A United Way Report shows 48 percent of Louisiana households do not make enough money to reliably meet their basic expenses…
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A Baton Rouge Congressman supports pending legal action against federal agencies who are refusing to administer 2016 flood grant money to SBA loan recipients, despite a law passed in October…
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South Louisiana Methanol has announced its plans to pursue a $2.2 billion project is coming to St. James Parish. Kevin Barnhart has more.
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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The United Way ALICE report shows in 2016, 48 percent of all households in the state did not make enough to meet their basic needs, up six percent from 2014. Louisiana United Way President Sarah Berthelot says 29 percent make above the poverty level, but still not enough to reliably pay the bills.
Those “survival budget” minimum expenses only allow for 5.50 a day in food expenses, and 517 a month in rent. The minimum generally increases in urban areas.
The report shows a single adult needs to make 19,548 dollars a year to pay the bills, and the average family needs 54,000. Lead researcher Stephanie Hoopes says with 66 percent of all jobs paying under 20 dollars an hour, it’s clear this economy the recent economic growth isn’t benefiting most workers.
Those requirements break down to a full time, single worker needing 9.77 an hour, and two working parents combining for 27 dollars an hour.
The report warns that pervasively low wages put nearly half of workers one financial surprise away from disaster. 400,000 Louisiana jobs pay below 10 dollars an hour, and Louisiana Budget Project Director Jan Moller says it’s clear nearly half of workers work too hard to be stuck in such a precarious position.
The Parishes with the highest percentage of ALICE households are clustered in the 5th Congressional District, specifically the Delta Parishes. East Carrol leads the state at 75 percent.
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South Louisiana Methanol has announced its plans to pursue a $2.2 billion project is coming to St. James Parish. Preliminary work began last year at a 1500 acre Mississippi River site. Construction could begin later this year. Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says access to the river make the location desirable.
Pierson says the initially there will be thousands of construction jobs that go into the project, followed by 75 new direct jobs.
Cut 8 (11) “…projects come online.”
Pierson says the competition is fierce when it comes to winning projects like this over states like Texas and other locations, and that the state does invest money into making the location suitable for the project.
Cut 9 (07) “…bulkhead infrastructure improvements.″
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Congressman Garret Graves supports pending legal action against several federal agencies for refusing to distribute RESTORE funds to families who fall into the “duplication of benefits” loophole after the 2016 floods. Graves says the agencies had 45 days to write policy for the money to be distributed, but departments, like HUD, have ignored the Congressional mandate passed in October.
Cut 10 (09) “…follow the law.”
Flood victims who received Small Business Administration loans after the 2016 floods were not eligible to receive RESTORE grants for flood damage. But in October, Congress approved legislation to allow it.
Legal challenges can sometimes take ages to come to a conclusion, so Graves says they’ve consulted legal experts, and found a way to get a much faster resolution.
Cut 11 (10) “…through the court.”
The suit could potentially free up almost a quarter billion dollars in grants for 2016 flood victims.
Graves puts the blame on a group that’s opposed the regulatory change from the beginning, because he says they erroneously fear it would result in flood victims getting paid by both the SBA and HUD.
Cut 12 (10) “…entire process.”
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USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue spoke with the press in an effort to answer questions of how the food stamps program will be impacted by the government shutdown. In an effort to extinguish as much confusion and anxiety as possible, Perdue says soon the department will be reaching out to states to instruct them to request early issuance of February SNAP benefits.
Perdue says SNAP benefits should be okay through March, which he says he’s hopeful should give ample time to resolve the issues with the government shutdown.
Perdue says the motto at the USDA is to “Do Right and Feed Everyone” and he believes this is the best plan of action during the government shutdown.
The Philadelphia Eagles are looking to redeem themselves after a blowout 48-7 loss to the Saints earlier this season, when the two teams meet Sunday in the divisional round of the NFC playoffs. Eagles Head Coach Doug Pederson says their initial loss to the Saints was embarrassing, but the team’s progress is clear if you look at the win in Chicago…
Though the Black and Gold have been on a tear all season the final game of the season saw them fall to NFC South rival Carolina Panthers 33-14. But with the loss Eagles Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz is not underestimating the Saints saying to keep an advantage against MVP candidate Drew Brees he will have to pick and choose his battles with the defense…
The Bears have one of the fiercest defensive lines in the league and Eagles Offensive Coordinator Mike Groh says after putting Chicago to bed he feels prepared to protect against Black and Gold powerhouses like Cam Jordan…
Kickoff is Sunday at 3:40 PM.
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