Federal government reopens, offering temporary relief

Jan. 23--Locals affected by the recent federal government shutdown can breathe more easily for now.

Congress voted Monday to reopen the government through Feb. 8. The shutdown began early Saturday after a partisan dispute over immigration and spending.

Caitlin Berni of the New Orleans-based Coalition for Sustainable Flood Insurance said the shutdown caused a lapse in authorization of the National Flood Insurance Program. She said the program is critical for many people in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes who are required to have flood insurance because of where they live.

However, the temporary government reopening means the NFIP will be authorized at least for three more weeks.

The program, which backs federally subsidized insurance for nearly 5.1 million policy holders nationwide, is of particular importance in Louisiana, where there are nearly 500,000 policy holders, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The shutdown didn't affect payment of flood insurance claims, and residents' current insurance remained in effect. However, Berni said FEMA could not sell or renew policies as long as there was a lapse in the NFIP.

"This shutdown highlights the urgent need for a long-term reauthorization as soon as possible," she said.

Otherwise, she said, the program could once again end up as "collateral damage."

Services such as air travel, federal court, mail, Medicare, Social Security and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program continued as normal during the temporary shutdown.

Terrebonne Parish President Gordy Dove and Lafourche Parish President Jimmy Cantrelle both said Saturday that they didn't expect any effects on the parish governments.

The Thibodaux Playhouse, which presents shows in the Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center at the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, had to cancel this past Saturday's performance of "Gladys in Wonderland" because of the shutdown.

Playhouse President Roger Hernandez said his organization can't use the theater as long as the building is closed. He estimated that if the remaining shows had been canceled, the playhouse stood to lose close to $18,000 between expenses and lost ticket sales.

However, Hernandez said, U.S. Rep. Garret Graves, R-La., contacted the Secretary of the Interior's Office and helped sort out the issue. Performances will continue as planned for the weekend.

Hernandez said the playhouse paid the National Park Service upfront instead of being billed and ensured that a ranger would be on hand for the shows.

"The cast and crew are ecstatic," he said. "Everybody at Thibodaux Playhouse is just so happy. All praises to Congressman Graves and his staff. They really didn't have to do this, but they went all out. We're not feeling quite as small as we did last week."

Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. The playhouse will also make up its canceled performance with a show at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 2.

All performances will take place at 314 St. Mary St. Hernandez said anyone who had tickets for the canceled show can reschedule or request a refund by calling 446-1896.

-- The Advocate contributed to this report.

-- Staff Writer Bridget Mire can be reached at 448-7639 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @bridget_mire.

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