The state is sending a plan to the federal government on how they propose to spend one-point-two billion dollars in flood aid. Jeff Palermo has the story…
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”
______________________________________
Homelessness is down 68-percent in Louisiana over the past seven years based on an estimate from the federal government. Emelie Gunn has more…
Cut 2 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”
______________________________________
Frustration over the lack of reliable high-speed internet in the DeRidder area has led to a petition that will ask the Public Service Commission to help out. Halen Doughty has more…
Cut 3 (28) “I’m Halen Doughty”
______________________________________
The Restore Louisiana Task Force approves a proposal for how to spend $1.2 billion in federal flood aid allocated by Congress. Deputy Chief of Staff for the Governor’s Office, Julie Baxter Payer, says 938-million dollars will go towards rebuilding and repairing flooded homes.
cut 4 (08) “flood plain”
This state plan must get approval from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Louisiana is also awaiting HUD’s approval on a 438-million dollar package that will assist the elderly and disabled. Payer says they hope these federal dollars will get in the hands of flood victims by March or April.
Cut 5 (11) “as possible”
Payer says once the federal government approves the state’s plan on spending the 1.6 billion dollars in federal aid, they will pick a private company to set up the application process. She says the website Restore.La.Gov will provide information as it becomes available on how flood victims can take advantage of this assistance.
Cut 6 (12) “their homes”
______________________________________
Homelessness in Louisiana is down 68-percent over the last seven years. That’s according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s yearly Point-in-Time count. Louisiana Housing Corporation Executive Director Keith Cunningham credits this decrease to hard work by his agency to help individuals living on the street….
CUT 7 (11) “of society”‘
The count showed there was just below four-thousand homeless people in the state in 2016, down from 12,500 in 2009. Cunningham says this decrease surpassed expectations. He credits the state for making homelessness more of a priority.
Cut 8 (10) “it done”
One program used to combat homelessness is the Continuum of Care, which funds a rapid re-housing project. Cunningham says drug abuse and mental illness are some factors that play into homelessness. He says last August’s devastating floods could also become a problem, as many victims are stilling living in hotels or with family members.
Cut 9 (09) “them before”
________________________________________
Today marks the start of tax season, as Louisiana residents can begin filing federal and state income taxes. Baton Rouge CPA Brandon Lagarde says if you plan to use a tax preparer to file your taxes, make sure you have all your documentation together and organized.
Cut 10 (08) “the process”
Federal returns are due April 18th this year, while state taxes must be filed by May 15th. Lagarde says refunds might take a little longer this year. He says measures to prevent identity theft have been enacted at the state and federal levels, and this red tape can lead to delays.
cut 11 (07) “get refunds”
Lagarde says filing taxes will be a little different this year for many Louisiana residents who were affected by the March and August floods. He says flood victims can claim their casualty losses.
cut 12 (11) “give you that”
_______________________________________
Residents in the greater DeRidder area are making a push to get high speed internet in the rural Beauregard Parish town. Beatrice Teague started a petition because she and her neighbors are unable to get broadband connections in their homes. She says they have to use satellite internet, which is expensive and unreliable.
Cut 13 (10) “your kids”
Teague says the internet in her home is down more days than not. She plans to present the petition to the Public Service Commission to see what can be done to resolve the issue. She says there are lines in place to provide high speed internet to her area, but the companies who own them are not willing to upgrade them.
cut 14 (11) “their turf”
Teague says the petition received more than 500 signatures in the first 24 hours alone, and she’s hoping to reach 750 before she brings it before the PSC. She says she’s constantly getting calls from people who want to be added to the petition.
Cut 15 (11) “our support”
_________________________________________________