Gulf Coast Recovery

From the Advocate: State Bond Commission choose Citi, Morgan Stanley and JP Morgan to underwrite $1 billion in bonds to repair state’s energy grid from 2005 storms.

From the Associated Press: Plan for lower utility rates approved after months of delay in a 9-3 vote.

In the short list for vice president, two names that regularly appear are Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal and Florida Governor Charlie Crist.  And as part of the discussion, there are naturally comparisons as to the economic progress being made in both states.  One area where Florida leaves Louisiana in the dust is in insurance reform. Read more

From the Times-Picayune: Former Governor under fire for mulit-million payments to Road Home contractor while legal aid services for low income residents were spurned.

From the Associated Press: Why ICF would get a pay raise is anyone’s guess and now it’s about to be a full fledged investigation.

Scientists at NASA and LSU claim that sediments deposited in the Mississippi River Delta thousands of years ago are contributing to coastal erosion by causing coastal land to sink. According to the study, the city of New Orleans will sink about three feet over the next 200 years.

Jeremy Alford reports on the latest in a line of lingering ethics questions plaguing the fledgling Jindal administration. This time the controversy is over the appointment of Garret Graves as Director of the Governor’s Office of Coastal Affairs.

The biggest question of all: Can Bobby Jindal continue to absorb one ethical flap after another and remain credible?

Charlie Melancon:

Pushes for a new model for Gulf Coast recovery and gets noticed in this San Francisco Bay View article that demands presidential candidates make the Gulf South a national issue.

Explains how federal funds will heat homes of those in need this winter.

Got his ticket in his hand and gone to the Mardi Gras.

Also: Treen’s done with CD - 1.

From the Times-Picayune: The Army Corps of Engineers may recommend a voluntary buyout of properties south of Louisiana 22.

Landrieu Bill Seeks to Streamline Grant Process.