1.  Define "matching funds" as used in the article, para. 1 & 6. (Go to google and type in "define matching funds")

2.  How did Jeff Johnson discover that New Orleans local and state officials did not use federal money that was available for levee improvements?

3.  What is the Orleans Levee Board?  What did the Orleans Levee Board publicize in 1995 in the local Times-Picayune newspaper regarding improving the levees?

4.  How much money did the Orleans Levee Board receive from the federal government for levee improvement according to their announcement in the Times-Picayune?  By what year did the Board promise the gaps in the walls would be completely sealed? 

5.  Why didn't the levee board spend the federal matching funds that they had received?  Why was the levee board denied the authority to refinance its debts?  What do you conclude about the levee board?

6.  What was the total Louisiana state government budget for construction by 1998?  What portion of that money was designated for levee improvements?  List some of the other improvements (including the costs) that the state government made at that time. (para. 7)

7.  Why didn't New Orleans receive the $49.5 million for levee improvements that had been allocated by the State Bond Commission? (para. 8)

8.  What types of projects in New Orleans were funded because of a city request by: the state in 2000 and 2001 (para. 12), the federal government in 2003 (para. 13) and city of New Orleans in 2005 (para. 14 & 15).

9.  What can you conclude about the local and state government's performance in maintaining and strengthening the levee system? 
What can you further conclude about the importance of a good local government? (Some would say this is why we need the federal government to control such matters.  Do you agree?  Explain your answer.)

10.  Both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representative have committees.  Go to the Senate's website for an explanation of the purpose of committees.  What is the purpose of the committee system?
Democrat leaders on the House Government Reform Committee, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Homeland Security Committee are requesting hearings into the federal response to Hurricane Katrina, as well as funding to protect New Orleans.  Are their requests legitimate?  Explain your answer. 

11.  Go to the House's website. What is the purpose of the House Government Reform Committee?
How has Republican Tom Davis, Chairman of the committee responded to the requests of his Democrat colleagues?  Do you agree with his response?  Explain your answer.