Louisiana

10/19/2009 -- WASHINGTON -- United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., today released the following statement regarding the Ocean Policy Task Force's public meeting this evening in New Orleans. Sen. Landrieu has been a staunch supporter of creating a clear federal policy that eliminates the chronic delays of implementing coastal protection projects, increases multi-agency coordination and partnership with the State, and establishes a long-term program to secure Louisiana's vibrant coast.

Sen. Landrieu said:    » read more »

October 15, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Charlie Melancon (LA-03) took part in President Barack Obama’s first visit to Louisiana during his administration. Following the visit, Congressman Melancon made the following statement:

“President Obama’s visit to Louisiana put a national spotlight on the progress we've made and reminded Americans that our recovery is not complete,” said Rep. Melancon. “We are grimly watching our coastal wetlands disappear and desperately-needed hurricane protection projects are still stalled by red tape and lack of funding.

“But today, we were able to get our President, our Governor, our legislators and our neighbors all in one room to talk about how we finish the job. Now it’s time to deliver for Louisiana.”    » read more »

Oct 14, 2009 -- ADDIS – Today, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal awarded five grants totaling $9,792,570 to West Baton Rouge Parish that will go towards hurricane recovery efforts, hazard mitigation and infrastructure improvements. Governor Jindal awarded the funds to local officials in a ceremonial check presentation during an address to the West Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce as part of his “Louisiana Working Tour.”

The five grants awarded include a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) totaling $8,197,025, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding totaling $1,424,831, two Community Water Enrichment Fund (CWEF) grants totaling $135,714 and one Local Government Assistance Program (LGAP) grants totaling $35,000.    » read more »

Funding will support sugarcane, oyster, and alligator research

October 7, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that includes $7,319,000 in investments Congressman Charlie Melancon (LA-03) secured for agriculture projects that will benefit the Third Congressional District. The funding was included in the fiscal year 2010 Agriculture Appropriations bill (H.R. 2997). The conference report will now go to the Senate for passage, and then to the President to be signed in to law.    » read more »

Grants will help create jobs and strengthen communities throughout Louisiana.

09/28/2009 -- WASHINGTON -- United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., and U.S. Representative Charlie Melancon, D-La-03, today announced that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded $9.9 million in grants to communities throughout Louisiana, and an additional $7.47 million to the State of Louisiana.    » read more »

Initiative to increase public awareness to help prevent spread of H1N1 and seasonal flu

Sep 30, 2009 --
LAFAYETTE – Today, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal joined Department of Health and Hospitals’ (DHH) Secretary Alan Levine to get their seasonal flu shots and launch the “Fight the Flu” campaign in Lafayette at the Teche Drug Store. Aimed at keeping Louisianians healthy during flu season, the campaign will promote immunizations and hygiene in order to prevent the spread of the seasonal flu and the H1N1 virus.    » read more »

Will Visit New Orleans Later This Year

August 29, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – In this week’s address, President Barack Obama remembered the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina, described what his administration has done to boost the Gulf Coast recovery effort, and said that he will visit New Orleans before the end of the year. As the Gulf Coast recovers, we must learn the lessons of Katrina, so that our nation will be more protected and resilient in the face of disaster – whether it’s from a hurricane, earthquake, wildfire, pandemic, or terrorist attack.

Remarks of President Barack Obama
Weekly Address
Saturday, August 29, 2009    » read more »

Aug 31, 2009 -- BATON ROUGE – Today, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal issued the following Executive Order creating the Louisiana Shrimp Task Force whose mission is addressing factors adversely affecting Louisiana’s shrimping industry, and forming strategies for boosting the economic vitality of the Louisiana shrimp industry.

Executive Order creating the LOUISIANA SHRIMP TASK FORCE:

WHEREAS, the Louisiana shrimp industry has a long, significant cultural importance to the State of Louisiana, and is of great economic impact because of the many jobs the industry provides;

WHEREAS, currently, global markets are experiencing an economic slowdown that, among other things, has led to extremely low prices that have affected all Louisiana shrimpers and the shrimp industry;    » read more »

Jun 30, 2009 -- BATON ROUGE – Today, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal announced a commitment of more than $7 million in federal stimulus funds for coastal restoration efforts in Plaquemines and Jefferson Parishes. The funds were provided by a grant program through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).    » read more »

Governor Jindal announces FEMA will cover 100 percent of debris removal efforts after Hurricane Ike; State and local agencies cost share dropped to 10 percent for rebuilding work under the Public Assistance Program

Jul 01, 2009 -- BATON ROUGE – Today, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has dropped the state’s cost share for Hurricane Ike response and recovery operations, which the state estimates could save state and local agencies between $15 million and $20 million.

Language in a recent supplemental bill passed by Congress directed FEMA to drop the state’s cost-share burden for the Public Assistance program for Hurricane Ike, which struck Louisiana just days after    » read more »

A column by United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La.

06/23/2009 -- WASHINGTON -- Last summer, Americans were reeling from the largest oil price spike the nation ever experienced. Oil prices had increased from $51 per barrel in January 2007 to nearly $150 in July 2008 — a nearly 200 percent increase in 18 months.

Skyrocketing energy prices led millions of hardworking families to demand that Congress change our policies to allow for more domestic oil and gas production. Americans from coast to coast were ready to cut ties with unfriendly foreign governments and produce our own energy right here at home.    » read more »

June 18, 2009 -- (Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator David Vitter today issued the following statement applauding the Air Force’s final selection of Barksdale Air Force as the home of the new Global Strike Command.

“This is certainly great news for Barksdale Air Force Base and for Northwest Louisiana in particular. I have been meeting throughout the year with Air Force officials to encourage them to come to the right decision on Barksdale. As recently as June 3, I asked them to move ahead with their final announcement and they followed through and delivered this great news a little more than two weeks later.    » read more »

Polymer Manufacturer to Locate New Facility near Plaquemine, Creating over 500 Jobs

PLAQUEMINE – Today, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal joined SNF Holding Co. (SNF) officials to announce that the company will construct a new water-soluble polymers manufacturing facility in Iberville Parish. Once fully operational, the plant will employ over 500 permanent, full-time employees with an average salary of $57,400 and involve capital investment of at least $362 million.

Governor Jindal said, “I want to commend SNF for making such a significant investment in Iberville Parish and in the people of this community. Today’s announcement, along with a number of other recent announcements, has helped Louisiana’s economy outperform the national and Southern economies.    » read more »

Jun 18, 2009 -- BATON ROUGE – Today, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal released the following statement on the U.S. Air Force’s announcement that Barksdale Air Force Base (BAFB) will definitely be the permanent location for the new Air Force Global Strike Command.

“We received great news today that the environmental impact assessment has been successfully completed. There are no more hurdles for BAFB and now Global Strike Command will be activated in short order. Indeed, today’s news marks the final step towards a significant economic boost for Northwest Louisiana.    » read more »

Jun 18, 2009 -- BATON ROUGE – Today, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal announced that FEMA has granted Louisiana $177.6 million in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding to support projects to protect the state from future damage following Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.

Governor Jindal said, “In the days following two back-to-back hurricanes that devastated many communities in our state last year, we saw the benefits of previous mitigation work, as elevated homes and buildings were largely spared from floodwater. We must now work to elevate even more homes, reinforce more buildings and structures and become better prepared for future storms.”    » read more »