Article archive / October 1, 2016
Originally published: . Volume 7, No. 10. Source pages: 1, 3.
$8.7 billion in losses Congress Includes $500M in Budget for Louisiana Relief
A bill signed last week by President Obama to keep the government funded included $500 million for disaster relief for Louisiana and other states.
“The people whose lives were turned upside down by the historic flooding expect us to give them every opportunity to rebuild," said Governor Edwards in a September 28 statement. "They need to know that help is on the way, and this is first step in that process. We still have work to do after the election to pass a comprehensive flood relief package, but I am confident we can get it done by working together.
"Crossing this milestone took the work of everyone – President Obama, our entire congressional delegation, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, and Commissioner Mike Strain. I want to thank them for working with me to bring home this relief for the people of Louisiana, and I look forward to working with all of them again after the election to bring additional assistance home."
In a plea to support the relief funding, Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy told the US Senate, “If you take out hurricanes, this has been the most expensive natural disaster to happen in the last 100 years.” He said the damages were $8.7 billion.
The funds became a political football, reported the Times- Picayune. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, had threatened to remove the money for Louisiana unless aid for Flint, Michigan was included. Flint has been struggling with lead in its water. $220 million was included in the bill that then went to the House for Flint, and also funds for fighting the Zika virus. Details will be worked out after the election, noted the report.
Other states that have experienced flooding will be eligible for the funds; West Virginia, Maryland, and Texas. However, House Majority Whip, Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, said that estimates are that Louisiana will receive 80 percent, said the Times- Picayune report.
In a September 22 press release, Governor Edwards said, “I couldn't be more appreciative of the collaborative, bipartisan manner in which we all worked to have this funding included in the CR so quickly. Everyone, from our entire congressional delegation to Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain, played a significant role in making this happen. The people of Louisiana should have confidence in their elected leader's ability to work together for the betterment of this state, and I know we'll continue that approach when Congress returns after the election to bring additional assistance home."
Gov. Edwards made three trips to Washington, DC to lobby Congress for federal assistance in the Continuing Resolution, noted the press release. During his visits, he met with Congressional leaders, including House Speaker Paul Ryan, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid. In addition, Gov. Edwards met with various members of Congress, as well as members of the Obama Administration who formally requested the additional assistance. This will provide assistance to local communities impacted by severe storms and flooding in August. The Governor’s Office also announced last week that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved his request to activate the Community Disaster Loan (CDL) program. According to the press release, funds loaned through this program must be used to carry on existing local government functions of a municipal operation character, and meet disaster-related needs.
Flooding in August caused $8.7 billion dollars of damage in Louisiana, Senator Bill Cassidy told the U.S. Senate. Besides hurricanes, it was the most expensive disaster in the last 100 years, he said.
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