Well now. This is starting to look pretty bad, overall:
In a severe blow to state and local plans for rebuilding hurricane-devastated areas, the Bush administration Tuesday came out against a homeowner bailout proposal that many in Louisiana saw as the key to economic recovery and the rebirth of a redesigned New Orleans.
Is that it? Bye-bye Baker Bill?
Louisiana, it sounds to me as if there’s a message being broadcast: That’s it for money from the federal government.
Last Friday, there was this:
Echoing a common sentiment in Congress, Davis said that for the time being he was satisfied with the $2.9 billion Congress has allocated to build the levees to Category 3 strength by the start of hurricane season June 1.
Now, about the Baker Bill, there’s this:
Donald Powell, President Bush’s choice to oversee the Gulf Coast recovery from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, said that grant money already appropriated by Congress — as much as $6.2 billion for Louisiana — would be “sufficient� to take care of homeowners who suffered the most in the storm.
Just at the moment, the Bring New Orleans Back Commission has two choices: abandon the dream to haphazard rebuilding and hope for the best, or fire up the eminent domain engines… unless there’s another possibility?
Joe Canizaro, who chaired the BNOB’s land-use committee, has said there are ways besides the Baker bill to accomplish buyouts.