NEW ORLEANS -
State officials are reviewing a planned appeal to FEMA on the agency's position that Louisiana has not proven it's owed nearly a half-billion dollars to replace a New
Orleans hospital damaged by Hurricane Katrina.
But it's not clear whether the appeal will be submitted to the headquarters of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Christina Stephens, a spokeswoman for the Louisiana Recovery Authority, said the state is also interested in taking the matter to arbitration and still has time to make a decision.
Congress earlier this year authorized an arbitration panel to help settle infrastructure funding disputes arising from the 2005 hurricanes. But it hasn't been set up yet, and Stephens said the shape it takes will "greatly influence" how the state proceeds.
But it's not clear whether the appeal will be submitted to the headquarters of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Christina Stephens, a spokeswoman for the Louisiana Recovery Authority, said the state is also interested in taking the matter to arbitration and still has time to make a decision.
Congress earlier this year authorized an arbitration panel to help settle infrastructure funding disputes arising from the 2005 hurricanes. But it hasn't been set up yet, and Stephens said the shape it takes will "greatly influence" how the state proceeds.
