In examining Louisiana's federal needs during the next year, Governor Bobby Jindal and the state's congressional delegation met in Baton Rouge to create a game plan.

"Our delegation has a great history of working across party lines and across chambers," Gov. Jindal said.

It is a teamwork they hope will help the state secure federal dollars in nine key areas, including several related to hurricane recovery.

Among the priorities were relief for farmers and fisheries, still dealing with the more than $1 billion in damages from Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.

"We are going to continue to press forward to help our farmers to receive help that they need, the emergency help that they need, which will impact greatly many rural communities in Louisiana," said Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-Louisiana.

The delegation also wants to tap into the state's oil revenue royalties, well before the state is set to receive them, as a way to gather funding for coastal restoration.

 "There are enormous coastal restoration, hurricane, flood protection needs that we'll certainly work on in that bill," said Sen. David Vitter, R-Louisiana.

"A lot of those royalties will start flowing to the state in 2017," Jindal said. "We're certainly ready to bond out those royalties to speed up work on those projects, but we would also support efforts by Congress to speed up the delivery of these royalties."

The group is also seeking a full-federal cost share to pay for damages sustained during the 2008 storm season. They also hope a stimulus plan, touted by President-elect Barack Obama, will include more money for road and bridge improvements in the state.

"Right now, we send more money to Washington then we get back in terms of road projects, and it's very important, both in the stimulus bill, but also the future transportation bill, that we finally get to reconcile those differences," Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana, said.

Yet, one of the major requests the delegation will take up on Capitol Hill revolves around Charity Hospital. FEMA allocated only $150 million for the construction of a new hospital, but the state is asking for $491 million. The state is appealing the FEMA decision, hoping a new administrator at the agency will be more sympathetic. However, they could also turn to Congress, if that appeal is denied.

"The law requires it," Gov. Jindal said. "The Stafford Act is clear: If the damage is in excess of 51 percent, then FEMA is absolutely required to reimburse the state not only for the Charity Hospital, but for other public facilities as well."

The delegation also says it wants to look at changing the appeals process within FEMA, which they say is delaying 4,000 local hurricane recovery projects in the state, like the rebuilding of police and fire stations.

Four members of the delegation, including Congressmen Charlie Melancon and Joseph Cao, were unable to attend today's meeting, but did send representatives.