It now seems as if Congress feels they have to pick which is of greater importance: housing recovery or battling the oil spill. As Katrina’s 5- year anniversary looms, Congress is attempting to reappropriate $112 million in Ike/Gustav recovery funds and $400 million in Katrina Road Home dollars to replenish the FEMA Disaster Relief Fund (DRF). Why is it so important that the DRF be refunded to the tune of $5.1 billion ? Oil Spill Recovery.
Senator Coburn of Oklahoma claims that these housing recovery funds are unobligated and therefore not needed for housing recovery in the Gulf. The Louisiana Recovery Authority (whose sunset date was June 30th) wrote a letter to House Appropriations Committee Chairman Obey stating that the economic meltdown delayed projects due to lack of investors and the tightened credit market. Just because the money is not being used does not mean it is not needed.
Groups like the Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations (LANO) and the Louisiana Association of Affordable Housing Providers (LAAHP) are advocating against the reappropriation. These groups are arguing that the $ 512 million needs to stay in the Gulf Coast for housing recovery, and if not, it will be a huge setback for the rebuilding effort.
Times-Picayune Letter to the Editor
Why is it one-or-the-other when it comes to helping the people of the Gulf Coast (who by the way are tax payers too)?
Why are American tax payers already being asked to make tough choices and foot the bill for the clean up? I thought BP was supposed to pay for this.
Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2010 (H.R. 4899)
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