Humor
See other Humor Articles
Title: McConnell, Paul Urge Governor To Seek Federal Disaster Declaration Because Of Low River Flow
Source:
Associated Press
URL Source: http://www.therepublic.com/view/sto ... 89/KY--Kentucky-River-Shipping
Published: Dec 7, 2012
Author: Associated Press
Post Date: 2012-12-07 15:50:06 by Brian S
Keywords: None
Views: 3389
Comments: 5
FRANKFORT, Kentucky — U.S. Sens. Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul are urging Gov. Steve Beshear to seek a federal disaster declaration because of the potential economic consequences of a drought that has led to low water levels on the Mississippi River.
Beshear said Friday he appreciates their concern and that he's closely monitoring the situation.
McConnell and Paul said in a letter to Beshear on Thursday that commercial traffic on the river could "come to a complete halt in coming days" unless the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers takes action to increase the water flow.
"We are informed that shipment of over $7 billion in goods on the Mississippi River could be blocked over the coming months due to this entirely avoidable event," they wrote.
They urged Beshear to request the federal disaster declaration, hoping that might "trigger a response from the Obama Administration."
The senators described the diminishing water levels on the river as "a looming crisis" that could affect Kentucky's shipping, agriculture and manufacturing sectors.
"I have been closely monitoring the issues related to the Mississippi River's water levels and its ensuing impacts on transportation, trade and jobs in our state," Beshear said.
Beshear said the Corps of Engineer, acting at the request of him and officials in other affected states, has expedited the letting of a contract to demolish rock formations that could cause a bottleneck for shipping on the river.
"This week, I met with the head of the Louisville district of the Corps of Engineers to get the latest information on the Corps' plans for the river," he said. "I also held a conference call with local officials in western Kentucky counties to share information about the river levels as well as impacts in those communities. I am in the process of scheduling calls with Gov. Nixon of Missouri and Gov. Quinn of Illinois so we can determine collective next steps."
Beshear said his office hasn't yet received the letter from McConnell and Paul.
"I appreciate the Senators' interest, and I am committed to working with all our partners to ensure a safe and practical outcome for our citizens in western Kentucky," he said.
Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
#1. To: Hypocrite, Rand Paul on FEMA, Disasters Better Handled at Local Level (#0)
Rand Paul must feel like a broken record right now, because he pretty much repeated verbatim during his interview with Neil Cavuto this Monday what he said on CNN last week -- don't borrow money to pay for FEMA and let local organizations and churches handle disasters like hurricane response. Because we all know the people who just had their homes destroyed with no electricity are the best prepared to respond to huge natural disasters.
As we all know well around here, the apple didn't fall too far from the tree with this one -- Ron Paul to Tornado Victims: You're on Your Own. It's like father, like son when it comes to telling Americans to go pick themselves up by their own bootstraps. I wonder if Paul thinks the local churches had the equipment available to go pump water out of the subways and tunnels in New York?
Rand Paul: FEMA is 'inefficient':
Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky held firm on his stance Thursday that local government provides better service when disaster strikes than the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
This summer, the Republican senator made headlines when he held up a bill re- authorizing the National Flood Insurance Program by attaching a non-related "personhood" amendment that called for defining life as beginning at conception.
Asked why he worked to stall the flood bill, Paul said the government was spending too much money it didn't have.
"I have always maintained that FEMA should exist on money that comes in as revenue, but not on borrowed money," the fiscal conservative said Thursday on CNN's "Erin Burnett OutFront."
Paul, a longtime critic of the agency, argued the U.S. should instead fund FEMA with the money it sends overseas in foreign aid. He also argued that local communities - as well as private groups such as the Salvation Army and the Red Cross - do a better job than federal agencies in the immediate aftermath of large-scale emergencies.
The Republican senator shared a story about the local response in cities devastated by tornadoes earlier this year in Kentucky, saying "the churches stepped up."
"Two thousand responders a day were being fed by churches, and the people were being put up in houses," he said. "So I don't think this is entirely a government response. I think it's important to really laud the private folks, as well as the churches who step up."
While he maintained "government is inefficient" in major disasters, he added, "I'm not saying government doesn't have a role."
Never swear "allegiance" to anything other than the 'right to change your mind'!
#2. To: Here You Go Rand, McConnell. Get busy with your small gov't, libertarian citizens and start dredging... (#0) (Edited)
{{{chuckle}}}
Never swear "allegiance" to anything other than the 'right to change your mind'!
#3. To: Brian S (#1)
Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky held firm on his stance Thursday that local government provides better service when disaster strikes than the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Of course Rand Paul is right. The National Guard do a better job.
Also did you know that the federal government has a role in interstate commerce? You're just against Rand Paul because he is against the bastard President.
#4. To: A K A Stone (#3)
He also argued that local communities - as well as private groups such as the Salvation Army and the Red Cross - do a better job than federal agencies in the immediate aftermath of large-scale emergencies.
The Republican senator shared a story about the local response in cities devastated by tornadoes earlier this year in Kentucky, saying "the churches stepped up."
Never swear "allegiance" to anything other than the 'right to change your mind'!
#5. To: Brian S (#4)
Why is this in the Humor Category?
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
[Home] [Headlines] [Latest Articles] [Latest Comments] [Post] [Mail] [Sign-in] [Setup] [Help] [Register]