Gov. Kathleen Blanco outlined a $7.5 billion rebuilding, relocation and buyout plan Monday for thousands of residents whose homes remain damaged or destroyed after last year’s hurricanes.
It is Louisiana’s first comprehensive housing proposal since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast in August, followed a month later by Hurricane Rita.
The draft faces scrutiny from local officials, state lawmakers and the affected residents; and it depends in large part on federal dollars awaiting congressional approval.
Any plans for spending the federal aid that Louisiana already has received — and any additional housing money appropriated by Congress — would require approval from the state Legislature and federal officials.
So, we have a couple of tiers of politicians deciding between virtue and assistance — or what their advisors tell them is the best campaign strategy for re-election.
It really doen’t matter when the money gets there. The corupt LA political machine will waste, squander and funel the money to their cronies. Nothing will get done or at least not right. Then the inept Governor will blame Bush and the Repulicans for something they (LA) fucked up.
I disagree that this is just another corruption scheme. There will be enough auditors watching over everyone’s shoulder to ensure that doesn’t happen. There will the GAO, FEMA, Army Corp of Engineers, the State, and local auditors. With all the attention and visibility, corruption should go down the list.
Even though there are people living in tents and mobile homes sitting idle in Hope Arkansas, a long-term solution is needed and needed soon. Yes, many people will have to change their houses to meet expected new Federal requirements, but that is better then having houses built of straw or sticks.
Some areas might be better served being turned into parks instead of being rebuilt. Those questions must be addressed by those closest to the scene.