New York Times Editorial: "Mississippi's Misplaced Priorities"

Today's editorial in the New York Times read like a Cotton Mouth post with a more eloquent use of the English language. The Times stands solidly behind Bennie Thompson in his opposition to the diversion of HUD funds for a port expansion project. Congressman Thompson was on the right side of this argument when he suggested that maybe the thousands still living in temporary housing should be looked after (which is the original intent of the appropriation) before any projects such as the port expansion are attempted.

The original law requires states and localities to spend 70 percent of the money they receive on projects that clearly benefit low- and moderate-income people. Recognizing that the disaster had affected people of all incomes, Congress lowered that requirement to 50 percent after Katrina and allowed the Gulf Coast states to waive the income tests for certain projects.

Mississippi was quick to take advantage of that flexibility.

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Congress must use its power to ensure that any remaining Katrina money goes to low-income households. It can start by barring Mississippi from using the block-grant funds for the Gulfport project. It must also close the loopholes in the block-grant law to ensure that future disaster aid goes to those who truly need it.