Congressman Bennie Thompson Takes On Barbour On Housing And Recovery

Families displaced by Hurricane Katrina need our continued help. As of last Friday, there were still 5,741 Mississippi families living in FEMA provided temporary housing units.

One of the major obstacles in providing housing for disaster victims has been the reluctance of Mississippi’s leaders to provide assistance to those who need it the most. Last September, the Governor stated that “housing is, and will continue to be, the most pressing issue facing Coastal recovery.” Despite that statement, the Governor requested and received permission from HUD to reprogram $600 million intended for the construction of low and middle income housing for a port expansion project.

In response to this I, along with eleven other Members of the House, have sent a letter to the Appropriations Committee asking them to prevent the State from using these funds to expand the port. This is a question of priorities. Economic development is critical to the recovery of the coast, but how can the state justify moving forward when low and middle income families are being forced to move out-of-state because there are no locally based affordable housing options?

In addition, the National Deficit and Reduction Act of 2005 provided Mississippi with $700 million to help restore health care in the disaster area and provide the State with the ability to match Federal grants for hurricane relief. Somehow, these funds wound up going to the State’s general fund, where the Governor tried to use them to raise judicial salaries. To make matters worse, the Governor attempted to divert additional hurricane relief funds to improve a highway in north Mississippi that leads to a Toyota plant.

It is a question of priorities. Apparently providing affordable housing solutions to the victims of Hurricane Katrina is not high on some priority lists.

In better news, the Committee on Homeland Security along with the Financial Services Committee joined forces on Wednesday to pass H.R. 6276, the Public Housing Disaster Relief Act of 2008, that I cosponsored with Congressman Childers (D-MS) and Congressman Cazayoux (D-LA). This will streamline federal funding to help repair public housing units that receive damage during future disasters.

The Committee on Homeland Security has also held several hearings exploring the high levels of formaldehyde in FEMA supplied travel trailers - we have to make sure that we provide health care for those that FEMA may have put in danger. In response to this, Congressman Barrow (D-GA) and I introduced the Travel Trailer Health Registry Act. This will require FEMA to work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to create a health registry of those who lived in travel trailers, provide health screenings to these individuals, and track their health status as we move into the future.

We must hold Federal agencies accountable for their mistakes, especially when their mistakes endanger the health of disaster victims. As we move forward, I pledge to work with any and all Members of Congress who share my priorities--to hold FEMA and HUD accountable and rebuild the Gulf Coast.

- Homeland Security Committee Chair Congressman Bennie Thompson (MS-02)

Republicans Are Scared: Wicker Running Ads > 5 Months Before Election In MS

Wicker barely ventured to South Mississippi before he decided he wanted to be a Senator.

He even admitted that he had rarely visited the coast, though as a congressman he was tasked with representing all of Mississippi.

Now he wants to take credit for the good work of Senator Lott and and Congressmen Taylor and Thompson in his first TV ad which I believe is only playing on the Coast where he is weak.

Roger Wicker has the benefit of the fundraising networks of the most powerful Republicans in the nation and the massive political machine that Haley has built.

I'll be happy to see when Musgrove's campaign gets firing on all cylinders, because it doesn't appear to be doing so yet.

Headed To The Big House

Get this- a Federal Appeals Court has affirmed that the Federal Clean Water Act applies even in Mississippi. And they're sending Lucedale developer Robert J. Lucas Jr., along with his daughter, real estate agent Robbie Lucas Wrigley, and D'Iberville engineer M.E. Thompson to the pokey for violations of it.

As a matter of fact, the Federal Appeals Court upheld convictions on all 41 charges (how 'bout some Mail Fraud for ya?) against the three. Apparently they not only sold uninhabitable wetlands to prospective homebuilders, but they also managed to pollute the Vancleave wetlands by installing malfunctioning septic systems.

If I didn't know better, I'd get the impression that ripping off consumers and destroying the environment is considered a bad thing. How retro.

From The Daily Construction News:

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently upheld the convictions, rejecting the defendants’ arguments that evidence did not show a violation of the Clean Water Act.

“Defendants made misrepresentations that directly contradicted inspecting buyers’ observations,” the 5th Circuit said.

“Wrigley misrepresented the dryness of the site, for example, when buyers noticed wetlands and wetlands vegetation and questioned her about the wetlands.”

Lucas’ two corporations were sentenced to five years’ probation and were subject to the US$1.4 million restitution and more than US$5 million in fines. Thompson, who designed and certified septic systems at the Big Hill Acres subdivision in Vancleave, and Wrigley, who sold the wetlands lots, were sentenced to seven years and two months in prison.

Federal prosecutors said the defendants knowingly polluted federally protected wetlands and area waterways by installing underground septic systems that malfunctioned in saturated soil; thwarted state and federal health and environmental regulators; and defrauded residents into buying uninhabitable land.

Outrage: Haley Barbour To Divert Hurricane Money To North Mississippi Road Construction

Barbour: Use storm money for Toyota, rainy day By NATALIE CHANDLER

"We still have people down there in FEMA (trailers)," said Rep. Frances Fredericks, D-Gulfport. "Why can't we take the money and make conditions better, or at least livable, for those it was intended to help?"

Sen. Debbie Dawkins, D-Pass Christian, said, "There is a perception on the Coast that the governor controls the money, and he is spending it in other places. Until (recovery needs) and Medicaid get addressed, I'm not going along with any half-baked ideas about road paving."

Latest Haley Barbour Outrage - Pine Belt Progressive

...it’s not about “taking responsibility” for oneself, it’s about the fact that the governor has put our recovery money into everything but rebuilding the housing that is needed for these people to move out of those trailers...

Go to the links. You need to read this.

Quotes from folks at Musgrove's Gulfport Announcement

I asked a couple folks to comment on why Musgrove would be their best choice. Here are their responses:*

"He's the right man for the job. He has integrity. He's a visionary. He will not benefit the few at the expense of the many."
- Andrew "FoFo" Guilich

"Governor Musgrove had a very strong interest in the Gulf Coast during the time he was Governor. He probably spend as much time helping the Coast as all other governors in the past quarter century combined. We need a leader in the majority party in the Senate. An issue of the Coast's and state's economic security because the Coast is here so many federal installations, jobs, and contracts that are dependent on our having influence in Washington. We've been lucky to have two good leaders in Senator Trent Lott and Senator Thad Cochran who came along in the Reagan era when Republicans were in charge. Now Democrats are in charge likely for the next generation."
- Leonard Blackwell


Above is Andrew "FoFo" Guilich

*Quotes may have errors. They were not tape recorded and I relied on my own shorthand.

Ronnie Musgrove's Gulfport Announcement

Between 30 and 40 folks showed up to the rally/announcement at 5 when it was scheduled to begin. I'd say the turnout wasn't too bad considering the college championship game is tonight. One of the folks there said he'd been to the Wicker event also and the number of people was about the same. Musgrove was on time and brought his new wife, Melody, and his daughter. Both are pictured with him in the shot above.

Locals of interest that I recognized were Andrew "FoFo" Guilich, a former Biloxi mayoral candidate and Leonard Blackwell, a local attorney who served on the Mississippi Gaming Commission.

The location wasn't the best with Highway 90 on one side and the train tracks not too far off on the other. At one point in his speech Musgrove competed with truck traffic and train whistles for the WLOX microphone. I overheard his say that he'd picked the location. He was a friend of the Coast when he was governor and he's been down to the Coast a lot since Hurricane Katrina.

I asked his daughter in law in attendance why more wasn't said about her husband serving in Iraq and she said they wanted to be careful not to say anything they shouldn't.

"... a winner is determined and the race is over."

Brandon Jones is still the victor in House District 111.

The Republican Tim Lee released this statement through his attorney:

"... a winner is determined and the race is over."

I'm so proud of Brandon Jones.

Jamie Franks Stands Up For The Coast and Ratepayers Statewide

From a press release:

Candidate for Lt. Governor Jamie Franks pledged his support of the Mississippi Insurance Bill of Rights today during a signing ceremony in Gulfport with the bill's creator, Kevin Buckel of Long Beach.

The Mississippi Insurance Bill of Rights delivers concise and understandable policy language for Mississippi's homeowners insurance policy owners. This bill will ensure that policyholders have some basic rights the insurance companies cannot take away, making it harder for insurance companies to deny initial claims after a disaster.

Additionally Jamie Franks signed a pledge that stipulates that as the next Lt. Governor Franks would not only endorse the Insurance Bill of rights, but has committed himself to appoint a committee chair with no ties to the insurance industry, and he would ensure that the bill reaches a vote of the full Mississippi State Senate.

"Jamie Franks endorsing the Insurance Bill of Rights and signing this pledge shows his commitment to fighting for us here on the coast," said Kevin Buckel. "Jamie Franks stepping up not only to endorse the bill but committing to make sure it reaches a vote of the entire State Senate is a true demonstration of his commitment to Gulf Coast residents."

"There is still much work that still needs to be done on our Gulf Coast, and as the next Lt. Governor I will lead the fight in making sure the coast is not forgotten," said Lt. Governor Candidate Jamie Franks. "This important piece of legislation will make sure insurance companies fulfill their commitment to their policyholders."

My Letter in the Clarion Ledger

Barbour's leadership didn't fix everything

In a recent letter ("Barbour's post-Katrina leadership shows," Sept. 9), Glenn L. McCullogh Jr. praised the governor's response to Hurricane Katrina. He gave Gov. Haley Barbour the "Holy Haley" treatment, saying Haley was like a "lighthouse beacon."

I must respectfully disagree, as:

- Our congressional delegation, led by then-Senate Appropriations Chairman Thad Cochran working in a bipartisan way, won us the reconstruction dollars we so desperately needed.

- The situation with thousands still living in FEMA trailers and neighborhoods still without life in communities like Biloxi and Gulfport is unacceptable.

- Some $1 billion disbursed isn't so impressive when you consider the additional $1 billion wasted.
As a citizen of our fine Gulf Coast, I can understand how folks from outside the Coast think everything is fixed, but the truth is it isn't, and we need help.

We won't get that help until we face the truth about our leadership.

John Leek

The Clarion Ledger picked the title: Barbour's leadership didn't fix everything

Gene Taylor is Taking Care of Business and Working Overtime

I don't think I can emphasis how great it is that Congressional Democrats came to the district to speak to residents and see the needs of the Coast specifically. James Clyburn (D-SC) and Gene Taylor (D-MS) should be given a lot of credit for bringing the delegation down here. The focus that Democrats have placed on recovery is admirable and they should be recognized for taking the lead nationally.

Here are a few stories that cover the visit:
Dems Push Wind Policy
House Delegation Begins Tour of Gulf Coast
Congressional Delegation Pledges Aid During Tour of Katrina-damaged Areas

Pelosi is leading a 13-member congressional delegation on a two-day tour of areas still struggling to recover two years after the storm. Lawmakers also toured the area in 2006, and was using the latest visit to tout progress made and determine where more federal help is needed.

"We took your message back to Washington and we said we'd do everything in our power to help you. Fortunately, we now have more power," Pelosi said. "We come back today to make an assessment and for you to tell us what we need to do to move forward."

Crusading Taylor Brings in the Big Guns for the Coast

Democratic House Majority Whip James Clyburn from South Carolina, and a close friend to Congressman Bennie Thompson, organized a trip to Louisiana and Mississippi for a group of Congressmen.

The Sun Herald:

Clyburn said the group's overall goal would be to form "a new group partnership" with Louisiana and Mississippi's efforts to recover from Katrina.

After meeting with reporters on Monday, the group planned a bus tour of Pass Christian and Bay St. Louis, Miss., two areas hard hit by Katrina. A community meeting on insurance-related issues also was scheduled for Bay St. Louis.

The meeting will center on insurance and I believe it will have a focus on the need for Congressman Gene Taylor's (D-MS) proposal for federal all perils insurance. Gene Taylor is speaking up for the Coast and Congress is listening.

The entire delegation will be Democratic despite Republicans having been invited. The all declined likely because insurance industry groups told them to.

I don't believe we can find a more able advocate for the Coast than Gene Taylor. We wish him the best of luck and look forward to working with him to pass the necessary insurance reforms.

The Sun Herald Article

Gary Anderson Advertising

Gary Anderson's campaign is now on the air with THIS RADIO AD claiming that Dale is stuck in the old politics of the past or "stuck in the 70s" as this commerical says. I'm inclined to agree. It is good to see the Anderson campaign finally up on the airwaves.

Also an independent group that I am unfamiliar with called Mississippians for Fair Elections is running this ad supporting Anderson:

It was captured by our friends at Right of Mississippi.

David Baria For State Senate TV Ad

David Baria is a Democrat running in the Democratic primary against incumbent Scottie Cuevas. Cuevas has sold out his district to business interests before and Democrats can do better by choosing a man who will fight for them, David Baria

Gary Anderson Televison Ad

I saw this one for the first time this morning on the Coast.

As you may remember Ana Maria let us know that Dale is a coward and has written off the Coast. She brings us this ad now.


Gary Anderson is the best choice for Commissioner of Insurance; he deserves your vote.

Ross: The Partnership is Bad and Bryant Should Feel Bad

I haven't actually seen this one on TV yet, but a friend in Jackson told me a new one was up and here Right of Mississippi has another perfect quality exclusive video.

In other news The Sun Herald Endorses Charlie Ross as the best candidate for the Coast and Haley Barbour.

Ross: "Phil Bryant (is) the Wrong Choice for the Coast"

As promised yesterday in THIS POST Cotton Mouth brings you the ad attacking Bryant on Coast recovery.

It is provided by Y'all Politics at their website.

Y'all Politics has to have access to someone with access to electronic copies of Ross' ads. Both that he's put up have been flawless.

Governor's Storm Fund Sits On Funds

Natalie Chandler writing for the Clarion Ledger reports:

"There's a gap in funding," said Michele Wilson, director of Jackson County's long-term recovery committee. "You do wonder, 'Why are there such tight regulations, when in Jackson County alone, there are over 3,000 open cases of people who need help getting back in their homes?' "

Also, the fund's preference of using volunteers for rebuilding "is not always realistic, especially at 22 months (after Katrina)," said Paige Roberts, director of the southeast Mississippi chapter of the American Red Cross. "The volunteers are fewer and harder to find."

A Pascagoula homeowner was rejected for funding because he wasn't living in his home at the time Katrina destroyed it. His niece owns half of it, and he had moved to Georgia to live with his dying father six months earlier, Roberts said. Now, he lives in a Pascagoula FEMA trailer park.

The Clarion Ledger Article

Illegal Immigrants and our Gulf Coast

Coast citizens, like myself, may find it more difficult to harbour ill will towards the many undocumented Hispanic workers on the Coast. In addition to the church groups, they have played an incredibly helpful role in our recovery efforts.

Roof work is hard work as any roofer will tell you, but just days after the Hurricane hit there were crews repairing roofs from a place south of Texas. We were happy to have them. Now that more people are back others want to do those jobs and they should be allowed to, but we should not demonize the illegal immigrants.

My father made an observation about new immigrant workers, legal or otherwise, and local reaction to them. In Texas, where he worked in the grocery business, the most frequent complaint he heard about Mexican workers was that they worked too hard and made local employees look bad. He heard the same complaint about the Vietnamese when he moved here.

When I hear politicians attack illegal immigration, it often sounds awful close to attacking illegal immigrants. It is not right. They come here due to economic opportunity to make life for them better back home. They don't intend to stay. We do need to strengthen our security, but we needn't do so by sacrificing our humanity and attacking people who are only doing what many of us would do under the same circumstances.

Selective Recovery on the Coast

Haley Barbour is going around the state saying that everything has turned around in the state since he took office and how he saved the Coast (with a little back pat thrown to the volunteers). (sarcasm alert) Isn't he awesome?

Bill Minor recently visited the Coast and described some of what he saw:

Ten minutes and a mile or so from the jangling slot machines of the pristinely restored row of casinos, you come upon the post-Katrina wasteland of East Biloxi where working-class neighborhoods stood two years ago and now, block-after-block, just gaping holes.
That's the painful dichotomy of Mississippi Gulf Coast "recovery." Some of our leaders like to say it's going well and that we just need to be patient.

He then gave perspective on how the money could have been spent:

Dr. Marianne Hill, senior economist for the state's Center for Policy Research and Planning, makes an intriguing assessment. She says that the $5 billion that Congress has made available to Mississippi for housing actually could cover the cost of rebuilding or repairing the entire 39,000 coastal area homes and rental units that received major damage.
Using pre-Katrina values of both owner-occupied units as well as rental units, Hill estimates that the cost to rebuild or repair should not exceed $3.5 billion.
So with the desperate need to provide hurricane-safe, affordable housing in the coastal area and available federal aid being channeled through the governor's office, why hasn't more genuine recovery progress been made other than the renewed glitz and jangle on Casino row?

Bill Minor's Aricle

Homeowner Grant Program Funds Misspent

Natalie Chandler reports massive waste in the program developed to help Coast families return home:

Airfare for employees' significant others, limousine rental agency services and last-minute plane tickets topping $1,400 are among taxpayer-funded items purchased by the Maryland-based company hired to manage a Hurricane Katrina grant program.
...
Travel expenses aren't the only things being questioned. Federal auditors also recently found problems with Reznick's grant calculations, saying the state allowed it to deduct unnecessary costs from some homeowners flooded in the storm. "As a result, the homeowners did not receive the maximum benefits from the program," according to an audit issued last month by Housing and Urban Development's inspector general's office.

Barbour farmed out the contracts with little oversight and you can see the result. Also from the article is Gene Taylor's reaction:

Said 4th District U.S. Rep. Gene Taylor of Bay St. Louis, a Democrat: "To spend that money on anything other than getting people back in their houses, or the realistic cost of doing the administrative work to make it happen, any luxuries or unnecessary trips are unacceptable."

Through a press release the Democratic State Party Chairman Wayne Dowdy had this to say:

Haley Barbour must be held responsible for this reprehensible action. As the state's chief executive officer, he has direct control over the Mississippi Development Authority by appointing its executive director and, therefore, is responsible for the pathetic way the Homeowners Grant Program has been managed.
...
Haley Barbour loves to boast across the state about all the money he's brought to Mississippi post-Katrina, about how we have a chance to rebuild the Coast as never before. But how can Haley boast when we hear reports about the pathetically managed Homeowners Grant program? And how can he boast when hundreds of people continue to live in FEMA trailers almost two years after the storm?

Democrats backed oversight when the program was started, but Barbour's Republican allies in the Senate blocked H1318. Three Republican have directly financially benefited including Republicans Sen. Tommy Robertson, Rep. Jim Beckett, and Rep. Jim Simpson. On homeowner grants Barbour and the Republicans want no oversight. One has to wonder why.

The Clarion Ledger Article