Gulf Coast Recovery

From the Times Picayune: Obama’s regular mention of Katrina signals a welcome change in policy and priority from the top.

From the Advocate: Race against the clock to use remaining $1 billion in Katrina investment funds.

From the Chicago Sun-Times: In meeting with President-elect Obama, Governor Jindal says wheels need to start moving.

From the Times-Picayune:

Thanks to Jeff Crouere for this gem of a photo that captures a tender moment between Gov. Bobby Jindal and Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet.

I sincerely doubt this will help Claudet improve his already battered image, after he notoriously suffered a meltdown in the aftermath of hurricane Gustav.

From the Advocate.

Continuing in his role as a high profile surrogate for presumptive Republican presidential nominee, John McCain, Bobby Jindal appeared on ABC’s ‘This Week’.

Yesterday was a busy day for Louisiana on Capitol Hill. First up was a new economic stimulus and disaster assistance package, which would give Louisiana an extra $3 billion in recovery aid.

The legislation would give Louisiana 30 years, instead of three, to repay more than $1.7 billion as its share of levee upgrades in metro New Orleans; $350 million to help hospitals in Louisiana and Mississippi deal with cash-flow issues and other post-hurricane problems; and $75 million to help fight increased violent crime and rebuild police fire and criminal justice facilities.

Secondly, Sen. Landrieu spent a second day castigating FEMA for their poor management and failure to even bother asking the Louisiana Recovery Authority, non-profits or housing agencies if they needed supplies donated to hurricane victims.

Paul Rainwater, executive director of the LRA, said:

Had I known about these supplies, I would have moved to quickly put them to good use.

You can listen to the full hearing here.

It’s almost become a ritual up on Capitol Hill, once again during yesterday’s Senate Subcomittee on Disaster Recovery Sen. Landrieu slammed FEMA for their pitifully slow progress.

Landrieu questioned why FEMA’s draft report, released last week, included blank spaces in which the agency was supposed to respond to seven issues specified by Congress. They included plans for housing disaster victims close to jobs and accommodating people with disabilities and other special needs.

“It’s hard not to conclude that someone either instructed or suggested that some of the details not be filled in because it might cost something,” Landrieu said.

“FEMA was instructed by a law Congress passed and was signed by the president to make and implement a plan for housing disaster victims. But instead, FEMA has just passed the responsibilities under its jurisdiction off to an unformed body.”

To listen to a full recording of the hearing click here.

From the Times Picayune: Congressional delegation gets new look at recovery progress.