EDITORIAL: Don't forget us, Mr. President

[Harry Monroe]

EDITORIAL: Don't forget us, Mr. President
Thursday, August 02, 2007

Louisiana stands to lose more than any other state if President Bush vetoes the water resources bill working its way through Congress, and he must remember the promise he made to rebuild this wounded region after Hurricane Katrina.

The Water Resources and Development Act that's nearing passage by Congress authorizes vital hurricane protection projects for this state. It includes 100-year hurricane protection for greater New Orleans, a 72-mile storm protection system for Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes, major coastal restoration work and the closing of the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet.

An estimated 20 percent share of the $21 billion in spending authorized by the bill is slated for Louisiana needs, and it can't be stressed enough that they are needs -- and urgent ones.

The Bush administration has complained about the legislation's pricetag for some time. But on Wednesday, the administration threatened to veto the bill. A letter from the Office of Management and Budget said that it is too expensive and puts too heavy a burden on the federal government. "This is not how most Americans would expect their representatives in Washington to reach agreement, especially when it is their tax dollars that are being spent," the letter says.

http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/editorials/index.ssf?/base/news-4/1186037719288290.xml&coll=1

[Demeter]

1. The Safest People On The Planet Are Those George Has Forgotten

Because they aren't on the target list.