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Boustany Commends Governor's Improved Spending Plan for Southwest Louisiana

Mar 4 2008

Washington, D.C.  – U.S. Representative Charles W. Boustany, Jr., R-Southwest Louisiana, today commended Governor Bobby Jindal and his staff on a proposed plan to focus a portion of Louisiana’s budget surplus on coastal restoration and road improvements in Southwest Louisiana. 

“Today’s announcement by the Governor is an important step toward repairing our endangered coastline that thousands of families in Louisiana depend on for protection,” Boustany said. “I will continue to work to bring federal funds to these projects, and the state’s commitment now allows us to move forward on the Southwest Louisiana Hurricane and Flood Protection Plan, which is critical for our region. Additional funding for Southwest Louisiana for improvements along the I-49 corridor also demonstrates the importance of continuing our growth to the state.”
 
The Southwest Louisiana Hurricane and Flood Protection Study is a national funding priority for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers following passage of last year’s WRDA bill that Boustany helped author. The measure authorizes the Corps to expedite the current study, and if the projects are feasible, the Corps is directed to expedite their implementation. This provision ensures Southwest Louisiana is a priority for the Corps. However, a delay in state matching funds would have resulted in a loss of federal funding.
 
In addition, the Governor’s new plan would increase funding for I-49 construction. A vital conduit connecting North and South Louisiana, I-49 is a top economic development and infrastructure project for Boustany, who co-chairs the I-49 Congressional caucus.
 
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