Speaker Jim Tucker loses, for now, in push for a unified higher education board
by Bill Barrow - Times-Picayune (excerpt)

College and university authorities breathed a sigh of relief today as the House Education Committee deadlocked 8-8 on the House Speaker Jim Tucker's plan to establish a single board to run all of Louisiana's public four-year schools. While any of the members could be viewed as casting -- or not casting -- the deciding vote, two stand out. Chairman Austin Badon, D-New Orleans, did not vote or participate in the hearing, recusing himself citing his job at Southern University New Orleans. The move spared Badon the uncomfortable choice of choosing between the speaker who gave him his post and the institution that controls his paycheck. Southern University System Board Chairman Tony Clayton was among the many higher education leaders who spoke against the proposed constitutional amendment. Rep. John Schroder, R-Covington, the newest member of the committee, voted against the speaker. Schroder, who previously sat on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, took his seat on the education panel only weeks ago, when Tucker punished several representatives after a divisive vote for House speaker pro tempore. Schroder voted for Rep. Noble Ellington, D-Winnsboro, over Tucker's choice and the eventual winner, Rep. Joel Robideaux, I.-Lafayette. The tie vote does not kill House Bill 996, a constitutional amendment, and a companion statute, House Bill 1224. But it would take a herculean effort from Tucker to resurrect the measure after a bruising hearing that followed months of angling by various players. A visibly upset Tucker left the hearing quickly after the vote without taking questions.