Rep. Anh Cao, R-New Orleans, 'encouraged' by Obama budget plan

Rep. Anh Cao, R-New Orleans, said he is "encouraged" by provisions in President Barack Obama's fiscal 2010 budget plan that will bring funding to the 2nd District.

"The full details of the ... budget are not yet available," Cao said. "My staff and I are still analyzing the budget plan that was

"At first glance, I am encouraged by President Obama's pledge to honor his commitments to the Gulf Coast. The projects he proposes, including wetland restoration and storm surge protection, are critical to maintaining the health of the 2nd District."

Cao said that among planned expenditures, a portion of which could go to help Louisiana, is $5.1 billion for Army Corps of Engineers civil works programs and $1 billion for the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Housing Voucher Program and Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

"The budget will fund continued work to restore coastal Louisiana wetlands, including a study to identify the best ways to restore wetlands affected by the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet, and the science needed to support these efforts," the plan says. "The budget will also fund continued work on planning sustainable methods to reduce the risk of damage from hurricane storm surges to Gulf coastal areas."

The budget plan is at www.budget.gov.

Credit: CityBusiness Staff