Posted – Aug. 29, 2007 - “We are still in the state of emergency,” Louisiana Democrat William Jefferson told reporters Monday during a news conference to update us on recovery efforts in the Gulf Coast.

Jefferson and House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D- S.C.) talked about their recent visit to the region, plans for the future and the need for more federal dollars.

Clyburn led a congressional delegation to the area and met with local officials, residents and business owners. (See my Aug. 18 blog.)  His visit underscored that more needed to be done.  Clyburn said changes are needed to correct recovery efforts so Americans have confidence in their government when disaster strikes. 

He would like to see the federal matching plan for disaster relief, The Stafford Act, revisited; insurance laws changed; and the Federal Emergency Management Agency removed from the bureaucracy of the Department of Homeland Security.

Jefferson said, “The biggest fear of people down here is, ‘Will they be forgotten?’”  Those fears aren’t unfounded.  The city has lost more than 3,000 physicians, the death rate has risen 48 percent, and the loss of 220,000 homes makes it close to impossible to find affordable housing.

Jefferson looks to the “new foundation” in the Democratic majority to keep New Orleans needs on the front burner.  Listen to the Interview.