Earlier this year, Louisiana reached a deal with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to end a contentious battle over misspent grant money that was part of the Road Home program, aimed at helping victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005.
As part of the deal, Louisiana would only have to pay $32.5M back to HUD - a decrease from $300M.
But HUD unexpectedly told Gov. John Bel Edwards’ administration that it could keep $20.5M as long as the state spent it to help people in parishes most impacted by the devastating 2005 storms.
The administration has decided quickly to spend the money on the long-planned but slow-moving New Orleans-Baton Rouge passenger rail line.
Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne argued before lawmakers that the rail line - still years away - could eventually help evacuate some residents ahead of a storm.
Some Republicans in the Legislature were upset and should have been given an opportunity to evaluate projects that would better aid hurricane-prone parishes or beef up evacuations. (NOLA.com 08/17/23) Louisiana will fund train from New Orleans to Baton Rouge | Louisiana Politics | nola.com
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