.

We should not give aid to other countries. If you wish to give to charity, to be used wherever, that is your choice. But, the gum't is using my money, without asking me. that is tyranny.

If I chose to give a million dollars to the Salvation Army, I should be able to choose to do it. I should not have to give it to FEMA, Uncle Sam's answer.

Brother, I will give you my hand, and help pick you up from the mud. If you want to stay there, don't be surprised when you get muddy.

There are hard working Americans in every corner. Most don't take time to get involved with what is happening to them, until they get smoking bans, and seat belt tickets.

Man is able to make his own way in this world. He must work... and watch his back!

I'm a disabled veteran who back in New Orleans for about 2 months trust me I worked hard. I was born in New Orleans I love the food, the people, and the area. I hear what your saying now hear me. When all a person knows is one place they hold on to it. We are a nation 1st then states then cities. We all pay federal taxs and that's apart of it. If I thought like you did never would have joined the military to defend my nation I would been a cop in my city.

I know that New Orleans is totally different than what was shown. I lived in Harvey and Kenner for a while. I'm in the Lake Charles area so our recovery is different than NOLA's. We didn't flood much. We just had typical hurricane damage. LOTS of downed trees which took out the entire electrical infrastructure 100 miles inland. Lower Cameron Parish was pretty much wiped out but they will be fine, those folks are TOUGH. They have to be because the gators and snakes and stuff like that.

Things are getting back to normal here. There's still not enough workers in the retail and food service industries though so shopping and eating out is a pain. Those jobs are abundant and are paying well.

I'm happy to hear that not going that good on my end. Not as bad as some but Fema sucks bigtime. They made a mistake taking my information and I have to wait months for it to get fixed. I gave up almost 6yrs of my life to be treated like a immigrant in my own country. People see us as carpetbaggers coming to destroy there city. Not the most of the people here in Amherst haven't been great to us it's not the same as being in your area around things you know. I still haven't found one of my sons. Just funny the people who say we where whining about the Government dropping the ball are whining about they are tired of our whining. By the way most people in general are tough by nature.

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