HURRICANE KATRINA PROPOSED RECONSTRUCTION PROGRAM FOR NEW ORLEANS AND THE GULF COST 15 SEPTEMBER 2005

“WE WILL DO WHAT IT TAKES; WE WILL STAY AS LONG AS IT TAKES TO HELP CITIZENS REBUILD THEIR COMMUNITIES AND THEIR LIVES…” PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH 15 SEPTEMBER 2005

PROPOSED RECONSTRUCTION PROGRAM  ESTABLISH GULF OPPORTUNITY ZONES WITH TAX BREAKS OF ABOUT $ 1.7 BILLION OVER 5 YEARS AS INCENTIVES FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

PROPOSED RECONSTRUCTION PROGRAM  ESTABLISH INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS OF UP TO $ 5,000 TO COVER JOB TRAINING, CHILD CARE, TRANSPORTATION, OR OTHER COSTS INCURRED BY WORKERS.

PROPOSED RECONSTRUCTION PROGRAM  ESTABLISH AN URBAN HOMESTEADING ACT UNDER WHICH SOME LOW-INCOME EVACUEES WILL BE GIVEN FEDERAL LAND TO BUILD HOMES.

PROPOSED RECONSTRUCTION PROGRAM  ESTABLISH A PLAN TO REIMBURSE STATES 100 PERCENT OF THE COST TO EXPAND THEIR MEDICARE ROLLS TO COVER HEALTH COSTS OF EVACUEES THROUGH JANUARY 1, 2006.

PROPOSED RECONSTRUCTION PROGRAM  ALLOCATE $ 1.9 BILLION TO REIMBURSE STATES FOR THE COST OF EDUCATING DISPLACED STUDENTS.