The President has declared an emergency exists in the State of Louisiana and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from Hurricane Gustav beginning on August 27, 2008, and continuing.

The President’s action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives, protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in all parishes within the State.

Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide, at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent Federal funding.

R. David Paulison, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Michael J. Hall as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area.

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Here is my understanding of Title V of the Stafford Act:

Sec 501 - Declaration of Emergency
a) Governor must make request. Can make request when scope of disaster exceeds the resources of state and local concerns. Request must be specific and clearly state assets available. “Based on such a request, President may declare that a state of emergency exists.”

b) President may also declare such a state of emergency (minus the governor’s ask,) should he feel that responsibility for a response lies with the Federal government…

Sec 502 - Provision of assistance

President may:

a) order all Federal agencies to utilize all available resources (including labor) to support state/local efforts.

b) coordinate all efforts

c) provide assistance (this one is worth expanding… references another section of act - see footnote)

d) remove debris (I wonder if this is an oldie here)

e) provide aid

Sec 503 - Let’s talk $$$

“Federal share - The Federal share for assistance provided under this title shall be equal to not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs. 5 Million dollar limit which may be exceeded if President sees fit and reports to Congress

** That pesky but important footnote on what kind of aid to individuals may be provided

President may provide assistance to those unable to help themselves. May not discriminate against person / household with a loan out from the Small Business Administration or any other federal administration.

Housing Assistance:

financial - temporary housing stipends can be paid based on fair market value. Will also pay for utilities (except telephone service ?)

direct - President may buy or lease housing units and provide them to displaced individuals / 18 month limit excepting extraordinary circumstances / after 18 months, fair marked value can be charged for temporary housing units/relocation

owner occupied private residences eligible for repair and hazard mitigation services.

“may not waive any provision of Federal law requiring the purchase of flood insurance as a condition of the receipt of Federal disaster assistance”

Medical Assistance:

provide dental / medical / funeral assistance to affected individuals

Costs:

IMPT: Federal share here 100%

approx max $25,000 per person / household

at the very end, a bit about verification of use of funds (fraud avoidance.)

I am thrilled that Obama has chosen Joe Biden to be his running mate. I was fortunate enough to see Senator Biden a few months ago at the College Convention in Manchester, NH. The Senator’s late night speech was rhetorically brilliant and immensely inspiring. We are extremely fortunate to have two such articulate men on the ticket, and I know that America will connect with Biden’s common touch.

Yesterday was a full day in NOLA. I arrived at Union Station on Monday evening at about 8 after a long but very pleasant train trip. I took the Amtrak Crescent from Penn Station (NYP) all the way to New Orleans (NOL.) To make the long trip more bearable I upgraded to a sleeper car, otherwise knows as a Roomette. Calling it a room is a bit of a stretch, but the perks of taking first class sleeper service make the trip worthwhile. In addition to having a dedicated attendant (snacks / turn down service / baggage handling / chatting / etc…) all meals in the dining car are included. Was the dining car akin to the white glove pullman service of the past? Well, not quite, but the food was good and the company (seating is communal,) lively. I had one particularly pleasing conversation with a couple heading down for a notary conference; I always look forward to meals on trains as you find that everybody has an interesting story; I was able to practice my questioning/discovery skills which hopefully will serve me well in my future endeavors.

We saw two places yesterday, neither of which was perfect. Today we have a few more appointments. The two guys who I had yet to meet are good people and I think that we will be able to live together without too much drama. Since I missed it last time I was able to stop by Perlis on Magazine St. Talk about a good store… it’s preppy heaven. I picked up a fleur-de-lis belt which is very NOLA and very cute.

The hilight of the day, though, was the evening’s food and entertainment. We ate at Jaques-Imo’s, a New Orleans institution famous for, among other things, alligator cheesecake. I had crawfish etouffee which was some of the best and most flavorful I have ever tasted. My dining partners were likewise pleased with their crab stuffed catfish and roux.

After a pleasing meal we headed over to the Maple Leaf which, though it appeared to be a regular bar, slowly began to fill up as the time approached for the main act. As the anticipation and energy grew, seven men took the stage and the Rebirth Brass Band started with a bang. If anything is typical to New Orleans it is the tradition of the brass band, and as far as brass bands go, Rebirth is known as one of, if not the best. And let me tell you, this reputation is well deserved. These guys are first class showmen, and their songs had the crowd (me included) jumping and jiving. Their fantastic cover of Steve Miller’s Fly Like an Eagle was out of this world groovy. I danced for what seemed like hours, and would highly recommend Rebirth to anyone visiting NOLA.

We’re about to head out for our first appointment, so please send some good vibes to our housing hunt!