Washington, Aug 28 -  

August 28, 2006

Dear Friends:

Later this week, I will be hosting a meeting with several Bergen County elected officials and Congressman John Mica, Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation, to discuss the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) proposed airspace redesign.

I have written to the FAA three times this year to express my serious concerns with the direction of the airspace redesign project. In particular, the agency is considering alternatives that could have severe adverse consequences for about 330,000 residents of North Jersey, especially in several Pascack Valley towns. These alternatives would re-route several flight paths over these Bergen County towns, increasing aircraft noise for those residents. While I share the FAA’s interest in improving the efficiency and quality of air travel, I believe that this goal must be balanced with the impact on the environment and quality of life for citizens on the ground.

I also hosted a meeting in May with the mayors of these communities and the FAA official in charge of the airspace redesign project. These communities had been largely overlooked during the public meetings portion of the redesign rule-making process. That meeting gave these local community leaders the opportunity to make their case directly to the FAA so that their concerns could be considered as well. I was pleased that following that meeting the FAA also heeded my call to extend the public comment period for the airspace redesign so that all area residents would have a greater opportunity to share their thoughts on these proposals as well.

I am hopeful that the meeting this week with Chairman Mica will convince my colleague that he, too, should weigh in with the FAA on behalf of these residents.

Sincerely,

Scott Garrett

Member of Congress

ISSUE OF THE WEEK: ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF HURRICANE KATRINA

One year ago this week, Hurricane Katrina made landfall in New Orleans for the third and most devastating time. One estimate of the property damage sets it as high as nearly $200 billion. And, more than 1,800 people lost their lives related to this storm, the worst natural disaster in our nation’s history. Today, the people of New Orleans and many Gulf Coast towns are still struggling to rebuild their homes, their communities, and their lives.

In the months following Katrina, Congress approved $125 billion for the clean-up and reconstruction of the Gulf Coast communities. But, a year later, only a portion of that relief aid has been spent, leaving this region far from recovered. For instance, in July, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reported to Congress that it had provided $37 billion for relief for Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma, which had struck Florida in October 2005. But just a little more than half of that money was actually spent; the remainder was merely allocated but unused. National Journal reported on August 12, 2006, “Although the emergency work is nearly completed, most of the FEMA money designated for this purpose has not been spent, in part because the projects cost less than anticipated and in part because it takes a while for FEMA to reconcile its bills with its federal partners.” For example, funding to the Department of Defense for its part in relief efforts – not including the Army Corps of Engineers which is rebuilding levees and other infrastructure – was initially estimated to be $2.1 billion. Actual costs are now expected to be less than $700 million.

In addition, a sizable portion of funding was used to merely feed the bureaucracy and meet administrative requests. As of the end of July, FEMA anticipated that its administrative costs would top $4.7 billion, including travel, housing, and office space for thousands of Federal employees and contractors in the Gulf. That total is more than two-thirds of the annual budget of the U.S. Department of Commerce. As the National Journal noted, that means “that FEMA created what amounted to an entire federal agency to respond to the three hurricanes – Katrina, Wilma, and Rita.”

This inability to get the money to the people and communities that need it most extends to the $126 million in foreign donations received by the State Department. Last fall, State transferred $66 million of that sum to the National Case Management Consortium to help people displaced by the hurricane. This past March, State transferred the final $60 million to the U.S. Department of Education so it could be used for schools in hurricane-affected communities. As the new school year begins, this funding remains untouched because the application process is incomplete.

Perhaps most disconcerting, FEMA has no mechanism in place for tracking how much money is obligated or actually spent in the relief efforts. With dozens of Federal agencies involved, each with its own tracking, rules, and timelines, there’s simply insufficient oversight. Furthermore, FEMA distributes much of the reconstruction aid through accounts controlled by state emergency management offices.

I supported the initial aid package of $10.5 billion to provide immediate assistance to citizens and communities that were reeling from this tragic storm. I did not support a second aid package of $52 billion because I believed it lacked oversight and accountability necessary to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse. I supported two subsequent aid packages that included better oversight. Regrettably, six independent government reports this year alone have confirmed at least $1.4 billion in waste, fraud, and abuse that kept relief from getting to the people who needed it most. Congress should be compassionate, but it also must be a responsible steward of the people’s money. This has been a costly lesson, both for the American taxpayers and for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. But I am hopeful that should another natural disaster ravage our nation we will be better prepared and relief will reach its intended designees more quickly and more efficiently.

CONGRESSMAN SCOTT GARRETT’S OFFICE COMING TO A TOWN NEAR YOU:

Congressman Garrett’s staff will be holding Mobile Constituent Service Hours in a number of Fifth District towns this week. The Congressman’s Constituent Service Officers are trained to act as your liaisons with Federal agencies. But, it’s not always easy to make it out to one of the Congressman’s district offices – in Paramus and Newton – to meet with one of them, especially when you are dealing with government red tape. These Mobile Constituent Service Hours sessions bring the Congressman’s office to you. So, if you are having trouble with a Federal program, such as Medicare, veterans benefits, Social Security, or more, please feel free to come by. And, please bring copies of any relevant paperwork with you to facilitate their work.

TATIANA, BRIAN, NISHA

Tuesday, August 29^th

Demarest

9:30 am to 11:30 am

Borough Hall, 118 Serpentine Road

Wednesday, August 30^th

Waldwick

10:00 am to noon

Borough Hall, 63 Franklin Turnpike

Wednesday, August 30^th

Saddle River

1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Borough Hall, 100 East Allendale Road