Accountability

Lots to talk about today with Congressman Garret Graves… he's working on the tax overhaul package, and still battling for constituents who feel that they have been shortchanged in the flood recovery process. He spent time in the studio this morning for AMBR. Listen here. Read more »

Should Cajuns be listed by the federal government as an endangered species? U.S. Rep. Garret Graves, R-Baton Rouge, tried to make that case with an amendment in the House Natural Resources Committee, making the point that Washington is largely responsible for Louisiana's coastal erosion yet is stalling permits for the state's $50 billion, 50-year master plan to save the southern third of… Read more »

Congressman Garret Graves (R-South Louisiana) offered legislation during a House Natural Resources Committee markup that would designate Cajuns as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA), a federal law that provides for the conservation of species that are endangered or threatened throughout all or a significant portion of their range, and the conservation of… Read more »

Louisiana leaders are talking about getting financially creative to scare up the money to build the Comite River Diversion Canal.For decades, authorities have waited for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to commit funds to dig the canal that will drain the river into the Mississippi during floods. But they haven't substantially moved forward. U.S. Rep. Garret Graves says with the exception… Read more »

LAPLACE — The federal government's fiscal year begins Sunday, and levee construction via the Westshore Lake Pontchartrain Hurricane Risk Reduction Project (and with it greater flood and hurricane protection for St. John the Baptist residents) is not in the budget.A complicated combination of local tax dollars, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers funding, state funds and federal allocations… Read more »

"Our fear as chefs is that we're going to lose the amazing variety we have in this country, at our fingertips, of fish that's fairly, sustainably raised," says Jason Goodenough, a chef at Carrollton Market bistro. Goodenough warns that this varied abundance of seafood could quickly wash away. "Blackened redfish, to a lot of outsiders, is possibly the most iconic dish in the city of New… Read more »

Stephanie Thum, CCXP, is the former vice president of customer experience at the Export-Import Bank of the United States. She is currently practice director, customer experience and analytics, at Capitol Management Consulting Services. Read more »

Click here for story.What does this bill do?This bill ensures the food stamp program (SNAP) has meaningful work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) by: eliminating statewide or partial waivers from the ABAWD work requirement; shortening the three-month rule, which permits ABAWDs to receive food stamps without working or participating in other work activity, to… Read more »

I believe in people — I believe they can do more than they think. Somewhere in years past, the government of this country gave up on people. They decided we could not take care of ourselves. With the Depression Era, food stamps were to be a short-term aid to families as they got back on their feet. It has swollen into an entitlement program that limits people's ability to reach and… Read more »

Congressman Garret Graves has been working on assistance for victims of Hurricane Harvey both legislatively, and physically. He dropped by the studio this morning to talk about what is being sent to Texas and SW Louisiana, and what Congress will need to do next week on hurricane/flood relief.Click here to listen. Read more »