Landrieu: Big Victory in

Hurricane Funding Fight
$4.2 B Louisiana Housing Plan Fully Funded;

Significant Sums for Levees, Other Needs Also Included

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., a member of the conference committee negotiating the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill, announced today that the final bill will make available the full $4.2 billion needed to fund Louisiana ’s housing, infrastructure and economic development rebuilding plan, and nearly $4 billion in additional funds for levee repairs and reinforcement.

“The road to recovery led up a steep political hill, but today we made the climb,” Sen. Landrieu said, reflecting on negotiations that extended well past midnight last night and continued throughout the day Wednesday.  “It was a tremendous victory for our state and for our delegation, whose united persistence proved essential to landing this vital funding for our housing plan and the critical levee protection our state needs.”

Sen. Landrieu also announced that significant funding will be included to rebuild the Veterans Hospital in New Orleans; provide grants to hurricane-affected elementary and secondary schools and colleges and universities; fund historic preservation in the region; pilot alternative housing plans; and assist farmers and fishers adversely impacted by the storms.

“I am particularly grateful to Chairman Cochran and Senator Byrd, without whose leadership we would not have been able to end the conference on such a high note,” Sen. Landrieu said.  “Gulf Coast Recovery Coordinator Don Powell also really stepped up and fought for this funding, bringing his significant influence to bear.”

Sen. Landrieu said the final conference report is expected to include:

o        $5.2 billion in Community Development Block Grants (CDBGs), with $4.2 billion available to fund Louisiana ’s housing recovery program;

o        $3.7 billion in funding for the Army Corps of Engineers to repair and armor hurricane protection levees in southeast Louisiana, relocate flood pumps to the Lake Pontchartrain waterfront, and begin critical wetlands restoration work;

o        $550 million for the reconstruction of the Veterans Administration (VA) hospital in New Orleans , and $142.3 million for repairs at the Louisiana National Guard’s Jackson Barracks;

o        * $400 million for the establishment of alternative housing pilot programs, which may help displaced Louisianians rebuild at a lower cost and identify more practical housing solutions for future hurricanes; (This funding could be used to pilot the use of so-called “Katrina cottages,” for example.)

o        * $235 million in grants to hurricane-affected elementary and secondary schools along the Gulf Coast , and $50 million in grants to colleges and universities;

o        * $409 million in agriculture assistance and $118 million for fisheries recovery;

o        $40 million in grants for historic preservation, up from only $3 million in the President’s request;

o        * $25 million for Rural Development Community facility grants; and

o        * $16 million for Job Corps Center reconstruction.

* = No funding included in the President’s original request.

In total, Louisiana stands to receive in the bill between $9 and $10 billion in additional hurricane recovery funds, marking a nearly 50 percent increase over the original request transmitted to Congress.  Negotiators were still working out final details on the legislation Wednesday night, and hope to present it for final passage in each chamber of Congress by the end of the week.

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