LMR September 2020

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LMA Virtual Workshops PostponedThe 2020 Annual LMA Convention workshops havebeen postponed in the wake of the devastation left byHurricane Laura.Hurricane Laura made landfall on August 27 and ravagedLouisiana with wind and rain before moving north intoArkansas. Currently, President Trump has approved MajorDisaster Declarations for 23 parishes: Allen, Beauregard,Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, Acadia, Vermilion,Catahoula, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Sabine,Vernon, Winn, Bienville, Claiborne, Red River, Caldwell,Jackson, Lincoln, Ouachita and Union. Conservativeestimates indicate $9 billion in damages as hundreds ofthousands of Louisianans suffer through the swelteringheat without power.The LMA team is working diligently to assist its membersduring this difficult time and is currently reschedulingthe virtual workshops for October 13 - 15 and October20 - 22. For resources and assistance for victims ofHurricane Laura, please visit the following:• LMA Emergency Management Publications:https://www.lma.org/LMA/Publications/Emergency_Management/LMA/Publications/Emergency_Management.aspx?hkey=b99b0258-f839-49b2-b6a5-f568656b5df8• Reimbursement for Transportation Facilities andAssets:http://www.ltrc.lsu.edu/ltap/emergencypreparedness.html• Secretary of State’s Disaster Forms and Guidance:https://www.sos.la.gov/HistoricalResources/ManagingRecords/DisasterPreparationAndRecoveryInformation/Pages/default.aspxThe LMA’s disaster management and recovery expert,Deputy Director of Disaster Response Brett Kriger, isalso available to assist LMA members with any questions,including FEMA reimbursement, best practices, stateand federal mandates, and more. He may be reachedat bkriger@lma.org or 225-252-6118.“Having spoken to mayors throughout the state,the devastation is almost unimaginable,” said LMAExecutive Director John Gallagher. “For some, it maybe several weeks before power and water are restored.As we strive to vigilantly assist our membership, thoseaffected by this terrible storm remain in our thoughtsand prayers. We encourage those who are able to doso to contribute through one of the relief coordinatingagencies throughout the affected areas of the state.”The LMA will publish a revised schedule of virtualworkshops once they are confirmed.Page 8LMR | SEPTEMBER 2020
MunicipalitiesLMA’s Strong Congressional PartnershipBY BRANDON BREWER, LMA LEGISLATIVE LIAISONThe Louisiana Municipal Associationprides itself on well-builtrelationships with our congressionaldelegation. Throughout theyear, LMA stays in constant contactwith the members and their staffensuring ways we can supporteach other as it pertains tolocal issues. The senators andcongressmen show continuoussupport of our association by attending and addressingour membership at the LMA Annual Mid-WinterConference and the LMA Annual Convention. This givesLMA members a great advantage by hearing updatesdirectly from the federal level as well as buildingrelationships in person.Each year, the congressional delegation welcomes LMAmembers with open arms as we attend meetings andreceptions in Washington D.C. in conjunction withthe NLC Congressional City Conference. During thesevisits, we engage the delegation and their staff aboutthe needs of our members as it relates to the successof our communities. The ability to have face time withthe senators, congressmen, and the congressionalstaff reinforces LMA’s relations on the federal level aswell as our members. Successful relationships bringadditional benefits to our membership. This past year,U.S. Congressman Garret Graves took LMA memberson a private night tour to see iconic and historic roomsof the United States Capitol including the Statuary Hall,Rotunda, and House Chamber. A highlight of the eveningwas standing out on the Speaker’s Balcony overseeingCapitol Hill. The same balcony where Presidents, Popesand other monumental leaders have stood. Over the lastseveral months, LMA’s close partnership in Washingtonhas proven to be a huge asset for our members.2020 has already shaped up to be a challenging year forlocal government. Louisiana’s cities, towns, and villageshave been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Duringthis crucial time, our congressional delegation has beenfighting to secure funds for local government and ourcommunities from lost revenues. Congress passeda key piece of legislation regarding the pandemic.The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security(CARES) Act provided payments to state and localgovernments and to help them navigate the impact ofthe COVID-19 outbreak on their communities. SenatorBill Cassidy helped introduce the State and MunicipalAid for Recovery and Transition Act (SMART), whichhas not passed in the Senate as of now. Protectingessential municipal employees from being laid off isa key component of the SMART Act. Police officers,firefighters, teachers, sanitation workers and othermunicipal personnel are essential to our communities.Senator John Kennedy’s Coronavirus Relief FundFlexibility for State and Local Government Act has beenincluded in the Senate’s coronavirus relief package.The bill would give state and local governments moreflexibility as they use funds provided by the CoronavirusAid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.The Coronavirus Relief Fund Flexibility for State andLocal Government Act would allow states and localgovernments to use CARES Act funding for operatingexpenses unrelated to the coronavirus. This bill doesnot allow officials to spend this CARES Act moneyon shoring up their pension funds. The CARES Actestablished the $150 billion Coronavirus Relief Fund,which has provided payments to state, local and tribalgovernments to help them respond to the coronaviruspandemic. Every state received at least $1.25 billion fromthis allocation.Municipal budgets are being depleted and this fundingis vital to sustain local government. The Louisianadelegation played a crucial role and took the lead backhome to ensure that local government’s needs are a toppriority. LMA is continuing to assist the congressionaldelegation to alleviate the hardships felt by our membersduring this pandemic. LMA and our members are urgingCongress for direct funding to help offset diminished taxrevenues.Negotiations are currently at a standstill between theHouse and Senate leadership over the HEROES Actpassed by the House of Representatives in the Houseand the recently introduced Senate HEALS Act. A keydisagreement is whether to provide direct funding tostates and local governments to help offset diminishedrevenues to address continued COVID-19 efforts. Effortsto use flexibility in the use of CARES Act funds similarto the Kennedy bill have been floated by the Senateleadership as a compromise, however it likely will notbenefit Louisiana municipalities, as the $525 million inCARES Act funds appropriated to local governments willlikely be used. The LMA and National League of Citiesheld a virtual press conference August 19 featuring fourLouisiana Mayors: Ronny Walker of Ruston, David C.Butler of Woodworth, Nic Hunter of Lake Charles andBen Zahn of Kenner. The mayors discussed employment,small business, and infrastructure challenges theirLMR | SEPTEMBER 2020 Page 9
Page 1 and 2: Louisiana Municipal ReviewPUBLISHED
Page 3 and 4: Inside the LMADirector’s Viewpoin
Page 5 and 6: Inside the LMAHUD Announces Disaste
Page 7: Inside the LMALegal BriefsSO, WHERE
Page 11 and 12: Municipalitiesflowing again by open
Page 13 and 14: A Word fromOur AffiliatesJennifer V
Page 15 and 16: Partner InsightRural DevelopmentUSD
Page 17 and 18: Damage Assessment is Critical to Re
Page 19 and 20: FeatureBossier: 1Ouachita: 2Tensas:
Page 21 and 22: FeatureALWAYS ONFOR YOU.JOHN M. SCH
Page 23 and 24: Feature“So many have lost so much

LMR September 2020

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