In The Loop

SPEAKER ADDRESSES BUSINESS GROUP

2010-01-15T16:41:00.001-06:00

by Sheila McCant, Public Information Officer
Speaker Jim Tucker addressed the annual
meeting of the Louisiana Association
of Business and Industry (LABI) this
week and discussed past successes and future
challenges.
The Speaker said, “The national recession
finally came to Louisiana, and it
shows up in our challenges.” He also said
the main focus of the upcoming session
will be the budget, particularly the $1 billion
shortfall the state will face when the
fiscal year begins on July 1.
An overview of the Speaker’s address
can be found here.

Redistricting Workshop A Success

2009-10-02T14:51:00.000-05:00

by Sheila McCant, Public Information Officer

Legislative chairmen of the House and Senate Governmental Affairs committees are calling the two-day educational training workshop on redistricting a success.

Sen. Bob Kostelka and Rep. Rick Gallot said 21 of the 29 committee members participated in the workshop and spent the first day being briefed on demographics, the census and redistricting law, how state population has shifted, and how this will affect districts by House and Senate senior staff.

The majority of the first day was spent on a redistricting exercise led by Tim Storey and John Guthrie of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), a non-partisan organization of state legislatures that has conducted similar seminars around the country.

Storey and Guthrie, national redistricting experts, used a prior redistricting case from Jacksonville, Florida to outline the law, court cases, and legal requirements that are part of the redistricting process.

The exercise divided participants into two groups with the charge of adopting a redistricting plan based on provided information.

On Friday, the members concluded the exercise, with a spokesperson for each group presenting their completed plans. A vote was taken to determine which of the two plans they preferred. They then discussed the adopted plan, and the reasons why they considered it the best of the two.

Workshop presenters said the exercise was a learning tool designed to familiarize members with how difficult choices are and the many numbers of variables that have to be weighed in creating a valid redistricting plan.

With the Census kicking off next April, Louisiana will be fighting the clock to complete redistricting for the 2011 elections. Official census numbers are expected to be available in February, 2011, with the regular legislative session beginning on April 25. This will give the legislature a few short months to complete the redistricting process before qualifying for general elections takes place in September. Further, Louisiana, as well as 15 other states, must have its redistricting plans pre-approved by the U. S. Justice Department.

"Redistricting is of the utmost importance to our citizens and our state," Gallot said. "With so many of our committee members new to the legislature and unfamiliar with redistricting, it is imperative they have the information necessary to make informed, educated decisions. This workshop was the beginning of this educational process."

The next step is for the House and Senate Governmental Affairs committees to hold nine joint regional public meetings around the state to explain the process of redistricting and to raise awareness of the importance of every citizen participating in the census. The meetings are tentatively planned to begin later this Fall and will include stops in Shreveport, Monroe, Alexandria, Lake Charles, Lafayette, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Thibodaux, and the North Shore.

Due to the lack of population growth over the last 10 years, Louisiana is expected to lose a congressional seat. Current estimates suggest that federal and state districts will change due to the population shifts in the state, including those resulting from the hurricanes in 2005.

Tax Amnesty Proposal

2009-03-04T10:48:00.005-06:00

By: Public Information Office Staff
A proposal by the governor for a two-month tax amnesty period during Fiscal Year 2009-2010 could mean up to $150 million in back tax collections for the state if previous tax amnesty programs are any indication. The last program—conducted in 2001—collected more than $192 million in back taxes. About $300 million in tax collections and interest since then remain outstanding.

The proposed amnesty program would cover all tax periods since the last amnesty–July 1, 2001, through December 30, 2008. During the proposed two-month amnesty period, the state would waive all penalties owed on unpaid taxes and half of the accrued interest for any taxpayer who pays 100% of the owed tax and the remaining 50% of the owed interest.

Eligible taxpayers for this amnesty period would include those with an existing tax liability, those who did not file a required return or report, and those who understated or omitted any tax liability on a filed return.

The tax amnesty would not apply to motor fuel inspection fees, inspection and supervision fees collected on behalf of the Public Service Commission, motor fuels taxes, or penalties not associated with a tax. The program would exclude taxpayers under criminal investigation by the Department of Revenue and taxpayers against whom a civil fraud penalty has already been asserted.

The proposed tax amnesty program would generate one-time revenue and would not affect the 2009-2010 operating budget.

Legislation to enact the program will be proposed during the 2009 Regular Legislative Session.

SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS

2009-03-04T10:43:00.002-06:00

By: Sheila McCant, Public Information Officer

Qualifying ended February 13 to fill the vacancies in state House District 97 and Senate District 24.

In House District 97, six candidates qualified to fill the vacancy created by the election of former House member J. P. Morrell to the state Senate. They are Jared Brossett, Oliver "Vishop OC: Coleman, Leroy Doucette, Ambrose Pratt, "Nik" Richard, and Dalton Savwoir. All candidates are Democrats with the exception of Coleman who is a Republican.

Five candidates qualified to run for the Senate seat vacated by Don Cravins, Jr. They are the former senator's mother, Patricia "Pat" Cravins, state Rep. Elbert Guillory, Quincy Richard, Jr., Lincoln "Link" Savoie, and Kelly Scott. Mr. Savoie is the only Republican in the race. The remaining candidates are Democrats.

Former Senator Cravins resigned to serve as director of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship in Washington, D.C.

The primary election date for both legislative seats is Saturday, April 4, with the general election on Saturday, May 2.

Improved Ballot Systems Needed To Provide For Overseas Military Voting

2009-02-11T12:02:00.005-06:00

By: Office of Public Information Staff
A new report released last month concludes that half the states need to improve their ballot systems to give overseas military time to vote.

The report, "Make Voting Work," found that 16 states and the District of Columbia do not give overseas military personnel enough time to vote, and another three states cut it so closely that their ballots are also at risk. In Alabama, which needs the longest time among states to send and receive ballots, it takes 88 days to cast an overseas military vote. Alabama requires three mailings: first, from a soldier requesting a ballot, again when the state sends it, and once more to send in the ballot.

The states that process an overseas military vote in the shortest time are Arizona, Kansas, New Mexico and Rhode Island, with just eight days needed to complete the voting process, according to the report. These states are among 19 that allow completed ballots to be returned by fax or e-mail.

To read the full report online, go to this link .

Tucker Appoints Cromer Vice Chair of Civil Law Committee in Lorusso's Absence

2009-02-04T18:34:00.001-06:00

By: Sheila McCant, Public Information Officer

House Speaker Jim Tucker today appointed state Rep. George Gregory Cromer as the temporary vice chairman of the House Civil Law and Procedure Committee.

Cromer will serve while state Rep. Nick Lorusso, who has been ordered to active duty in the U.S. Army Reserves, is out of state.

Lorusso has served as vice chair of the committee since last year. Cromer is a member of the committee.

Gregory Ernst to Temporarily Replace Lorusso

2009-02-04T16:44:00.010-06:00

State Rep. Nick Lorusso (left) congratulates Gregory Ernst after the House & Governmental Affairs Committee recommended he temporarily replace Lorusso as the District 94 representative during Lorusso's tour of active duty in the Army Reserves.

By: Sheila McCant, Public Information Officer
House Speaker Jim Tucker today accepted the recommendation of the House & Governmental Affairs Committee and appointed Gregory Ernst to temporarily replace state Rep. Nick Lorusso who has been ordered to active duty by the U.S. Army.

Tucker said, " I have accepted the recommendation of the House & Governmental Affairs Committee and am appointing Gregory Ernst as Rep. Lorusso's temporary replacement. This was a win-win situation in that all three nominees were extremely qualified and I want to thank them all for their willingness to serve."

" It is important that the citizens of District 94 continue to have representation while Rep. Lorusso takes his public service a step farther and serves his country in the war on terrorism. I look forward to working with Mr. Ernst and believe he will serve his district well during Rep. Lorusso's absence."

"I also would like to commend Rep. Lorusso for his service to his country and wish him the best of luck during his active duty."

Ernst, a graduate of Harvard College and Tulane Law School, is a partner in the law firm of Peuler & Ernst, specializing in Admiralty and Maritime Law. He previously served as a staff attorney with the National Law Center on Homelessness and the Louisiana Mental Health Advocacy Service. He also served as a Summer Fellow for the Louisiana Department of Justice in the Environmental Enforcement section. He is a member of the Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel.

In accordance with Constitutional Amendment No. 3 (Act 931 of the 2008 Regular Session) which was approved by voters last November,a legislator ordered to active duty in the armed forces for a period of 180 days or more is to submit the names of at least three nominees to be his temporary successor to the presiding officer of the house of the legislature of which he is a member.

The nominees must meet the qualifications and eligibility requirements of legislators, i.e. be at least 18 years of age, a registered voter, a Louisiana resident for at least two years, and a resident of the legislative district he will represent for at least one year prior to running for office. Immediate family members of legislators cannot be nominated or chosen to serve in this capacity.

All three nominees signed affidavits with the Clerk of the House prior to the House & Governmental Affairs Committee meeting stating they met the constitutional requirements.

Lorusso submitted the names of Gregory L. Ernst, Thomas G. Fierke, and Steven L. Pettus as nominees. Mr. Ernst and Mr. Pettus were interviewed by the House & Governmental Affairs Committee today. Mr. Fierke was unable to attend due to a conflict and Mr. Lorusso presented his biographical information.

The committee unanimously recommended Mr. Ernst as Lorusso's temporary replacement.

Lorusso, a Lieutenant Colonel in the JAG Corps Reserves, will serve as the Deputy Staff Judge Advocate for the Army's I Corps at Fort Lewis in the state of Washington in support of the Global War on Terrorism. He reports to active duty February 9, 2009.

Ernst has seven days after Lorusso begins active duty to take the oath of office.

Economic Development Reports 2008 Successes and 2009 Outlook

2009-02-04T09:57:00.003-06:00

by: Office of Public Information Staff
The Louisiana Department of Economic Development (DED) released a report last month including economic highlights from 2008 and an economic outlook for 2009. Commenting on the report, DED Secretary Stephen Moret said, "Louisiana improved its position in numerous national rankings while Gov. Bobby Jindal and the Legislature implemented significant policy changes to position Louisiana for a brighter economic future. Thanks to these changes and our state's recent economic performance, Louisiana's position in several major national rankings will improve next year."

Despite national economic trends, Louisiana experienced record economic development last year. Louisiana outperformed both the South and the U.S. as a whole with an increase in total employment, low unemployment rates, and a healthy real estate market expected to maintain home values well into 2010. In fact, the only significant monthly decline in employment occurred in September as a result of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. Also in 2008, Louisiana's soon-to-be fifth Fortune 1000 company announced plans to move its corporate headquarters to the state, while another company expanded to become Louisiana's third Fortune 500 company.

The DED cautions, however, that decreases in oil revenue in 2009 could offset gains in other sectors. The report enumerates steps the DED will take to help maintain the strength of the state's economy. The full report can be viewed in PDF format here.

Tax News

2009-01-29T16:40:00.001-06:00

by Office of Public Information Staff
Act 396 of 2008, which repeals the "Stelly Tax Plan", became effective January 1, 2009. This means lower state income taxes for some taxpayers. These changes apply to 2009 Individual Income Tax Returns filed no later than May 15, 2010. The La. Dept. of Revenue will issue revised tax withholding tables for employers to begin using July 1, 2009. However, for those citizens who wish to reduce their state tax withholding immediately, the La. Dept. of Revenue has posted a 2009 State Income Tax Estimator on their Web site. Taxpayers may complete the Temporary Employee Exemption Certificate L-4 Form to reduce their income tax withholding immediately. Taxpayers who do so may need to complete a revised L-4 once employers implement the new tax tables on July 1, 2009, to make sure that the correct amount of state income tax is withheld for 2009.

In previous years, the Louisiana Department of Revenue provided an automatic extension to any Louisiana resident granted a federal tax extension. For 2009 and succeeding years, taxpayers needing an extension to file their state returns must request one via the department Web site or by completing the Application for Extension of Time to File Louisiana Individual Income Tax, Form R-2868, no later than the filing due date. The individual income tax filing due date for 2009 is May 15th for those filing 2008 calendar year income tax returns or, for fiscal filers, the 15th day of the fifth month after the close of the fiscal year. Extensions allow an additional six months to file a return but do not offer more time to pay any tax due. Late payments, as always, are subject to interest and penalties.

Lorusso Provides List of Potential Temporary Replacements

2009-01-28T16:01:00.002-06:00

PHOTO: State Rep. Nick Lorusso (right) greets Shreveport native, General Charles Campbell after his address to the House of Reps. during the 2007 Regular Session. Lorusso, a Lieutenant Colonel in the JAG Corps Reserves has been ordered to active duty beginning February 9.

by Sheila McCant, Public Information Officer
Louisiana State Representative Nick Lorusso (R-New Orleans), who has been ordered to active duty by the U.S. Army, has submitted a list of nominees to temporarily replace him during his year of military duty.

State Constitutional Amendment No. 3 (Act 931 of the 2008 Regular Session)which was approved by voters last November, calls for a legislator ordered to active duty in the armed forces for a period of 180 days or more to submit the names of at least three nominees to be his temporary successor to the presiding officer of the house of the legislature of which he is a member. The nominees must meet the qualifications and eligibility required of legislators, i.e., be at least 18 years of age, a registered voter, a Louisiana resident for at least two years, and a resident of the legislative district he will represent for at least one year prior to running for office. Immediate family members of legislators cannot be nominated or chosen to serve in this capacity.

Rep. Lorusso has provided the following nominees to Speaker of the House Jim Tucker:

 Gregory L. Ernst, 44 – graduated from Jesuit High School, summa cum laude; Harvard College, cum laude, with a degree in Russian Studies; and Tulane University Law School; currently a partner in the law firm of Peuler & Ernst, specializing in Admiralty and Maritime Law; previously served as a staff attorney with the National Law Center on Homelessness and the Louisiana Mental Health Advocacy Service; served as a Summer Fellow for the Louisiana Department of Justice in the Environmental Enforcement Section; member of the Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel; Languages: Spanish and Russian.

 Thomas G. Fierke, 60 – graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Metallurgical Engineering and Minnesota Law School; earned an LL.M. in Taxation from Boston University Law School and graduated from the U.S. Army War College; currently serves as General Counsel for Lockheed Martin, Michoud Operations; Retired Colonel, U.S. Army Reserves, Special Forces and JAG Corps, including service in Tehran, Iran and Kuwait; board member of Greater New Orleans, Inc., City Park Board of Commissioners, Mayor’s Military Advisory Committee, and New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation.

 Steven L. Pettus, 49 - graduated from Millsaps College with a degree in Business and Loyola University Law School, with honors; currently serves as Managing Partner of Dickie Brennan & Company (comprising Palace Café, Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse, and The Bourbon House); Chairman of the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau; board member of the New Orleans Chapter of the Louisiana Restaurant Association, French Quarter–Marigny Historic Area Management District, French Quarter Festivals, Inc., and Christian Brother’s Foundation; named one of 2008’s Role Models by the Young Leadership Council.

“I believe I have provided the Speaker with three outstanding individuals with solid academic credentials and proven community service,” Lorusso said. “I am certain District 94 will be well represented in Baton Rouge no matter which one of the three nominees the Speaker selects.”

The list of nominees has also been provided to the Chairman of the House & Governmental Affairs Committee, Rep. Rick Gallot. The committee will meet on February 4, 2009, to interview the nominees and make a recommendation to the Speaker. The Speaker of the House will then have the authority to select one of the three nominees to serve in Rep. Lorusso’s place while he is on active military duty.

Lorusso, a Lieutenant Colonel in the JAG Corps Reserves, will serve as the Deputy Staff Judge Advocate for the Army’s I Corps at Fort Lewis in Washington State in support of the Global War on Terrorism. He will report on February 9, 2009.

Hurricane Recovery News

2009-01-28T11:08:00.003-06:00

by: Office of Public Information Staff
Earlier this month, the Louisiana House and Senate approved the Louisiana Recovery Authority's (LRA) plan to spend federal recovery dollars. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has already allocated $438 million in federal Community Development Block Grant funds to Louisiana for recovery after Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, and the state expects to receive up to $800 million in total.

According to the approved plan, about one-fourth of the monies would be handled at the state level, and the remainder would be divided among affected parishes according to the levels of damage sustained using HUD data.

State-level projects for the funds would focus on providing for affordable rental housing, agriculture and fisheries recovery, and coastal restoration and flood protection.

Also this month, HUD rejected two proposed changes to the way the state allocates money through The Road Home program. The LRA had proposed that program participants be paid up to $7,500 for "individual mitigation measures"—home improvements such as storm shutters to protect rebuilt homes from future damage. HUD indicated that it would likely approve such a program as long as it still limited total awards to the current $150,000 cap.

The other rejected change would have used in all cases the highest appraised value of an applicant's home to calculate awards. The highest appraised value is already used in all appeal cases. HUD worried that this change could increase fraud.

2008-08-27T15:53:00.011-05:00

CIVIC EDUCATION EFFORT STARTS IN SEPTEMBER

Louisiana's Legislators Back to School Program is ready to roll for the ninth year. Since 2000, Louisiana Representatives and Senators have participated actively in this premier civic education program, sponsored by the National Conference of State Legislatures' Trust for Representative Democracy. The program gives legislators in all fifty states the chance to meet their young constituents personally, in the classrooms of their districts – to talk about what it's like to be a state legislator, to share ideas, to listen to concerns, and to impart a greater understanding of the legislative process. Legislators and students interact in informal discussions, participate in mock legislative sessions or simulated public hearings, and even draft bills together. Kickoff week is the third week in September, but members can engage in the program at any time during the school year. Veteran staff members coordinate the program and stand ready to help legislators with scheduling school visits, media alerts, class materials, and suggestions for interacting with students. Teachers, parents, and students can contact these coordinators as well, in order to match their school with their legislator and invite them to "join the class."

On August 21, Representative Patricia Smith and Senate President Pro Tem Sharon Broome made a presentation to the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) about the program and received the board's formal endorsement. State Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek asked to "tag along" on some classroom visits to observe this civic education program first-hand.

For more information, visit the National Conference of State Legislators' Back to School home page at http://www.ncsl.org/public/backsch.htm

Rep. Don Cazayoux Elected to Congress

2008-05-08T13:39:00.012-05:00

State Representative Don Cazayoux, D-New Roads, won election on Saturday, May 3, 2008, to the vacancy in the sixth congressional district of Louisiana caused by the resignation of former United States Representative Richard Baker, R-Baton Rouge, on February 2. Cazayoux represented the 18th Louisiana House District since 2000. He defeated State Representative Michael Jackson in the Democratic runoff election in April of 2008 to become the Democratic Party's candidate for the May 3 general election. Running against candidates from the Republican Party and other parties and non-affiliated candidates, Cazayoux led the field with 49 per cent of the vote, with Republican candidate Woody Jenkins receiving 46 per cent and the three other candidates dividing the remainder. Cazayoux took the oath of office in the U.S. Congress on Tuesday, May 6, thereby resigning from his seat in the Louisiana House. He is serving the remainder of the term that will end on January 3, 2009. Louisiana's delegation in the U.S. House of Representatives now includes Republican Representatives Steve Scalise, Jim McCrery, Rodney Alexander, and Charles Boustany; and Democratic Representatives William Jefferson, Charlie Melancon, and Don Cazayoux.

Hands-Free Device Cell Phone Bill

2008-04-30T20:22:00.004-05:00

By Rep. Austin Badon

Distracted drivers throughout the country are causing motor vehicle accidents and deaths. Many of these drivers are distracted because of cell phone use. In 2006 and 2007, more than 17 fatalities and nearly 5000 accidents were due to drivers using hand-held cell phones. We have all seen the driver in the wrong lane and the driver going too slow or too fast because they are preoccupied with their cell phone conversations or text messages.

This is why I introduced House Bill 852 which prohibits the use of a cell phone or communication device while driving, unless it has hands-free capabilities. By requiring the use of hands free devices, drivers will be able to put both hands on the wheel and focus their attention on their surroundings and on driving.

Some will argue that there are other things besides cell phones that distract drivers. Yes, there are. However, we have the technology to address the cell phone issue and therefore we should. And this legislation does not prohibit you from talking on your cell phone while driving. It just requires that you use hands-free devices. A small price to pay to save a life.

International Officials Visit the Legislature

2008-04-25T15:08:00.003-05:00

A delegation of governmental and business leaders from Colombia was welcomed to the state capitol and the House of Representatives on April 17 by Representative Steve Pugh from Ponchatoula, District 73. Their day in Baton Rouge capped a week-long economic development program organized by the Latin American Business Development Initiative at the College of Business, Southeastern Louisiana University. The program's agenda stated that "the Colombia Government Officials delegation to Louisiana is designed to facilitate and improve business, political and social development opportunities between Colombia and the State of Louisiana under the vision of the Free Trade Agreement. The program offers participants a comprehensive schedule that includes opportunities to meet and interact with Louisiana business leaders and government officials from different sectors." These 34 individuals from Colombia – representing business, state government, and local government – met with the mayor's office in New Orleans; the mayors of Hammond, Mandeville, Ponchatoula, and Baton Rouge; the state Department of Economic Development; and specialists in the fields of economic development, organizational management of municipalities, international cooperation, e-learning and technology, immigration law, and export/import policy. They also visited the Port of New Orleans, TEMPICO, Ferrara Fire Apparatus, and the Mall of Louisiana. Following a presentation on how the Legislature works, Representative Pugh gave the officials mementoes of their visit to Louisiana at a special luncheon in Baton Rouge. The delegation returned to the capitol to be presented to the House of Representatives. Gloria Lilian Uribe Ríos, Presidenta Concejo Municipal, thanked the House for Louisiana's hospitality.

Participating agencies in the program include the College of Business at Southeastern Louisiana University, the World Trade Center of New Orleans, the Louisiana Department of Economic Development, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana, the Inter-American Development Bank, Microsoft, and several businesses and business leaders.

An Experiment in Calendar Management

2008-04-19T08:04:00.003-05:00

By: Alfred W. Speer, Clerk

The Louisiana House of Representatives is conducting an experiment in calendar management – scheduling bills for debate on final passage. Speaker Jim Tucker wanted to give the 59 new members more preparation time and opportunity than had ever been allowed in the past. The Speaker remembered his first sessions: crushing work load, legislating by surprise, an inability to track and prepare for bills because no one knew or could predict when a particular bill would be debated on the House floor.

Welcome the House’s Debate calendar! The Speaker announces, and posts on the House’s web site, the bills to be debated on each session day for the following week. The weekly schedule is: regular calendar bills on Monday, consent and regular calendar bills on Tuesday, Special Order and regular calendar bills on Wednesday and consent, regular, and postponed bills on Thursday. Each session day has an allotted number of bills and ONLY those bills will be considered for debate. If a bill on the list is postponed, that bill can only be called on a Thursday of some succeeding week. Once the day’s debate calendar is clear, the House adjourns for the day.

The scheduling of specific bills on specific days will provide members, advocates, and the public sufficient advance notice of a bill’s debate to allow for proper preparation and to allow interested citizens fair warning of the day upon which they may wish to attend the House’s debate.

Through the initial two weeks of this experiment the membership’s reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, the House has managed its debate and workload without problem, and the daily workload has not been crushing. So far, this experiment is a success.

On Behalf of the Freshman Class

2008-02-27T13:03:00.011-06:00

Remarks at the Closing of the First Extraordinary Session of 2008

By State Representative Simone Champagne

We came here with enthusiasm and vision to help our Governor and fellow senior colleagues to lead our state in a new direction.

Thirty freshmen authored bills. Freshmen proposed 20 amendments to House Bills, of which 17 were adopted, and 24 amendments to Senate Bills, of which 15 were adopted. Five bills by freshmen have completed the legislative process.

We thank our Governor for bringing us here today. We could not have accomplished what we have in this short period of time without Speaker Jim Tucker, Speaker Pro Tem Karen Peterson, and House Clerk Butch Speer, who took up for us and fought for us when that may not have been the most popular thing to do at the time. We thank you.

We also thank our senior colleagues who offered us advice and guidance with the process.

Our staff who works diligently behind the scenes and who are the nuts and bolts of the operation that keep us grounded:

The Sergeants-at-Arms who come here everyday and protect the integrity of our house:

Chairman Rick Gallot and the House and Governmental Affairs Committee, understanding that we may not all like everything that was done but led this effort knowing that, long term, the "Company" known to us as our state will have a more prosperous future and who ultimately took the hits for the team:

Representative Jane Smith, who gave us wonderful advice in our orientation by telling us to respect our colleagues and they in turn will respect us:

We thank all of you for not only being our colleagues but our friends in this process.

Our work has just begun. It is a new day in Louisiana. Two weeks ago we walked on this floor individually; today we leave together as a team to Renew Louisiana.

THE FACTS ABOUT HOUSE BILL 41

2008-02-21T12:34:00.003-06:00

by Jim Tucker, Speaker of the House

I would like to respond to the letter to the editor, "Bill Would Be Ethics Setback," which appeared in the February 19 edition of The Advocate as well as concerns stated by PAR and CABL of House Bill 41. While I respect Jean Armstrong, the author of the letter, and the League of Women Voters, PAR and CABL, I feel I must correct some of the inaccuracies stated therein.

House Bill 41 seeks to have administrative law judges rather than the Board of Ethics decide whether someone is guilty of violating ethics laws. Currently, the Board acts as investigator, prosecutor, and judge of alleged ethics violations.

I do not know how Ms. Armstrong can state that HB 41 was "added to the call at the last minute" and "put on a fast track to passage." The Governor is required by the Constitution to issue a call at least 5 days before convening a special session. He did that, and there was an item in the original call dealing with this issue. Additionally, HB 41 has been moving through the legislative process at the same rate as other bills. With a limited amount of time in a special session, all bills are heard as soon as possible. HB 41 is no different than any other bill.

HB 41 does not diminish the power of the Board of Ethics. The Board will continue to be the investigator and the prosecutor of ethics violations, as they should . However, it is a violation of a person's due process rights to be accused, prosecuted, tried and sentenced by the same body. Our legal system is based on a separation between the investigators (law enforcement agencies), accusers and triers (prosecutors), and the decision makers and sentencers (judges/juries). It should be no different for someone being investigated by the Board of Ethics. There is nothing wrong with infusing the process with outside persons who have an unbiased view and no preconceived ideas of a person's guilt or innocence. It is most important that independent individuals be able to look at all the evidence and determine judgment.

This bill provides for, among other things, a randomly selected 3-judge panel of administrative law judges to look at the evidence presented to determine if the accused is guilty or innocent of the accusations against them. This process will not "undermine" the system. On the contrary, I believe that these changes to the process strengthen the democratic system and place all parties, both accuser and accused, on a level playing field.

Again, HB 41 does not diminish the power of the Board of Ethics. This bill, like the others in the Governor's package, makes positive changes in the ethics law and will send the message that Louisiana is serious about ethics reform and transparency in government.

Appropriations Subcommittees Named

2008-02-07T16:55:00.000-06:00

by Sheila McCant, Public Information Officer
House Appropriations Committee Chairman Jim Fannin this week announced the members of the Appropriations Committee's six standing subcommittees. The subcommittees, comprised of the members of the Appropriations Committee, will meet individually to conduct hearings on the governor's proposed Executive Budget which is submitted each spring to the legislature.

The subcommittees and membership are:

Business Development
Gary Smith, Chairman
Patrick Connick
Page Cortez
Eddie Lambert
John Schroder

Education
Eddie Lambert, Chairman
Joe Harrison
Kevin Pearson
Karen Carter Peterson
Pat Smith

General Government
Brett Geymann, Chairman
Simone Champagne
Noble Ellington
Tony Ligi
J. P. Morrell

Health & Human Services
Tom McVea, Chairman
Chris Hazel
John LaBruzzo
Harvey LeBas
Patrick Williams

Infrastructure & Resources
Jim Morris, Chairman
Don Cazayoux
Noble Ellington
Walt Leger
Mert Smiley

Public Safety & Corrections
Elbert Guillory, Chairman
Chris Hazel
Tom McVea
Mert Smiley
Gary Smith

This year Governor Jindal's Executive Budget recommendations will be presented to the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget on February 29, 2008. The subcommittees will begin meeting in the coming weeks.

Louisiana House Committee Leaders Train for New Roles

2008-01-28T16:08:00.000-06:00

Speaker Jim Tucker's leadership team stayed an extra day after the historic 2008 Organizational Session to begin training for new responsibilities as chairs and vice-chairs of House committees. Speaker Pro Tem Karen Carter Peterson joined them. Because of term limits, very few of these new chairs and vice chairs have experience leading House committees. With special and regular sessions on the horizon for this class of overwhelmingly new House members, Speaker Tucker felt that leadership training is urgent.
The experiences of other state legislatures were helpful to the Special Committee on Term Limits that met during the previous term, so three key legislative leaders from Texas, Tennessee, and Illinois joined committee staff experts from the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and the House committee staff in this training session.
Kim McMillan, former House Majority Leader from Tennessee, Steve Rauschenberger, former Senate Republican Leader from Illinois, and Senator Jeff Wentworth from Texas shared strategies for committee planning and preparation, running a fair and productive hearing, norms of behavior for chairs and vice chairs, and the committee's role in developing legislation and making the process open to the public. Tim Storey from NCSL facilitated the presentations and conducted a discussion of what qualities make a good committee chair. Experienced House committee staffers outlined the rules governing committee business in the Louisiana House, emphasizing public notice of hearings, key points of parliamentary procedure applicable to committees, voting in committees, and procedural rules and practices specific to chairing a House committee.
Speaker Tucker directed the leadership team to hold organizational and briefing meetings of their committees during the February special legislative session, so that committee members will become familiar with committee procedure and their subject matter jurisdiction as they go into their first year of sessions.

Ethics Briefing: 2008 Organizational Session

2008-01-19T08:44:00.000-06:00

Wednesday, January 16th was the third and final day of the Louisiana House’s historic Organizational Session. Speaker Jim Tucker scheduled a day-long briefing on Louisiana’s Code of Governmental Ethics. This briefing led one hundred Representatives through the intricacies and pitfalls of Louisiana’s Code and informed them about the requirements for financial disclosure and lobbyist regulation.
The three hour morning session was peppered with questions from Representatives trying to understand the breadth and scope of the Code. Members learned about restrictions on their private income, limits on assisting others in dealing with government, and prohibitions against their aiding themselves, their families, or businesses in dealing with the state. Members also learned about prohibitions against their having contracts with the state or its agencies.
The afternoon brought the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Administrator and Deputy General Counsel of the Board of Ethics to the chamber to present on the make-up, functions, and operations of the Board. This session also saw lively discourse between Representatives and the Board.
The Ethics Briefing was roundly described as “eye-opening” by Representatives and many thanked Speaker Tucker for giving them the opportunity to understand Louisiana’s Ethics Code before they embarked upon the announced February special session on ethics reform.

House Standing Committee Assignments

2008-01-17T12:02:00.000-06:00

by Sheila McCant
House Speaker Jim Tucker completed his appointments to House Standing Committees late yesterday. Members were notified by letter of their appointments before adjournment of the Organizational Session.

For a complete list of committee assignments, please visit this House site

2008-01-15T16:51:00.000-06:00

Leading the House into the Era of Term Limits

By Kathleen Randall
Speaker Jim Tucker launched the House into the era of legislative term limits by holding an unprecedented extended organizational session of the House in order to consider key procedural changes sparked by a year-long study of the effects of term limits. The session also included a comprehensive briefing for representatives on current Louisiana law on ethics for public servants, a subject which Governor Bobby Jindal promises to call his first special session to address. Only one day after legislators and the governor were sworn into office and legislative leaders were elected by their peers on January 14 , Speaker Tucker introduced a proposal, House Resolution No. 1, to change the Rules of Order of the House in three key areas.

Speaker Tucker said that many other legislatures have Appropriations Committee membership made up of a quarter or more of the House membership, thereby giving budget review responsibilities to more members. He proposed increasing the membership of the House Appropriations Committee from 19 members to 25 members and creating six standing subcommittees of the committee to specialize in separate areas of the state's budget. The Speaker would appoint the additional six members and by virtue of his current and new appointive power, ensure that seven of his appointments would represent the respective congressional districts. The six subcommittees would be Education, General Government, Health and Human Services (including review of the budgets for delivery of health care services in the state), Business Development, Infrastructure and Resources, and Public Safety and Corrections. Tucker said he offers this proposal in the spirit of developing a more educated membership, who, given responsibility for different state budget units, could develop more awareness of budget issues. He cited a particular commitment to making it easier to develop business across the state as the rationale for the Business Development subcommittee. He said these changes would bring transparency to the budget process as well as increase the effectiveness of the House in performing duties of the legislative branch of state government. The Chair of the Appropriations Committee would appoint the subcommittee chairs and members as well as set the meeting schedules; the chair could also refer other budgets and appropriations to the subcommittees for review. Speaker Tucker envisions that the subcommittees would perform intense reviews of their respective budget areas and subsequently report their findings and recommendations to the full Appropriations Committee.

The next significant change proposed by Speaker Tucker was the consolidation of the House committees on Natural Resources and Environment, based on the rationale that the amount of legislation referred to the Environment Committee had waned in recent years and that those matters could be absorbed into a related committee's jurisdiction. The resulting new committee would be called the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment and would add to its jurisdiction the former subject matter jurisdiction of the Environment Committee, namely, environmental control and regulation generally; land pollution; pollution of air, water, and land and environmental control generally; air quality; hazardous waste regulation; solid waste regulation; and laws regulating clean water, drinking water, and ground water.

In a proposal affecting purely internal matters of the House, Speaker Tucker recommended that the current House Executive Committee be divided into three standing subcommittees of at least five members each: Affairs of the House, Litigation and Legal Issues, and Personnel. The Speaker would appoint all subcommittee chairs and members. The Personnel Subcommittee would take on the responsibilites of the current House Legislative Services Council to employ and supervise a research, drafting, and committee staff for the House. That council would be abolished. Speaker Tucker suggested that this change would repeal duplicate responsibilities and simplify and expedite administration of matters affecting the internal business of the House.

After review by the newly-appointed Committee on House and Governmental Affairs, the proposal was introduced in the House, debated, and finally adopted by a vote of 103 yeas and 0 nays.

HOUSE ELECTS TUCKER SPEAKER; CARTER PETERSON PRO TEMPORE

2008-01-14T14:10:00.000-06:00

by Sheila McCant, Public Information Officer
The House of Representatives convened its organizational session today at 10 a.m. with state Rep. Wayne Waddell, the most senior member of the body, presiding. After opening preliminaries and the judging of qualifications and elections, the 104 members took the oath of office and elected officers for the 2008-2012 term.

The first order of business following the administration of the oath of office, was the election of the clerk of the House. Alfred "Butch" Speer was nominated by Rep. Michael Jackson of Baton Rouge. The nomination was seconded by Rep. Kay Katz of Monroe. There being no other nominees for the office, Speer was deemed elected. His oath was administered by Major General Hunt Downer, former Speaker of the House.

Following the clerk's oath, Rep. Jane Smith of Bossier nominated Jim Tucker for the position of speaker of the House. The nomination was seconded by Rep. Cedric Richmond and Rep. Jeff Arnold both from New Orleans. There were no other nominees and Tucker was declared elected the 66th Speaker of the House and the first Republican speaker since Reconstruction. Former state Rep. and Judge Steve Windhorst administered the oath to Tucker.

The gavel was passed to Tucker by Waddell and he began his duties as speaker presiding over the next order of business, the election of the speaker pro tempore.

State Rep. Karen Carter Peterson was nominated by Rep. J. P. Morrell for this position. Her nomination was seconded by Rep. Don Trahan and Rep. Avon Honey. Peterson was elected without opposition. She is the 10th speaker pro tempore of the House. Her oath was administered by her father, Kenneth M. Carter.

At the conclusion of her speech, Speaker Tucker announced appointments to the House & Governmental Affairs Committee, and that the committee would meet at 10:00 am Tuesday to consider rules changes affecting House committees. Tucker explained to the membership these changes would be debated by the House on Tuesday afternoon and will allow him to finalize his appointments to all committees, including House & Governmental Affairs. The appointments made today include Rick Gallot, Chair; Mert Smiley, Vice Chair; and Reps. Barras, Connick, Cromer, Danahay, Ellington, Henry, Girod Jackson, Ligi, Carter Peterson, Pugh, Richard, and Jane Samith.

Rep. Don Trahan then moved that the House adjourn until Tuesday in order to attend the inauguration ceremonies of the Governor and the statewide elected officials on the front steps of the capitol.

A 19 canon salute and posting of the colors opened the ceremony. Mrs. Mickey Mangham performed the National Anthem with Army Sergeant Mike McNaughton leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Dr. Fred Lowery delivered the invocation. Commissioner of Agriculture Mike Strain, Commissioner of Insurance Jim Donelon, Treasurer John Kennedy, Attorney General James "Buddy" Caldwell, and Secretary of State Jay Dardenne were administered the oath of office. Immediately following, the lieutenant governor was introduced, took the oath of office and delivered remarks . Governor Jindal, who was introduced by Congressman Jim McCrery, then received the oath of office and gave his inaugural address.

The ceremony concluded with a benediction by Pastor Jerry Dean, the singing of "God Bless America" by Deacon John and a military F-15 flyover and the retiring of the colors.

Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Pascal Calogero administered the oath of office to all statewide elected officials. Pre-ceremony activities included music by the West Monroe High School Band, Livingston Parish Chorale, L'Angelus, David St. Romain, and the 156th Army Band. The Master of Ceremonies was Tim Brando.

House Leadership Team

2008-01-13T13:17:00.000-06:00

by Kathleen Randall
House Speaker-designate Jim Tucker, a Republican, chose a mixture of returning and new representatives as the team to help him run the business of the House in the 2008-2012 term.

Announcing his choice for committee chair and vice chair positions, Rep. Tucker said he "looked first for experience and talent in determining selections. I was fortunate to have a wealth of talent to choose from for these chairmanships and vice chairmanships." Tucker also said he was pleased with the geographical, political, and racial balance of "this very talented team of leaders." Of the 16 chairpersons, eight are Republican, seven Democratic, and one Independent. Geographically, four chairpersons hail from north Louisiana, three from New Orleans, three from southwest Louisiana, two from Baton Rouge, and three from south Louisiana. The North Shore is also represented, with one chairperson.

One committee change was also made. The House Natural Resources Committee will assume the responsibilities and jurisdiction over the subject matter currently referred to the Environment Committee.

Chairing the budget-writing Appropriations Committee is Representative Jim Fannin, from Jonesboro. His first term, 2004-2008, saw him serve as chair of the Louisiana Legislative Rural Caucus and as chair of the House Committee on Transportation, Highways, and Public Works during 2007. Representative Eddie Lambert of Gonzales will serve as vice-chair; during his first term of 2004-2008, he served on the House committees on Municipal, Parochial, and Cultural Affairs; Natural Resources; and Transportation, Highways, and Public Works.

To lead the Ways and Means Committee, Tucker appointed Representative Hunter Greene as chair and Representative Jane Smith as vice chair. Greene was elected in 2005 in a special election in Baton Rouge and served on the committees on House and Governmental Affairs; Judiciary; and Transportation, Highways, and Public Works. Representative Smith is a third-term member from Bossier City, currently serves as chair of the Legislative Republican Delegation, and in her most recent term was a member of the committees on Criminal Justice and Ways and Means.

For the Commerce Committee, Representative Jeff Arnold will be chair and Representative Wayne Waddell will be vice chair. Representative Arnold, from Algiers, came to the House via a vacancy election in 2002, and has been a member of the committees on House and Governmental Affairs, Retirement, and Ways and Means and the Legislative Budgetary Control Council. Representative Waddell, elected in a special election in Shreveport in 1997, currently serves as vice chair of the Legislative Rural Caucus and has been a member of the
committees on Commerce, Health and Welfare, and the Joint Legislative Committee on Capital Outlay.

Representative Nita Hutter of Chalmette will chair the Committee on Transportation, Highways, and Public Works, with Representative Hollis Downs from Ruston as vice chair.
Representative Hutter will be in her third term, currently serves as chair of the Legislative Women's Caucus, and most recently did service on the committees on Health and Welfare; Transportation, Highways, and Public Works; and the Special Committee on Coastal Restoration and Flood Control. Representative Downs is starting his second term and most recently served as a member of the committees on Education; Agriculture; and Transportation, Highways, and Public Works (for which he was vice chair).

The House Committee on Education will have Representative Don Trahan for chair and Representative Austin Badon as vice chair. Representative Trahan is starting his second term, representing part of Lafayette. Recently he was a member of the committees on Commerce, Education, and Retirement; and he currently serves as vice chair of the Acadiana Legislative Delegation. Representative Austin Badon, from New Orleans, began his legislative service in 2004 and served on the committees on Education, Labor, Ways and Means, and Capital Outlay.

Tucker designated Representative Tim Burns, from Mandeville, as chair of the Civil Law Committee and Representative Nick Lorusso of Metairie as vice chair. Representative Burns, elected in 2003, has served on the committees on Health and Welfare; Judiciary; and Transportation, Highways, and Public Works as well as the Select Committee on Technology. Representative Lorusso was elected to fill a vacancy in 2007 and served on the Criminal Justice and Civil Law committees.

Representative Ernest Wooton will chair the Criminal Justice Committee, with Representative Damon Baldone serving as vice chair. Representative Wooton, from Belle Chasse, is serving his third term; in his previous term he was vice chair of the Environment Committee and served on the committees on Criminal Justice and the Special Committee on Coastal Restoration and Flood Control and the Homeland Security Committee. Representative Baldone was elected from Houma to a vacancy in 2001 and recently was vice chair of the Committee on Capital Outlay and a member of the Criminal Justice and Ways and Means committees.

Third term Representative Kay Katz, who is from Monroe, will chair the Health and Welfare Committee. In her previous term she was a member of the committees on Health and Welfare; Municipal, Parochial, and Cultural Affairs; and Transportation, Highways, and Public Works.
Metairie Representative John Labruzzo will serve as vice chair. Elected in 2003, he served as a member of the committees on Health and Welfare, Environment, and Judiciary.

The Committee on House and Governmental Affairs will be chaired by Representative
Rick Gallot of Ruston, and Representative Mert Smiley of St. Amant will be the vice chair. Representative Gallot was vice chair of House and Governmental Affairs in the 2004-2008 term, his second term, and also served on the committees on Judiciary and Civil Law. Having been elected in 2003, Representative Smiley served on House and Governmental Affairs as well as on Judiciary and Transportation, Highways, and Public Works.

Lake Charles Representative Chuck Kleckley was elected to fill a vacancy in 2005; he will chair the committee on Insurance. Representative Tom McVea of St. Francisville will be vice chair. Representative Kleckley served on the committees on Commerce, Insurance, and Retirement. Representative McVea has been serving since 2000 and recently served on the committees on Appropriations and Insurance.

For the newly-renamed Committee on Natural Resources and Environment, Tucker appointed Representative Gordon Dove as chair and Representative Karen St. Germain as vice chair. Representative Dove, elected from Houma in 2003, served on the committees on Natural Resources; Municipal, Parochial, and Cultural Affairs; and Transportation, Highways, and Public Works and the Special Committee on Coastal Restoration and Flood Control. Representative St. Germain, also elected in 2003, has served on the committees on Natural Resources; Agriculture; and Transportation, Highways, and Public Works and the Special Committee on Coastal Restoration and Flood Control. She chairs the Democratic Caucus and is vice chair of the Legislative Women's Caucus.

Representative Andy Anders of Vidalia was elected to fill a vacancy in 2006. He will chair the committee on Agriculture, and Representative Harold Ritchie of Bogalusa will be vice chair.
Representative Anders served on the committees on Agriculture, Commerce, and Insurance. Representative Ritchie was elected in 2003 and served on the committees on Education; Municipal, Parochial, and Cultural Affairs; and Ways and Means, as well as the Capital Outlay Committee.

Representative Cedric Richmond, New Orleans, has been appointed chair of the Judiciary Committee. He was elected in 1999 and recently served on the committees on Insurance, Judiciary, and Ways and Means, as well as the Capital Outlay Committee. He also served as vice chair of the Legislative Audit Advisory Council. First-term Representative Neil Abramson, also of New Orleans, received the vice chair appointment.

Tucker appointed Baton Rouge Representative Avon Honey as chair of the Labor and Industrial Relations Committee and appointed a fellow Baton Rougean, first-term Representative Erich Ponti, as vice chair. Representative Honey was elected to fill a vacancy in 2002 and recently served as vice chair of the Education Committee as well as a member of the Ways and Means Committee, the Capital Outlay Committee, and the House Executive Committee.

Representative J.P. Morrell, who was initially elected to fill a New Orleans vacancy in 2006, will chair the Municipal and Parochial Affairs Committee. Representative Regina Barrow, also first elected to fill a vacancy, in Baton Rouge in 2005, will be vice chair. Representative Morrell served on the committees on Civil Law, Insurance, and Municipal, Parochial, and Cultural Affairs. Representative Barrow served on the committees on Commerce, Education, and Municipal, Parochial, and Cultural Affairs.

The Committee on Retirement will have Lafayette Representative Joel Robideaux as chair and Minden Representative Jean Doerge as vice chair. Representative Robideaux filled a vacancy in 2004 and served on the committees on Retirement, Civil Law, and Natural Resources. Representative Doerge's House service began with a vacancy election in 1998; she recently has been a member of the committees on Retirement, Appropriations, Health and Welfare, and the House Executive Committee.

Representative Karen Carter Peterson, a Democrat from New Orleans who is starting her third term, is expected to be elected, unopposed, by her fellow members to the position of Speaker Pro Tempore on Inauguration Day, January 14. Tucker said he is supporting her bid for the position. "Karen has been an outstanding leader and will do a tremendous job as pro-tem," Tucker said. Representative Peterson served as chair of the House Committee on Insurance and as a member of the House Executive Committee in the 2004-2008 term.

Speaker-designate Tucker was elected to District 86 on the West Bank of Orleans and Jefferson parishes in a 2001 special election to fill a vacancy. During his second term, 2004-2008, he served as a member of the House committees on Insurance; Retirement; and Transportation, Highways, and Public Works and as House chair of the Republican Legislative Delegation. It's expected that the House will elect him as Speaker unanimously on Monday, January 14.

INAUGURATION ACTIVITIES/ORGANIZATIONAL SESSION

2008-01-10T19:12:00.000-06:00

Inauguration of House/Senate members: Monday, January 14, 10:00 a.m. in the House and Senate chambers.

Inauguration of governor & statewide elected officials: Noon on the Capitol steps (weather permitting)

Also: Inauguration Day is a holiday for government employees in the city of Baton Rouge.

NOTE: The House will reconvene on Tuesday for two additional days to consider procedural changes and to receive a briefing on ethics.

69TH LEGISLATURE

2008-01-10T18:50:00.000-06:00

by Sheila McCant, Public Information Officer
At 10 a.m. Monday a new era begins for the Louisiana House of Representatives when the 69th Legislature since statehood convenes.

The House will be called to order by its senior ranking member, Representative Wayne Waddell, who was elected in 1997. Following the opening preliminaries and the judging of qualifications and elections of the members, 104 elected members will take the oath of office, one short of the 105 total members of the body. (Mike Powell, who was re-elected without opposition, resigned December 31, and that seat will remain open until filled by special election scheduled for February 9. Two people qualified to run for this seat, Thomas Carmody and Barrow Peacock. Both are Republicans.)

It is a diverse group of 104 members being sworn in, 53 Democrats, 49 Republicans, and 2 Independents. Further, there are 91 males and 13 females (a decrease of 5 females); 83 white, 21 black, and 1 Hispanic in the class. This is a loss of 6 Democrats, a gain of 6 Republicans and a gain of 1 Independent. Fifty-nine members will begin their first term with no legislative experience, with the exception of one member -- Noble Ellington. Ellington served as a state representative for seven years, from 1988 until 1995, before being elected to the Senate, where he serves through the end of this term. This gives him the most legislative experience, 18 years. The returning 45 members all have less than 10 years of legislative experience. Prior to this term, there were four representatives with over 30 years of legislative experience. John Alario, the most senior member, ended his House career with 36 years. With the advent of term limits, we won't see this kind of experience in the near future.

On the other side of the aisle, the Senate has 18 new incoming senators. The difference is that 13 of these new members arrive directly from House service (one of those being Mr. Alario), one served in the House prior to the current term, and only four have no legislative or elective office experience.

Time will tell what the effect of term limits will be on this legislature and the legislatures of the future.

Meet the Freshman Class

2008-01-07T11:01:00.000-06:00

Second of a two-part series
by Sheila McCant, Public Information Officer
Previously, the blog introduced three of the six newcomers elected to the House without opposition. This post introduces you to the other three members of the freshman class who were elected without opposition.

***Harvey Bernard LeBas (Bernard) will represent District 38. The district's current representative, Eric Lafleur, is running for the state Senate. A Democrat, Mr. LeBas is a pharmacist and has held no other public office. An active member of his community, he currently serves as president of the Ville Platte Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Evangeline Bank & Trust Company. He serves as chairman of the Ville Platte Fire and Police Civil Service Board and the Public Housing Authority, as well as president of the Sacred Heart School Board. In 1995, he served on the Medicaid Advisory Panel, DHH Advisory Board and DHH Interdisciplinary Board.

He is also a member of the Sacred Heart Booster Club and the Louisiana Pharmacist Association, serving as chairperson of the group's Political Action Committee. He is the founder of the Cajun Area Pharmacist Association.

Awards include the 1999-2000 Pharmacist of the Year award, ULM Pharmacy Alumni Award and the Bishop's Service Award for the Diocese of Lafayette.

Mr. LeBas is a graduate of Northeast Louisiana University (ULM) and Sacred Heart High School. He and his wife, Charlotte, have five children and nine grandchildren. His hobbies include traveling, hunting, fishing and cooking.

***Republican John Patrick Connick from Jefferson Parish replaces N. J. Damico in District 84. A graduate of Loyola University Law School, Loyola University and Archbishop Shaw High School, he is a practicing attorney.

Patrick is a member of the Jefferson Parish Bar Association, the Immaculate Conception Men's Club, the Archbishop Shaw Alumni Association and the Hope Haven Madonna Manor board. He founded the Louisiana Crawfish Boil Championships in 2002.

He and wife Rhonda have three adult children. His hobbies are cooking, painting and travel.

***Girod Jackson III, a Democrat, will represent District 87. Mr. Jackson became the representative-elect after incumbent Terrell Harris and opponent Kent Smith withdrew from the race.

Mr. Jackson is a small business owner who served in the Army and Louisiana National Guard. He is a graduate of John Ehret High School and is married to Kenya Narcisse Jackson.

Meet the Freshman Class

2007-10-08T17:26:00.001-05:00

The first of a 2-part series
Six newcomers were elected to the House without facing opposition and will take the oath in January. The following is an introduction to three of these freshman class members.

***Mike Danahay, a 49-year-old sales representative for U.S. Office Plus, replaces three-term legislator Ronnie Johns (District 33). A Democrat, Mr. Danahay is currently serving his second term on the Calcasieu Parish Policy Jury, which he served as president in 2006.

Mike is the Vice President of the West Calcasieu Association of Commerce, a member of the McNeese Alumni Association, and a member of the Knights of Columbus.

He and his wife Daphne have two daughters, Kate and Mary. They attend Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Sulphur.

***Democrat Simone Becnel Champagne will represent District 49, currently held by Rep. Troy Hebert.

Ms. Champagne was Operations Vice President for First National Bank of Jeanerette for 23 years before resigning to accept the position of Chief Administrative Officer for Iberia Parish government, a position she held until last January. She is an active member of South Lake Fausse Pointe Development Foundation, Jeanerette Historic Preservation Foundation, and the Jeanerette Chamber of Commerce, of which she served two terms as president.

She is the recipient of the 1998-99 St. Joseph Catholic School Achiever/Supporter award, 2000 Daily Iberian Woman of the Year award, and the 2006 Jeanerette Chamber Outstanding Citizen award.

She and her husband Gary have five children and three grandchildren. They attend St. Joseph Catholic Church.

***Greg Cromer, a 49-year-old Republican, has been employed by Lockheed Martin at the NASA Michoud Assembly Facility for 25 years. Greg will represent District 90, currently held by Pete Schneider.

A member of the Slidell City Council since 2002, he served as council president in 2006. He also served on the council's sales tax agreement committee and helped negotiate the second long-term tax-sharing agreement between the city and parish. Greg helped provide temporary shelter, food, and water for the community as a member of the Hurricane Katrina Rideout Team.

He holds a B.S. in Industrial Management Technology from Southeastern Louisiana University. He is a member of the St. Tammany Economic Development Foundation Board, Northshore Republican Men's Club, and the Slidell Noon Lion's Club.

A Baptist, he and his wife Peggy have two children, Niki - 24 and Clay 19. Greg's hobbies are golf, fishing, and coaching soccer.

ELECTION UPDATE

2007-09-20T22:01:00.000-05:00

by Sheila McCant, Public Information Officer
The field has narrowed in the race for state Senate District 6. State Reps. Diane Winston and Alex Heaton withdrew from the race last Friday and a district judge ruled that same day that candidate Mary Lou McCall does not live in the district and therefore is ineligible to be a candidate for election. McCall, who had 24 hours in which to file a notice of appeal, did not do so. Remaining candidates are incumbent Julie Quinn, Doug Johnson, and Monica Monica.

Also on Friday, State Rep. Terrell Harris withdrew from the House District 87 race, as did Kent Smith. This leaves Girod Jackson unopposed.

In another court case, the First Circuit Court of Appeal overturned District Court Judge Don Johnson's ruling that state Senator Cleo Fields was eligible to run for re-election. Fields is expected to appeal the decision to the Louisiana Supreme Court and has 48 hours from the time of the ruling in which to ask for the review. A lawsuit was filed alleging that Fields is not eligible to run for re-election due to term limits. He was elected during a special election in December, 1997 and took the oath of office from the Secretary of State that same month but wasn't sworn in on the Senate floor until January. Attorneys for the plaintiffs contend that the oath on the floor of the Senate is merely ceremonial.

ELECTED WITHOUT OPPOSITION

2007-09-19T07:03:00.001-05:00

by Sheila McCant, Public Information Officer
When qualifying ended on Thursday, September 6, 25 candidates for state representative were elected without opposition, 20 incumbents and 5 newcomers. Last week, two candidates withdrew from the District 87 race (New Orleans area), incumbent Terrell Harris and Kent Smith, handing the seat to newcomer Girod Jackson. This brings the total of newcomers to 6 and the total elected thus far to 26, unless there is a repeat of the District 87 scenario before the October 20 election.

Those returning are Reps. Wayne Waddell, Mike Powell, Hollis Downs, Don Cazayoux, Brett Geymann, Chuck Kleckley, Mickey Guillory, Joel Robideaux, Gordon Dove, Eddie Lambert, Karen St. Germain, Avon Honey, Hunter Greene, Harold Ritchie, John Labruzzo, Jim Tucker, Mert Smiley, Tim Burns, Juan Lafonta, and J. P. Morrell.

Newcomers are Mike Danahay, District 33 (currently held by Ronnie Johns); H. Bernard LeBas, District 38 (currently held by Eric Lafleur); Simone Champagne, District 49 (currently held by Troy Hebert); Patrick Connick, District 84 (currently held by N. J. Damico); Girod Jackson, District 87 (mentioned above) and Greg Cromer, District 90 (currently held by Pete Schneider).

This leaves 79 House seats to be decided in the October or November election .

QUALIFYING BEGINGS TODAY

2007-09-04T07:16:00.000-05:00

by Sheila McCant, Public Information Officer

Louisiana's election season officially begins today. Qualifying for statewide offices, including Governor, the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, and all seats for the state House of Representatives and Senate runs today through Thursday. At the end of qualifying, candidates will have 43 days to campaign before the primary election of Saturday, October 20 with the run-off taking place Saturday, November 17.

Early voting, in person, (formerly absentee voting) begins October 8 and runs through October 13.

For more election information, including how to find out where you vote and which legislators are term limited and who is retiring, please visit the legislative Web site and click on "Election 2007."

NEW PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS UNCOVER DEADBEAT PARENTS

2007-09-04T07:10:00.001-05:00

by Jessica Braun
New passport requirements have complicated travel this summer, but they have also uncovered many deadbeat parents. Millions of travelers now need passports to fly back from Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean and South America, but the State Department denies passports to non-custodial parents who owe more than $2,500 in child support. Once a parent makes good on the debt, or pays it down to the threshold, they can reapply for a passport. In all, states have reported collecting at least $22.5 million through the program so far in 2007. The money is then forwarded to the parent to whom it is owed. Also contributing to the increased collections was a drop in the threshold for reporting child support debt to the State Department from $5,000 to $2,500.
In Louisiana, 116 passports were released last fiscal year and 20 so far this year, based upon payment of child support debt to an amount below the threshold. For example, in March, a payment of $4,200 was received so the parent could travel to the Bahamas (his new wife won a trip for two). In April, a payment of $11,300 was received so a parent could obtain a job requiring a passport; and in May, a payment of $29,699.36 was received so the parent could travel to Mexico. Therefore, this has proven to be a very effective collection tool for overdue child support. The state may also garnish wages, seize state and federal income tax refunds, and deduct delinquent payments from lottery and gaming winnings. Travelers beware, because another jump in collections is expected next year when the new passports requirements will likely take effect for land and sea travelers too.

Veto Session: Law and procedure

2007-07-26T08:44:00.000-05:00

by: Alfred W. Speer, Clerk of the House
Our constitution provides for an automatic veto session at noon on the fortieth day after sine die adjournment – August 7, 2007 [LA const. art. III, section 18(C)]. The first provision for a veto session was added to the 1921 constitution by amendment adopted in 1966 [LA const. 1921, art. III, section 8.2]. The session may be cancelled by a majority of the elected members of either house of the legislature affirmatively declaring against holding the session.
The Governor returned the vetoed bills to the two clerical officers and on Monday the 23rd of July and the clerical officers mailed the vetoes to the members along with a declaration against the veto session, all as required by R.S. 24:10. The members have until midnight of August 2nd to return their declarations against a veto session. If 53+ House members AND 20+ Senators fail to return their declarations the veto session will convene at noon on August 7th.
The veto session can last no more than 5 calendar days and is limited in scope to the consideration of the 14 vetoed bills and the 10 line items from the General Appropriation Bill vetoed by the Governor. To see the Governor’s veto messages visit the Legislature’s web page on vetoed bills.
Upon convening a veto session, the Speaker would announce to the gathered membership, a quorum (53 or more members) being present, the list of items to be considered during the veto session. For the House, the list would be the 8 House Bills vetoed and the 10 vetoed items from the General Appropriation Bill. The House would proceed to consider these items in order, as listed. The author of the vetoed bill (or HB 1) would take the floor to make a motion to “Pass H. B. no. __ Subsequent to the Governor’s Veto.” This motion is debatable and opens the entire bill for debate. However, the House may not offer amendments to the bill to rectify the flaw(s) identified by the Governor as her reason for vetoing the bill. This motion to pass may be substituted for by moving to “sustain the Governor’s veto” and the bill may be returned to the calendar or tabled by subsidiary motions. The vote necessary to over-ride a veto (pass subsequent to a veto) is 2/3 of the elected members of the House, or 70 votes. Any fewer votes cast for the motion to over-ride results in the Governor’s veto being sustained.
If the House votes to pass a bill subsequent to a veto we would then message the Senate of such action and request they consider also passing the bill subsequent to the veto. Senate Bills vetoed by the Governor would be considered by the House only if the Senate had voted by 2/3 of their elected membership (26) to pass the bill subsequent to the veto. Bills passed by both houses subsequent to the Governor’s veto become law.
A veto session may not continue beyond the 5th calendar day after the same has been convened (August 11th).

2007 Regular Session Wrapup

2007-07-03T14:30:00.000-05:00

by Sheila McCant

The 2007 Regular Session is now a chapter for the history books. A limited number of general issue bills were allowed during this fiscal session and they covered a wide variety of issues from hurricane recovery to ethics, to cockfighting. And although some of these bills generated healthy debate, there was one dominant theme during this session - money. And the money issue came in many forms - a record surplus, breaking the spending cap, tax breaks, incentives, and pay raises for teachers, support workers, college faculty, judges, state employees, and others.
For the first time in recent history, House Bill 1 bypassed conference and went straight to the governor's desk. Although she has taken no action on the bill at this time, the governor has signed House Bill 765, the $1.9 billion supplemental appropriations bill that earmarks surplus money and other funds for, among other things, a new charity hospital for New Orleans, $600 million for road improvements, education, health initiatives, the shortfall in the Road Home program, and coastal restoration. Additionally, House Bill 953 uses surplus money from the 2006-07 fiscal year for a variety of programs and obligations.
Also passing was HCR 10 which raised the spending cap for Fiscal Year 2006-2007 from $10,318,239,142 to $12,196,877,089.
The concurrent resolution has been filed with the secretary of state.The bulk of the legislation now faces its last hurdle, the governor's pen. The complete wrapup may be viewed here .

2007 Legislative Session: The Good and the Bad

2007-07-01T20:21:00.000-05:00

By Rep. Tim Burns
The Good: Then vs. Now
The last time that the legislature had such an embarassment of riches, it was at the height of the oil boom and Edwin Edwards was Governor. The spending bandwagon was in full throttle and there were few fiscal conservatives in sight. If someone had even suggested fiscal restraint, they would have gotten laughed out of the Capitol.
Today, fiscal conservatives were able to totally derail an ill-conceived special session in December and even force some sanity into the spending madness this past session. The administration's spending bonanza was defeated three separate times on the House floor and the sale of the tobacco settlement (for still even more money) was forced to be jettisoned.
In addition, the legislature passed more tax breaks than the administration wanted, including a substantial repeal of Stelly (reinstating the excess itemized deductions), the repeal of the gift tax, 7% tax credit for insurance premiums, and a private school tuition deduction of up to $5,000. However, it still remains to be seen how much tax relief survives the veto pen.
Fiscal conservatives are on the rise and the upcoming elections could mark an historic shift away from Louisiana's entitlement mentality.
The Bad: Spending Everything that Wasn't Nailed Down
Although an overwhelming number of voters wanted a fiscally prudent approach, the administration did what it wanted and spent every penny and then some. Louisiana has the fourth highest spending per capita in the nation and now has the highest debt per capita at any time in its history. Despite pleas to the contrary, the "Old Guard" in the legislature, many of them Edwin Edwards holdovers, just could not resist the urge to spend. Their fiscal insanity could cripple the economy in the years to come. And of course spending was based on politics rather than policy and progressive ideas such as transferring vehicle sales taxes into a construction fund for the state's infrastructure were shot down because, of course, that would leave less money to spend.

HOUSE NOTES NO. 8

2007-06-22T16:58:00.000-05:00

by Sheila McCant

With final adjournment looming, the Senate completed debate this week on the $29.7 billion state budget (House Bill 1), sending it back to the House for concurrence or rejection of the Senate amendments. The House concurred, sending the bill to the governor and avoiding further deliberation in conference committee. The House voted 84-20 to approve House Concurrent Resolution 10 which raises the state spending cap. The Senate agreed, voting 29-5 to approve the measure.
The House also passed House Concurrent Resolution 208, the spending plan for elementary and secondary schools. The funding formula increases spending for the 2007-2008 school year by $209 million. The legislature can approve or reject the plan, but cannot amend it.
A number of tax credit bills also passed the House or House committee this week. Senate Bill 3, which establishes an annual "sales tax holiday, Senate Bill 155, which provides for a refundable child tax credit against individual income tax of 10% of the federal child tax credit, and Senate Bill 341, which provides a refundable state earned income tax credit equal to five percent of the federal earned income tax credit.
To date, the governor has signed 109 bills. Final adjournment must occur no later than 6 p.m. Thursday, June 28. Please see the full edition of House Notes No. 8 located here.

HOUSE NOTES NO. 7

2007-06-16T07:52:00.000-05:00

by Sheila McCant
Since last week, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of bills that have made their way through the process to the governor's desk, jumping from four last week to 37 this week. All of these bills are House bills. Six additional House bills have already received the governor's approval.
The Omnibus Bond Authorization Act, House Bill 3 , came up for a third vote on the House Floor this week. The bill passed unanimously by a vote of 102-0.
The House paused during regular business on Thursday to celebrate Flag Day and to offer their gratitude to all soldiers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice so that Americans can honor and salute the American Flag. Rep. Jean Doerge offered a resolution, House Resolution 33 , to offer condolences to the family of Sergeant Josh Madden of Minden who was killed in the line of duty on December 6, 2006. Sergeant Madden was 21. His family, including his wife Dani and son Jackson, who was three months old when his father died, were present in the House Chamber to acknowledge the recognition. The Minden Melodies performed a program of patriotic songs in honor of Flag Day and Sgt. Madden. After the program, Rep. Cedric Richmond announced that all proceeds from the House vs. Senate annual basketball game would be donated to a scholarship fund for Sgt. Madden's son.
The game, which was played Thursday night, ended with the House defeating the Senate 58-52. Members of Sgt. Madden's family were present at the game.
Also on Thursday, the House passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 76, which approved the business plan to replace charity hospital in New Orleans which was flooded after Hurricane atrina. By approving the plan, the state can now use a portion of the federal hurricane recovery money for rebuilding.
For bills of interest considered by the House this week, please see the full edition located here.

House Notes No. 6

2007-06-08T15:54:00.000-05:00

by Sheila McCant

Five House bills have completed the legislative process and four await the governor's pen. House Bill 633 has been signed and becomes Act No. 1. No Senate bills have cleared both the House and Senate as of this date. Of all House bills introduced, 333 have been sent to the Senate and the Senate has sent the House 188 bills to consider.
This week several tax break bills began moving through the process, with several passing the House and heading to the Senate.
The Omnibus Bond Authorization Act, House Bill 3 , came up for a second vote on the House Floor this week. The bill was one vote short of the two-thirds majority needed for passage. For bills of interest considered in the House this week, please see the full edition located here.

HOUSE BILL 3 FALLS ONE VOTE SHORT OF PASSAGE

2007-06-05T22:07:00.000-05:00

by Sheila McCant
Public Information Officer
House Bill 3, the Omnibus Bond Authorization Act which provides financing for the state's construction projects, came up for a second vote on the House Floor today. The bill was one vote short of the 70 votes needed to pass. Last Thursday, it was eight votes shy of the required two-thirds vote. In order to bring the bill to the floor for a third attempt at passage,a two-thirds vote is also required.

Tomorrow, the House Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture and Rural Development Committee takes up SB 39 which creates the crime of cockfighting. The House has already passed a similiar bill, HB 108, which is on the calendar awaiting Senate floor action. The House Judiciary Committee will consider HB 120 which would prohibit the Governor's Office of Emergency Preparedness and Homeland Security from establishing separate housing for sex offenders in a parish unless the local governing authority approves such housing by ordinance. A similar bill, HB 740, is also on the agenda.

Tomorrow's House Calendar includes a number of tax credit bills as well as HB 970, a comprehensive revision of the sex offender registration and notification provisions and HB 969 which creates the crime of prohibited sexual contact between an educator and student.

House Notes No. 5

2007-06-01T18:57:00.000-05:00

by Sheila McCant

Public Information Officer

The House this week tackled several key issues including the budget, revisions to the statewide building code, and ethics. After nearly a day-long debate, the House sent to the Senate a $29.6 billion dollar budget bill (House Bill 1), which is about $100 million under the constitutionally mandated cap on spending. Leaving the House, the bill contained money for pay raises for teachers, support workers, firefighters, state troopers, and other state employees, full funding for higher education, an increase in money for education and health care, and about $150 million in tax cuts. The bill did not contain any money for the Road Home Program which could face a deficit of as much as $5 billion. After passing the bill by a vote of 96-6, the House then quickly passed House Bill 2, the state's $6.5 billion construction budget. House Bill 3 , the Omnibus Bond Authorization Act, did not fare as well. The bill, which provides funds for the state's construction projects, was eight votes shy of the required two-thirds vote. This bill will be brought back to the floor for another attempt at passage.

Other bills of interest considered this week can be found in the full edition located here.

House Notes no. 4

2007-05-25T14:38:00.000-05:00

by Sheila McCant

The focus of the fourth week of the legislative session was money. The Revenue Estimating Conference met Tuesday and revised the amount of money the state has to spend for both the current and upcoming fiscal years. For fiscal year 2006-2007, the adjustment amounts to an additional $118 million, while fiscal year 2007-2008, which begins July 1, increases by $128 million.
According to state analysts, the additional money is due to higher personal income tax collections and interest earnings on the current surplus. The economist with the Legislative Fiscal Office said the increase in personal income tax collections is due in part to the extension on 2005 tax filings given to citizens affected by the hurricanes which are just beginning to come in. But he warned that the hurricane- related growth is starting to level out.
The House Appropriations Committee this week reported House Bill 1, the state budget bill. The bill left committee at $29.6 billion and includes money for education, health care, charity hospitals, infrastructure, and pay raises for teachers, law enforcement personnel, college faculty, and state workers.
The committee also passed House Bill 920, the legislative budget bill and House Bill 931 , the judicial appropriations bill.
House Bill 2 , which contains almost $5 billion in state construction projects, has passed the House Ways & Means Committee. Under the House rules, the bill now heads to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration before being taken up by the full House.
A total of 251 House bills and 112 Senate bills have made it through their House of origin. Four bills have completed the legislative process, two House bills await concurrence in amendments, and one bill awaits the governor's signature.
To see the full edition, link here.

House Notes no. 3

2007-05-18T16:57:00.000-05:00

by: Sheila McCant
With the third week of the session behind us, the House has passed and sent to the Senate, 177 of the 934 House bills introduced. In the Senate, 60 Senate bills have made their way through the process and await House action.
After failing to land the Thyssen Krupp steel mill last week, there was discussion this week about what to do with the $300 million set aside to lure the company to Louisiana. One suggestion is for the state to purchase the land where the mill was to have located for future economic development projects.
May 16 was the 75th anniversary of the dedication of the State Capitol. The event went almost unnoticed, except for a resolution passed by the House to commemorate the event.
According to House Resolution 37, the dedicatory address was delivered by John Holmes Overton of Alexandria, a member of the United States House of Representatives, who was considered an outstanding public speaker. Mr. Overton went on to serve Louisiana in the United States Senate.
Dedication of the building was held in conjunction with the inauguration of Governor O.K. Allen.
Some of the bills of interest considered by committees and the full House this week can be found in the full edition located here.

HOUSE NOTES no.2

2007-05-15T11:22:00.000-05:00

by Sheila McCant, Public Information Officer
The Stelly Plan was the focus of one of the House Ways and Means Committee hearings this week. More than 25 bills have been filed in the House to repeal or amend the plan. Although there was considerable debate of the issue, no action was taken. The committee is expected to vote on the issue later in the session when there is a better idea of how all tax exemptions will affect the budget.
The full House also considered tax breaks this week, including House Bill 772 which was introduced in an effort to attract the ThyssenKrupp AG steel mill. Less than 24 hours after the House unanimously passed the legislation, the company announced it had selected Alabama for the site of its new mill.
The House Insurance Committee considered bills this week to lower the cost and increase the availability of property insurance in the state. Some of the bills of interest considered by committees and the full House this week can be found in the full edition located here.

Rebuilding the Gulf Coast

2007-05-08T16:10:00.000-05:00

The high rates of property insurance in the post-Katrina era have made rebuilding difficult and hit the rental market with higher costs. And some insurers have withdrawn from the Gulf Coast because of the high cost of risk and because of Katrina-related litigation. Gulf Coast state legislatures are mulling over solutions to the economic recovery and home ownership problems resulting from this crisis, as reported in an article published by the National Conference of State Legislatures in State Legislatures, May 2007.

COCKFIGHTING BAN PASSES FIRST HURDLE

2007-05-03T10:54:00.000-05:00

by Sheila McCant

Public Information Officer

With an overflow crowd looking on, the House Criminal Justice Committee this morning passed HB 108 which bans promoting or conducting cockfighting in Louisiana. The committee amended the bill to provide for an 18-month phase-out rather than an immediate ban. The bill now goes to the House floor for further consideration.

Violation of the proposed law carries a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both.

NOTE: The adopted amendment will be available on the Web site later today.

HOUSE COMMITTEES DEBATE ISSUES, HOLD TAX BREAKS

2007-05-02T09:23:00.000-05:00

by Sheila McCant

Public Information Officer

House committees hit the ground running Tuesday debating such issues as tax breaks, supplemental pay, and the state's building code.

The House Ways and Means Committee heard testimony concerning five similar bills (HB 42, 53, 115, 529, and 665) which seek to repeal the state's gift tax. Chairman Taylor Townsend told the committee that he would hear testimony on these and other tax break bills but would not take a vote on them until there is a clearer picture of the state's "overall fiscal status" and an idea of how much these proposals will affect the state's budget. The Legislative Fiscal Office said the state will lose almost $4 million per year if the gift tax is repealed and although they don't have a firm figure, all tax breaks could add up to several billion dollars.

The committee did pass House Bill 368 which excludes money received from the Louisiana Recovery Authority from calculation of "tax table income." The amount of monies received from the authority for repair or reconstruction of the taxpayer's primary residence due to damages from the 2005 hurricanes would be subtracted from the taxpayer's adjusted gross income unless the monies are already excluded.

Also passing the committee was House Bill 633 which proposes a state sales and use tax exclusion on machinery and equipment purchased by auto manufacturers. The bill will mainly benefit the expansion of the GM truck plant in Shreveport.

House Bill 4, which proposes an increase in supplemental pay for firefighters, deputy sheriffs, police officers and some law enforcement officers employed by the state, was unanimously approved by the House Appropriations Committee. The bill would increase the supplemental pay from $300 per month to $425 per month.

The House Commerce Committee met to hear lawmakers and the public's problems and opinions regarding the state's newly enacted Uniform Construction Code. House Bill 704 has been filed to address some of the concerns with the new law, particularly higher building and inspection costs. No action was taken on the legislation.

For a complete list of House committees meeting today and for the House Order of the Day, a listing of the expected daily business of the House, go to http://www.legis.state.la.us/. You may watch committee committee meetings and House floor sessions in real time by going to http://house.louisiana.gov/ and clicking on "Video Live Webcasts." Archived meetings and sessions are also available at the same Web address. Click on "Video Archives on Demand."

2007 Session Opens

2007-04-29T12:09:00.000-05:00

by Sheila McCant
Public Information Officer
The 2007 Regular Session, the last regular session of this term, opened at noon today. One of the first orders of business was swearing in four new members, Elbert L. Guillory, District 40, Opelousas; Nicholas Lorusso, District 94, New Orleans; James Morris, District 1, Oil City; and Patrick Williams, District 4, Shreveport.

A joint session convened at 1 p.m. for the Governor's Address. Governor Blanco told the legislature that the state's future is education and outlined a "High-Five" for success -- five areas in education in which the legislature needs to invest to help students excel academically.

1. Expand the LA-4 Pre-K program ($30 million ).

2. Fully fund BESE's high school redesign program ($16 million).

3. Bring teacher pay to the Southern Regional Average with a $2400 raise this year along with any MFP formula increases. The Governor said support workers deserve raises, as well.

4. Make college affordable to all students by implementing a need-based financial aid program ($15 million).

5. Fully fund the higher education formula. She said colleges and universities damaged by hurricanes Katrina and Rita need $10 million to recover.

Her address also focused on the need to improve the state's infrastructure which, she said, will help boost the economy. The governor proposes using over one-half of last year's surplus ($450 million) for road improvements. In order to do this, the legislature must raise the cap on spending.

Another project that hinges on raising the spending cap is additional hurricane protection and coastal restoration. The governor proposes an additional $200 million to accomplish this goal.

Other issues she is asking the legislature to consider are improving health care ($180 million), providing affordable and available property insurance, a Consumers Bill of Rights regarding insurance, and targeted tax cuts.

Legislative committees begin work this week on these and other issues.

2007 Regular Session

2007-04-28T10:19:00.001-05:00

by Alfred Speer, Clerk
The 2007 Regular Session of the Legislature will convene on Monday at noon. If you want to see the session dates of interest visit here and if you desire to follow the House's weekly schedule visit here.
This session will be the final regular session of this term of the Legislature and the final regular session for 47 members of the House of Representatives. Forty-five members are constitutionally prohibited from seeking reelection because of the term limit amendment to our constitution adopted by the people in 1995 (one member has announced her intention to not seek reelection and one member has announced his pursuit of a statewide elective office). Upward of nine additional members, eligible to run for reelection, are contemplating runs for other offices or retiring from the legislature. There will be 55 or more newly elected members in the House of Representatives when the Legislature organizes January 14, 2008.
This regular session is one of limited jurisdiction and length. The Legislature may meet no more than 45 legislative days in the 60 calendar days of this session and must adjourn sine die no later than 6:00 PM on June 28, 2007. There have been 897 House Bills and 322 Senate Bills prefiled for introduction in this regular session. Once the session convenes on Monday each legislator is limited to introducing no more than 5 additional bills, or 720 more possible introductions (no previous limited session has seen that many session bill filings).
Stay tuned for regular postings describing the progress of the session, the bills of general interest which are acted upon, and vignettes about your Legislature.

SESSION PREVIEW

2007-04-28T09:51:00.000-05:00

The long-awaited 2007 Regular Legislative Session arrives Monday at noon, and lawmakers return to the Capitol to begin consideration of 895 House Bills, eight House Concurrent Resolutions, 322 Senate Bills, three Senate Resolutions, and four Senate Concurrent Resolutions. The following is a small sample of the prefiled legislation.
HB891 would establish the "Louisiana Health Insurance Exchange," a health care insurance reform program administered through the state Department of Insurance. The Office of the La. Health Insurance Exchange would serve as a state clearinghouse to coordinate and facilitate the recognition, identification and classification of individuals, persons and insurers in the interest of establishing affordable health insurance reform. The exchange's primary responsibly would be to promote and assist individuals, businesses, state or local government, associations and other entities seeking health insurance coverage and any insurer to negotiate and transact a contract or agreement between the parties to provide affordable coverage.
Both HB852 and HB855 call for a refundable tax credit for certain Louisiana ethanol, biodiesel, and alternative renewable fuel manufacturers. HB852 additionally provides for the minimum ethanol, bio-diesel and other alternative content requirements for gasoline and diesel, cited in present law, to be repealed.
HB861 seeks to prohibit the charging of grossly-excessive rents during a declared state of emergency as the result of a natural disaster that causes significant damage to rental housing stock.
HB870 would create the Hurricane Recovery Capital Tax Credit Program to provide capital assistance for the economic and residential recovery of hurricane-affected areas. The bill provides for a credit against income and franchise taxation; certification and decertification of a Louisiana hurricane recovery capital company; definitions; the authorization of credit transferability; the authorization of rules and regulations and related matters.

TAX CREDITS FOR BIOFUEL PRODUCERS PROPOSED

2007-04-19T18:14:00.001-05:00

by State Rep. Mike Strain, District 74
Covington, LA
I have prefiled House Bill 551 to provide refundable tax credits from Louisiana income or corporation franchise taxes for manufacturers, producers, distributors, and retailers of certain biofeuels.
The purpose of the legislation is to encourage the development of the ethanol, biodiesel, and alternate renewable fuel industry and agricultural production in the state. As our agriculture community struggles to survive, we must explore all avenues to assist it. I believe this fuel industry will definitely have a positive impact on agriculture in our state and may well be exactly what is needed to stop the erosion of this vitally important segment of our economy. The products produced in our state are a natural fit for the alternate fuels industry.
Under the bill, the credit would be 20 cents per gallon for biodiesel, ethanol, and alternate renewable fuel, and 30 cents per gallon for ethanol produced from cellulose. All must be produced in a qualifying Louisiana biofuel facility.
The credit applies to the first 25 million gallons of ethanol produced from cellulose each taxable year, not to exceed $7.5 million of credit per facility per taxable year. The credit for biodiesel, ethanol, and alternate renewable fuel cannot exceed $5 million per facility per taxable. Credits for all fuels will apply until the 10th anniversary of the date production at the facility begins.
Further, the facilities must meet or exceed Federal Quality Standards for these fuels and ethanol produced from cellulose must meet Louisiana biofuel eligibility requirements and the tax credits shall not exceed 40 percent of costs incurred for tank cleaning, tank modifications, equipment, and capital improvements necessary to accommodate the sale of ethanol, biodiesel, and alternate renewable fuel not to exceed $10,000 per tank.
In order for a facility to qualify, Louisiana farmers must have at least a 20 percent ownership interest and must use at least 50 percent Louisiana-grown feedstocks to produce ethanol.
The bill has tentatively been referred to the House Ways & Means Committee.

SESSION PREVIEW

2007-04-19T17:45:00.000-05:00

by Nancy Johnson & Sheila McCant
Public Information Office
With only a few days remaining before the 2007 Regular Legislative Session convenes, lawmakers have prefiled 592 House Bills, 169 Senate Bills, four House Concurrent Resolutions, three Senate Resolutions, and three Senate Concurrent Resolutions. The following is a sample of instruments that legislators will consider over the 45-day legislative calendar that begins April 30.
HB324 would provide a state income tax exemption for all full-time classroom teachers of parish and city public school systems.
HB502 would authorize an individual income tax credit for the actual amount of costs and expenses incurred to retrofit an individual's residence to meet State Uniform Construction Code standards.
HB 385 establishes the La. Insurance Catastrophe Fund and dedicates certain insurance premium taxes to the fund.
HB401 creates the Driver Responsibility Program under which points, ranging from three to six, are assigned for convictions for motor vehicle violations and penalties are imposed on drivers who accumulate a certain number of points within three years. Additional penalties for DWI convictions are included. The revenues from this program are to be dedicated to highway construction.
HB 486 provides for enforcement of the International Residential Code and other changes to the State Uniform Construction Code. Among other provisions, all municipalities and parishes are required to use building code enforcement officers to enforce the provisions of the law and enforcement procedures by these officers include examination or review of plans, drawings, or specifications; the conducting of inspections; and the issuance, denial, or revocation of permits. The legislation also allows any parish whose boundaries are completely north of the 110 mph wind line to enforce the provisions of the code by certification of intended compliance and certification of completion and compliance. The enforcement of the International Residential code shall only be mandatory with respect to new construction, reconstruction, and additions that increase the height or floor area of a structure under this bill.
HB 497 creates the crime of prohibited consensual sexual activity between educators and students between 13 and 19 years of age. Also prohibits lewd or lascivious acts upon the person or in the presence of a student who is under 19 years of age, with the intention of arousing or gratifying the sexual desires of either person. The proposed law applies to students at the school where the educator is employed. The bill provides an exclusion if the victim is the spouse of the offender. Penalty includes a fine of not more than $5,000 or imprisonment for not more than 10 years with or without hard labor, or both.
HB347 would increase the compensation for elections commissioners-in-charge and certified commissioners. A commissioner-in-charge would receive $250. A commissioner-in-charge who serves at more than one precinct would receive $300. A commissioner who has received a certificate of instruction as provided in R.S. 18:431 (A) would receive $100. A commissioner who has received a certificate of instruction, as provided in R.S.18:431(B) would receive $200. (An uncertified commissioner would continue to receive thirty-five dollars.)
HB358 provides that for each motor vehicle owned and registered in the state by a person sixty years of age or older, the annual registration license tax shall be ten dollars per vehicle per year regardless of the actual value of the vehicle. The annual registration license tax would be collected by the commissioner once every two years.

INSURANCE POLL RESULTS

2007-04-19T17:19:00.000-05:00

by Sheila McCant, Public Information Officer
The results of the In the Loop poll, "Which Will Help Provide Available and Affordable Insurance in Louisiana" have been tabulated.
The majority of those voting believe that a state-run catastrophe fund and abolition of the Insurance Rating Commission will accomplish this goal. The next highest vote getters were maintaining the state building code and allowing a variation of deductibles across the state.
The poll allowed for multiple responses.

State Run Catastrophic Fund 41%
State and/or Federal Regulation of Insurance Providers 29%
Abolition of the Insurance Rating Commission 41%
Maintaining the Recently Enacted State Building Code 35%
State Incentive to Companies Writing Policies Along
the Coast 29%
Reforming Citizens Property Insurance Corporation 18%
Allow Variation of Deductibles in Different Areas
of the State 35%

THE FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE

2007-04-19T16:12:00.000-05:00

by Sheila McCant, Public Information Officer
Addressing the Press Club of Baton Rouge this week, state Agriculture Commissioner Bob Odom discussed the future of agriculture in Louisiana and outlined what must be done to make the state's number one industry viable and prosperous.
Odom said the future of agriculture and forestry is in alternative fuels. He said Louisiana crops are a natural fit for producing alternative fuels. The legislation passed last year that sets minimum standards for these fuels made Louisiana the leader among southern states and paves the way for a greener environment, new markets for agricultural commodities, job growth, and economic development. The law also provides added incentives for companies to build plants in Louisiana to produce ethanol and bio-diesel. He pointed out that land planted in cotton has decreased from almost 800,000 acres to about 300,000 acres, while corn acreage has increased 150% as more farmers look to alternative fuels as their future.
"I am a firm believer that government, industry, and agriculture should partner together so farmers will play a role in the emerging alternative fuels industry," Odom said. "In order for a family farm to survive today, it must do three things: produce food and fiber, electricity, and fuel."

THE 2007 REGULAR SESSION

2007-04-17T12:45:00.000-05:00

View the speech by House Clerk Alfred "Butch" Speer to the League of Women Voters State Convention on Saturday, April 14, 2007. The speech discusses what to expect during the upcoming session, particularly the budget and the role partisanship will play in legislative debate. Click here to view video.

CONGRESS PASSES COCKFIGHTING LEGISLATION, FOCUS NOW ON LOUISIANA

2007-04-12T21:19:00.000-05:00

by Cory Stewart
Office of Public Information
The U.S. Senate late Tuesday passed a bipartisan bill authored by Congressman Elton Gallegly, (R-California) that makes it a felony punishable by up to three years in prison to transport dogs or roosters across state or international borders for the purpose of animal fighting, and it prohibits the interstate and foreign commerce of knives and gaffs designed for use in cockfighting.
The House of Representatives passed the bill on March 26, on a 368-39 vote. This bill received overwhelming bipartisan majorities in both houses and is expected to be sent to the White House for the President's signature in a few days.
"This piece of legislation sends the message that Congress recognizes the need to give local law enforcement the tools they need to combat this cruel criminal enterprise," Gallegly said.
Now that Congress has taken it upon itself to toughen laws on cockfighting, the spotlight has shifted to Louisiana, the only state where cockfighting remains legal. Congressional approval of this measure comes two weeks before the start of Louisiana's legislative session in which four anti-cockfighting bills have been pre-filed. The bills range from an immediate ban to a phase-out over three years. Although politicians have been reluctant to risk a backlash from rural constituents, polls have shown that most Louisianians oppose the bloody practice of cockfighting. Will the argument of cultural phenomenon be enough to defend cockfighting as it has in the past?
"Louisiana is now standing alone," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States. "We're prepared to hit this issue hard, now that New Mexico is done and Congress is done, our full energy in terms of anti-cockfighting is on Louisiana."

SESSION PREVIEW

2007-04-12T21:13:00.000-05:00

by Nancy Johnson
Office of Public Information
The number of prefiled House Bills on the 2007 Regular Fiscal/Limited Legislative Session agenda increased to 225 as of Thursday afternoon. The following is a sample of legislation that lawmakers will consider in the upcoming session.
HB157 would require all school buses to be equipped with crossing control devices by January 1, 2008.
HB186 would prohibit certain convicted felons from owning, possessing, having custody of, or residing with a dangerous dog.
HB 189 would authorize a $100 tax credit per child in foster care.
HB209 would increase supplemental pay for deputy sheriffs, and for firemen, police officers, and certain law enforcement officers employed by the state from $300 per month to $500 per month.
HB181 would authorize a tax exemption on the purchase price of a new qualified hybrid vehicle, equal to the actual amount of state and local sales and use taxes or $1,500, whichever is less. The bill defines such a vehicle as one with a drive train powered by both an internal combustion engine and a rechargeable battery.
HB165 establishes the Parish Transportation Fund No. 2 in the state treasury. The bill provides that proceeds from the sales and use tax on motor vehicles shall be deposited into the fund and appropriated annually by the Legislature to be used solely for qualified construction and maintenance projects along state highways in each parish. The parish metropolitan planning organization or the parish governing authority, in cooperation with municipal governing authorities and the district engineer of the Department of Transportation Development's highway district, would be required to compile a list to identify and prioritize the qualified construction and maintenance projects in that parish.

BLANCO, DONELON REVEAL LEGISLATION

2007-04-12T21:10:00.000-05:00

by Sheila McCant, Public Information Officer
Gov. Kathleen Blanco and Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon this week held a news conference to unveil their joint insurance package for the upcoming session.
A bi-partisan approach, the bills seek to attract new insurers, drive down rates, and protect consumers. The bills, which have not been filed at this time, include a consumer bills of rights, premium reductions for retrofitting, regional deductible ranges, allowing LA Citizens to bundle its policies for sale to private insurers, and an incentive program to encourage companies to write policies in the state and take policies out of LA Citizens.

THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET AND THE FISCAL SESSION

2007-04-12T15:34:00.000-05:00

by Rep. Ernie Alexander
Louisiana appears to have an abundance of riches at this time. This is reflected in the Governor's budget. When she spoke to a meeting of Lafayette-area legislators Monday she told us there was an additional $1.292 billion in this year's budget. Of this amount $611 million, about half of the total, will be dedicated to education and $198 million will be directed to health care redesign.
The debate over the budget, if there is one, will be about whether or not to “break the cap.” You will recall that the recently-ended legislative special session fell apart because Republicans refused to “break the cap.” The “cap” is a Constitutionally imposed spending limit which is designed to ensure that the Governor and the legislature do not go on a reckless spending spree which will deprive the citizens of Louisiana of future necessary revenue. The “cap” can be broken but only by a super-majority vote. Under normal circumstances it takes only fifty-three votes (of 105 members) for passage of a bill. In special circumstances, such as this one, it will take a vote of seventy members or more for passage.
There will be rhetoric about Republican “obstructionists” before a vote on the issue is even taken. During the last session, it is true that the vote on the “cap” was almost entirely along party lines with all but two Democrats voting to “break the spending cap” and all but two Republicans voting against breaking “the cap.” [See, House Vote on HCR 6, FINAL CONSIDERATION (#36)] Since that vote, incidentally, one of the two Democrats who voted not to break the “cap” has become a Republican. The odds are now less favorable for the Governor getting seventy favorable votes than they were at that time with GOP members in the House now numbering forty-three.
The division between the two parties has been emphasized with the organization of a Democratic Caucus. This is the first time that this particular group has come into being. Prior to this recent grouping, there was a Black Caucus (of 23 members) and a Republican Caucus (now numbering 43). What the formation of the Democratic Caucus has done has been to force the more fiscally conservative Democrats, those who often vote with the Republicans on fiscal matters, into voting with the rest of their caucus on those issues. There is a definite divide on budgetary matters in the House.
Most Louisiana citizens have no real idea of how or where the state budget originates and how it finds its way into law. The budget document finds its origin in the Governor's office under the pen of former Lafayette Representative Jerry Luke LeBlanc. After approval by the Governor, it is sent to the House Appropriations Committee. That committee has nineteen members, TWELVE of whom are appointed by the Governor through the Speaker of the House who was also appointed by the Governor. Let us pause for a moment to examine that last statement before we continue. You will hear the point that the Speaker is elected by the membership of the House. This is true. However, no person will be elected Speaker without being ordained for the job by the Governor.
After the “special friends” of the Governor who sit on the Appropriations Committee have been allowed to add a bit of “pork” to the document, it is sent to the floor of the House for debate. In the eight years in which I have served in the legislature NOT ONCE has the budget been changed on the House floor after leaving the Appropriations Committee. We came close in 2005 when forty-six members voted for an amendment to House Bill 1(by Representative Jim Tucker) to raise teacher pay by almost two thousand dollars from available and recurring funds. The amendment had forty-eight votes against it.
The Governor says that Louisiana's economy will remain strong for at least the next ten years. Others, such as respected economist Dr. Loren Scott, say the time-frame is more like four years. At that point the one-time dollars generated by insurance payments, savings account withdrawals and the BILLIONS of dollars being pumped into the state by the feds with no longer be there. We must prepare for that moment. If we are not prepared, the economic situation could be disastrous, especially if we inflate salaries of individuals to a level we can no longer afford.
The lines have been drawn in the sand. The Democrats will be out to spend every available dime during this session. The Republicans will advocate a conservative approach and argue in favor of saving some of the funds for next year and the years to come. The key question to be resolved is “what will be the effect of breaking the cap on future budgets.” Few legislators are financial experts and we will look to PAR, CABL, State Treasurer John Kennedy and other groups and individuals to provide a clearer, non-political analysis of the ramifications of the vote on whether or not to “break the cap.” The vote on the issue will not be so much a vote of party politics as it will be one of fiscal responsibility.

COASTAL PROTECTION MOVING FORWARD

2007-04-12T10:36:00.000-05:00

The Coastal Restoration and Protection Authority met on April 12, 2007, to consider major issues related to coastal protection, including adoption of a Master Plan, Reports from the U.S. Corps of Engineers, coastal forestry recommendations, and the Memorandum of Understanding with the Netherlands, Province of Zeeland. View the hearing at http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Video/2007/Apr2007.htm

WILL LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS BE REDRAWN IN 2007

2007-04-09T11:11:00.000-05:00

by: Alfred W. Speer, Clerk
Do not look for newly drawn legislative election districts for the 2007 election of members to the Louisiana Legislature.
We all know Orleans parish has lost hundreds of thousands of citizens and that many parishes have gained tens of thousands since Katrina and Rita devastated our state (2006 parish population estimates). And we all know legislative elections are conducted on geographic districts drawn to insure each voter’s franchise is equal, the one-person, one-vote principle.
So why will the districts in Orleans, which are so underpopulated (approximately 20,000 citizens versus 42,800 citizens in 2001), and the districts in the Florida parishes and surrounding Baton Rouge, which have all gained significant population, not be redrawn during the 2007 legislative session to adjust the representation to reflect the diaspora of Katrina?
The simple answer is two-fold: first, Louisiana’s constitution in Article III, section 6 requires we use only the decennial census figures; and, second, the federal Voting Rights Act [42 USCA §1973]. This federal law requires Louisiana to submit any change in its voting procedures (read new legislative districts boundaries) for review by the U. S. Department of Justice to gain their “preclearance” before Louisiana can legally enforce the new districts, that is use them in an election. For Louisiana to conduct elections in 2007 from newly drawn districts we would have to ask the Justice Department to approve the new districts. One of their criteria for review is and will be the population counts upon which we base our one-person, one-vote decisions – how we divide the known population into districts of as nearly as practicable equal population. Using the decennial census raises no questions with the Department as to the accuracy of the population count. Using an estimate of population, that is not basing one-person, one-vote decisions on an actual census but on mere estimates of population, will raise immediate suspicions that Louisiana is not protecting the voting rights of all its citizens.
One of the principles of redistricting law is that, even admitting the decennial census data is inaccurate the year it is used (2001 for this decade) and is certainly stale and seriously inaccurate in year seven since the census, census data is the only acceptable population basis upon which to base district drawing, be they drawn in census year + one or + seven.
Do not look for new election districts to be drawn for the 2007 election of Louisiana legislators, the candidates will run in the districts drawn in 2001, no matter the number of citizens actually living in those districts.

ADDRESSING THE STATE'S HIGHWAY NEEDS

2007-04-05T13:47:00.000-05:00

State Senator Noble Ellington and State Representative Roy Quezaire, chairmen of the Senate and House Transportation, Highways, & Public Works committees respectively, outlined current funding and the problems Louisiana faces with insufficient money for road construction at this week's meeting of the Press Club of Baton Rouge.
Joining them was Jennifer Marusak, Communications Director for Louisiana Good Roads and Transportation Association, who presented an overview of her group's legislative package to address future, additional funding to improve highways and bridges across the state. She said their proposal would shift current dollars without imposing additional taxes or fees.
To accomplish this goal, they propose redirecting about $600 million in state money as follows:
* $256 million annually by shifting sales taxes collected on the sale of vehicles and vehicle parts (after being split with the parishes) from the General Fund to the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF);
* $200 million annually by shifting the Windfall Highway Infrastructure and Protection Fund from the General Fund to the TTF and coastal restoration;
* $85 million annually by requiring benefit payments for former and current DOTD employees be taken from the General Fund and not the TTF;
* $40 million annually by depositing truck registration fees in the TTF rather than the state General Fund;
* $40 million annually by paying State Police "Traffic Control" from the state General Fund instead of the TTF,
* $40 million annually by shifting truck registration fees to the TTF.
Marusak said the state currently faces a $14 billion backlog in road and construction needs. The primary source of funding, the TTF, relies solely on a 16-cent gas tax approved in 1984 that was never adjusted for inflation. In today's money, that 16 cents amounts to eight cents, thus the biggest reason for the problem.
According to the group, the state needs to spend $180 to $200 million annually to keep up with needed road repairs and construction. The state spent $17 million in fiscal year '05-'06, will spend $30 million in this fiscal year, and has only $9 million available in fiscal year '07-'08.
Without the proposed shift in funds, Marusak said the state will have to consider additional fees and/or taxes to forego the potential loss of federal matching funds, which could occur as early as 2009. Without federal funds, the state will continue to fall farther and farther behind in improving and maintaining its roads and bridges, something it cannot afford to do. At this time, almost half of the state's bridges are over 40 years old, road disrepair contributes to the traffic fatality rate which is 41% higher than the national average, and vehicular traffic is predicted to double in the next 25 years, not to mention the negative impact this has on economic development and Louisiana's recovery.
She said that according to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), the $450 million in surplus money the governor has said she will propose as a one-time appropriation for road construction, although helpful, will provide less than three percent of the $14 billion needed to address the backlog of unmet construction needs.
How does Louisiana compare to other states in administrative spending, taxes and fees? Louisiana has the twelfth-lowest gas tax in the nation, the fourth-lowest auto registration fee, and the sixth-lowest truck registration fee. In cost of operations vs. capital expenditures, DOTD is the fourth-lowest in the country.
To promote their legislative agenda, the association has launched "Driving Louisiana Forward," a statewide public awareness campaign to educate the state's citizens and the legislature about the funding crisis and to point out the connection between a solid infrastructure, job creation, and economic development. They also hope to generate public support and encourage citizens to urge their state legislators to support their legislative proposals.
Ellington and Quezaire said they support the association's proposals and added that these changes can be made statutorily, with no constitutional amendments needed.
The Louisiana Good Roads & Transportation Association is an organization of businesses and interested parties across the state who are committed to improving Louisiana's highway infrastructure.

WHAT ABOUT OUR MIDDLE CLASS?

2007-04-02T07:04:00.000-05:00

STATE SPENDING BALLOONS: BUT WHAT ABOUT OUR MIDDLE CLASS?
By: Rep. Tim Burns, District 89
Mandeville, LA

PLIGHT OF THE MIDDLE CLASS
The plight of Louisiana’s middle class was poignantly illustrated in an article which recently appeared in the Times Picayune entitled “Broken Dreams.” The byline of the article stated that many residents in the post-Katrina era are finding themselves faced with higher expenses and struggling to simply make ends meet. The article profiled Demetrious and Sondra Dillon, a working couple and parents trying to rebuild their lives after Katrina. Like so many who evacuated after the 2005 hurricanes, they were forced to live off of their savings, their credit cards and their cash at hand. Many also lost their jobs in addition to their houses. The Dillon’s tale is repeated over and over throughout Southeast Louisiana as residents struggle to rebuild their careers, their families and their lives.
Couples such as the Dillons are the fabric of our society, hard-working, taxpaying citizens. Yet they seem often ignored by state government. The 2007-2008 budget recently unveiled by the administration contains spending of nearly $30 billion dollars, which puts Louisiana 3rd in the nation in terms of per capita spending according to the latest figures by the Tax Foundation.

TAX REFORM
Rather than spend all of the surplus, why not return some of it to the people who need it most, namely the taxpaying citizens, who are trying to get back on their feet and are burdened with higher insurance payments. Many of my constituents told me that they paid more state income tax when they filed their return than federal income tax. When our citizens are paying more state income tax on tax filing day then federal income tax, then there is definitely a problem. The 2002 Stelly plan, which I vigorously opposed as a citizen activist, (I was not yet elected to the legislature) was inaccurately sold to the voters as an equitable swap in income taxes for sales taxes. Unfortunately, it has turned out to be is a boondoggle for the state and a burden for the middle class, resulting in significantly higher tax payments. I will be filing several bills in the upcoming legislative session to repeal all or part of Stelly.

INSURANCE REFORM
Last year I was successful in passing legislation giving citizens an extra year to file their damage claims from hurricanes. This year I want to help further reform Louisiana’s insurance laws to make coverage more affordable for residents. Ideally, a program could be underwritten by the federal government (like federal flood insurance), which would provide affordable wind and hail coverage for our citizens. Although several bills are pending in Congress, the state needs to act also. I intend to file legislation giving tax credits for making one's home more storm proof and requiring insurer discounts for any hazard mitigation provisions. I would also favor making the insurance industry more competitive so that we are not held hostage by a few big insurers. Finally, I will continue to promote and file legislation to prohibit insurance companies from taking advantage of ordinary citizens.

SESSION PREVIEW

2007-03-30T10:41:00.000-05:00

Lawmakers will consider a variety of fiscal legislation during the 2007 Regular Fiscal/Limited Legislative Session, the fifth session since hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Over the next few pre-session weeks, we will take a glance at some of the topics on the session's agenda.

*Several House bills have been filed that would return the individual income tax rates and brackets to those prior to the "Stelly Plan." Additionally, legislation has been filed that would re-establish the excess federal itemized deduction which existed prior to adoption of the plan.

*In 1997 the legislature passed Act 818, which phased-out the state inheritance tax beginning after June 30, 1998, until June 30, 2003, when the amount of tax was reduced by 80 percent. A total repeal was effective after June 30, 2004, if and when a judgment of possession is rendered or when succession is opened no later than the ninth month following the death of the decedent. If this is not done, then the full amount of inheritance tax is due.

House Bill 41 repeals the requirement that a judgment of possession be rendered or that a succession be opened within nine months following the decedent's death for the tax to be waived. Further, all persons who paid the tax based on deaths occurring after June 30, 2004, are entitled to a refund.

*House Bill 14 would authorize an income tax deduction for disaster-related casualty losses attributed to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

*House Bill 20 would require gaming licensees to provide gambling hotline information in their television advertising.

*House Bill 79 would extend the sales and use tax exemption provided for purchases of utilities by certain steelworks and blast furnaces, effective July 1, 2007.

*House Bill 86 would reinstate the sales tax exemption for business utilities, effective July 1, 2007.

*House Bill 93 would provide a tax exemption for the purchase of college textbooks.

*House Bill 94 would allow a $75 child tax credit for all children under the age of 19, for children under the age of 24 who are full time students, and for disabled children of any age.

A LOOK AT THE STELLY PLAN

2007-03-30T10:36:00.000-05:00

by Rep. Steve Scalise
District 82

With a projected surplus of more than $1 billion, we have a unique opportunity this session to make significant reforms to our state's tax code. Rather than spending all of the surplus on new government programs, we should use at least half of this money to reduce the tax burden on families and businesses throughout Louisiana.

The most effective way the Legislature can help families is to repeal the tax increases brought on by the Stelly Plan. The Stelly Plan made a number of changes to our tax code. While it repealed the state sales tax on food and household utilities, it also increased personal income tax brackets and repealed some tax deductions that were enjoyed by families. The overall result of this change has turned out to be a multi-million dollar net increase of new taxes the state is collecting.

Legislation has already been pre-filed this year to modify the Stelly Plan to make it revenue- neutral rather than a large tax increase. Some bills will restore the excess itemized deductions for things like home mortgage interest and charitable contributions that were eliminated by the Stelly Plan. Other legislation will reduce income taxes by compressing the brackets closer to their levels before the plan took effect. Of course these proposals will spark an interesting debate on tax policy that will impact hundreds of thousands of families in Louisiana.

Over the last 20 years, Louisiana has been the only state in the South to lose population. Based on the loss of population we have been experiencing, we will lose a seat in Congress after the next reapportionment in 2010 unless we quickly start making our state more competitive. A large part of that exodus has been middle-class families. If we pass these tax cuts, we will be sending an important message to middle-class families that we want to become more competitive with states like Texas and Florida that have no personal income tax. We will also be sending a message that we want to reverse the trend of out-migration and bring back families who have left.

Welcome to IN THE LOOP

2007-03-24T05:49:00.000-05:00

IN THE LOOP
On March 22nd, the LA House of Representatives launched their blog, In the Loop. In the Loop, will not be a traditional blog but will host brief articles of interest to all who follow the Louisiana House of Representatives. In the Loop will provide Representatives and staff a forum to discuss topical issues of concern to the citizens of Louisiana and it will provide our citizens a means by which to comment and communicate with their elected Representatives.
Sheila McCant, Public Information Officer; Kathleen Randall, Civic Education Coordinator; and me, Alfred Speer, Clerk of the House are the editors. We encourage all members and all staff to submit articles for In the Loop and we invite all readers to comment. We hope to create an on-line communication medium for Louisiana’s citizens to better interact with their elected Representatives.

Planning New Member Orientation

2007-03-22T14:56:00.000-05:00

By: Kathleen Randall
With only 59 of the 105 members of the House of Representatives eligible for reelection, the upcoming turnover presents a unique challenge to the returning members and the staff, that is, how to best teach this large class of newly-elected members, who are limited to three terms at a stretch, the necessary information concerning the institution of the House of Representatives. The Speaker has appointed a special committee on Orientation to plan a comprehensive curriculum for training members and district office staff. Their work will parallel the study of the Special Committee on Term Limits chaired by Representatives Cazayoux and Tucker.
Co-chaired by Representatives Jean Doerge and Jane Smith, the Curriculum Committee on Member Orientation, 2007-2008, includes Representatives Ernie Alexander, Regina Barrow, Tim Burns, Carla Dartez, Brett Geymann, Avon Honey, Nita Hutter, Kay Katz, Loulan Pitre, Harold Ritchie, Joel Robideaux, and Mert Smiley, with Representatives Cazayoux and Tucker serving ex officio.
At its first meeting on March 20, staff resource persons Mary Quaid, Kathleen Randall, Butch Speer, and Bryan Vincent made presentations about orientation concepts and benefits, notable orientation programs from other state legislatures, the history of House orientation and training from the late 1960's to the present, and the various phases of training recommended for House adoption.
The Curriculum Committee on Member Orientation, 2007-2008, has a dedicated web site: . The committee's deliberations and resource materials are available there.
(To access it from the House Home Page http://house.louisiana.gov/ go to "Representatives" and click on "By Committee" and open the "Cmte on Orientation" link.)
The committee will meet again during the first week of the session. Meanwhile, subcommittees on the various training phases will deliberate with staff on the content, teaching methodologies, and frequency of training, in order to start formulating a comprehensive plan for the full committee to review. Current House members are encouraged to provide input to the committee members and their staff – especially insight on the question, "What do you wish you had known when you first got to the House of Representatives?"

LA-First in the Nation

2007-03-22T12:52:00.000-05:00

by: Alfred W. Speer, Clerk
On February 26 of this year, Karl Kurtz wrote on the NCSL blog "The Thicket at State Legislatures" that the Virginia General Assembly became the first legislature to express remorse over the existence of slavery in the United States. This action by the Virginia legislature garnered national press coverage, the latest occurring just this week when the LA Times ran a story on the mounting wave of legislative efforts to apologize for slavery. However, Louisiana’s Legislature was 12 years ahead of the current wave.In the 1996 First Extraordinary Session of the Louisiana Legislature, Rep. Yvonne Dorsey and 19 other House members and 2 Senators authored a concurrent resolution [HCR No. 22] which resolved:"the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby acknowledge the past role of the state of Louisiana and the people of the state in the establishment and maintenance of the institution of slavery and the subsequent injuries it produced; and the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby extend to the African-American citizens of Louisiana a sincere expression of regret for such role, and does pledge that all citizens of the state shall now join in a united effort to assure that each and every citizen may enjoy the full blessings of liberty."

Perhaps Virginia's apology for slavery renders that effort first in the current legislative season and is the impetus of such resolutions but our Legislature preceded Virginia by 12 years in expressing their collective regret for the state's role in enslaving Africans.
Regrettably, Rep. Dorsey’s efforts went unnoticed by the media and remain lost in the clatter of today’s reporting. We Louisianans know better. Congratulations, Yvonne!

PREPARING FOR TERM LIMITS

2007-03-16T14:57:00.000-05:00

by Mary Quaid, Director
House Legislative Services

The House Special Committee on Preparing for Term Limits, co-chaired by Reps. Don Cazayoux and Jim Tucker, held its fourth meeting earlier this week to discuss the third goal of the committee, namely "partisanship." To assist in this effort, the committee heard from Dr. James C. Garand, Emogene Pliner Distinguished Professor at LSU, for an academic perspective on partisanship and term limits.

Dr. Garand’s comments were timely and of much interest to the committee members. While cautioning the committee that he lacked the empirical data to support his opinion, Dr. Garand stated that the combination of term limits and demographic changes caused by hurricanes Katrina and Rita will most likely result in a more partisan body, particularly in the House. He further commented and answered questions on the importance of party leadership in facilitating a healthy bi-partisan legislature.
Butch Speer then discussed the history of House partisanship, the various directions that partisanship can take, and the creation of a positive path and proper balance in the Louisiana House. Patricia Lowrey-Dufour joined the clerk in discussing examples of partisanship structures from other states, both positive and negative, and related the results of their state surveys on this issue.

Anne Dunn, Bryan Vincent, Mark Mahaffey, and Mary Quaid wrapped-up the program with information on planning for and effectively utilizing the interim. Anne gave a historical perspective and Bryan gave the results of our seven-state survey. The committee made some very favorable comments regarding future interim opportunities as both an educational and a deliberative tool.
The meeting was well-attended and went past its scheduled time frame of three hours. The fifth meeting of this term limits committee will take place in early May.