Nagin Lays Out Priorities For Session
by Bill Barrow - Times-Picayune (excerpt)

BATON ROUGE -- Mayor Ray Nagin used a series of closed-door meetings Wednesday to urge the New Orleans legislative delegation to focus its efforts on rebuilding the city's health care infrastructure, curbing crime and spurring economic development.

After his meetings with lawmakers, the mayor expressed skepticism about Gov. Bobby Jindal's proposal to steer $10 million toward private school tuition assistance to children now attending public schools in Orleans Parish. The issue already has revealed fissures in the city's delegation.

The mayor's trip to Baton Rouge was the first of what he said will be weekly visits throughout the three-month general session that began Monday and can last until June 23.