The FUTURE of HOUSING
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The Issue:
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The US Census Bureau reported that New Orleans was the fastest-growing large city in the nation last year, but its population is still about half of what it was before Hurricane Katrina. At the same time, New Orleans is in the worst affordable housing crisis since the Civil War. HUD reports that the city’s available housing is 100% occupied, as thousands of homes remain wrecked.
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The Plan: |
As Congressman of District 2, I will sponsor and support initiatives to insure that the federal funding that’s appropriated to this region is properly used to develop affordable housing as quickly as possible. I will support policies that will allow those families who want to come home the opportunity to do so. I understand that the redevelopment of housing in this region must be approached strategically and the planning must include input from all sectors of this great community, As congressman, I promise that the voices of Greater New Orleans will never be ignored again. As housing is delivered to our great city, the opportunity for decent safe housing shall be available to everyone. |
TRANSFORMING the FUTURE of HEALTHCARE
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The Issue:
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According to the 2006 Census Bureau, 20.4% of Orleanians and 17.6% of Jeffersonians are uninsured. There approximately 47 million uninsured individuals in the United States.
According to the World Health Organization, the United Stated spends about $2 trillion dollars annually on healthcare; yet, Louisiana continues to have staggering health statistics with the following rankings:
» 33rd in access to healthcare
» 41st in quality care
» 51st in avoidable hospital use and costs
» 28th in equity
» 50th in healthy lives.
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The Plan: |
Support Congressional Legislation that ensures that Federal Funds are appropriated to the Orleans/Jefferson Region for the expansion and rebuilding of hospitals and mental health facilities.
Ensure access to healthcare for all citizens of Orleans and Jefferson Parishes through the expansion of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) and Community Based Clinics, where the cost of care ranks among the lowest, approximately 41% lower annually than care received by other health providers. |
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The Issue
Hospital Shortage:
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Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana estimates approximately 200,000 employees lost their private insurance as a result of both Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
The Orleans Parish Medical Society reported that there are approximately 1200 doctors practicing healthcare in the New Orleans Region, which is a loss of 2000 physicians.
The Healthcare Workforce Shortage will have a significant impact on the organization’s ability to deliver quality healthcare.
While the demand and need for healthcare is on the rise, economic factors impact the patient’s ability to pay for these services.
Local hospitals continue to lose millions in operating revenue on treatment of the uninsured.
Citizens of Eastern New Orleans have to travel an average of 12.5 miles to access hospital and emergency care.
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The Plan: |
As Congressman District 2, I will sponsor and support initiatives to bring back hospitals in Eastern New Orleans to ensure that residents throughout the city have access to emergency care.
I will also support the rebuilding of the Charity Hospital System and the Level I Trauma Center and Support Clinics that provides in-patient hospitalization for the thousands of uninsured residents that cannot afford traditional healthcare.
I will sponsor and support initiatives aimed at the development of inpatient and outpatient mental healthcare.
The re-opening of hospitals in the New Orleans Region will ensure jobs for the thousands of healthcare and ancillary support providers that left the region following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
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Economic Development
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The Issue:
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According to the Brookings Report as a result of Katrina more than 4,000 businesses in Orleans and Jefferson Parishes closed. As of January 2008, only, 72% of the employer base has returned. The region’s employment base has recovered to 83% of its 2005 level, but there are still nearly 100,000 fewer jobs than there were pre-Katrina.
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The Plan: |
As a member of the Jefferson Parish Council, more than $100 million in local, state and federal funds to were invested in District 3, including a Technology Park, amphitheater, drainage, sewerage, playgrounds and medical clinics for the poor. Councilman Lee plans to bring that same level of energy and commitment to the 2nd Congressional District and plan to:
Support business incentive legislations like the Gulf Opportunity Zone, Empowerment Zone and others used to stimulate economic development.
Help to build a premier port system in Southern Louisiana by improving infrastructure.
Work with the local bio-medical community to help restore and further develop the industry.
Work with our universities and medical schools to help maximize funding for technology and research projects.
Support additional job training resources for the region.
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COMMITTED to a FULL RECOVERY
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The Issue:
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As we approach the third anniversary of hurricane Katrina many families and communities are still trying to rebuild.
According to the Brookings Institute report recovery for the region is well on its way however there are indicators that reveal or reinforce that major challenges remain. The city may be confronting fully 65,000 blighted properties or empty lots. Rising rents, now 46 percent higher than before the storm, threaten the ability of many essential service workers to afford housing, as wages are not keeping pace. The labor market remains tight as the service and construction industries seek workers. The public service infrastructure in the city remains thin, especially public transit, which saw ridership grow by 45 percent in the past year. And, the latest maps from the Army Corps of Engineers suggest that a number of neighborhoods in the city remain at risk of six to eight feet of flooding from a “1 percent” storm, signaling the need to commit to a coastal restoration plan that goes well beyond levees.
In an effort to further the recovery, additional assistance and a strong partnership between the local, state and federal government is needed.
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The Plan: |
Seek funding for a comprehensive level protection system for Orleans and Jefferson Parishes including but not limited to Category 5 levee storm protection, drainage and coastal restoration.
Help rebuild hospitals and clinics in the region.
Hold HUD accountable for the redevelopment the big 3 housing units in New Orleans and seek additional funding for affordable housing.
Seek funding for infrastructure to improve drainage, sewerage, streets, schools and playgrounds.
Seek partnerships between federal agencies and local governments to help improve the criminal justice system.
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Byron Lee Campaign
1901 Westbank Expressway
Suite 500
Harvey, LA 70058
(504) 227-9807
Ronnie C. Harris, City of Gretna Mayor
Newell Normand, Jefferson Parish Sheriff
John Alario, Louisiana State Senator
Girod Jackson III, State Representative
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