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Click here to read Obama's letter to Gov. Edwards

In a letter to Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards dated Thursday, Sept. 8, United States President Barack Obama says he has agreed to increase the federal government's share of the costs for "public assistance" projects from 75 percent to 90 percent, to help with the August flood recovery process in Baton Rouge. State and local government agencies cover the balance for these projects, which includes debris removal and emergency response expenses.

Obama's letter says his administration already has spent more than $660 million to help the state respond to last month's floods. In a letter to Obama dated Sept. 2, Edwards said the state had more than $8.7 billion in flood damage.