[StBernard] Washington Newsletter from Rep. Richard H. Baker

[Westley Annis]

Washington Newsletter from

Representative Richard H. Baker

November 4, 2005

Thank you for signing up for Congressman Baker's newsletter. Below are issue
updates that you may find interesting. As always, please visit his website
at http://www.baker.house.gov <http://www.baker.house.gov/>  for the most
up-to-date news and information on what Congressman Baker is working on in
the Sixth Congressional District of Louisiana.

Louisiana Recovery Corporation

The recovery of Louisiana depends on our ability to rebuild our state better
than before.  Rebuilding includes not only individual homes: it often
includes the redevelopment of entire neighborhoods.  In response to the
challenge ahead Congressman Baker has introduced H.R. 4100, to establish the
Louisiana Recovery Corporation.  He believes it is the best plan to offer
economic stability and financial relief for Louisiana property owners, and a
mechanism to help fund the actual physical redevelopment of communities.
Click here <http://www.baker.house.gov>  for more information on this
important legislation. 

Congressman Baker Supports Property-Owners' Rights

On June 23, the Supreme Court, in a 5 to 4 decision in Kelo v. City of New
London, held that "economic development" can be a "public use" under the
Fifth Amendment's Takings Clause. In doing so, the Supreme Court allowed the
government to take private property from one homeowner and give it to a
large corporation for a private research facility.

Congressman Baker strongly opposes this ruling, and has cosponsored several
pieces of legislation that protects private property rights. On November 3,
2005, the House of Representatives approved H.R. 4128, the "Personal
Property Protection Act." H.R. 4128 denies federal funding to states and
localities that abuse their eminent domain power by using "economic
development" as a rationale for a taking of private property. Furthermore,
states and localities will have the clear opportunity to cure any violation
before they lose any federal economic development funds by either returning
or replacing the improperly taken property.

H.R. 4128 was approved in the House of Representatives by a vote of 376 to
38. This legislation now awaits action in the U.S. Senate.


Small Business Matchmaker Program

In response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Small Business
Administration (SBA) has an initiative designed to improve access to
contracting opportunities with federal and state government agencies.  It is
the Gulf Coast Business Matchmaking program.  Registration is specifically
for small businesses in the affected areas and  will continue to November 9,
2005.   Businesses must first register in the Central Contractor Registry.
Click here <http://www.CCR.gov>  for more information. For specific
questions concerning mobile registration locations, dates and participation,
please visit SBA's website at www.sba.gov <http://www.sba.gov/> .