KPLC 7 News, Lake Charles, Louisiana |Will Louisiana Pay For Hurricane Relief?

Will Louisiana Pay For Hurricane Relief?

December 27, 2005
Reported by Vince Atkinson

Three months after Hurricane Rita and Katrina smashed into Louisiana, the state is slowly moving down the road to recovery. Now, there is another road block on the horizon, a massive bill from "Uncle Sam."

The Bayou State may have to come up with $4,000,000,000 in order to pay its share of this year's hurricane clean up bill. Now, one city council member from New Iberia is spearheading an effort to ask the federal government to forgive those debts.

Cleaning up after Katrina and Rita has turned out to be a huge undertaking. A task that the federal government is paying for, at least the majority of it. Louisiana will still eventually receive a bill. New Iberia City Council member David Broussard says, "As it is, it is five billion. That will close to bankrupt Louisiana in a serious way." Broussard is asking city and parish governments around the state to sign resolutions asking the federal government to forgive all or part of Louisiana's looming debt.

Tuesday night, Broussard spoke to the Lake Charles City Council. Broussard says, "If we don't ask we will not receive. I need all of you to get involved in helping." Lake Charles City Council members will soon consider Broussard's suggestion. Meanwhile, Broussard plans to continue traveling around the state with his request. Broussard says, "To send letters, resolutions in a polite way to the President and the U.S. Delegation."

The Lake Charles City Council has placed this issue on the agenda for their next meeting. Council members will then decide if they should sign a resolution asking the federal government to forgive Louisiana's hurricane debt.