Louisiana will get $94.7 million in fiscal year 2018 Gulf of Mexico offshore oil revenue, almost $12 million more than the previous year, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced Thursday (April 25).The state Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority will get $75.8 million of the money, which can be used for flood protection and coastal restoration projects. The state's 19 coastal… Read more »
After decades on the back burner, the Comite River Diversion Canal finally began construction Wednesday morning.Planned after the devastating flood of 1983, the channel would redirect high water from the Comite and several bayous in northern East Baton Rouge Parish into the Mississippi River during an emergency.Following the historic flood of 2016, fresh calls for funding finally resulted… Read more »
Federal guidance on the distribution of additional relief funds for victims of the 2016 floods and other natural disasters may final come to fruition, Congressman Graves told The News in a phone conversation Friday night. The long-awaited issuance of guidance for approximately $250 million could come by the end of April, the Republican congressman from District 6 said. "It could be… Read more »
BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) - The ports of Baton Rouge and New Orleans is getting $3.1 million in federal funding to support a program that would put shipping containers on barged instead of roadways, according to a Wednesday announcement from congressman Garret Graves. The ports' Container on Barge Service between the Louisiana ports will be awarded the largest of the America's Marine… Read more »
BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) - Rules introduced in the Social Security Amendments of 1983 were intended to do some good by preventing those who collect a government salary from double dipping by getting the same advantages in Social Security payment calculations as private workers. However, two of those rules are catching federal, state, and parish workers… Read more »
Congressman Garret Graves (South Louisiana) released a statement following the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council voting to allow state management of Recreational Red Snapper for Private Anglers:"This is more great news for normal, everyday people across Louisiana and the Gulf Coast who love being on the water. With the Modern Fish Act as the new law of the land, we're starting to… Read more »
Watch the video here. BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) - Before the sun ever rises, cars braking light up the dawn sky. No matter the time or location, traffic never really lets up. "You're talking two to three hours out of… Read more »
The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure advanced a slate of bills today, including a bipartisan disaster relief bill authored by Reps. Garret Graves (LA-6) and Stacey Plaskett (D-V.I.). The legislation, H.R. 1311 is designed to help communities recover from disasters and increase disaster program transparency and oversight. Click to watch the video above.The Graves bill… Read more »
FEMA is now considering adding flooding from heavy rains when defining flood zonesFlood insurance premiums could rise while property values fall under a plan to change the way risk is calculated under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).Right now, the Federal Emergency Management Agency uses flood zone maps as the primary tool to determine rates.The new rating system, however,… Read more »
A March 12, 2019, hearing of the House Subcommittee on Aviation explored what the nation's aviation system and infrastructure may look like 30 years into the future.Witnesses representing NASA, aviation and technology companies, and pilots highlighted the need for the United States to remain competitive globally in aviation by ensuring an environment that allows for the development and… Read more »
