DISPLACED SENATORS TO OPERATE OUT OF STATE CAPITOL

Citizens from the parishes impacted by Hurricane Katrina can now contact their state senator toll free. The Louisiana Senate has established emergency district offices for the senators displaced by the storm and is providing staff support as needed.

"In this situation where communication has been such issue, it is imperative that we do everything possible to make sure that the victims of this catastrophe have easy, direct access to their elected public officials," Senate President Don Hines said. "While many members of the Louisiana Senate and their families suffered the devastating loss of their homes, their businesses and their possessions as did their constituents, they have been working tirelessly since day one to assist citizens in their communities survive and recover from this disaster. Hopefully the newly established emergency district offices in Baton Rouge will enhance those efforts."

In addition to the emergency toll free contact numbers and office support, each affected members page on the Senate Web site, http://senate.legis.state.la.us/ , will have an electronic bulletin board where citizens can communicate directly with their senator about specific concerns in their communities. Information relating to hurricane relief and recovery in specific Senate districts will be posted on the members’ Web pages as it becomes available.

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