By Elena Temple Webb
July 28, 2008

House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and a Congressional delegation, including Majority Whip James Clyburn (SC), traveled to the Gulf Coast recently to discuss with New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin and Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden their continued commitment to the region as it recovers from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

The mayors discussed a number of issues with Pelosi – in particular the need for greater resources for medical and mental health services, as well as the continued need for housing and other social services.

The mayors are calling for changes to the Stafford Act, which currently requires that disaster'stricken areas pay up-front expenses and apply for reimbursement. Nagin is also seeking relief from the $1.8 billion the feds are requiring the state to pay for its share of levee repairs.

Nagin and Holden thanked Pelosi for her help with the Conference of Mayors’ 10-Point Plan and the Mayors’ Energy Block Grant aimed at expanding programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in cities around the country. They also expressed appreciation for her help on passage of the recent foreclosure legislation, which provides $4 million for neighborhood stabilization to deal with the blight and devastation left behind in many communities from foreclosed properties.

Pelosi assured the mayors that she would try to restore cuts to domestic programs that impact the people of the Gulf region, and that the plight of the mayors across the country was front and center on her agenda.