To the Point
Is America Ready for the Next Disaster?
State and federal coordination is crucial to prepare for disasters, but state leaders say the Bush Administration's latest national plan is "not a plan… and it's not national." Also, President Bush on infrastructure repair, and next year's presidential voting--which will start this year.
By Warren Olney • • 1h 0m ListenState and federal coordination is crucial to prepare for disasters, but state leaders say the Bush Administration's latest national plan is "not a plan… and it's not national." Could we see Katrina all over again? What about homeland security? Also, President Bush on infrastructure repair in Minneapolis and, on Reporter's Notebook, state pride at being first may dictate that next year's presidential voting will start this year.
Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images
In this episode
3 storiesBush Opposes Raising Gas Tax for Bridge Repairs
At a news conference today, President Bush took a dim view of raising gasoline taxes 5¢ a gallon to pay for infrastructure repair. Bush was also asked about smiling pictures of Iraq's President Nouri al-Maliki during his visit with President Mahmoud Ahmidenijad in Iran. Jim Rutenberg covers the White House for the New York Times .
Read the story6 minIs America Ready for the Next Disaster?
At a hearing last week in Washington, the president of the National Association of State Emergency Planners , told Congress that, when it comes to disaster planning, he has "never experienced a more polarized environment between the states and the federal government."
Read the story31 minStates Moving Primaries Ever Forward
New Hampshire has always been first with presidential primary voting and Iowa has been first for the parties to caucus , but every state wants to play an important role. Florida would not settle for February 5, the same day as New York and California , so it moved up to January 29.
Read the story12 min
