Ah yes, the politics of weather(?). Didn't know their was such a thing, eh? Its not exactly a Bush scandal (yet), but certain to be scandalous. Thanks to Lori at CLG, we now know Bush and Congress cut funding for hurricane and flood protection in New Orleans. This news comes after the cable mediawhores flashed Smirk's face every ten minutes all day long in attempt to make him look (P)residential (ostensibly, to provide reasuring words of comfort to the po' folks staring down the gullet of a Cat 5 monster bearing down on them)...
New Orleans district of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers faces $71.2 million reduction in federal funding In fiscal year 2006, the New Orleans district of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is bracing for a record $71.2 million reduction in federal funding. It would be the largest single-year funding loss ever for the New Orleans district, Corps officials said. "I've been here over 30 years and I've never seen this level of reduction", said Al Naomi, project manager for the New Orleans district... The cuts mean major hurricane and flood protection projects will not be awarded... Also, a study to determine ways to protect the region from a Category 5 hurricane has been shelved for now...
Money is so tight the New Orleans district, which employs 1,300 people, instituted a hiring freeze last month on all positions. The freeze is the first of its kind in about 10 years, said Marcia Demma, chief of the Corps' Programs Management Branch.
Stephen Jeselink, interim commander of the New Orleans Corps district, told employees in an internal e-mail dated May 25 that the district is experiencing financial challenges. Execution of our available funds must be dealt with through prudent districtwide management decisions. In addition to a hiring freeze, Jeselink canceled the annual Corps picnic held every June.
Congress is setting the Corps budget.
The House of Representatives wants to cut the New Orleans district budget 21 percent to $272.4 million in 2006, down from $343.5 million in 2005. The House figure is about $20 million lower than the president's suggested $290.7 million budget. http://www.democrats.com/node/5847
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