Friday, July 30th, 2010

No Republican-Held U.S. Senate Seats Appear Headed For Democratic Column
(excerpt)

RASMUSSEN REPORTS

Two new releases this morning have shifted races in the Rasmussen Reports 2010 Senate Balance of Power.

New polling from Washington shifts that state’s Senate race from Toss-Up to Leans Democratic. Earlier today new polling from Pennsylvania shifted that state’s Senate race from Leans Republican to Toss-Up status.

With three months to go, Rasmussen Reports polling shows that Republicans are poised to pick up Democratic-held Senate seats in three states— Arkansas, Indiana and North Dakota. One other is leaning that way--Delaware, Arkansas' Blanche Lincoln is the only incumbent senator currently projected to lose a seat. The others are open-seat races following retirements by Democratic incumbents.

At the moment, no Republican-held seats appear headed for the Democratic column.

EDITORIAL: Kennedy... Let's Listen
News Star (excerpt)

Meeting with The News-Star editorial board Wednesday, (State Treasurer John) Kennedy said that in a weak national and state economy, state lawmakers passed a budget of $26.9 billion this year, greater than the $24.2 billion submitted and one that included $2.8 billion in non-recurring revenue. Put simply, he said, lawmakers put off until the future hard decisions about where the government must cut. He's right.

The state was not without options for cutting spending, Kennedy said, including an interesting one he's been touting for a long time: cutting the state payroll from 104,000 to about 89,000 employees, about the same as Alabama's, which is a larger state. Kennedy has suggested payroll reduction by attrition: There are about 17,000 state vacancies each year, he said. Cut about 5,000 each year for three years and get to the magic number painlessly. Kennedy was a vocal member of the state's Streamlining Commission, charged last year with recommending ways to trim the state budget. Their suggestions were boiled down to 26 bills for the 2010 legislative session, Kennedy said. Of those, four passed in watered-down fashion, he said.

Come 2011, the Legislature will face another critical year with declining revenues, as well as new obligations. Tourism, a staple for generating sales tax, is suffering in part due to lingering problems from Hurricane Katrina and new problems caused by the BP oil spill and its harm to the fishing industry. Revenues will decline; bills will come due. And we may rue in '11 what we should have done but neglected to do in '10. Someone should listen. Soon.

Voters See Cutting Spending and Deficits as Good for the Economy
(excerpt)

RASMUSSEN REPORTS

In official Washington, there appears to be a belief that policy makers must choose between helping the economy or reducing spending and deficits. A number of polling companies have even asked questions on the trade-off.

However, a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 28% of voters believe increased government spending is good for the economy. Fifty-two percent (52%) believe increased government spending is bad for the economy, while 12% say it has no impact. Eight percent (8%) are not sure.

This suggests that for 72% of voters, asking about a trade-off between cutting spending and helping the economy doesn’t make sense. A look at the demographics shows that the trade-off makes sense for only one group-- the Political Class. Among that group, 67% believe increased government spending would be good for the economy.

How Americans' Shifting Political Ideologies Threaten the Democrats
by William Galston (excerpt)

THE NEW REPUBLIC

In a recent post, Jonathan Chait rightly calls our attention to the Pew survey released July 16 that showed how voters rate political parties’ ideologies. While I agree with Chait’s interpretation of the data he cites, I want to underscore the significance of some other information in the survey—namely, where voters identify themselves in relation to the parties. On the whole, 58 percent of voters see Democrats as liberal or very liberal, while 56 percent see Republicans as conservative or very conservative; no surprise there. But voters now place themselves much closer to the Republican Party than to the Democratic Party on this left-right continuum. Indeed, the ideological gap between the Democratic Party and the mean voter is about three times as large as the separation between that voter and the Republican Party. And, startlingly, the electorate places itself a bit closer to the Tea Party movement (which is well to the right of the Republican Party) than to the Democratic Party. All this represents a major shift from five years ago, when mean voters placed themselves exactly halfway between their ideological perceptions of the Democratic and Republican parties.

The Pew survey also shows that Democrats are far more ideologically diverse than Republicans. Twenty-four percent of Democrats describe themselves as conservative or very conservative, while only 5 percent of Republicans call themselves liberal or very liberal. Conversely, 65 percent of Republicans think of themselves as conservative or very conservative, while only 42 percent of Democrats self-identify as liberal or very liberal. This helps explain why 83 percent of Republicans see the Democratic Party as more liberal than they themselves are—while only 60 percent of Democrats place the Republican Party to the right of where they place themselves.

Shifts among Independents are especially notable. A Pew survey in June 2005 found that Independents considered the Republican Party to be twice as distant from them ideologically as the Democratic Party. Today, Independents see the Democratic Party as three times farther away than the Republican Party. In 2005, 51 percent of Independents thought that the Republican Party was more conservative than they themselves were, versus only 36 percent who thought that the Democratic Party was more liberal. Today, 56 percent of Independents see the Democratic Party as more liberal than they themselves are, compared to only 39 percent who see the Republican Party as more conservative. Three politically relevant conclusions follow from these data. First, Democrats’ greater diversity means that party leaders are bound to have more trouble managing their coalition than the Republicans will theirs. Second, the Independents who helped Democrats score a notable success in the 2006 midterm elections may well do the same for Republicans in 2010.

EDITORIAL: We're Pragmatic, Sensible ... and Crazy
The Town Talk (excerpt)

In the grand scheme of things, Americans are pragmatic and sensible when it comes to the day-to-day business of living. So, why do we tolerate ridiculous behavior? Consider: The fiscal sky is falling, and has been for some time. Still, we allow government at the federal and state levels to play shell games with tax revenue and make decisions that are grounded only in ineptitude or intentional deceit. Congress approves billions of dollars in borrowing for fiscal bailout schemes, for example, and then wonders why the markets aren't working right.

In Louisiana, the land of bloated state government and abused taxpayers, citizens listen to lawmakers mumble about how "we must get spending under control before we fall off the cliff" and then use one-time funds and revenue projections to patch together a spending "plan" that is no plan at all. They choose to "kick the can down the street," to put it politely. We should do the same to them.

With this as context, Louisiana and at least 17 other states are moving ahead with sales tax holidays, 48-hour breaks from state sales taxes usually levied on certain goods and services. Here, the tax holiday on Aug. 6 and 7 will cost the state $6.4 million in revenue -- "not noticeable," a state fiscal officers says. That comment tells you everything you need to know about the mindset that rules Baton Rouge.

Sandra Bullock is out of Restore the Gulf campaign while facts are gathered
by Bruce Alpert - Times-Picayune (excerpt)

Academy Award-winning actress Sandra Bullock is asking to be pulled from a video promoting the Women of the Storm's Restore the Gulf campaign, her publicist said Thursday. Bullock appears in the "Be the One" Gulf restoration promotion video with other celebrities urging people to sign a petition asking that President Barack Obama and Congress fully finance a plan to restore America's Gulf "for me and future generations." Bullock made her decision to pull out of the promotional effort -- at least temporarily -- after a report in the DeSmogBlog said the Women of the Storm's Gulf restoration effort is sponsored by America's Wetland Foundation, which it identifies as a front group for major oil companies, including BP and Shell. "Ms. Bullock was originally contacted through her attorney to be a part of the PSA (public service annoucement) in order to promote awareness of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico," Maisel said. "At no time was she made aware that any organization, oil company or otherwise had influence over Women of the Storm or its message. "We have immediately asked for her participation in the PSA be removed until the facts can be determined." There was no word on whether any of the other celebrities that participated in the "Be the One" video are having second thoughts about the effort. Other participants include Saints quarterback Drew Brees, musician Lenny Kravitz, actor John Goodman, musician Dave Matthews, actor Wendell Pierce, political consultants James Carville and Mary Matalin, restaurateurs Emeril Lagasse and Leah Chase, and NFL quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning. Other participants included actors Alfred Woodward, and Bryan Batt, satirist Harry Shearer, and musicians Eric Harvey, and Dr. John. Val Marmillion, managing director of America's Wetland, said the group has never made a secret of its financial backing from the oil and gas industry.

EDITORIAL: Tea Party Making A Difference
Shreveport Times (excerpt)

Let's shelve the debate over the hidden heart of the Tea Party movement for a moment, please, and acknowledge the welcome civic activism it has fostered locally. We speak less of the placard-and-bunting protests over federal spending and more about the nitty-gritty efforts of holding city, parish and state officials accountable.

A year or two ago, Bossier Sheriff Larry Deen might have increased the property tax rate he collects with scant notice. But in June, he stepped out of his Benton office and into a buzz saw of taxpayers, including members of the Shreveport-Bossier Tea Party, clamoring for him to justify the increase. Though Deen raised the tax rate anyway, it must have been a sobering moment for a man who has been uncontested in his past four elections.

(I)t's encouraging to see occasional challenges to the status quo. At its best, such activism offers up informed discourse that may reject opposing viewpoint the strs but doesn't seek to drown out other voices. Data rath er than decibels foster a more powerful debate. And the more eyes focused on government the stronger our institutions and the healthier our community.

Leader says race doesn't define BR Tea Party
by MARK BALLARD - Advocate (excerpt)

(Baton Rouge Tea Party President Jennifer Madsen) acknowledges that offensive signs attacking President Barack Obama and other black people show up at Baton Rouge Tea Party events. Those signs and the people waving them, Madsen said, are not indicative of the majority of members. “There is an attempt to frame the entire movement through a few inappropriate actions and signs,” she said. “The pundits continually discredit our opinion because of our race.” Though a few black people are involved, the majority of people attracted to tea party events are white, she said.

The defining element is not race, she said. It is the conservative political philosophies of low taxes and limited government, she said. Critics “speak of this movement as a top-down hierarchy. But it’s people getting around tables saying, ‘What do you think about this?’ That’s what they don’t get,” she said.

The leaders keep the website up to date, send out the e-mails announcing events, make sure the insurance covers whatever the membership plans to do. “We want to be inclusive, but not to the exclusion of others,” Madsen said. Even liberals? “We enjoy debate, and having discussion is important,” she said. “You wouldn’t join a vegetarian club and cook steak.”

It's Good to be No. 2- Serious taxpayer dough going to council assistants
(excerpt)

The median household income in Jefferson Parish is roughly $47,000, which isn’t far off from the average annual salary of $48,000 for county commissioners nationwide, as compiled by SimplyHired.com, for whatever that’s worth.

Still, it’s quite a click or two away from the $65,000 base salary received by Jeff’s five district Council members. The at-large members, though, more than double the above median figures by making $97,600 each and every year. To put that into perspective, elected members of the New York City Council have a starting salary of $112,500. As for another perspective, hop to the other coast to the small California town of Bell, where such data turned into public outrage recently and then resulted in widespread government resignations. The scandal, actually, is still playing out this very week. Three city officials had combined salaries of more than $1.6 million and most city council members were taking home $100,000 annually.

Back in Jefferson Parish, taxpayers should be paying attention. They shell out more than a half-mill, or $520,000, every year to pay for the salaries of Council members. But that ain’t nothing compared to the $806,000 annually that’s divided up by their nine administrative assistants. In fact, in all cases but the at-large districts, members’ assistants make more than they do, according to a review of parish salaries. Special recognition, however, should be given to Administrative Aide Rob Hinyub, whose $106,100 salary almost doubles that of his boss, Councilwoman Cynthia Lee-Sheng. Hinyub is an old hand around the Yenni building, having played No. 2 for former District 5 Councilwoman Jennifer Sneed.

BR gay leaders: Groups will now lobby for law
by GREG GARLAND - Advocate (excerpt)

The leaders of groups representing Louisiana’s gay community said Thursday they were disappointed by the failure of a resolution expressing tolerance for the city’s gay population. But the longer-term battle over the issue appears far from over.

The chairman of the Capital City Alliance, a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights organization, Kevin Serrin, said his group is trying to lay the groundwork for a local ordinance that would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation. “Now that the resolution has been pulled, we’re really going to lobby for an actual law, not a resolution,” Serrin said.

“In an open letter to Mayor-President Kip Holden, a group of church leaders claim to hate prejudice; however, their entire letter is about their collective prejudice against non-heterosexual people,” Heitmeier wrote. The church leaders published the open letter to Holden and the Metro Council as a full page advertisement in The Advocate on Wednesday. It was signed by more than 50 local ministers. The Rev. Tommy G. Middleton of Woodlawn Baptist Church said their opposition was based on strongly held moral views — not prejudice against homosexuals. “We took a stand for morality and faith,” Middleton said. “That was the driving motivation behind it.” He said the resolution was “foisting upon our community morals and values that a huge majority finds unacceptable and offensive.”

State ethics panel charges Boissiere with violation
by MARSHA SHULER - Advocate (excerpt)

Public Service Commission Chairman Lambert Boissiere III is in hot water with the Louisiana Board of Ethics for failure to timely file a required personal financial disclosure report. Boissiere faces a fine of up to $2,500 for his tardiness in filing a report reflecting his 2008 personal finances. The Ethics Board made the violation public. The board released a certified letter to Boissiere notifying him of the charge and setting a public hearing.

Boissiere chairs the five elected commissioners who regulate companies that provide utilities, telephone and trucking services in Louisiana. His position oversees compliance to the PSC’s ethics rules, many of which are far more restrictive than state law, that apply to the commissioners and the nearly 100 staffers who work for them.

Boissiere, of New Orleans, is running for re-election in Oct. 2 balloting. He is being opposed by former PSC member John Schwegmann in the race for the District 3 seat.

Baker Hughes moves 300 workers out of Gulf
by SALVADOR RODRIGUEZ (excerpt)

HOUSTON CHRONICLE

The federal moratorium on deep-water offshore drilling has caused Baker Hughes to move hundreds of employees out of the Gulf of Mexico, CEO Chad Deaton said Wednesday, and could prompt companies to move operations from Houston. Baker Hughes, a Houston-based international oil-field services company, has moved 300 of its 2,100 Gulf employees overseas and is moving 25 percent of its assets, Deaton said.

If an offshore drilling moratorium — imposed by the Obama administration while it determines the causes of the Gulf of Mexico oil well blowout that triggered the nation's worst oil spill - lasts longer than six months, companies may decide to move their research and development facilities away from Houston, Deaton said. "A tremendous amount of R&D is done here, and one of the reasons is because it's been a great place to develop," Deaton said. "We've had government stability in the Gulf for many, many years." If that stability changes in an uncertain regulatory environment, Deaton said, "we need to start looking at moving our research down to Brazil or moving our research to Singapore or somewhere else."

Sounding an alarm about the drilling moratorium, Deaton said it could cost 20,000 jobs directly involved in offshore operations, and 200,000 indirect jobs

EDITORIAL: Seize chance to restore coast
(excerpt)

Natural forces, such as hurricanes and land subsidence, have combined with man's own attempts to reshape the coastline. We've built levees along the Mississippi River and prevented it from reinvigorating the Delta with new sediment. We've crisscrossed the coastal areas with canals and pipelines to serve the energy industry and other economic interests, too. And so we've allowed salt water into freshwater marsh areas. Plants die, roots release their hold on the soil, and erosion leaves expanses of open water where there was once marshland.

The plan pushed by the environmental groups includes a push for a diversion of Mississippi River water into the Delta, which has already been authorized but not funded by Congress, helpful as that might be on a morale level. It seeks to speed up payments of federal Outer Continental Shelf revenue sharing with coastal states and break the bureaucratic logjam that delays distribution of Coastal Impact Assistance funding for states. It would dedicate a portion of the penalties paid by BP to coastal restoration. There would be a state-federal organization equipped and funded at a level adequate to move quickly, before more land is lost than we can help.

Finally, and this is the big one, the plan would establish a dedicated, reliable funding source for coastal restoration, in theory, anyway. The Louisiana Legislature has endorsed restoration plans, but without funding. Congress had endorsed plans without actually doing anything to pay for them. Here's a chance to bring all the plans together, coordinate them and turn them into reality. As Rahm Emanuel said in a different context, the BP Deepwater Horizon spill is a crisis we shouldn't waste.

La.'s first lady pushes initiative to help families impacted by oil spill
by Loresha Wilson - Shreveport Times (excerpt)

Louisiana first lady Supriya Jindal stopped in Shreveport on Thursday to rally support for a school supply drive for schools and families impacted by the Gulf Coast oil spill in Louisiana.

Jindal, in her ongoing push for education, spent roughly an hour at Walmart on East Bert Kouns Industrial Loop collecting donations from area businesses and residents. Jindal announced the initiative last month and asked Louisiana residents to contribute.

On Thursday, she made stops in Shreveport and Alexandria to generate support. "School starts next month, and I want to be able to make sure our students start off on the right foot," Jindal said. "Want to make sure they have the school supplies they need to start the school year. "So I'm delighted to be here and to help get some backpacks and bring some things down to help the community."

After-the-leak issues debated- "The meeting was contentious"
by SANDY DAVIS - Advocate (excerpt)

The governor and parish leaders met Thursday with BP and Thad Allen in what was described as an at-times contentious meeting over what will happen with the money, equipment and workers after BP’s ruptured well is permanently sealed. “You know these parish presidents,” said Allen, a retired U.S. Coast Guard admiral, at a Thursday afternoon news conference. “Nobody held anything back,” he said. Allen called the two-hour meeting “refreshing and productive” and said a wide range of issues were discussed.

In the past few weeks, parish leaders have said they were concerned that BP and the federal government were already beginning to downsize the response effort in anticipation of the permanent sealing of the ruptured well. Jefferson Parish President Steve Theriot said BP and Allen had never met with local leaders to find out their concerns. “It took 101 days to get this meeting,” Theriot said Thursday in a telephone interview. “But at least it happened.” The meeting was contentious, Theriot said, “because some of those frustrations were finally voiced.”

Theriot said he told Allen and BP’s Chief Operating Officer Doug Suttles, who represented the company at the meeting, that he had two concerns: to ensure the parish retains or can acquire whatever equipment is needed should oil come ashore in the future; and whether there will be enough money in BP’s fund each year to cover the parish’s needs. “We all recognize no one can say with any accuracy how much oil is still out there,” Theriot said. “It may be years that the oil affects our coastline in some form or fashion.”

Bring on the expense accounts into debate over location of oil spill lawsuits
by Stephanie Grace - Times-Picayune (excerpt)

An early battle in what promises to be a lengthy, multi-front legal war over the Deepwater Horizon explosion and the long-gushing Macondo well kicks off today, when a panel of federal judges meets far inland in Idaho to debate which court should host most if not all of the lawsuits stemming from the disaster. The major combatants are New Orleans and Houston, although other cities are in contention to handle consolidated litigation as well. As is so often the case, Houston has the muscle, but New Orleans is the sentimental favorite. That is, if the judges decide to apply the right criteria. As of now, it's actually not clear how they'll decide. Each city has logistical pluses. Arguing in New Orleans' favor: Several judges in Louisiana's Eastern District have experience handling sprawling consolidated cases, over the dangerous pain reliever Vioxx, over the Murphy Oil spill during Hurricane Katrina, and most recently, over tainted Chinese drywall. In Houston's corner: a much lighter existing per-judge caseload. And each proposed site has the legal equivalent of a home team.

Federal subpoena catches up with City Council member
by Mary Sparacello - Times-Picayune (excerpt)

Kenner City Councilwoman Jeannie Black was served Thursday with a federal grand jury subpoena for records related to Sean Alfortish, a former City Court magistrate who is president of the Louisiana Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association. The government has been investigating whether an election of officers to the association's board was rigged and possible misuse of hurricane relief donations that were intended for race-horse owners. Black said the subpoena asks her to deliver records of campaign contributions from Alfortish, payments to him, business dealings with him and meals, entertainment or campaign work he provided. "I'm looking at my campaign contributions," she said, adding that nothing else on the list is relevant to her. Her campaign finance records show a $150 in-kind contribution from Alfortish in January. "It makes me wonder what the heck is going on," Black said. The subpoena lists Assistant U.S. Attorney Eileen Gleason as the prosecutor. Black said she is to appear before the grand jury Aug. 5.

New Orleans city budget update has good news and bad news
by Bruce Eggler - Times-Picayune (excerpt)

The bad news: As of June 30, New Orleans city departments were on track to overspend their 2010 budgets by $14.1 million. The good news: That was a big improvement from a month earlier, when -- if spending continued at the same pace through December -- they were on track to overspend by $22.9 million. More bad news: Sales tax revenue through June 30 totaled $62 million, or just 42 percent of the $149 million projected for the entire year. More good news: Total taxes collected through June 30 totaled $144 million, which was $14 million more than at the same point in 2009.

Baton Rouge company will employ Angele ('Angele of Death') Davis
Associated Press (LA)

TO READ THIS AP WIRE ARTICLE CLICK ON STORY TITLE LINK ABOVE.

Category 5 Communications (High Impact Politics!)

In a recent lecture at the Louisiana Campaign Institute’s training seminar (Sponsored by: Louisiana Center for Women and Government) Pat Bergeron of Category 5 Communications discussed the role of the 'new media' in political campaigns. He shared several strategies and tactics that he said make the internet "an indispensable and deadly weapon in modern politics. Each day more people are spending more time online, each day they are getting more of their political information from the web. It's more personal than other mediums and offers an opportunity to share with friends and others interested in what the sender has to say. That's an endorsement of the message... That's High Impact Politics!"


Below, Bergeron was quoted recently in an article in the national political publication SALON.COM

Pat Bergeron of Baton Rouge, a conservative strategist who has helped elect three Louisiana governors, says that Vitter has stayed ahead of the curve so far by running against Obama and that’s not likely to change. "As long as Melancon has Obama around his neck, he’s beat," Bergeron says. "This state isn’t going to change from anti-Obama overnight."


FOR MORE INFO ON CAT 5 COMMUNICATIONS CLICK ON THE LOGO IN THE RIGHT HAND COLUMN OF THIS PAGE.

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

New Poll: Only 28% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction
(excerpt)

RASMUSSEN REPORTS

Twenty-eight percent (28%) of Likely Voters say the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey taken the week ending Sunday, July 25. This is up one point from last week but remains within the narrow range found on this question since last July.

Following Congress' passage of the national health care bill in late March, the number of voters who said the country was heading in the right direction peaked at 35%, the highest level of optimism measured since early September 2009. But it has since returned to the levels found prior to passage of the bill.

Just over half (53%) of Democrats feel the country is heading in the right direction, but 91% of Republicans and 73% of voters not affiliated with either major party believe the country is heading down the wrong track. Sixty-seven percent (67%) of all voters say the country is heading down the wrong track, unchanged from last week.

Tea Parties Emerge, Grow- Local Organizations Find Niche, Numbers
Shreveport Times (excerpt)

Area residents may know their local tea parties as part of the network of anti-tax organizations founded across the country at the beginning of President Obama's administration. To date, they have held several rallies, which have drawn literally thousands of people from as far away as Arkansas and Texas.

But as the tea parties enter their second year in the Shreveport-Bossier City area, their role has begun to evolve from one that is primarily educational, and about national issues like health care and immigration, to an activist role as a watchdog for local government. "We are grateful they (the Shreveport-Bossier Tea Party) have taken a lot of the local issues," said Royal Alexander, a board member of the Red River Tea Party, the area's larger tea party. "The Red River Tea Party tends to focus generally more on state and national issues, ... but there's plenty of work for everyone."

Though some local officials quietly grumble behind the scenes about their new and vocal attendees — most regular, local meetings in the area are held during the day, when few people attend — in public they praise the group for taking advantage of their rights as citizens. (A)ll parties pointed to the continued growth of groups in surrounding areas, such as DeSoto Parish, who are already starting their tea parties. This, they say, is a sign that the presence of the tea party in all forms of politics is here to stay.

EDITORIAL: Obama administration's absence in moratorium hearing is telling
Times-Picayune (excerpt)

Louisiana officials and business owners told the Senate Small Business Committee this week how deeply the Obama administration's ban on deepwater drilling is affecting the state's economy -- offering a persuasive case against the ill-considered blanket moratorium. Leslie Bertucci and her husband own a business that leases equipment used on offshore rigs. "We employ 14 people,'' she told the committee. "Those 14 people have families to take care of -- 42 spouses and children to be exact. In addition, we have more than 40 vendors that we order supplies and services from every month.'' She put a face on the figures offered by Louisiana State University business professor Joseph Mason, who also testified. He estimated that the Gulf Coast will lose more than 8,000 jobs, $500 million in wages, $2.1 billion in economic activity and nearly $100 million in state and local tax revenue. By contrast, not a single person from the Obama administration appeared to defend the moratorium. Sen. Mary Landrieu, who chairs the committee, said that she had asked for Christina Romer, who heads up the President's Council of Economic Advisers, or any other administration official to attend. Sen. David Vitter said that the administration's failure to produce even one witness to offer a rationale for the far-reaching moratorium was "very telling,'' and it is. Even worse, Sen. Landrieu said Ms. Romer told her the administration does not have economic impact data on the ban but could produce some by September. Taking such a drastic step without data is reckless. It's also hard to believe that the Obama administration won't be able to come up with numbers until the moratorium is half over.

Cassidy Seeks Vote On Drilling Ban
by Ben Geman (excerpt)

THE HILL

Rep. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) signaled Wednesday that he will seek a House vote to overturn the Obama administration’s six-month ban on deepwater oil-and-gas drilling that began in late May.

Democrats are unlikely to allow a vote on his amendment when their Gulf of Mexico oil spill response bill comes to the floor Friday. But Cassidy’s effort nonetheless shows that opponents of the drilling freeze will use the House debate as a forum to attack what they call an economically harmful and unnecessary ban.

In addition to scuttling the existing ban, Cassidy’s amendment “would also guard against any future moratoria by stating that ‘No Federal official may establish any general moratorium on or suspension of offshore oil and gas operations that is substantially similar to the moratorium, the decision memorandum, or any suspension referred to in subsection,’ ” his office said. The ban is under attack from many Republicans and Gulf Coast lawmakers from both parties. But administration officials say the pause is needed while new offshore safety requirements are implemented and investigations into the BP spill continue.

New Moratorium Needed On Pipelines‏
by C.B. FORGOTSTON - Forgotston.com (excerpt)

Millions of gallons of oil are flowing into the Kalamazoo River in Michigan due to a leaking 30 inch pipeline. (Click on story title link above).

In keeping with the cautious decision by the Feds decision to stop all deep water drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, all pipelines of 30 inches or larger criss-crossing the U.S. should be closed temporarily until the appropriate Federal agencies have a chance to inspect every pipeline in America.

It might cause a little inconvenience for for the people in America who depend on natural gas for cooking, heating and electricity. I'm sure that everyone can temporarily switch over to other forms of energy such as propane or coal.

Anyone put out of work temporarily can just draw Unemployment Compensation.

I doubt that the price of gasoline will get much above $10 per gallon temporarily while we depend on 18-wheel tank trucks to deliver gasoline from the refineries to the retailers around the country. The price of gasoline could rise higher depending on how many supertankers it will take to bring the foreign oil to the refineries in America.

A pipeline moratorium is the least that our government can do. Why should Louisiana be the only state protected from oil spills?

Fresh Hell From House Democrats: Meet The CLEAR Act
(excerpt)

THE HAYRIDE

Heading to the House floor this week is yet another legislative bullet aimed at the heart of Louisiana industry. The CLEAR Act (H.R. 3534) is being sold as Congress' response to the Gulf oil spill but in typical House of Representatives fashion, it's loaded with crap. And virtually everything the bill offers as a solution to the Deepwater Horizon tragedy goes exactly the wrong way.

It will effectively codify the Interior Department's shutdown of offshore Gulf drilling, and it will have a chilling effect on onshore drilling as well - including drilling for natural gas, which could affect the coming Haynesville Shale natural gas revolution.

For good measure, the bill even codifies the shutdown of Louisiana's fisheries in large part by dredging up the Obama administration's "marine spatial planning" ideas which created such a terrible stir back in March.

Among the parade of horribles in the bill…(Click on story title link above for more).

Conservatives Of America Endorse Jeff Landry For Congress (3rd District- LA)

Conservatives of America today officially endorsed Jeff Landry for the United States House of Representatives in Louisiana’s 3rd Congressional District.

“Landry is Louisiana….Jeff Landry is the clear conservative choice for the U.S. Congress in Louisiana’s 3rd Congressional District,” said Bill Murphy, Founder of Conservatives of America. A former Louisiana National Guardsmen who served in Operation Desert Storm and a former Deputy Sherriff, Jeff Landry is also a small businessman who will bring much needed common sense, conservative principles to the U.S. Congress. As the Obama Administration continues to try and nationalize industry after industry, it is important to send proven conservatives like Jeff Landry to the U.S. House of Representatives to halt the Obama Administration’s march towards socialism. Now is the time for conservatives in Louisiana to rally behind Jeff Landry and send a strong conservative voice to the U.S. Congress.

Conservatives of America has endorsed several other strong conservative candidates for the U.S. Senate in 2010 including Jim DeMint of South Carolina, Marco Rubio of Florida, JD Hayworth of Arizona, and Sharron Angle of Nevada.

Conservatives of America is a national, grassroots conservative organization dedicated to reducing the size of government, lowering taxes, promoting fiscal sanity, protecting the right to life for the unborn, preserving the right to keep and bear arms, having a strong national defense, staying on the offense in the “War on Terror,” and securing America’s borders. Recently, Conservatives of America has emerged as America’s leading conservative organization dedicated to training grassroots conservative activists and the conservative movement.

Vitter Issues Statement on Ruling Blocking Key Portions of AZ Immigration Law

(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Sen. David Vitter today made the following statement in response to a ruling by a federal judge blocking several key portions of Arizona’s new immigration law:

"This decision, just like the whole approach by the Obama administration, is outrageous. The Arizona law is simply trying to enforce the laws already on the books and would not be necessary if the Obama administration would focus on enforcing our federal immigration laws instead of taking states to court. That’s what I tried to achieve with my amendment that would have withheld funding for the Department of Justice to sue Arizona over its immigration laws,” said Vitter.

Senator Vitter presses for continued approval of breast cancer treatment
by Bruce Alpert - Times-Picayune (excerpt)

Sen. David Vitter asked the Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday to reject a recommendation from an advisory committee that it revoke the approval of the drug Avastin as a treatment for breast cancer. Vitter, R-La., used emotional language in a news release announcing his request for a meeting with the head of the FDA's Office of Oncology Drug Products, though he was more restrained in the letter itself. "I shudder at the thought of a government panel assigning a value to a day of a person's life," Vitter said in the news release. "It is sickening to think that care would be withheld from a patient simply because their life is not deemed valuable enough. I fear this is the beginning of a slippery slope leading to more and more rationing under the government takeover of health care that is being forced on the American people."

What's next for Bush tax cuts?
by JIM BEAM - The American Press (excerpt)

Republicans want Congress to permanently extend all of the Bush tax cuts. That would add $2 trillion to the $13 trillion federal debt over the next 10 years. Democrats appear to be divided on the issue, but the general consensus is they would like to end the tax cuts for the wealthy and temporarily extend them for others.

Many Americans want to see the national debt reduced, and that is certainly a worthwhile goal. But how do we know the reckless spending that got the country to where it is today won’t continue if Congress does away with the tax cuts and has more money to spend? Isn’t that the reason the Social Security system is in so much trouble today? The right solution to this country’s money woes probably lies somewhere in between what the Republican and Democrats want to do. However, the only sensible way to curb abuses of the past is to cut government spending.

U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., put the issue in clear focus. Don’t spend more unless you have revenues coming in to cover the costs, he said. And if you cut taxes, reduce spending by an equal amount. Most Americans know what Alexander is talking about. However, it must be too complicated for many members of Congress to understand.

Unknowns about health care changes give business owners pause
by Greg Hilburn - News Star (excerpt)

Business owners and managers hate uncertainty, which is why more than 200 of them turned out Wednesday for a briefing on health care reform at the Monroe Civic Center.

"We’ve got so many of our clients asking questions that we wanted to bring in some experts to answer some of them," said Steve Craig, a partner with the Heard, McElroy and Vestal CPA firm, which sponsored the event along with the Monroe Chamber of Commerce.
But even experts like Mike Reitz, chief executive of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana, and Michael Bertaut, a senior analyst for the insurer, said many answers remain unknown. "There are still 1,200 regulations to be written," Reitz said.

But what is known is the regulations, which will require all employers to provide health insurance to employees or pay a penalty, will be in full force in 2014.

Schwarzenegger declares California fiscal emergency
by Jim Christie (excerpt)

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency over the state's finances on Wednesday, raising pressure on lawmakers to negotiate a state budget that is more than a month overdue and will need to close a $19 billion shortfall. The deficit is 22 percent of the $85 billion general fund budget the governor signed last July for the fiscal year that ended in June, highlighting how the steep drop in California's revenue due to recession, the housing slump, financial market turmoil and high unemployment have slashed its all-important personal income tax collection.

In the declaration, Schwarzenegger ordered three days off without pay per month beginning in August for tens of thousands of state employees to preserve the state's cash to pay its debt, and for essential services. California's budget is five weeks overdue, joining New York among big states with spending plans yet to be approved, and Schwarzenegger and top lawmakers are at an impasse over how to balance the state's books.

Analysts say it could be several more weeks before the Republican governor and leaders of the Democrat-led legislature reach an agreement, a delay that threatens to lower the state's already weak credit rating, now hovering just a few notches above "junk" status. "Without a budget in place that addresses our $19 billion budget deficit, every day of delay brings California closer to a fiscal meltdown," Schwarzenegger said in a statement. "Our cash situation leaves me no choice but to once again furlough state workers until the legislature produces a budget I can sign," he wrote. Schwarzenegger's declaration noted the state's government is projected to run out of cash no later than October should its budget stalemate persist, as expected.

Schwarzenegger has proposed slashing spending to balance the state's books, an approach rejected by Democratic lawmakers. Their leaders in the state Senate and Assembly are trying to draft a joint plan likely to include proposals for tax increases to rival the governor's budget plan. By ordering furloughs, which he also did last year, Schwarzenegger is bringing pressure on state employee unions allied with Democratic lawmakers on the heels of losing a courtroom battle to cut state employees' pay to the federal minimum wage to bolster the state's finances.

Backers pull gay tolerance resolution from agenda
by GREG GARLAND - Advocate (excerpt)

The sponsors of the proposed One Baton Rouge resolution expressing tolerance of the city’s gay population pulled the resolution from the Metro Council’s agenda Wednesday. Mayor Pro Tem Mike Walker and Councilwoman Alison Casio said there was no point in going forward because they lack the votes to pass the resolution. “It’s not going to pass,” Walker said shortly before the meeting. “We don’t have the votes. Let’s move on.” The resolution was on the agenda for introduction Wednesday. It would have then been referred to a council committee and the full council for public hearings. The One Baton Rouge resolution prompted heated debate in the community. Walker, Cascio and other council members said they were inundated with phone calls and e-mails about the issue.

About 50 church pastors signed an open letter to Mayor-President Kip Holden and the council detailing their opposition to the resolution. The open letter, published Wednesday as a full-page advertisement in The Advocate, calls homosexuality a sin and says gays should not be afforded “special recognition.” The ad was paid for by Louisiana Family Forum Action, a group that lobbies for conservative causes. “We firmly believe that homosexuals should be treated respectfully as every other citizen and every other religious persuasion because ‘all men are created equal’ and in the image of God,” the advertisement said. “Furthermore, they work, pay taxes, and vote. However, to address personal sexual preference in a special gesture of respectability goes against our consciences. …”

Gene Mills, president of Louisiana Family Forum Action, said in a telephone interview Wednesday night that he was pleased by the decision to delete the item from the council agenda. “I think it was a very prudent decision in light of the fact that the community is not in favor of introducing a resolution of this sort,” Mills said.

Police juror makes racial slur, under pressure to resign
by Brandon Richards - KPLC Channel 7 (NBC) (excerpt)

DERIDDER, LA (KPLC-TV) – The NAACP is calling for the resignation of a Beauregard Parish Police Juror after the juror made a racial remark on July 13th. Police Juror Rex Brumley used a racial slur right before the start of a finance committee meeting. One of his fellow jurors asked Brumley where he got the "ugly hat" he was wearing. Brumley responded, saying he got the hat "from a n-----."

Brumley did not apologize for his remarks once the meeting began, however he did apologize the next day during an interview with the Beauregard Daily News. Brumley told the paper that he wishes he could take the remark back "...but I can't. I'm human and I messed up."

Brumley also said he will not resign, telling the newspaper, "I will not give up my position because I care about the people that I represent in my district and I intend to continue to serve them." The NAACP said if Brumley continued to refuse to resign, they would take their fight to the state level.

Feds Call On Two City Council members
by Mary Sparacello - Times-Picayune (excerpt)

The feds came calling Tuesday with subpoenas for Kenner City Council members Jeannie Black and Michele Branigan. Neither was in the office when they say a federal agent showed up asking for them at City Hall. They said a council employee gave the agent their contact information and later told them about the visitor. "I have no idea what it's about," Black said. "I'm not really concerned about it because I haven't done anything wrong." Both council members said they had not been served with a subpoena as of Wednesday afternoon and don't know why the government would want to talk to them. But two sources said they suspect the subpoenas refer to Sean Alfortish, a former Kenner City Court magistrate who is president of the Louisiana Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association. The federal government has been investigating whether an election of officers to the association's board was rigged. Neither of the sources, both lawyers, would speak on the record. Black said she has never had any business dealings with Alfortish but she knows him because he was her son's best friend in college. She said she thought the horsemen's association investigation had ended.

State will cut Medicaid 4.6% on Sunday
by MARSHA SHULER - Advocate (excerpt)

The state will implement budget cuts Sunday to help close a $168 million shortfall in Medicaid — the government health insurance program for the poor. State government reduced funding for the $6.5 billion Medicaid program by 4.6 percent. The reduction required Sunday’s cuts in the program that serves 1.28 million Louisiana residents: mainly children, pregnant women and the elderly.

Hardest hit are private hospitals that will be paid 4.6 percent less for the medical care they provide Medicaid patients. The Jindal administration has cut payments to hospitals by $212 million over the last 18 months, Other groups such as physicians and those who care for the developmentally disabled and elderly in the community have fared better.

The Jindal administration’s final budget cut $45 million in state money for Medicaid programs that would have attracted matching federal dollars. The cumulative effect of the cut was a $168 million reduction to private health-care providers. State Department of Health and Hospitals Undersecretary Jerry Phillips said Wednesday that health-care provider groups, such as pediatricians and obstetricians, helped the agency by coming up with suggestions to provide savings while maintaining services to people in need.

Lawmakers' out-of-state travel to cost taxpayers over $47,000
by MARSHA SHULER - Advocate (excerpt)

About two dozen Louisiana lawmakers are spending more than $47,000 in taxpayer money traveling to legislative conferences in Kentucky, South Carolina and California in the coming weeks. The travel comes as state government continues to struggle with budget woes, state employees are being laid off and programs are eliminated in the face of dramatically declining revenues.

Three state representatives signed up to attend the National Conference of State Legislatures meeting in Louisville, Ky., which opened Sunday and ended Wednesday, according to Louisiana House records. No senators signed up to attend. Another 10 lawmakers — three state representatives and seven senators — are registered to attend the Southern Legislative Conference in Charleston, S.C., which starts Saturday, according to House and Senate records. The SLC meeting ends Aug. 4. Following on its heels is the Aug. 5-8 meeting of the American Legislative Exchange Council in San Diego, to which a dozen lawmakers are planning to go. Ten state representatives and two senators are among the registrants.

Combined estimated costs of the conference travel based on figures provided by legislative offices is at least $47,500. The cost estimate includes conference registration, hotel, airfare or car mileage reimbursement and a $159 per diem payment provided when lawmakers attend office-related functions. Lawmakers are using their $1,500-a-month supplemental expense accounts, which are part of the legislative budget, to cover conference-related costs with a couple of exceptions.

Local governments call for more say in Gulf of Mexico oil spill cleanup
Associated Press (LA)

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Grand Isle- Life will never be the same
Associated Press (LA)

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Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

La. Incumbents Building War Chests For Elections (Vitter $5.5 Million On Hand)
by GERARD SHIELDS - Advocate (excerpt)

WASHINGTON — Incumbent members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation are flexing serious financial muscle in fundraising, receiving a collective $2.6 million in the past three months for their re-election campaigns, according to the latest federal campaign finance records.

In the U.S. Senate race, challenger U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon, D-Napoleonville, raised less this quarter than his previous three-month period. Melancon raised $415,000, down from the $600,000 collected in the previous quarter. Vitter and Melancon must first get through an Aug. 28 primary against same-party contenders. Melancon will have to ramp up his fundraising if he wants to adequately compete against Vitter, who has amassed $5.5 million in available cash for his re-election, said Pearson Cross, head of the political science department at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. “That would be an awful sign, if his fundraising is trailing off when the race is heating up to a climax,” Cross said. Vitter taunted Melancon in a news release, calling the fundraising numbers “anemic.” Vitter raised $1.1 million for the period. Melancon declined to comment on the numbers.

The hottest House race in the state is occurring in the 3rd District, where candidates hoping to succeed Melancon are raising money furiously. Republican lawyer Jeff Landry, of New Iberia, received $222,250 in donations, bringing his cash on hand for the race to $378,000. Former House Speaker Hunt Downer, of Houma, raised $280,000 giving him $244,618 available to spend after disbursements. Political newcomer Kristian Magar, of New Iberia, raised $4,300, giving him $20,000

Legislators Warn Of Projected $2B Deficit, Likely Cuts- "Looks Like Mt. Everest"
by Stephen Largen - News Star (excerpt)

The state's budget situation is going to get much worse before it gets better, members of northeastern Louisiana's state legislative delegation said Tuesday afternoon. "If you think this year was bad in the Legislature, wait 'til next year," said Sen. Robert "Bob" Kostelka, R-Monroe. "The so-called 'cliff' we've been waiting for next year looks like Mount Everest."

Legislators, who gathered at the Monroe Civic Center to deliver a legislative update to the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, warned that the state's projected $2 billion deficit for the new fiscal year means residents should begin preparing for drastic cuts to areas of state spending, including higher education and health care. "We don't have a choice — absent of raising revenue, the (state) constitution says we have to have a balanced budget," said Rep. Jim Fannin, D-Jonesboro, the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.

Louisiana's budget crisis is due to significant declines in state-generated revenue and the expiration of federal stimulus dollars and other one-time monies that were being used to prop up the budget. State-generated revenue for the fiscal year that ended June 30 was $7.2 billion, with $2.5 billion of that total coming from one-time funding sources. Just four years ago the state generated $11.2 billion in revenue.

Democrats Plan To Attack GOP As Tea Party
by Philip Elliott - Associated Press (LA)

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Businesses decry moratorium
by Deborah Barfield Berry - The Daily Advertiser (excerpt)

WASHINGTON — Thousands of small businesses along the Gulf Coast could be crippled by a federal ban on offshore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, witnesses told lawmakers Tuesday.

The moratorium "is creating a financial disaster for the Gulf Coast states and our nation," Don Briggs, president of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association, testified at a hearing of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee. The committee held a hearing on the effect of the administration's six-month moratorium on deep-water drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. The ban was imposed after the Deepwater Horizon rig exploded and sank, gushing millions of gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico.

Supporters of the ban, including environmental groups, say the moratorium should remain while the administration reviews and implements tougher safety regulations for offshore drilling. But Gulf Coast lawmakers complain the ban has hurt the region's already fragile economy.

Deepwater drilling moratorium assailed at Senate committee hearing
by Jonathan Tilove - Times-Picayune (excerpt)

Louisiana Sens. Mary Landrieu and David Vitter lambasted the Obama administration Tuesday for imposing a moratorium on deepwater drilling that a string of witnesses from the Gulf states said would wreck the local economy and destroy a way of life. "The spill has decimated the fishing industry; the moratorium will essentially end life as we know it in the parish," said Lafourche Parish President Charlotte Randolph in testimony before the Senate Small Business Committee. Landrieu, a Democrat, and Vitter, a Republican, also faulted the Obama administration for refusing to send Christina Romer, chairwoman of the President's Council of Economic Advisers, or any other official to appear before the committee to defend the moratorium. "Like Sen. Landrieu, I invited the president to send any responsible witness to lay out their rationale for this moratorium," Vitter said. "Unfortunately, they were unable to produce a single witness. That's very telling and really a shame indeed."

Vitter Blasts Obama Administration for Failure to Provide Witness at Moratorium
(excerpt)

(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Sen. David Vitter today in his opening remarks at the U.S. Senate Small Business Committee hearing on the devastating effects of the deepwater drilling moratorium on small businesses criticized the Obama administration for failing to provide a witness to defend the moratorium. Vitter had requested an appearance by an administration official in a letter to the president last week.

“I invited the president to send an official from the White House or a relevant agency to lay out the rationale for the moratorium, but unfortunately the administration was unable to produce a single witness,” said Vitter. “I think that’s very telling, and frankly, it’s a shame that all we’ve heard are excuses from the president and other administration officials. The members of the president’s own commission on the oil spill have expressed grave concerns about the moratorium’s impact on the economy along the Gulf Coast, but we can’t seem to get any direct answers from the administration.”

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Downer Took $5000 Contribution From Blanco- (RINO) Republican In Name Only!
by Christopher J. Gary (excerpt)

CAJUN CONSERVATISM BLOG

After some serious contemplation of Hunt Downer’s claim to be a conservative Republican, one would be tempted to do a bit of research to check out this assertion. How many of us were told by our parents growing up that we are “judged by the company that we keep”?

In that vein, I did some research and found that our RINO (Republican in Name Only), Hunt Downer, who became Chief Lobbyist for Kathleen Blanco during that wonderful period in Louisiana history, not only benefited from the work he performed for her, but also benefited from money being given to him in his campaign finance reports. Per the same finance reports issued by Hunt Downer, you can find the below information:

Hunt Downer Campaign Finance Report: Contribution

KATHLEEN BLANCO CAMPAIGN FUND- $5000

I’ve heard quite a bit of stories in my time, but this fairy tale that he’s spinning about being a conservative is just too much to believe.

Senator Earns Small Business Endorsement: "Vitter Re-Election Is Critical"
(excerpt)

(Metairie, La) – U.S. Sen. David Vitter received the endorsement of the National Federation of Independent Businesses’ (NFIB), Save America’s Free Enterprise Trust.

“In a time when there is a lot of focus on helping small business, some leaders just talk about it and others work to find ways to deliver on it. Senator Vitter is one of those leaders working for results for our nation’s job creators,” said Lisa Goeas, NFIB’s vice president for political operations.

“Supporting small businesses and middle-class families is the best way to get our economy back in full throttle. I’m honored to have the support of the NFIB,” Sen. David Vitter said. “Lately it seems like the Obama Administration has declared war on Louisiana’s economy and businesses which is why I’m fighting for common sense solutions to help create jobs here in Louisiana.”

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization representing small and independent businesses. NFIB promotes and supports their members to help grow their businesses. According to NFIB, Vitter has a 100 percent voting record this Congress in support of small business.

Target Corp. testing new political contribution rules
Associated Press (LA)

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Investigation: Overtime Abuse- BGR Calls These Numbers "Shocking"
by Lee Zurik - WVUE Channel 8 (Fox) (excerpt)

Workers at the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board’s power generation and distribution site earned some eye-catching overtime amounts. Steam Plant Engineers were the six highest overtime recipients, earning these numbers:

1. Cleaveland Butler: $93,000
2. Leo Beaulieu: $92,000
3. Kevin Burfect: $83,000
4. Lee Rogers: $78,000
5. Eric Peterson: $71,000
6. Shawn De-Jean: $67,000

Janet Howard of the Bureau of Governmental Research calls these numbers "shocking." Howard says, "to have overtime at these rates is a red flag that something needs to be evaluated."

Together with their base salaries and overtime amounts, these engineers are some of the highest paid city employees. The second highest paid city employee last year is a Sewerage and Water Board steam plant engineer. Leo Beaulieu earned a base salary of $72,000, and after making nearly $92,000 in overtime and $22,000 in stand-by time, he earned a total of $186,000.

City-Parish Workers Hold Pay Raise Rally
by GREG GARLAND - Advocate (excerpt)

About 45 city-parish workers and their families rallied outside the governmental building Tuesday to kick off negotiations for a new three-year contract. The workers are seeking pay raises and other contract changes to help bring them up to a “living wage” and improve their working conditions, said Helene O’Brien, president of Service Employees International Union Local 21.

She conceded that negotiating a pay raise for workers will be tough given the severe fiscal problems the city-parish faces as it prepares a budget for 2011. Sales tax collections through May were only $63.6 million — $4.3 million behind what was anticipated for the first five months of 2010, according to finance department figures.

Scott Dyer, an aide to Mayor-President Kip Holden, said the administration had no comment on the union’s rally or the prospects of an employee pay raise. Mayor Pro Tem Mike Walker said the city-parish is “facing extremely difficult budgetary times” as revenues decline and retirement benefits and other costs skyrocket. He said pay raises “may be out of the question” this year other than step increases some employees are eligible to receive. “We’re trying to keep everybody employed and the budget balanced,” Walker said. “Our goal is to try to not lay anybody off.”


COMMENTARY: These folks must be smoking crack!!!

La. Public Schools Improve
by Mike Hasten - The Daily Advertiser (excerpt)

BATON ROUGE — Most Louisiana public schools are showing improvements, getting off a state list of those considered "academically unacceptable," but there's a chance many won't be able to meet higher goals that go into effect next year.

State Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek released the mixed news Tuesday citing a state Department of Education report shows that as student scores rise, fewer schools are being declared academically unacceptable.

Statewide testing shows the percentage of students performing at grade level has increased from 60 percent in 2008 to 65 percent in 2010. Twelve schools were removed from the Academically Unacceptable Schools (AUS) list but eight were added, bringing the number of AUS schools to 22. To be deemed acceptable, a school in the most recent assessment had to score above 60.

Louisiana's Race to the Top bid strengthened by new legislation, Jindal says
by Cindy Chang - Times-Picayune (excerpt)

Louisiana is one of 19 finalists in the second round of the Race to the Top competition for more than $4 billion in federal education money, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced Tuesday. The states were judged on how well their applications reflect the Obama administration's agenda for reform, which includes linking teacher evaluations to student performance, implementing common academic standards and using vigorous tactics to turn around struggling schools. Louisiana was also a finalist in the first round with its request for $315 million, an amount that has since been pared to $175 million. Only two states, Tennessee and Delaware, received Race to the Top grants in March, surprising many observers who placed Louisiana among the top contenders in part because its state-run Recovery School District is already carrying out many of the reforms encouraged by the program. In the past few months, the state Legislature has passed several bills that strengthened Louisiana's second-round bid and were championed by Gov. Bobby Jindal. One of the measures extends test score-based teacher evaluations to all school districts, not just those that joined the Race to the Top application.

State law on contract side deals still awaiting start date
by Richard Rainey - Times-Picayune (excerpt)

Off the heels of the Jefferson Parish government scandal that sparked federal investigations, the Legislature sought to shed more light on public contracts. But even transparency takes paperwork. A new law went into effect July 1 requiring contractors that win state or parish work without competition through a bid process to disclose any party that stands to gain monetarily from the agreement. The statute also applies to all parish contracts valued at more than $10,000, regardless of how the work was awarded. However, the law so far is unenforceable; the form on which to divulge partnerships, which will have the legal clout of an affidavit, is still being drafted by the state Ethics Administration. Ethics staffers expect to complete it by Aug. 20, the earliest the Ethics Board could approve it, staff attorney Kathleen Allen said.

La. health department: 324 blame illness on spill
Associated Press (LA)

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State Supreme Court refuses to hear appeal by Judge
by Richard Thompson - Times-Picayune (excerpt)

The Louisiana Supreme Court on Monday refused to review a lower court ruling disqualifying 40th Judicial District Judge Madeline Jasmine as a candidate for a seat on the state 5th Circuit Court of Appeal in the Oct. 2 election. The high court's decision came just days after an appeals court in Baton Rouge sided with two Convent residents who filed a petition July 12 in 23rd Judicial District Court in St. James Parish. The petition contested Jasmine's eligibility to run for the 2nd District seat because she listed an address in the 3rd District in her qualifying papers. Throughout the proceedings, her attorney, Ernest Jones, had maintained that in order to be eligible for the post, a candidate only needed to live within the circuit and be elected by a majority of the voters within the district. "I was stunned. I was shocked," Jones said Tuesday about the Supreme Court's decision, which was handed down by a 4-2 vote. Jones said the case, which could have had a major impact on future circuit court elections, deserved "a full briefing."

Politicians want to rein in all spending except their own salaries
Times-Picayune (excerpt)

In response to Times-Picayune reporter Chris Kirkham's story, "St. Bernard Parish president's salary to jump almost 40 percent in 2012," NOLA.com reader mrchampagne had this to say:

St. Bernard Parish President Craig Taffaro makes $70,000; that salary jumps to $128,000 in 2012, which he'll collect only if he's re-elected. Politicians always talk about out-of-control spending......except when it comes to their own taxpayer-funded salaries.

Join the conversation; respond to mrchampagne.

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