The FEMA Review Council, which is looking to make major reforms to the federal disaster response agency, held its second meeting in New Orleans. Last month, President Trump said he wants to phase out FEMA after the current hurricane season. Governor Jeff Landry, who attended yesterday’s meeting, says the President’s goal is to have a competent and functional agency whether that’s FEMA or something else.
“He (Trump) recognizes that there needs to be efficiencies in the program, because every dollar that’s either fraudulently taken or ill spent means someone else doesn’t get the services that they need,” Landry said.
Reforms were made to FEMA following hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. But Landry says the agency still requires too much red tape when it comes to providing financial relief following a natural disaster.
“I just got a letter from someone who’s dealing with a Hurricane Laura issue. The airport in Chennault, in Lake Charles, has been waiting on $70 million of mitigation dollars from a storm that occurred in 2020,” said.
Landry says local governments and residents should not have to wait years for FEMA to distribute disaster aid.
“I think what we’re looking for is some streamlining and coordination so that we get good, clear indications about what kind of money we’re getting, how it’s going to be spent, how fast can we implement it,” Landry said.
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