Exploiting Katrina

Here in Baton Rouge, we are seeing the problems related to hurricanes Katrina and Rita first-hand, from the botched evacuation for Katrina, to the chaos of search and rescue, to the housing of an estimated 80,000 to 1 million evacuees, relief workers and military in our area alone.

At one point, it was estimated that the population of our area doubled -- and that was before Rita. The numbers in the Red Cross shelters were such a small percentage of the total as rental properties (hotels, motels, apartments, houses, RV parks), homes of family or friends, houses of worship, even dorm rooms, were called into play to provide homes for the evacuees. Not to mention the many parking lots and non RV parks utilized as temporary sites for RVs.

Having attended a number of meetings with pro-active evacuees, I find a consensus of opinion expressing disapproval on several issues, such as the (1) importation of outside firms and labor for relief efforts and rebuilding; (2) suspension of the Davis-Bacon (prevailing wage) Act allowing companies to maximize their profits by paying their employees less than a living wage; (3) by-passing of bid laws in awarding contracts; (4) evacuees being left out of the decision making processes; (5) policies to prevent profiteering;(6) confusion concerning scheduled elections for the areas that have been evacuated; (7) and, perhaps, the most important issue -- placing blame instead of everyone working together toward resolving the problems for now and the future.

On the other hand, they are grateful for everything that has been done. The shelters, even with their problems, are better than sleeping on the street. FEMA and the Red Cross are appreciated for their efforts although the problem was/is of a magnitude for which they were simply not prepared. The outpouring of aid from the US Congress and individual and group efforts across the nation has helped immensely.

The local nonprofits are doing a stellar job but are seeing their donations decline as people are primarily giving money to the better known and more publicized national groups.

Many charitable fundraisers for these local nonprofits have been cancelled due to either the hurricanes themself or the aftermath.

Common Cause, especially Common Cause Louisiana is needed now more than ever to protect the citizens of Louisiana from profiteering, erosion of civil rights and governmental missteps.