Louisiana

Mar 13, 2009 -- BATON ROUGE – Below is a summary document providing an overview of the FY 2009-2010 Executive Budget.

Strategic Reductions in the FY 09-10 Executive Budget
Streamlining Government While Protecting Core Services

FY 10 Budget: Introduction from Governor Bobby Jindal

Even as Louisiana’s economy continues to out-perform the national economy and the South, we know we are not immune to the current national economic downturn. These economic forces, combined with significant declines in the prices of oil and natural gas and the leveling off of the post-hurricane economic boom, have contributed to significantly lower revenues to state government, created a mid-year deficit, and now require meaningful reductions in the proposed FY 09-10 budget.    » read more »

02/26/2009 -- WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $500,000 grant to assist approximately 275 workers affected by layoffs at International Paper in Bastrop, La.

"Today's grant will aid affected Louisianians by providing training and employment services to help prepare them for new careers," said Deputy Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Douglas F. Small.

Awarded to the Louisiana Workforce Commission, this grant will provide affected workers with access to training and employment-related services. Trade-eligible workers will have access to services not covered under the Trade Adjustment Assistance program. These services include skills assessment, counseling, case management, job search and job placement assistance and follow-up.    » read more »

Feb 18, 2009 -- BATON ROUGE– Today, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal was joined by several legislators to announce that he is proposing legislation for a Tax Amnesty period during fiscal year 2009-2010 for a two-month period determined by the Secretary of Revenue. Based on collections from the last tax amnesty period in 2001, Governor Jindal said that the state could collect up to $150 million in back taxes.

Governor Jindal said, “We are facing a tough budget climate and every cost-savings measure is important. This will not be a silver bullet, but we expect this amnesty period to help take even a small amount of pressure off of the critical services we are working to protect for our people, while tightening our belt in state government.    » read more »

Jan 27, 2009 -- LAKE CHARLES – Today, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal announced that Louisiana’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) is signing a cooperative agreement with Ducks Unlimited, a leading conservation organization, to restore and protect nearly 2,500 acres of coastal marshland in Southwest Louisiana. A combined $3.26 million in state funds, federal grant money and private donations will be used to construct 250,000 linear feet of marsh terraces in areas that were once healthy marsh, but have become open water due to the effects of saltwater intrusion and wave action, largely from Hurricanes Rita and Ike.    » read more »

August 29, 2008 -- Chicago, IL - Today, on the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina devastating the Gulf Coast, Senator Obama released the following statement on the importance of following through with our commitment to the region.

Hurricane Katrina storm surge, Mobile, Alabama: Photo by Mel Silvers (CC)    » read more »

9/1/2008 - BATON ROUGE, La. (AFPN) -- As Hurricane Gustav made landfall on the Gulf Coast, the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security praised the men and women of the Air Force and the National Guard for their efforts during preparations for the storm.

Secretary Michael Chertoff said the services were especially useful to help evacuate people with medical needs, such as critical care patients, who would be unable to otherwise leave the area.

"It was really the Air National Guard and the Air Force who came to the rescue setting up an air bridge so we could fly people out on C-130s and C-17s," he said. "It was a real positive addition to the capabilities we have on the ground."    » read more »

9/1/2008 -- JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) -- Following Hurricane Gustav, all evacuated Navy personnel within the affected area, uniformed and Department of the Navy civilians, are urged to muster with their commands or within the Navy Family Accountability and Assessment System (NFAAS) support site at https://www.navyfamily.navy.mil.

Displaced personnel who have been ordered to evacuate by military authority can call the Navy Pay and Personnel Support Center at Norfolk, Va., at 1-866-239-0303 for evacuation travel related questions.

Individuals affected by the hurricane with specific needs request support through NFAAS. All commands are directed to muster and account for all personnel, including applicable family members.    » read more »

NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL072008
400 AM CDT MON SEP 01 2008

...GUSTAV NEARING THE LOUISIANA COAST...HEAVY RAIN BANDS APPROACHING
NEW ORLEANS...

AT 4 AM CDT...0900 UTC...THE HURRICANE WARNING EAST OF THE
MISSISSIPPI-ALABAMA BORDER TO THE ALABAMA-FLORIDA BORDER HAS BEEN
CHANGED TO A TROPICAL STORM WARNING. A HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS
IN EFFECT FROM JUST EAST OF HIGH ISLAND TEXAS EASTWARD TO THE
MISSISSIPPI-ALABAMA BORDER...INCLUDING THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS AND
LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN. PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY
SHOULD HAVE BEEN COMPLETED.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FROM EAST OF THE
MISSISSIPPI-ALABAMA BORDER TO THE OCHLOCKONEE RIVER.

FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA...INCLUDING POSSIBLE    » read more »

HURRICANE GUSTAV INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY NUMBER 28A
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL072008
100 PM CDT SUN AUG 31 2008

...GUSTAV WEAKENS A LITTLE MORE...BUT STILL A MAJOR HURRICANE...

A HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE NORTHERN GULF COAST
FROM CAMERON LOUISIANA EASTWARD TO THE ALABAMA-FLORIDA BORDER...
INCLUDING THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS AND LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN. A
HURRICANE WARNING MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED
WITHIN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS. PREPARATIONS TO
PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM EAST OF THE
ALABAMA-FLORIDA BORDER TO THE OCHLOCKONEE RIVER....AND FROM WEST OF
CAMERON LOUISIANA TO JUST EAST OF HIGH ISLAND TEXAS. A TROPICAL    » read more »

August 22, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Sgt. 1st Class David J. Todd Jr., 36, of Marrero, Louisiana, died Aug. 20 in Bala Morghab, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his unit was attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire.

He was assigned to the Afghan Regional Security Integration Command-West, Herat, Afghanistan.

Source: DoD

Aug 13, 2008 -- NEW ORLEANS – Today, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal announced plans for more than $1 billion in coastal protection and restoration projects in Louisiana. This announcement of projects today represents the largest investment in coastal protection programs in Louisiana history and includes $300 million in funding the Governor called for in his second special session of the legislature earlier in the year, $200 million in surplus funding from the 2007 legislative session, $510 million from the Coastal Impact Assistance Program, $83 million from the state trust fund/capital outlay and $68 million from the Coastal Wetlands Planning Protection and Restoration Act.    » read more »

July 21, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Staff Sgt. Danny P. Dupre, 28, of Lockport, Louisiana, died July 15 from wounds sustained while supporting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Source: DOD

Hurricane Katrina: GAO Study Results

July 17, 2008 -- New Orleans faces many challenges in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina including the challenge of reestablishing the health care system and hospitals within the system. Hurricane Katrina, which made landfall on August 29, 2005, and the subsequent flooding caused by the failure of the New Orleans levee systems, resulted in the sudden closure, damage, or disruption in services at many of the New Orleans hospitals.    » read more »

June 03, 2008 -- BATON ROUGE – Today, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal sent a letter to President Bush through FEMA Region VI to request that a “major disaster” be declared for Louisiana as a result of the flooding, torrential rainfall, damaging winds and tornado activity from May 13th to May 15th.

Governor Jindal requested a major disaster declaration for the parishes of Bossier, Caddo, East Carroll, Livingston, Tangipahoa and Washington Parishes. The letter is included below:

Honorable George W. Bush, President
The White House
Washington, D.C.

Through:
Regional Director
FEMA Region VI
800 North Loop 288
Denton, TX 76209-3698

RE: Application for Presidential Disaster Declaration

Dear Mr. President:    » read more »

June 3, 2008 -- While in Louisiana today John McCain will no doubt say he would fight for the people of Louisiana as president, but a look at his votes shows Senator McCain has consistently tried to gut a vital part of the state's economy: the sugar industry.

John McCain in Louisiana: Photo by dsb nola (CC)

McCain has made ending sugar subsidies a central promise of his presidential campaign and in the Senate has introduced amendments to end the government's sugar program. [Washington Times, 4/17/07; The Advocate (Baton Rouge, Louisiana), 7/21/00; Palm Beach Post, 7/21/00; Times Picayune, 8/5/99]    » read more »