Louisiana Recovery Authority Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 19, 2008
MEDIA CONTACT:
Christina Stephens
Louisiana Recovery Authority
225.603.3896
christina.stephens@la.gov

Office of State Planning Task Force Releases Report
BATON ROUGE, La. (February 19, 2008) - The task force charged with studying and making recommendations for the creation of a comprehensive Office of State Planning released its report to the Louisiana Legislature today.
The Louisiana Legislature established the task force during the 2007 Regular Session. The creation of a group to make recommendations on this issue was a 2007 legislative priority of the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA). The establishment of a coordinated State Office of Planning is a 2008 priority of Louisiana Speaks.
Among the report's recommendations are:
0. The state planning office should be located within the executive branch and include oversight by a planning commission.
0. The office should serve as a central repository for data and plans; provide technical support, including monitoring of local plan implementation and providing education and information about best practices; administer incentive and program funding to assist local governments and coordinate state planning efforts.
0. The LRA should serve as an interim location for the housing and development of the Office of State Planning, with the LRA conducting a statewide capacity assessment and adjusting its staffing and budget to perform additional planning implementation activities
0. To download a copy of the report, click here.
The task force includes appointees from the Governor's Office, the Division of Administration, the LRA, the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA), the Police Jury Association, the Louisiana Municipal Association, the Louisiana Association of Planning and Development Districts, the Louisiana Chapter of the American Planning Association, the Center for Planning Excellence (CPEX) and Louisiana Speaks.
The Legislature passed House Concurrent Resolution 29 by Rep. Cheryl Gray recommending the task force during the regular session of 2007. Click here to read the resolution.
The input of world-renowned planners, local experts and more than 27,000 Louisiana citizens formed the basis of the Louisiana Speaks Regional Plan, which provides a broad strategic framework and priorities for land use, transportation, community growth and economic development in South Louisiana. One of more than 100 action items included in the plan calls for the creation of a coordinating and capacity-building entity at the state level which would provide a framework in which state, regional, and local governing bodies can coordinate to implement Louisiana's strategic vision for the future.
Louisiana Speaks is the long-term planning initiative of the Louisiana Recovery Authority that is supported with private funds provided by the LRA Support Foundation. For more information about Louisiana Speaks, visit www.louisianaspeaks.org.
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated South Louisiana, claiming 1,464 lives, destroying more than 200,000 homes and 18,000 businesses. The Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) is the planning and coordinating body that was created in the aftermath of these storms to lead one of the most extensive rebuilding efforts in the world. The LRA is a 33-member body which is coordinating across jurisdictions, supporting community recovery and resurgence, ensuring integrity and effectiveness, and planning for the recovery and rebuilding of Louisiana.