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Cuts Eased at Session's End With no great surprise but at the 11th hour nonetheless, both houses agreed to restore about half of the proposed cuts to higher education, and also put back money for healthcare, agriculture, the arts and local projects. About $210 million was added to the already-passed $28 billion budget. Higher education gets about $100 million restored from the initially proposed $219 million reduction. Healthcare and nursing homes got another $45 million, and can draw four times that in federal Medicaid match. Though relieved, lawmakers ended their budget work with a shared recognition, stated by Sen. Lydia Jackson, D-Shreveport, of the challenge going forward. "This state will look different in three years," she said. "This is the first stage toward a smaller, leaner, more efficient government." Hopefuls Eye Potential Open Congressional Seat Even before Congressman Charlie Melancon announces his candidacy for the U.S. Senate, the line already is forming to take his place in the 3rd District. Rep. Gary Smith, D-Norco, says he will get around the district after the session to gauge his potential support. He is serving his last term in the House. Last week, former House Speaker and National Guard Brig. Gen. Hunt Downer, a Houma Republican, said he is thinking about running. One intriguing name mentioned is Natural Resources Secretary Scott Angelle, a Breaux Bridge Democrat who also serves as Gov. Jindal's legislative liaison. Rep. Nickie Monica, R-LaPlace, has been preparing for a challenge to Melancon for months, but now figures to have more competition. Landrieu Weighs Next Political Move Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu told LaPolitics that he will take 30 to 45 days after legislative adjournment to decide whether or not to run for mayor of New Orleans next year. Should he run and win (the primary is February), a special election would be called in the fall for a new lieutenant governor. Republicans and Democrats would make a fierce play for that office, given the unknowns of Gov. Jindal's political future. They Said It "It's our credit card, and someone else is going to lunch on it." --LSU President John Lombardi on shared governance of proposed New Orleans medical center with Tulane, in the Advocate Subscribe and See These Stories in LaPolitics Weekly --Jindal gets way on budget and session --Speaker walks fine line in House --Melancon's card check stand could be problem --Master plan bill to be campaign issue --Monroe car plant offsets Shreveport's GM loss --State financial officer to go to work for BR --More They Said It
Melancon Set to Run While he is not ready to make a public announcement, Congressman Charlie Melancon is said to have decided to run for the U.S. Senate next year, according to multiple political sources. The congressman has made no comment about challenging Republican Sen. David Vitter in 2010, but sources say he has told national Democratic campaign officials he will run. One piece of unfinished business to deal with is getting businessman Jim Bernhard, who is weighing his own options, to step aside and unify the party. A friend of Bernhard said he has been at his North Carolina retreat for two weeks making his own final decision on the race. While Melancon earlier this year seemed to have ruled out running, a renewed press by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, armed with a poll showing Vitter's vulnerability, got Melancon to reconsider. Restoration Hopes Ride On Rainy Day Fund Tapping the rainy day fund could be the one solution both houses and the governor could agree on for restoring some funding cuts to the $28.7 billion state budget. The House and governor are deadset against a Senate plan to freeze income tax deductions to raise $118 million more for higher education, but they are more flexible to taking money from the rainy day fund. Still, that won't be enough to restore all the cuts sought by legislators. Having complained the longest and loudest, higher ed appears to be first in line, with the governor last week committing to restore about $70 million in state support. Politics would dictate that the $30 million in member amendments for local projects will be funded. That could leave Medicaid providers and everyone else, from agriculture to arts groups, fighting for scraps. Agreement Reached on Planned N.O. Hospital After marathon negotiating sessions between LSU and Tulane leaders, Health Secretary Alan Levine today is expected to announce an accord between the two schools over governance of the proposed $1.2 billion research and teaching hospital in New Orleans. At the bottom line, Tulane will get a seat on the to-be-formed governing board for the hospital where its residents will train, but LSU medical officials will control the business operation. They Said It "I couldn't hear you, but the answer is no." --Rep. Hunter Greene, presiding over House, responding to Rep. Sam Jones' question Subscribe and See These Stories in LaPolitics Weekly --More on Melancon for Senate --3rd District not so safe any more --Congressional race could be open for Republican --Democrat won't run for Supreme Court --Republicans back state Senate candidate --Draft Jindal group dying quick death --Monroe car plant financed by government --State prisons go smoke free in August --Reality Check puts session in perspective --More They Said It
Tables Turned on Budget With a deft maneuver, the House and the governor got the budget they wanted by accepting the Senate's version of the $27.8 billion spending bill. Senators, fully expecting a drawn-out conference committee to work out a compromise bill, realized too late they had made a strategic error in crafting their version of the budget that would add more money for higher education and healthcare. The House now has the upper hand because the extra money the Senate added was "below the line," that is, contingent on passage of two separate revenue-raising bills, which the House opposes. Without the passage of those revenue measures, the added higher education and healthcare spending is nullified, and the bill becomes much closer to the version the governor proposed and the House first passed. Day of the Governors Gov. Bobby Jindal did not seemed thrilled to share a press conference with four former governors urging more support for higher education, but it beat the alternative. Former Gov. Buddy Roemer had been working on a joint statement with his three colleagues--former Govs. Dave Treen, Mike Foster and Kathleen Blanco--when Jindal found out and quickly arranged a meeting. According to a source knowledgeable with the events, before Jindal got involved, the governors planned a joint appearance without him, which would have been seen as calling his leadership into question. After a morning meeting in the governor's office, the former governors said they were, in Foster's words, "on the same page" in supporting Jindal's commitment not to cut higher education by more than 10 percent this year. Both Sides Working on Governor's Records Bill The governor's office and the Louisiana Press Association are working on changes to the public records bill for the chief executive's office that will come up in House committee next week. After killing less friendly bills, the administration is working on a measure by Sen. Jody Amedee to come up with workable definitions for "deliberative process" and "governor's staff" as they apply to exemptions to the public records law. The governor remains sensitive about releasing much about his schedule, though Amedee seems intent on knowing more about how the state helicopter is used. It has helped the governor's side that public opinion has not engaged on the issue as strongly as editorials have pounded him for selective transparency. Still, it will serve the governor to get a bill to sign that, while not completely satisfying publishers, will prevent the sore spot with the press from turning into an open wound. They Said It "All this talk about bars and restaurants, I think we should hurry up and get to one." --Senate President Joel Chaisson on bill regarding restaurant and bar licenses Subscribe and See These Stories in LaPolitics Weekly Budget Process Not Over Other Roemer criticizes Jindal's leadership Last chance to tap rainy day fund College leaders accept restructuring commission Smoking ban buried Lawmaker gets feedback from Facebook More They Said It
Senate Challenges House The stakes and the temperature rose in a looming clash between houses of the Legislature over how to avert major budget cuts to higher education. The Senate passed, 29-9, a bill to freeze the phase-in of personal income tax deductions, defying 55 House members who signed a letter last week pledging to vote against the bill. Before debate started, Senate President Joel Chaisson II, D-Destrehan, chastised the signatories for taking a stand against the Senate bill before the upper chamber considered it. In his remarks, Chaisson didn't mention the governor, who said he would veto the bill if it gets to his desk. The odds of it even getting to the House floor are dim, given that 12 of 18 members of the House Ways & Means Committee, where SB 335 is headed, signed the letter of opposition. School Boards Crush Pastorek's Agenda In his attempt to curb the power of local school boards, Education Superintendent Paul Pastorek chose the battle and took the fight to board members by criticizing them in speeches around the state. But when it came to a vote this week, he and his allied forces, including the governor, were beaten in the House of Representatives. With the other three bills in his school-board reform package already dead in committee, Pastorek's core bill, to shield superintendents from the interference by board members on hiring and firing decisions, was rejected by the House, 46-51. School board members and teacher groups mobilized early to lobby hard against the package of bills by Rep. Steve Carter, R-Baton Rouge. But their real target seemed to be Pastorek, whose public criticism of school boards, his brusque manner and his high salary stirred resentment among legislators, especially in rural areas. Next Federal Judgeship Might Go to Shreveport Speculation on who will be the next federal judge in the Western District has shifted from Lafayette to Shreveport. Sen. Mary Landrieu is expected to make her recommendation soon for the presidential appointment to replace retiring Judge Tucker Melancon in Lafayette. She was expected to replace him with another appointee from Acadiana. But according to several sources, the Western District judges voted to locate the judgeship in Shreveport in order to balance caseloads. That shift has produced a new set of contenders, all of them females, according to names that sources are hearing. They Said It "He changed his mind; he was a hypocrite." --Sen. Buddy Shaw on Gov. Bobby Jindal's veto of last year's legislative payraise, which he compared to SB 335 to delay the full phase-in of income tax deductions Subscribe and See These Stories in LaPolitics Weekly --Agreement on using Rainy Day Fund, but not how much --Casino interests snuff out smoking ban bill --Bill is roadblock for LSU hospital --Senator's departure opens seat, chairmanship --Candidates line up for Acadiana seat --Georges draw crowd in N.O. East --More They Said It
GOP Agitation with Speaker Tucker Grows Simmering anger over how expanded unemployment benefits slipped through the House has caused growing agitation toward Speaker Jim Tucker among some of his his fellow Republicans. One Republican legislator, who wished not to be identified, said that over a dozen members are angry enough to talk about a possible move against Tucker as speaker. "Members are looking at options . . . but several Republican members have had enough," said the rep. "We have to draw a line at some point in time." "I'm not worried about it," responded Tucker, who said more members are angry at themselves over how the unemployment benefits provision passed the House last week. Tax Deduction Freeze Is DOA in the House An revenue-raising attempt to delay the phase-in of personal income tax deductions is dead in the House before it is even debated on the Senate floor. Fifty-five representatives have signed a letter of opposition to SB 335 by Sen. Lydia Jackson, D-Shreveport, that would freeze excess itemized deductions at 65 percent, when they were scheduled to increase to 100 percent this year. Casinos Warn Smoking Ban Will Cut Revenue Casino lobbyist warn that making riverboats and the land-based casino go smoke-free would reduce state gaming tax revenues by 20 percent, or $107 million. He bases that on the 21 percent dropoff in gambling at Illinois riverboats after they went smoke-free in January 2008. Senators were not impressed with the argument, defeating an amendment to exempt casinos, 10-23. Sen. Rob Marionneaux's bill passed 22-10. A nearly identical House bill by Rep. Gary Smith, D-Garyville, awaits floor action.
Subscribe and See These Stories in LaPolitics Weekly --More on Republicans' beef with Speaker --Big questions still to be resolved in session --Administration targets unemployment benefits in Senate --Vitter beats Dardenne on primaries bill --Tempers flare over N.O. hospital --Governor nudging talks on career diplomas --Passing dental bill like pulling teeth
The Fight Jindal Didn't Want The Jindal administration is confident it can defeat a controversial move to accept federal stimulus dollars for increased unemployment benefits. But it's not a fight it wants or anticipated. At the end of a long day Monday, Rep. Avon Honey, D-Baton Rouge, caught House members unaware when he offered what sounded like a routine amendment to a workers' comp bill. Only after the changed bill passed 99-0 did representatives learn they had approved language to accept the $98 million in federal stimulus dollars that the governor had vowed to reject. Administration forces will try to have the amendment stripped from the bill in the Senate Finance or Labor committees before the measure gets to the Senate floor. But that would not be a total loss for Democrats. They wanted a fight, for even if they lose it they will have succeeded in making the administration overtly act to deny added benefits to the unemployed during hard times, a move Democrats hope will put a lasting dent in Jindal's broad appeal. Melancon Courted Again by Democrats to Oppose Vitter Two well-placed political sources say that national Democrats are making a renewed push to urge Congressman Charlie Melancon to challenge Sen. David Vitter next year, and that the three-term representative from Napoleonville is reconsidering the race. Earlier, Melancon had doused speculation by saying he leaned toward running for re-election and continuing his leadership role within the Blue Dog Caucus of moderate House Democrats. He was in committee marking up a bill on Thursday and was unavailable for comment. Senators Back Deduction Freeze to Aid Colleges A showdown could be in the offing between a bipartisan Senate faction and the governor over a bill to raise $118 million for higher education cuts by freezing the phase-in of an income tax deduction for many homeowners. Senate President Joel Chaisson II, D-Destrehan, and Senate Finance Chairman Mike Michot, R-Lafayette, support a bill clearing committee yesterday that will keep excess itemized deductions at the 2008 level of 65 percent for the next four years. It was set to go to 100 percent in 2009 for tax returns filed in 2010. It passed the Senate Revenue & Fiscal Affairs Committee without dissent. Gov. Jindal's press office stated he opposes Senate Bill 335 by Sen. Lydia Jackson, D-Jackson, but no one from the administration showed up to offer an objection. They Said It "I'm here performing the armadillo form of lobbying: Stand in the middle of the road and get run over by a big truck." --Highway lobbyist Derrell Cohoon, opposing a Jindal-backed budget-cutting bill in committee, in the Picayune Subscribe and See These Stories in LaPolitics Weekly --Landrieu's Judgeship Pick a Surprise --Jindal Staff Making Better Impressions --Jindal's National Stock Among Republicans Falls --Education Bills Move on Dual Tracks --Vitter Haunts Dardenne's Bill on Party Primaries --More They Said It
They Said It "It was a horrible bill to begin with. It's just a bad bill now." --Sen. Joe McPherson on the proposed constitutional amendment on tuition increases Subscribe and See These Stories in LaPolitics Weekly --Governor, speaker cross wires on tax bill --More on budget challenges --Nagin vacation flap gets more serious --Dropout bills moving, board reform struggling --Dupre leaving Senate for levve board job --Oops! Senate unanimously commends Planned Parenthood --More They Said It
Stress Test for Session The legislative session is going smoothly enough, but beneath the surface anxiety reigns as more lawmakers come to grips with the depth and multi-year length of the state's reversal of fiscal fortune. With the operating budget having been reported out of committee yesterday in record time, consideration of it next Thursday will mark a stress test of sorts for the administration-allied House leadership, which will try to fend off amendments to use additional one-time money to relieve budget shortfalls. House members, particularly Democrats, are expected to make some runs at raiding the mega fund and other pools of money in order to shore up healthcare and higher education. Bernhard Back on Senate Race Screen For the past several weeks, national Democratic operatives have been trying without success to gauge Jim Bernhard's interest in challenging Sen. David Vitter next year. But Bernhard's actions spoke much louder than words this week when, as chairman of Shaw Group, he announced that the Fortune 500 company would forego a $28.5 million economic development grant on a new plant project in Lake Charles. He explained he would rather see the Legislature invest that money in higher education instead. There is no indication that the firm's decision has anything to do with any political ambition on his part, but the impact on his approval ratings would be huge should he runs. Homestead Exemption Changes Might Die in Committee Stern criticism from LABI and newspaper editorials followed Gov. Jindal's statment that he could support tying future increases in the homestead exemption to the rate of inflation. Their only consolation is that those bills might still be in committee when the session ends. Authors of the bills believe the leadership's strategy is to keep them in committee, since it would be difficult for many members to oppose sending a proposed constitutional amendment to increase the exemption to a vote of the people. They Said It "If you get any closer, you're going to have to start tipping me." --Stormy Daniels to the gaggle of reporters and photographers covering her "listening tour," in the AP Subscribe and See These Stories in LaPolitics Weekly --Legislators look for more one-time money --Guillory Takes Acadiana Senate Seat --Judges Pass on Supreme Court Race --Public Records Bill Source of Tension --Landrieu Calls for Stelly Cut Suspension --Georges' UNO Fundraising Gesture --N.O. Hospital Bill Still in Play --Federal Permitting Hiatus Rattles Oil Patch --More They Said It
Jindal Takes Charge Early Any doubts about the governor's focus and force in dealing with the Legislature were pushed aside in the session's first week in which he passed the bills he wanted, killed the ones he opposed and--for the wow factor--struck an innovative deal with the New Orleans Saints that lays claim to surplus dollars that legislators eyed for other uses. The week was capped with the announcement of a new agreement to keep the Saints in New Orleans through 2025. The deal is anchored by the state committing $85 million in surplus funds to further upgrade the Superdome. That part will require early legislative approval and some lawmakers are deadset against it. Yet expected criticism from rural North Louisiana, traditionally most hostile toward spending public dollars on the Saints, has been softened by Gov. Jindal's push to use $50 million from the mega fund to finance the purchase of the Pilgrim's Pride chicken plant in Farmerville. Vitter Still Popular, But Weaker Considering his circumstances, Sen. David Vitter got a fairly good job rating (58-33 percent) in a Southern Media statewide poll released this week. But only 30 percent said they would definitely vote to re-elect him, while 35 percent would consider someone else and 28 percent would vote for someone else. His definite re-elect among whites was only 35 percent. Democrats Complain About Landrieu Recommendations New Orleans Democrats were not very happy about Sen. Mary Landrieu's recommendation of Republican U.S. Attorney Jim Letten's reappointment. But their greater complaint was that they did not feel included in the senator's decision process. "There was a lack of communication on her part," said Speaker Pro Tem Karen Carter Peterson, D-New Orleans, and "a disregard for a large constituency." Landrieu disputes Peterson's claim. "I talked to Karen Carter Peterson over a dozen times formally and informally," said Landrieu. She said she spoke to no one over last weekend after making her decision on Friday. They Said It "He was probably attending a fundraiser." --Sen. Jody Amedee on Gov. Jindal, who wasn't in his office when the delegation of senators arrived to inform him the Legislature was prepared for his opening address, in the Picayune Subscribe and See These Stories in LaPolitics Weekly --More on politics behind Saints' deal --Jindal's popularity hurt little by trips --Governor's team shuts out transparency bills --Spending bill moves early and publicly --Tax bills slapped down --Cravins dynasty threatened --Georges web site could foretell mayoral run --LSU objections don't slow hospital transfer bill --School board change bills in trouble --Stormy Daniels blows into Baton Rouge --More They Said It
Speaker Tests His Leadership on Budget As much as the governor, House Speaker Jim Tucker has been the outspoken bearer of bad news about the state's worsening three-year revenue forecast. He describes it beginning with a big drop-off and heading toward "the cliff" of fiscal year 2011-12, election year, when federal stimulus money runs out and increased Medicaid costs fully kick in. His diplomacy will be tested in the coming session, which he enters as a budget hawk who favors taking deep cuts now instead of deeper ones later. He will find himself at odds with most Democrats and some Republicans who want to use more available one-time money to buffer healthcare and higher education. Tucker wants to hold onto that money or to use it for one-time purposes instead of plugging budget holes in the near term. Though Tucker might be able to hold the budget line in the House, somewhat, the Senate is not expected to be as fiscally pure. Melancon Seeks to Moderate Energy Bill Perhaps the most important issue facing Louisiana in Congress is the president's energy bill, on which House Energy Committee hearings opened this week. The bill by Chairman Henry Waxman, D-Calif., includes a controversial "cap and trade" provision that would drive up costs for the state's energy-intensive oil and gas and chemical industries. Congressman Charlie Melancon, a committee member, recently met with state industry leaders, who asked him to help mobilize Blue Dog Democrats to fashion a less costly compromise. With Republicans lined up against the bill, Melancon finds himself in a challenging position of possibly having to oppose the legislation if fellow Democrats don't agree to moderate it. N.O. Poll Shows Mitch Landrieu Strength A poll of New Orleans voters commissioned by the Democracy Project and Tulane University shows that Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu, who lost the 2006 mayor's election, maintains high levels of support as a possible 2010 contender. Political consultant James Carville, who helped to organize the poll, concludes from the results, "Landrieu would be the odds on favorite to get into the runoff." The lieutenant governor has not said if he will run. Twenty-seven percent of blacks and 16 percent of whites said they would "definitely vote" for Landrieu for mayor. The 1,008-sample poll did not include a trial heat of declared or potential candidates, because, said Carville, there is too much disparity in name recognition. Subscribe and See These Stories in LaPolitics Weekly --Jim Tucker: Mr. Inside / Mr. Outside --Cassidy Outraise House Freshmen --Legislators Out to Limit Roll-Forwards --Medicaid Expansion Could Cripple LSU Hospitals --Landrieu to Recommend Appointments
Justice Traylor Mentioned as Potential Vitter Challenger The hot rumor going around North Louisiana is that retiring Supreme Court Justice Chet Traylor, a Republican, is considering challenging Vitter in next year's fall primary. Last month, Traylor announced he will retire at the end of May, but has not said what he will do next. He did not respond to a request for comment to the court's press office. Republicans Target Melancon, But Need a Candidate Looking ahead to next year's congressional races, Republicans are eager to field a challenger to the state's lone Democratic Congressman Charlie Melancon. The National Republican Congressional Committee has approached Rep. Nickie Monica, R-La Place, to ask him to run. "I'm still evaluating it, as I have in the past, and I'm looking at other opportunities," said the former St. John Parish president, who passed on the 2008 race. "The key is money," said Monica, who knows he has to raise a substantial sum on his own before the national party starts writing checks. Big Jindal Contributor Rejected for Permit Those who pay don't always get to play. This week, the Department of Environmental Quality rejected a permit application by a Colorado company to open an industrial landfill in Alsen, just north of Baton Rouge. The owners and officers of Louisiana Land Acquisitions, based in Littleton, Colo., gave Jindal $50,000 for his gubernatorial campaign. After a prolonged public comment period and staff review, DEQ rejected the LLA permit, citing a lack of need because of several other landfills in the area. Subscribe and See These Stories in LaPolitics Weekly --How PSC Race Was Won --Republicans look to consolidate gains --Democratic Leadership Under Fire --House Leaders in Opposite Directions on Budget --Judge Eyes Supreme Court Race --Limited Success Seen for Term Limits Bills --Surplus Deal Clears Way for Road Projects --Edwards' Book Due Out Before Jindal's
How Much Damage Done? Lawmakers are assessing the damage done to Gov. Bobby Jindal's political effectiveness by the crushing defeat of the candidate he endorsed in last week's special Senate election in Baton Rouge. Lee Domingue was crushed, 66-34 percent, by fellow Republican Dan Claitor. Legislators pay attention to what kind of stroke a new governor has in legislative elections, as a gauge of how much they have to fear in opposing his policies. The consensus is: not much. Another view is that Domingue's defeat does not reflect so poorly on the value of Jindal's endorsement, because nothing could have salvaged the campaign of the hopelessly compromised candidate. What's in doubt is the political judgment of Jindal and his chief of staff Timmy Teepell, the apparent engineeer of the governor's involvement. Sources say Teepell was presented with the research on Domingue early on, but disregarded it. Governor Likely to Stay Out of PSC Race After Republican Clyde Holloway led Democratic Sen. Joe McPherson in the Public Service Commission primary, 43-42 percent, it might seem likely for the governor to endorse the GOP candidate. But the Holloway campaign, according to inside sources, does not expect it, don't feel they need it and, given the Senate race outcome, aren't sure they even want it. More valuable perhaps to Holloway is the nod from third-place finisher Gil Pinac, a Republican who polled 14 percent and led in two parishes. Holloway carried ten parishes (including Rapides, his and McPherson's home), McPherson carried four and the frontrunners tied one. Only 18 More Fundraising Days Until the Session Even some of the governor's supporters are grousing about his almost weekly out-of-state trips to raise money. But the fund quest will soon be suspended by the start of the legislative session, during which he is barred from accepting contributions. Hustling to beat the same deadline are legislators, who are staying close to Baton Rouge by soliciting donations from lobbyists. One source has counted invitations to over 85 fundraising events for legislators between Jan. 1 and April 27, sometimes three or four a night. They Said It "They are spending 42 hours a week in front of some kind of electronic monitor. That's a full-time job, and they're not hunting and fishing." --Wildlife Secretary Robert Barham on the younger generation, in the Ouachita Citizen Subscribe and See These Stories in LaPolitics Weekly --More on Senate Race Fallout: the Big Losers --Guillory Opens Strong Lead in Acadiana Senate Race --Old-Name Newcomer in Jefferson Keeps Senator in BR --Tangled Ethics Web of Nagin Administration --Lake Charles Mayor Is Democrats' Ideal --Catch-22 Limits Use of Rainy Day Fund
Claitor Beats Domingue in BR Senate Race Dan Claitor clobbered Lee Domingue, 66-34 percent, in a Baton Rouge Senate race dominated by questions about the loser's character and past. Claitor benefitted from his hometown appeal, while Gov. Bobby Jindal's endorsement of Domingue could not salvage a campaign dogged by a barrage of negative reports.
Veteran Pols Head for Runoff for PSC Seat Former Republican Congressman Clyde Holloway leads Democrat Sen. Joe McPherson by less than 1 percent heading into the runoff for Public Service Commissioner in the southwest-central Louisiana district. Republican Gil Pinac polled 14 percent.
Vitter Offers Truce in Exchange for Letten Sen. Mary Landrieu's delay on whether or not to recommend the reappointment of U.S. Attorney Jim Letten has given Sen. David Vitter an opening to put public pressure on her and to get some credit if the prosecutor is reappointed. In a letter to the Times-Picayune, Vitter offered his colleague a deal. If Letten is reappointed, he promises not to obstruct any other presidential nominees in Louisiana. The most-mentioned possible replacement is Brian Jackson, a former career assistant U.S. Attorney. She also has a slate of federal judgeships and prosecutors to fill in the state's three district. The full LaPolitics Weekly has the list of those in the running . . . They Said It "We are trying to do some good government for a change." --Rep. Charmaine Marchand Stiaes, on her bill to move up the merger of the two Orleans sheriffs' offices to next year, in the Picayune Subscribe and See These Stories in LaPolitics Weekly --Names of potential picks for federal judge and U.S. Attorney --Veteran Pols Head for PSC Runoff --18 Sheriffs Back Judge for Supreme Court --Rundown of special legislative elections, including fate of Jindal endorse --Senator in fight for local office --Leadership change marks turn for Southern --More They Said It
Senator Wants to Make TOPS a Flat Grant Bills to rein in TOPS scholarships have been filed before but rarely get out of committee. But with higher education facing steep cuts, Sen. Butch Gautreaux, D-Morgan City, thinks the time could be right to change the award from a full tuition scholarship to a flat grant. Gautreaux hasn't settled on a figure, but says it will be less than the $2,500 tuition and fees per semester at LSU but more than what some other state colleges charge. Gautreaux thinks that with the bleaker budget picture his bill will get a better reception this time. The measure will meet strong opposition from the Taylor Foundation, named for late oil man Pat Taylor, who pushed the Legislature to pass the forerunner of TOPS. Legislators: Change Civil Service, Abolish BESE The governor wants to form a commission to recommend structural changes in state government, but some legislators aren't waiting for the report. Rep. Mike Danahay, D-Sulphur, and Rep. John Schroder, R-Covington, have gained Gov. Jindal's support of a plan to overhaul State Civil Service. Rep. Joe Harrison, R-Napoleonville, says he will file a proposed constitutional amendment today to abolish the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and to move its policy-making functions into the Department of Education. Alexandria Candidates Eye Supreme Court Race Two Alexandria names have been added to those of potential Supreme Court candidates for the fall's special election to succeed retiring Justice Chet Traylor. Governor's executive counsel Jimmy Faircloth and District Judge Harry Randow have been mentioned. Monroe area candidates mentioned include: Court of Appeal Judges Milton Moore and Larry Lolley, District Judge Marcus Clark and former Supreme Court Justice Joe Bleich. They Said It "Nothing can eat Tauzin and live." --Former congressman Jimmy Hayes on former congressman Billy Tauzin's recovery from cancer, in the Picayune Subscribe and See These Stories in LaPolitics Weekly --Jindal recovers national voice --More out-of-state fundraising --Governor helping senators out of Capitol --Lawmakers to dig into budget --Legislator confronts skeletons in closet --First lines drawn for redistricting are flawed --State fast-tracks storm money to parishes --More They Said It
Millions for the Birds The state is moving into new economic development territory by offering to put up most of the purchase price for a North Louisiana chicken processing plant, whose owner's bankruptcy threatens to throw 1,300 employees out of work and financially ruin 300 independent growers with heavily mortgaged farms. If an agreement is reached, Gov. Jindal intends to tap the state's so-called Mega Fund, which would require a change in the law. With the credit crunch delaying new projects, the administration is shifting its focus to ongoing projects and expansions, including the rescue of a firm about to close. Some legislators have their own ideas for using the Mega Fund in the coming session. There is talk among them about tapping it to plug holes in the budget or to finance a backlog of construction projects. Traylor Retirement Starts Supreme Court Race The announced retirement of Supreme Court Justice Chet Traylor took court observers by surprise and sets up another heated competition that could affect the balance of the high court. For the special election to be held in October and November, a wide field is expected from the 20 parishes covering the northeast and most of the central part of the state. Among them is Ruston attorney Joe Bleich, who won the seat in a special election in early 1996, but lost that fall's election for a full term to Traylor. It was a hard-fought contest in which LABI backed Republican Traylor heavily while Bleich the Democrat was strongly supported by trial lawyers. Holloway's Lead Wider in Independent PSC Poll The first poll not commissioned by a candidate in the Public Service Commission race shows Clyde Holloway with a larger lead than did two previous surveys. The 400-sample Southern Media poll done March 13-15 showed: Holloway, 31 percent; Sen. Joe McPherson, 20; Gil Pinac, 11; Undecided, 38. It was commissioned by Baton Rouge contractor Lane Grigsby, a Holloway contributor, who said he might make a third-party expenditure in the race. They Said It "I'm restricted from telling you to lobby. But if I weren't restricted, I'd tell you to lobby." --LSU Chancellor Michael Martin to students on proposed state budget cuts, in the Advocate Subscribe and See These Stories in LaPolitics Weekly --State commitments from Mega Fund --Jindal Wins Praise on Chicken Deal --Colleges Nervously Eye Cuts, New Plan --BR Senate Candidate Battered by His Past --Lawmakers Out to Cast Sunshine on Governor --Morial to Speak in BR --More They Said It
Budget Forecast: Bad to Worse The Jindal administration today presents to legislators next year's budget, which cuts funding throughout state government but also relies heavily on federal stimulus money to keep things from getting worse, especially in higher education. While some predict legislative resistance to the governor's budget, history shows that when there is no new money to fight over, legislators don't, and are relieved that when the administration makes the unpopular choices for them. Also, unlike in other bad years, this governor won't be trying to increase or renew taxes. BR Republican Leads Jindal-Endorsed Candidate Despite Gov. Jindal's endorsement of his opponent, Baton Rouge attorney Dan Claitor has the momentum going into the Senate District 16 special election runoff on April 4. Claitor led businessman Lee Domingue, 39-34 percent, with third-place finisher Laurinda Calongne getting 27 percent. Yesterday Calongne endorsed Claitor. Claitor's message keyed on his native roots. He ran best in older neighborhoods, where turnout in his top precincts ranged 22-37 percent, while turnout in Domingue's best boxes was 8-22 percent. McPherson Outraises Field, Leads Own PSC Poll Sen. Joe McPherson, D-Woodworth, starts the Public Service Commission special election campaign with a big advantage in fundraising and a modest lead in his own poll. McPherson has $394,000 cash on hand. Clyde Holloway lent his campaign $25,000 and has $7,200 on hand. Republican Gil Pinac, a former state rep from Crowley, raised $62,000 and has $36,000 left. A 500-sample Anzalone-Liszt poll commissioned by McPherson puts him at 41 percent, ahead of Holloway at 33 percent and Pinac at 14 percent. They Said It "A task force is where you send something and never hear about it again." --BESE member Chas Roemer on resolution asking Legislature to form task force on changing school boards, in the Advocate Subscribe and See These Stories in LaPolitics Weekly --More on budget challenge --Legislators seeks end run on stimulus --Vitter back in comfort zone, angering Democrats --Runoff prospects in state Senate race --Despite BESE pass, school board fight will go on --Sen. Quinn runs to stay at home --High cost of extending film tax credits --Fielkow might not run for mayor or re-election --More They Said It
Claitor, Domingue in Senate Runoff Dan Claitor, playing on his local roots, leads fellow Republican Lee Domingue 38-34 percent in the state Senate primary in South Baton Rouge. Laurinda Calongne had 27 percent. The runoff is April 4. Domingue had the endorsement of the governor, much more money and the best organized turnout effort, but he was hurt by his own voting record, in missing 9 of 10 elections between 2006 and 2008. He was also hit in negative mail pieces and e-mails pointing to his business bankruptcy in Houston in the '90s.
Legislator Looks to Challenge Vitter Several names have surfaced as possible challengers to Sen. David Vitter next year, but Sen. Rob Marionneaux, D-Livonia, is the first to say he is strongly considering it. "I clearly think David Vitter can be beat," he told LaPolitics. "And I think I can be the one to beat him." He said he will know by the end of the legislative session if he is in a position to run or if he will step aside. On the Republican side, former state rep Tony Perkins will not enter the primary, according to state party chairman Roger Villere, who said he spoke with Perkins this week. The head of the D.C.-based Family Research Council told Politico earlier he would consider challenging Vitter. Marionneaux's interest pleases former Gov. Kathleen Blanco, who is actively seeking a challenger to Vitter. "I think he would be David Vitter's worst nightmare. Rob is fearless," she said. "I think he can really wage a tough campaign and I think he can raise the money." Blanco estimates the race would cost $5 million. Vitter reports $2 million cash on hand. BESE Members Cool to Taking on School Boards The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education is set to vote next week on whether to back State Superintendent Paul Pastorek's proposed legislative agenda that includes: term limits for school boards, eliminating board member salaries, education requirements for members and prohibiting interference with superintendents on hiring, firing and contracts. Board sources predict a close vote, with some members who usually back Pastorek questioning if the time is right to take on school board members and their allies in the Legislature. "I'm not sure if it will come up for a vote," said BESE member Glenny Lee Buquet of Houma, who often backs Pastorek. Another BESE member supports Pastorek's plan in principle but doesn't like the way he has gone about it, including criticizing school boards. Landrieu Has Another Judgeship Recommendation With Judge Tucker Melancon taking senior status in the Western District this week, Sen. Mary Landrieu has another federal judgeship recommendation to make to President Obama. If Landrieu chooses to recommend an African-American in the Western District, two leading candidates are state district judges Jules Edwards of Lafayette and Alonzo Harris of Opelousas. Two Lafayette attorneys have been mentioned, Mike Juneau and George Arceneaux. So has been Beth Foote of Alexandria, president of the state bar association, who is known to be very close to Landrieu. They Said It "His Secret Service code name now is: Joe Biden." --Jay Leno on Bobby Jindal Subscribe and See These Stories in LaPolitics Weekly --More on Marionneaux and other possible Democratic challengers to Sen. Vitter --Perkins won't run for Senate --Vitter Shows High Negatives in Poll --Jindal Panned, But Still in Spotlight --Governor Endorses Big Contributor --DWI Legislation Will Be Controversial --Republicans Seek to Keep Primary Closed --More "They Said It"
LaPolitics is on vacation Next issue: March 6
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