Nagin holds out hands, cries for Congress to fill it

Wash Times: Nagin decries Orleans funding

Just when you thought it was safe to let down your guard on the congressional purse strings, New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin is back, crying that Congress isn't doing enough to rebuild his city, improve it's levees, and make it a model city as was promised in speeches by President Bush following the floods that were brought on by Hurricane Katrina.

I know it's his job to plead for money to rebuild his city, but I have to ask just how much money he's getting from the state? And just how much does he think every other citizen in this country should be paying to keep his city dry?

At some point we need the fiscal conservatives (and traditional conservatives) in Congress to sit back and ask just how stupid it really is to put money into rebuilding a city that sits below sea level? If it can be done at a reasonable cost, then lets do it. If not, then it's time to move the city o' New Orleans, say 500 miles or more.

I know we've argued and discussed the importance of the city as a port, and the amount of goods and services that passes through that port. But would it perhaps make better sense to build a newer and better New Orleans further up river, farther away from the flood plains?

What's the right answer? Ha! Tough question. The kind of question we pay Congress-critters to answer for us. Also the kind of question that we expect elected leaders from cities like New Orleans to ask in defense of their jobs, their cities, their homes, and the citizens that elect and pay them to ask.

Original article snippet follows. From The Wasington Times. Headline is linked. Please see original for complete story.

Nagin decries Orleans funding

By Audrey Hudson
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
December 5, 2005

New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin yesterday called on Congress to fulfill President Bush's promise to rebuild his city and to have levees repaired to withstand a Category 3 storm before the next hurricane season.
"There's a very strong conservative element in Washington that is basically overly focused on the budget, and they want to maintain their presence in Iraq, and it seems as though New Orleans has been pushed to the background," Mr. Nagin said.
"I think that's very unfortunate. I am looking for Congress to honor the president's commitment. He looked me in the eyes and said, 'We will rebuild New Orleans,' and we're going to hold him to that," Mr. Nagin said.
Mr. Bush is asking Congress to shift $17 billion in hurricane relief toward rebuilding levees, roads and federal facilities.
Louisiana's senators, Republican David Vitter and Democrat Mary L. Landrieu, are pushing legislation for $250 billion in rebuilding aid.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved $120 million for New Orleans to provide essential services and has sent the first installment of $20 million. Last month, Congress approved $18.5 billion to pay flood insurance claims.
Today, the Federal Housing Administration will announce a one-year program to pay the mortgages of 20,000 hurricane victims in the Gulf states with mortgage insurance.
Many mortgage companies voluntarily granted limited extensions on mortgages and foreclosures.
"These families have been devastated, not only are they living far from home right now, but many have lost their source of income," said an advance copy of a speech scheduled to be delivered today by Alphonso R. Jackson, secretary of housing and urban development.
Appearing on ABC's "This Week" program, Mr. Nagin said the president "seems to be pushing" for relief and rebuilding funds, "but I'm not sure if he's pushing quite hard enough."

... more at linked article

emphasis added

Have to love that last emphasized part. At least Nagin acknowledges that Bush is trying. Just not hard enough to give Nagin and friends a blank check, or even the $250 billion in checks that the Louisiana delegation has pushed for.

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