Drill Ban Fight Goes to D.C.

After last week's send-off at the Cajundome rally, the effort opposing the Gulf drilling moratorium hit Washington this week.

Gulf Citizens United, a group newly formed by LABI, placed ads in Roll Call, The Hill and Politico, opposing the moratorium. Backing the group's argument are two national polls by Rasmussen and Bloomberg Financial News showing over 70 percent support for resuming exploration in the Gulf.

No response has come, however, from where it counts: the White House or the Interior Department.

The oil spill response bill, set for vote this week in both houses, might also build pressure against the moratorium. Yet, any momentum building for that effort in Washington gets suspended next week when Congress begins its August break.

Vitter Starts Radio Ads While Traylor Seeks Donors

Four weeks to go before the Republican primary, Sen. David Vitter is just starting to crack into his $5.5 million warchest to run ads on radio, as his campaign holds back for now on TV and direct mail.

After two tumultuous weeks following qualifying, challenger Chet Traylor is trying to put the controversy over his romantic involvements behind him and to focus on raising enough money to get on TV and stay up.

The candidate will show what he has on Aug. 15, the next FEC filing deadline, which will include all financial activity up until Aug. 8.

Vitter supporters will be curious to see if any Democratic money lands in Traylor's coffers.

They Said It

"We went to every room in the house and broke every piggy bank and put that money in the budget this year."

--Rep. Jim Fannin, in the News Star

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Also in this week's issue:

--More on anti-moratorium efforts in D.C.

--Terrell aims for statewide office

--Richmond first on TV, first attacked

--Downer contribution to Blanco noted

--Grigsby looks to sue Legislature on budget

--Energy bill demise might help get plant

--Hospital board to get its chairman next week

--More They Said It

Polls Apart in Senate Race

Democratic and Republican surveys released yesterday on the Senate race are polls apart.

The Melancon campaign released an Anzalone-Lizst poll it commissioned that shows Vitter's lead shrinking to only 44-43 percent. The 800-sample survey was taken July 13-18.

The NRSC-commissioned poll by Public Opinion Strategies shows Vitter still far ahead, 48-31 percent. The 600 sample poll was taken July 20-21.

Both polls agree the overall environment remains bad for Democrats, but Anzalone concludes that Vitter does not benefit from that, while POS states that Melancon's association with President Obama stymies his growth.

LABI Sets Up Group to Push Moratorium Message

On the heels of the big rally against the drilling moratorium in Lafayette this week, LABI has announced formation of a new group to raise money for an ad campaign to take the state's message to Washington.

Gulf Citizens United is now a 501(c)(4) legal entity that aims to raise $250,000 for a national media effort, beginning with a print campaign in Washington next week before Congress recesses for August.

They Said It

"I've got to learn how to twitter."

--Independent Senate candidate Rep. Ernest Wooton

Subscribe and read this week's whole issue.

Also this week . . .

--More on conflicting Senate polls

--Traylor vs. Ellington

--Teap Party back Villere

--Gautreaux raising money for Lt. Governor race

--2nd Congressional District race could go to runoff

--Medicaid relief left out of jobless benefits bill, leaving hole in state budget

--Jindal wants down payment from BP on damages

--Brandt redefined role of PAR

--More They Said It

Vitter vs. Traylor

Former Supreme Court Justice Chet Traylor's surprising late entry into the U.S. Senate race makes his Republican primary challenge to Sen. David Vitter the key contest of the fall. Depending on the outcome of the Aug. 28 balloting, the November election against the Democrats could be much closer, or, if Traylor really catches on, the final election could be anti-climatic.

The key is for Traylor to raise at least $700,000 in the coming weeks for a compressed TV buy, says his consultant Roy Fletcher. "If we get that, we have a fair chance to make a real contribution to Louisiana," he said.

The short time frame of the race favors the incumbent, as does the closed GOP primary. Despite the senator's scandal issue, it remains to be seen if Traylor can shake Vitter's strength among the religious right, the tea party movement and the business community, who know they can count on the senator to vote with them.

Working for Traylor is Republicans' fear of the unknown about Vitter, and what could become known before November. Said Fletcher, "The insiders are asking: where is the other shoe and when is it dropping?"

Cao Poll Shows His Strength Against Democrats

Though rated the most vulnerable Republican incumbent in the House, Congressman Joseph Cao, R-New Orleans, has released a poll showing his surprising strength in the heavily Democratic 2nd District.

The 400-sample Verne Kennedy poll done for Cao has him leading state Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-New Orleans, 51-26 percent. Richmond is vying for the Democratic nomination against Rep. Juan Lafonta, who was not matched up against Cao in the poll.

The key finding has Cao leading Richmond among African-Americans, 39-36 percent, while being way in front among whites, 67-13 percent.

They Said It

"Aw, man, why can't I have my cake and eat it too?"

--White Castle Police Chief Mario Brown on being given choice of bribes between cash and tickets, according to the federal indictment against him

Subscribe and real this week's issue.

Also in this issue:

--More Vitter vs. Traylor

--Moratorium Could End Early But Still Be Too Late

--Shipyard Shutdown: We're Not in Farmerville Any More

--Jeff Landry Ups Ante on Fundraising in 3rd

--Female Democrat Could Be Sleeper in Lt. Governor Field

--On Solid Ground? Photos Raise Questions of Berms

--Jindal Appointees Can Set New LSU Agenda

--House Getting Rewired

--More They Said It

Absence of Democrats Gives Dardenne Advantage

Unless some well-known and/or well-funded Democrat files for lieutenant governor by 5 p.m. today, it would mark the first time in modern history the state's majority party did not have a major contender in a statewide election for an open office.

At the start of the campaign season, an absence of a major Democrat would seem to most benefit already-frontrunner Secretary of State Jay Dardenne. The moderate, long-serving Republican could be a default choice for Democrats, particularly in his solid base in the Baton Rouge area.

Without a strong Democrat running to his left, Dardenne won't be vulnerable to being squeezed out from the right, which always has been the best scenario for Republican Party Chairman Roger Villere.

More Lawsuits to Come Challenging Budget

The Public Service Commission's lawsuit against the Legislature won't be the last or the biggest legal challenge for budget bills signed by the governor.

The PSC has asked a state judge to declare unconstitutional the "sweep" of $8.7 million of funds dedicated to the regulatory agency that instead were used to plug holes in the general budget.

Yet the PSC suit could be small potatoes compared to one or more other expected lawsuits that could punch a bigger hole in the operating budget for the fiscal year that's just begun. According to a close source, several businessmen plan to challenge the legality of using $198 million from the rainy day fund without provisions for paying it back, as a strict reading of the state constitution seems to require.

They Said It

"Only a government bureaucrat would say rocks are more harmful to our water than oil."

--Gov. Bobby Jindal on Corps' rejection of rock barriers to block spilled oil from the coast, in the Advocate

Subscribe and read this week's whole issue

Also in this issue:

--More on Lt. Governor's race

--More on PSC lawsuit and bigger one to come

--New questions, same issue face Vitter at qualifying

--New prosecutor starts with indictments close to home

--Governor tightens his inner circle

--Peterson not running makes race in 2nd simpler

--Downer builds warchest quickly for congressional race

--Shreveport Mayor Glover faces "black primary" first

--Democrats get new executive director

--Vetoes widen split between governor, speaker

--Rumors end at 5 pm

--More They Said It

Summer Vacation. Next Issue: July 9

Senate Wins 2 of 3 . . .

When Gov. Bobby Jindal finally turned his focus from the coast to the Capitol last weekend, he sided with the Senate and the path of least resistance on the two big money bills, the budget packed with one-time funds and the GRAD Act to let colleges raise tuition 10 percent per year starting this fall. Team Jindal backed that with a lobbying blitzkrieg on the House that included callers from members' districts, urging them to adopt the Senate versions of both bills in order to soften cuts to colleges and hospitals.

In a rare instance, the House concurred on the budget, 69-33, despite the Speaker voting against, as did 27 other Republicans.

. . . But Jindal Doesn’t Lose

Though Senate President Joel Chaisson called on the governor to convene a special session on the contingency fee bill, there is good reason to believe Jindal would just as well go forward without it. He has pledged to provide Attorney General Buddy Caldwell with the resources to pursue the case against BP paying hourly fees to lawyers instead of a percentage of their recovery.

The advantage now for Jindal is that he controls the pursestrings when Caldwell needs more, which could give the governor some influence over who gets hired.

They Said It

"This is a day that will live in infamy. Little Bobby turns liberal. Lafonta turns conservative."

--Rep. Ernest Wooton on governor's support of contingency fee bill and Lafonta's opposition to member amendments in budget.

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Also This Week:

--More on Legislature's closing hours of intrigue

--Former Senator Paid by City Airport Vendor

--Why Moratorium Celebration Could Be Short-Lived

--Some Legislators Preparing for Fall Elections

--Assessor's Departure Stirs Parish President's Race

--Southern to Pay New President $415,000

--Beating Governor Not Enough for Joe McPherson

--More They Said It

Polls Far Apart on Vitter-Melancon Race

Sen. David Vitter leads two different independent polls released this week, but by 20 points in one and by only 9 points in another.

A 1,030-sample automated poll by Magellan Strategies done June 10-13 has Vitter leading 51-31 percent, with 18 percent undecided.

A 492-sample poll by Public Policy Polling done with live interviews on June 12-13 has Vitter ahead only 46-37 percent.

A major difference between the two polls is the responses of Democrats. In PPP, Melancon leads among Democrats, 56-22 percent, while Magellan has him ahead among Democrats by only 43-33 percent.

Nungesser Could Be in Mix for Lt. Governor

According to a source, a poll has been commissioned to test Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser Jr.'s viability as a candidate for lieutenant governor. Some business people who are potential supporters of the Republican are underwriting the survey.

From his near-daily exposure on CNN and his plainspoken criticism of the oil spill response, Nungesser has achieved statewide favorable name recognition that could kick-start a campaign. The greater challenge would be raising money in a hurry for an office that is not easy to raise money for.

They Said It

"The only technology that companies seem to be relying on is the Xerox machine."

--U.S. Rep. Ed Markey on oil companies' "cookie-cutter" oil spill response plans, in the Advocate

Subscribe and read this week's entire LaPolitics Weekly

Also in this issue:

--Waiting on Jindal to Make Budget Deal

--Mayor Shrugs Off Power Play by Interim

--House, Senate Years Apart on Tuition Bill

--Attorney Fee Bill Before House Today

--State Not Relying on Medicaid Extension

--Community Hospitals Fight for Funding

--Veto Watch Starts Early

--Reality Check Gives Low-Down on Session

--More They Said It

Politicians and the Spill

With government officials, even the President, powerless to stop the oil leak, politicians are staking out those areas in which they can be effective in the coastal crisis. Their job approvals, even their political futures, could hang on how they engage the major players, from BP to the Coast Guard to the White House. LaPolitics reviews who's who in the spill.

Candidates on Radar

Just as the New Orleans mayor's race started early speculation on who would replace Mitch Landrieu as lieutenant governor, so too has the race for the No. 2 spot sparked interest in the next secretary of state, should frontrunner Jay Dardenne win this fall. LaPolitics has some names.

They Said It

"As long as Texaco's flag flies over the Capitol, it's going to stay that way."

--Sen. Joe McPherson on oil industry influence over the Legislature, before defeat of the oil processing tax bill

Subscribe and read these stories in this week's LaPolitics

--How they're faring with the big spill: Bobby Jindal, Mary Landrieu, Vitter/Melancon, Billy Nungesser, Scott Angelle

--Governor's Absence Weighs on Session

--Three Groups Interested in 15th Riverboat License

--Clausen Is Gone, But Higher Ed Still in Limbo

--New Southern President Negotiates Salary

--Bills to Prepare State to Charge for Water

--More They Said It

D.C. Acts for Better and Worse

Within a week of the President's visit to the coast, his two major responses to the Gulf oil crisis gives hope and takes it away.

The White Houaw granted Gov. Bobby Jindal's No. 1 "ask," approval for massive sand berm construction, paid by BP, designed to block oil from entering the coastal marsh.

Yet the other presidential decision, the six-month moratorium on deepwater oil-and-gas exploration beyond 500 feet, deals another major blow to the staggering coastal economy, costing an estimated 40,000 jobs.

Now that the president has acted, there is not much the state's congressional delegation can do to lift or mitigate the moratorium.

A congressional staffer, speaking on background, sees little hope for the White House reversing course. "How hard can you push back when you still have a deepwater well completely out control and no one has come up with what they would do differently if it happens again?"

Hebert Eyes Run for Insurance Commissioner

Sen. Troy Hebert says he is "getting encouragement" and "weighing his options" about running for insurance commissioner against Jim Donelon next year. He plans to look at it more closely after the session.

After 13 years in the Legislature, Hebert of Jeanerette switched from Democrat to independent before the session. As chairman of the Senate Insurance Committee, he would be drawing from the same pool of contributors as the incumbent.

They Said It

"Logic is gone now. Emotion takes its place."

--Regents member Roland Toups on funding formula for higher education, in the Advocate

Subscribe and read this week's full edition

--What congressional delegation can ask for on moratorium

--Claims for laid-off oil rig workers?

--Like Oil Slicks, Spill Bills Appear Overnight

--What Is Nungesser Running For?

--House Holds Upper Hand in Budget Battle with Senate?

--GRAD Act Is Small Win for Higher Ed Under Stress

--Honore, Moreno Elections Make Full House

--BR Area Reps Out to Blockade Loop Money

--They Said It

Emergency vacation; next issue: June 4

No LaPolitics This Week

For an old heart patient on blood thinners, a nose bleed is nothing to sneeze at.

Mine landed me in the hospital for part of this week for blood transfusions and much commotion. Thanks to Dr. Jerry Fourrier, ENT specialist and my friend from Cub Scouts, I am back in action, but not, for this week, in print.

LaPolitics Weekly will not publish on Friday, but it will be back next Friday, June 4. The week off will be made up during July vacation in order that subscribers receive their full complement of issues.

No need for well-wishers to call--am being well cared for. But to do something nice for your community, become a blood donor.

Changing the Rules of the Race

Party primaries could be scrapped this fall

The strategies of candidates and dynamics of this year's congressional elections could change drastically with the stroke of the governor's pen if a bill moving quickly through the Legislature passes in its current form. Party primaries scheduled for this August and October would suddenly be scrapped and a non-partisan open primary would be held in November for this fall's congressional elections, under the current version of Rep. Hunter Greene's HB 292.

Initially, his bill would not take effect until the 2012 election cycle. But a Senate amendment moved it up to this year. Greene said he would "take the temperature of the House" before deciding whether to ask members to accept the amendment, or to reject it and send the bill to conference committee.

The greatest impact from the change might be seen in the 2nd and 3rd congressional district races.

Judges Oppose Each Other in BR Race

A Court of Appeal election between two sitting judges in Baton Rouge this fall is causing heartburn for the legal community.

The local bar isn't looking forward to having to choose between supporting Court of Appeal Judge John Michael Guidry and District Judge Wilson Fields in a challenge brought by the latter.

Legal sources say the challenge stems from Wilson's brother Cleo's alleged grudge against Guidry, who voted to overturn a lower court ruling that the term limits law did not disqualify the former state senator from seeking re-election in 2007. The Supreme Court upheld the appellate ruling that Cleo Fields' name be taken off the election ballot.

They Said It

"I don't know who's right. I don't know who's wrong. That's not unusual, is it?

--Sen. Robert Adley on a procedural question

Subscribe and read this week's entire issue

Also this week:

--Open primary's potential impact on 2nd and 3rd congressional district races

--James David Cain Not Running for Senate

--Jindal Presses Corps for Barrier Construction

--News Flash! House, Senate Spar Over Budget

--Judges Oppose Each Other in BR Race

--Badon, Willard-Lewis Eye Senate Seat

--Speaker: Driver's License Fee Repeal to Get Hearing

--Oil Spill Bad for Business at Capitol

--Anti-Abortion Bills Moving in Legislature

--More They Said It

Jindal Agenda Struggles

Even before the Gulf oil gusher pulled him away from the Capitol, Gov. Bobby Jindal's legislative agenda, called Moving Louisiana Forward, was moving slowly and being stalled when key bills encountered opposition.

Major bills in his package that have stalled are: constitional amendments to tap into trust funds; the GRAD Act to give college boards more flexibility to raise tuition; abolishing the lieutenant governor's office; single board of higher education.

More successful has been legislation he supports to crack down on sexual predators, drunken drivers and abortion providers, who have few defenders around the Capitol.

Hunt Downer: "I Am Running"

Wednesday came and went without an announcement from Hunt Downer on running for Congress in the 3rd District, but the former House speaker says he will be in the race.

"I am running," he said. "I will have papers filed by Monday or Tuesday.

I didn't think it was the right time to make a big announcement."

He said he would make a formal announcement once the tense situation with the oil spill settles down some. In the meantime, he is putting the last of his campaign and finance teams in place.

They Said It

"I expected MIT. Not the PGA."

--Congressman Edward Markey on BP's planned "junk shot" of golf balls, tires and rope into its gushing undersea oil well, in the Advocate

Subscribe and read this week's entire issue.

Also in this issue:

--Rundown on Jindal's major bills in trouble

--Team Jindal playing more defense

--Spill Response is booming business

--Peterson looms over New Orleans congressional race

--Candidate sideswiped by driving record

--Constant Short Votes: Where have all the legislators gone?

--More They Said It

Oil Spillover on Session

After a month of passing few bills of substance and without yet addressing the current year deficit, the Legislature was asked by the governor to slow down by putting off debate on any controversial bills for a week while his staff deals with the Gulf oil spill.

The most significant bill delayed in the Senate, as far as the governor is concerned, is Sen. Joe McPherson's defiant repeal of the $15 driver's license fee that the administration imposed without consent of the current Legislature. SB 407 is now set for floor debate on Tuesday.

Tide Turns in D.C. on Energy Bill

The first political victim of the spill disaster could be the as-yet unveiled energy bill that President Obama wants Congress to pass this spring.

"The whole dynamics have changed," said a congressional staffer. The delicate compromise the president sought to craft, which included expanded offshore oil exploration to win over some senators like Mary Landrieu, could be blown up by the massive spill.

The ongoing gusher has Democrats speaking out against including expanded drilling language in the bill, the absence of which could cost the support of pro-production senators like Landrieu. She had conditioned her support on adding revenue sharing from the new drilling areas for coastal states including Louisiana.

Downer to Announce

Former House Speaker Hunt Downer is expected to announce next week that he is running for Congress in the 3rd District. But a new poll released by GOP rival Jeff Landry shows Downer might have some ground to make up.

They Said It

"She continues to wonder what it is so wonderful about public service when you have five kids."

--New Lt. Gov. Scott Angelle on taking pay cut from his previous job as Natural Resources secretary

Subscribe and read this week's issue

--Possible short-term revenue boost from cleanup spending

--Stage set for lieutenant governor's race

--Foster Campbell challenges state pols

--Senate to begin moving trust fund bills

--Will committee make-up matter in reapportionment?

--Senator's departure to make remap easier in N.O.

--Newcomers beat out veterans in House races

--Tuition hike bill faces steep climb in House

--Smoking ban author has backup plan

--More They Said It

Speaker Frustrated on College Bill

Speaker Jim Tucker either is having trouble counting votes or he is having trouble counting on members keeping their word to him. Either way, as with the uncomfortably close speaker pro tem election last month, the House leader was publicly frustrated when his college board merger bill was blocked on an 8-8 vote in the House Education Committee.

Committee members said they told Tucker before the meeting that the vote would be 8-8. He persisted and a lengthy debate ended in an 8-8 tie. The Picayune reported that the visibly upset speaker bolted from the committee room and told the AP that some members went back on their word to him.

The speaker later told reporters he thought he had the support of Rep. Bubba Chaney, but the Rayville Democrat voted against the bill. Tucker said he told Chaney "to come see me" in hopes of winning him over or changing the bill to make him more comfortable. The two have yet to meet.

Tucker's setback again has House members buzzing over the firmness of his support in the body, particularly in light of his high-stakes standoff with Gov. Jindal over the governor's bid to tap trust funds to meet future budget deficits.

Nomination of Angelle Clears Election Questions

The governor's nomination of Scott Angelle to be interim lieutenant governor settles speculation about what the Natural Resources secretary won't be doing this fall: running for the same post or for Congress.

It was widely known that Gov. Jindal offered Angelle the job shortly after Mitch Landrieu was elected New Orleans mayor. But he initially balked at the governor's insistence that he agree not to run for the office in the special election this fall. It wasn't until the weekend that he agreed to take the temporary job.

Until then, the Democrat was considered a potential strong candidate for either lieutenant governor or Congress in the 3rd District, either as a Democrat, Republican or independent. Yet financial and family considerations weighed against his electoral ambition. Rather, the interim post is a great resume builder for his political future.

They Said It

"I had a colonoscopy two weeks ago at Ochsner Hospital. You know the difference between Ochsner and this Legislature? They give you an anesthetic."

--Sen. Joe McPherson

Subscribe and Read This Week's Issue

Also in this issue:

--More on Speaker's Setback

--Punished Member Was Lone GOP "No" Vote

--Another Man-Made Disaster

--Nomination of Angelle Clears Election Questions

--Clausen's Salary Cut Doesn't Set an Example

--Villere, Dardenne on Fundraising Trail

--Low Turnout Toss-Ups in Special House Elections

--Education Battle Set for House Next Week

--Fee Repeal Bill Would Put Pothole in Budget

--Lobbying the Legislature? There's an App for That

--Conflicting Social Notes

--More They Said It

Campbell Looks at Lt. Governor Race

Sources say Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell is considering running for lieutenant governor in this fall's special election. Campbell did not return two calls for comment.

Should he decide to run, finances won't pose the same challenge as it has in past campaigns. He is said to have made millions of dollars from leasing his vast Bossier Parish land holdings in the heart of the Haynesville Shale.

Republicans running are: Secretary of State Jay Dardenne, St. Tammany Parish President Kevin Davis and state party chairman Roger Villere.

Downer Leaving Army, Leading 3rd District Poll

Maj. Gen. Hunt Downer retires from the Army National Guard at month's end, freeing him, as expected, to soon announce his candidacy for Congress in the 3rd District.

A Magellan Strategies poll of Republicans done in early March spots Downer a 43-16 percent lead over Jeff Landry of New Iberia. The 300-sample survey commissioned by major GOP contributor Boysie Bollinger shows Downer with a solid base in Terrebonne-Lafourche parishes, home to 30 percent of voters.

Landry's consultant Brent Littlefield disputes those numbers. "Something's cooking in the kitchen," he said.

They Said It

"He's the cancer, I'm the cure."

--Sen. Troy Hebert on his dispute with District Attorney Phil Haney

Subscribe and read this week's whole edition

Also in this issue:

--More on 3rd District Race

--Independent Out ot Crash Vitter's Tea Party

--Why State Is Not in Rush to Fill This Year's Budget Hole

--Did He Go Too Far? Tucker to Rebalance Reapportionment Committee

--LSU Seeks Back-up Tuition Bill Because GRAD Act Might Flunk

--The Irony of the State Unable to Get 15 Riverboats Alfoat

--Is Jindal's Parole Board Dysfunctional?

--Watch Out in Acadiana: Senator Is Out of Ticket-Fixing Business

--More They Said It

Republicans Defy State Leader in Scrapping Closed Primary

Even the author of the bill to re-instate the open primary in congressional elections was surprised at its breezy 71-27 passage in the House, four years after the Legislature enacted the closed primary law.

The vote was also seen as a rebuke to state Republican Party Chairman Roger Villere, who issued a statement defending closed primaries and who contacted lawmakers to oppose the bill by Rep. Hunter Greene, R-Baton Rouge.

Only 6 Republicans voted no and 41 voted yes. Democrats only favored the bill 28-20. Some GOP members are critical of the state central committee's decision to bar independents from voting in Republican primaries, while the Democrats have opened their primaries to unaffiliated voters.

Bill Could Kill BESE Charter Schools

Backers of charter schools fear a bill by Senate Education Committee Chairman Ben Nevers, D-Bogalusa, could spell an end to Type 2 charter schools, which are those approved by BESE.

SB 353 would require a vote of the people before public funds could be transferred to groups organizing Type 2 charter schools. It would not apply to charter schools approved by local school boards.

Nevers reasons that a community should have some say on the use of tax dollars not controlled by the locally elected school board.

Caroline Roemer, director of the Louisiana Charter Schools Association, says that if the bill passes, "That's the end for Type 2 charters." She said no charter group would likely be able to mount a parishwide campaign to pass a referendum. She also notes the bill would leave it to the school board to write the ballot language.

They Said It

"Sen. Murray has made a great career out of mumbling down here at the microphone."

--Sen. Robert Adley

Subscribe and read all of this week's issue

--"The Cliff" comes early to Legislature

--No Stormy, But Senate Race Heats Up

--Warchests Grow in 3rd District

--Shreveport Mayor Could Face Bipartisan Opposition

--Local Option Makes the Difference on Term Limits

--Nevers Bill Could Kill BESE Charter Schools

--Police Chief Not Landrieu's Biggest Problem Hire

--Candidates Pursue Niches for Low Turnout Elections

--"Taking a Walk" Good for Legislators' Health

--More They Said It

Cain Could Shake Up Senate Race

A big curve could be thrown into the straight-up U.S. Senate race if former state Sen. James David Cain decides to run as an independent, after stating this week he is "very interested" in entering the race.

"I am not ruling out running as a Republican, but the other way is a possibility too," he said. "I am getting a lot of calls from people who are not happy with either the Democrats or Republicans," he added, but confirmed, if elected, he would caucus with the Republicans as "a check on Obama."

The upshot of his candidacy, however, could be another senator for President Obama, if Cain acts as a spoiler by drawing enough rural white votes from Sen. David Vitter to give Congressman Charlie Melancon a plurality in the November election.

Jackson State President Emerges for SU Head

In what could be a pivotal change in leadership, the head of Jackson State University has emerged as a top candidate for president of the Southern University System.

Board sources say Chairman Tony Clayton will delay interviews set for next week in order to give Ronald Mason time to formally apply, after taking care of his business at Mississippi's largest black college.

Mason is from New Orleans and formerly was executive counsel for Tulane University. That and his fundraising performance at Jackson State has created strong interest in him by Clayton and allies on the reform wing of the Board of Supervisors.

They Said It

"Apparently there is an endless supply of people looking for work."

--Gov. Bobby Jindal on number of people who have asked to be appointed interim lieutenant governor

Subscribe and read the full LaPolitics Weekly

Also in this issue:

--More on James David Cain and Senate race

--Stormy Daniels Likes the GOP

--Trust Fund Changes Get Harder for Jindal

--Legislature to Deal with One Deficit at a Time

--BESE Majority Looks to Oust Chairman Next Week

--Lt. Governor Candidates Differ on Open Primary

--Security Concerns Aired Behind Closed Doors

--Pro Tem Fight: It's Over, But Not Over

--Local Option Applied to Term Limits Bill

--Edwards Has Easter Break in Port Allen

--More They Said It

Shake-up in the House

In his speech to the House before it voted for speaker pro tem, Rep. Noble Ellington publicly asked Speaker Jim Tucker, "Mr. Speaker, if anybody is to punished for this, put that on me."

Tucker did, but didn't stop there after the unprecedented close vote won by Rep. Joel Robideaux, No Party-Lafayette. In a wide-ranging shuffling of committee assignments, two Republicans who supported Democrat Ellington were removed from the powerful Appropriations Committee, while Ellington and another of his supporters, Rep. Charmaine Stiaes, D-New Orleans, were bounced from the House & Governmental Affairs Committee, which will draw reapportionment lines next year.

Tucker backed Robideaux and, according to some members, exerted pressure on wavering legislators in the final week.

Reps. John Schroder, R-Covington, and John LaBruzzo, R-Metairie, who voted for Ellington, were removed from Appropriations, and replaced with Reps. James Armes, D-DeRidder, and Rosalind Jones, D-Monroe, who voted for Robideaux.

If the speaker was enforcing some discipline in the body, opinions were divided on the wisdom of his actions.

Jindal's Move on Trust Funds Stirs Opposition

Louisiana, which faces a $3 billion budget shortfall over the next two fiscal years, has almost $3 billion in three major trust funds, and the governor wants more flexibility to tap into them.

Proposed constitutional amendments backed by the administration could free up over $500 million that would otherwise be unavailable for the fiscal "cliff" year of 2011-12, when a $1.7 billion shortfall is projected.

Some of the administration proposals already have drawn fire from the LABI President Dan Juneau, calling them "budget gimmicks" that could jeopardize the state's improving bond rating.

One proposed constitutional amendment would allow 10 percent, or $100 million, to be taken from the corpus of the Louisiana Educational Quality Trust Fund.

They Said It

"I double dog dare you to do what you think is the right thing to do."

--Rep. Noble Ellington to members on pro tem vote

Subscribe and read this week's entire issue

--Danger for Speaker in House Shake-up

--$500 Million Could Be Pulled from Trust Funds

--Stormy Daniels Is Bigger Problem for Democrats

--Special House Elections Headed for Runoffs

--Session's Watchwords: Keep Your Head Down

--Processing Tax Rears Head Again

--More They Said It

Independent Wins Close Vote for No. 2 Post

With nary a vote to spare, Rep. Joel Robideaux, I-Lafayette, was elected speaker pro tem over Rep. Noble Ellington, D-Winnsboro, in the first contested leadership election in a quarter century.

Speaker Jim Tucker, R-Algiers, spoke of Robideaux's behalf, but the roll call vote was split along party, regional and racial lines. Some saw the tight election as a test of Tucker's leadership, though members voting for Ellington say they still support the speaker.

Now the Legislature gets down to the real business of cutting government down to the size to fit declining revenues in what is seen to be a trying session.

Villere to Announce For Lieutenant Governor

The field of candidates for lieutenant governor grows next week when Republican state party chairman Roger Villere Jr. announces that he is running.

"I will have an announcement next week," he said. "I have made a decision."

He will join two other declared Republicans: Secretary of State Jay Dardenne and St. Tammany President Kevin Davis, who say they will run in the special election to fill the vacancy left by Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu's election as mayor of New Orleans.

They Said It

"I'd be shocked if politics played a role in this."

--Gov. Bobby Jindal, asked if V-Vehicle federal loan rejection was related to Louisiana joining a 14-state lawsuit challenging constitutionality of healthcare bill, in Monroe News Star

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--More on Pro Tem election, including Speaker's invovlement

--Health law burden backloaded on state

--Legislators go both ways on budget

--Legislators question steps on hospital construction

--Bill to approve paroles by majority vote

--More They Said It

Rainy Day Fund Could Be Tapped Again

The potential for state government running short of funds to finish the current fiscal year has some officials looking to tap the so-called Rainy Day fund for a second time this year.

Alarm bells started going off this week following the February income tax report showing a worsening trend that could result in up to a $400 million shortfall.

Officials concede that so great a shortfall could not be filled with budget cuts alone. Another possibility that has been raised is to tap the Budget Stabilization Fund (the Rainy Day fund's formal name) for the second time in the current budget year. The constitution allows one-third of the fund to be used in a year, $258 million of the total reserve, of which lawmakers used $86 million to balance the budget in last year's session. That leaves $172 million unused.

The real barrier, though, is political, for it takes a two-thirds vote of both houses to use the fund. Opposition is expected to be much greater in the House than in the Senate. It would depend on how hard the governor would push for it, along with budget cuts both houses could agree on.

Former Senators Returning as Lobbyists

State senators in the coming session will see some familiar faces on the other side of the rail that were inside it just two years ago.

Three former senators have registered as lobbyists this year. Former Sens. Francis Heitmeier, D-Algiers, and Art Lentini, R-Kenner, have signed up to represent the New Orleans Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots Association, or NOBRA Pilots. Former Senate President Don Hines, D-Bunkie, will lobby for the Rural Hospital Coalition, of which he is president.

Ethics laws bar former legislators from lobbying their old colleagues for two years after leaving office. That period ended in January for the three.

They Said It

"If y'all want that in English, we can get that for you later."

--DHH Secretary Alan Levine on explanation of Medicaid rules

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--More on Bad Budget Options

--Potential Democratic Split Could Help Cao

--Hospitals Plan Media Blitz for Budget Relief

--Administration Presses for OK of Hospital Deal

--House Divided 50-50

--Driver's fee creates hazard for administration

--Fields grows in special House race in BR

--Perry ponders run for House or City Hall job

--More They Said It

Light Session Agenda Expected

All-consuming budget issues seem to be crowding out consideration of other major matters for the upcoming legislative session. By Thursday evening, 318 House bills had been pre-filed and 66 were in the Senate. Legislative staffers say that's about half the number of bills usually dropped in the hopper by two and a half weeks before the start of the session.

The depressed revenue picture is said to be minimizing new initiatives from agencies or outside groups.

State Police to Answer For Driver's License Hike

The issue of the $15 driver's license increase won't be going away quietly. Sen. Joe McPherson, D-Woodworth, has scheduled a Joint Transportation Committee hearing next week to get some answers from State Police Commander Mike Edmonson. As of Monday, he ordered the Office of Motor Vehicles to begin collecting the new $36.50/four-year license fee.

Though Edmonson responded to questions from Appropriations Committee members this week, McPherson said, "The difference between me and Appropriations is I'll get answers."

Edmonson has said the Legislature gave approval for the fee increase in 1993, pursuant to a federal mandate to support the national drivers register. But administrations since then have not charged regular motorists, only holders of commercial licenses.

They Said It

"You should get used to me getting involved in things I don't have direct control over."

--Mayor-elect Mitch Landrieu, promising to champion education reform, in the Picayune

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Also in this issue:

--Tight budget threatens legislators' funding amendments for non-profits and local governments

--Slow-starting race in 3rd gets first announced GOP candidate

--Moves could be made on BESE, Civil Service

--Nagin depleting state loan fund

--Ronnie Johns seen for legislative comeback

--Secret elections proposed for legislative leaders

--Jindal gets no medal for handing them out

--More They Said It