Gregg Proposes Katrina Recovery Authority
WASHINGTON, Sept. 15 – New Hampshire Sen. Judd Gregg is working on a proposal to create a Gulf Coast Recovery and Disaster Prevention Program to oversee relief efforts in the states affected by Hurricane Katrina.
Complaining that the relief work is “proceeding in a rather haphazard way,” Gregg said in a press release Wednesday that “we must now look ahead to ensure that the massive amount of federal dollars are being spent effectively and efficiently on reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in the effected Gulf Coast region.”
Gregg’s proposal would create an authority with “full budget, audit and investigation powers” to oversee all planning, management and federal resources used in rehabilitation efforts.
“We must make sure that the people and areas that were directly affected by the storm get the help they need to get on their feet and get their communities rebuilt,” Gregg said. “At the same time, we must take every precaution to ensure that these funds are spent wisely.”
To head the authority, Gregg calls for a director of gulf coast recovery and disaster preparation, appointed within the Office of the President to a three-year term that, he said, “may be extended by a supermajority vote of Congress.” A supermajority vote is one that exceeds a simple majority.
The office of the director would be located in the Gulf Coast region and the director would be required to report to Congress four times a year on the progress of relief efforts.
“It’s essential that we have a clear accountability and strong oversight for all the emergency support and recovery funds going to the Gulf States,” New Hampshire Sen. John Sununu said in a statement, adding that he has agreed to co-sponsor legislation that would immediately establish an inspector general to oversee Katrina relief.
The inspector general would have the authority to “investigate and address any allegations of financial management,” Sununu said.
Gregg, in a Thursday statement, said, “We need some leadership in making sure this is a coordinated effort, that the money isn’t wasted and that the money gets to the people who need it and that the reconstruction effort is done in an efficient and cost-effective way,”
New Hampshire Rep. Charles Bass also supports the establishment of an inspector general and believes the creation of this position should have been in the aid package Congress approved last week, he said in a telephone interview yesterday.
Rep. Jeb Bradley, New Hampshire’s other representative, called Gregg’s proposal a “well thought out plan” and said he looks forward to working with him to propose similar legislation in the House.
“We have to have accountability and we have to have efficiency to the best extent possible,” he said in a telephone interview, adding that he believes Katrina relief spending will reach, at least $150 billion.
