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Jindal wants more help from Obama with storm
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) on Monday sent a letter to President Obama saying the federal government was not doing enough to help Louisiana cover the expenses it’s taking on in preparation for Tropical Storm Isaac.
“Unfortunately, your limited declaration does not provide for reimbursement of expenses that the state is taking to prepare for the storm,” Jindal said in his letter.
The action by Obama makes federal funding to the state available immediately, but Jindal said it “only provides for direct federal assistance” and doesn’t “provide for reimbursement of expenses that the state is taking to prepare for the storm.”
“The State’s expenditures for emergency protective measures are already approximately $8,000,000 and exceed the State of Louisiana’s threshold when making a request for a major disaster declaration,” the letter continued.
The storm is expected to hit the region late Tuesday or early Wednesday, according to forecasters. The president will give a statement on Tropical Storm Isaac at the White House at 10 a.m. Tuesday.
“A core responsibility of the federal government is to protect the lives and property of its citizens when threatened,” Jindal concludes in the letter. “This disaster declaration will help ensure that we best protect life and property in our state.”
Jindal said Monday that he would not attend the Republican National Convention this week. He had been expected to speak on Tuesday night in the middle of a program dominated by popular Republican governors, leading up to New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's keynote address.
Isaac has already wreaked havoc on the Republican National Convention schedule, forcing organizers to cancel the first day of events and reshuffle the speaking schedule. On Monday, Republican aides said the plan was to press forward with the convention timeline, but they would not rule out additional cancellations or changes.
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