Louisiana is poised to land an unexpected $76 million from the Federal Highway Administration, provided the state can obligate the funds—essentially, send the FHA a list of projects on which the money will be spent—by Sept. 26.The money is coming from unspent highway funds originally allocated to other states that, for one reason or another, were unable to spend it this year,… Read more »
By Julia Arenstam / Staff Writer Speaking Tuesday in Houma, Congressman Garret Graves emphasized the state's role in putting the country on a path from energy independence to energy dominance. Graves was this month's guest speaker at a joint meeting of the Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce and South Central Industrial Association. Graves, R-Baton Rouge,… Read more »
Click here to see video. BATON ROUGE – It was standing room only at a town hall meeting Monday night. Congressman Garret Graves along with Restore Louisiana representatives hosted the gathering to answer questions about duplication of benefits issues following the 2016 flood.There are still hundreds who haven't received grant money from Restore Louisiana. Pat Forbes, director of the… Read more »
Congressman Garret Graves (South Louisiana) announced today that Livingston Parish will receive a $5.3 million federal grant to fund the elevation of 88 homes that were substantially damaged during the 2016 flood. This funding is a result of the roughly $300 million in federal hazard mitigation dollars that Graves spearheaded in Congress in the months following the record flood. "We are… Read more »
Click here for video.SCENSION PARISH- Trash in the Amite River has been an issue for years, but Saturday dozens of people joined forces to clean up the River. It's all part of a project called The Amite River Clean Up. Boaters from both Livingston and Ascension Parish were out and about hauling in large debris and dumping the trash. The last river cleaning was back in 2009 but the… Read more »
Since the Comite Diversion Canal has been 40 years coming, a last-minute snarl from Kansas City Southern Railway is frustrating the public. The newest dispute involves maintenance of a new and higher railroad bridge over the canal.The railroad is quarreling with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over how much the government will pay to maintain the structure.Given that this project has… Read more »
DENHAM SPRINGS – More federal funding is coming to Livingston Parish through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Rep. Garret Graves to the Livingston Economic Development Council (LEDC). It is just part of the continuing effort to improve flood protection here, Graves told the LEDC's quarterly meeting Thursday at Forrest Grove Plantation. "You're an economic development… Read more »
Members of Louisiana's congressional delegation continue to push for the state to receive a bigger cut of the revenues from oil and gas produced in the Gulf of Mexico. Under current federal law, Gulf states like Louisiana get about 37.5 percent of the money made from offshore energy, while states that have energy production sites on federal land get about half. About 12.5 percent of… Read more »
Click here to watch video.WALKER, La. (WAFB) - It could be a minor thunderstorm, but it's enough to cause anxiety. In fact, it's so bad for some people, they leave sandbags in place all the time. So what's causing this? The flooding problem is a complicated one and there's more than meets the eye. Work on Walker's storm drainage has been ongoing for months, with crews working… Read more »
The federal government's implementation of a program meant to benefit Louisiana victims of the 2016 flood violates the letter and intent of the law, U.S. Rep. Garret Graves said Monday."You're boxing out thousands of families from getting funds that are already in the bank," the Baton Rouge Republican said.After the devastating 2016 floods, the federal government advised victims to apply… Read more »
