Daily Legislative Update

Retirement bills moving / Popular Vote Bill Voted Down / Hornets Rebate Buzzing

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Rough Going for Big Issues

The Jindal juggernaut that rolled over opposition to pass key education bills in the first three weeks of the session has sputtered and slowed, as legislative resistance builds to his retirement bills and budget proposals.

While there have been no permanent setbacks, major retirement bills were delayed another week, while what was supposed to the “easy” bill, to set up new 401(k)-type retirement plans for new workers, proved vexing to pass and only cleared the required majority with two votes to spare.

The budget, to be considered by the House next Thursday, needed two votes to get to the floor. For the first time in long-term memory, the appropriations bill failed on its first vote, with a number of Republican defections, and only passed in a second meeting later that night.

The plan to privatize a state prison in Avoyelles Parish appears to be on hold, according to author Rep. Henry Burns, R-Haughton.

Legislators Take Legacy Bills From Lawyers, Lobbyists

There was no legislative action on the legacy lawsuits issue this week, but there was much movement behind the scenes, which could move the matter closer to a compromise bill over the weekend. But that’s been said before.

Significantly, negotiations have been taken over by legislators, who have told lawyers and lobbyists for the landowners and oil companies to step aside while a new draft is being worked on. Now the key players are said to be the four “A’s”: Senate President John Alario, Sens. Bret Allain and Robert Adley and Rep. Neil Abramson. Republican Allain and Democrat Abramson are the authors of two bills whose main features could form the compromise legislation.

They Said It

They Said It

“The only notable thing about me is that my mother was from Avoyelles and my father was from Iberville and I was never indicted.”

--James Carville at bicentennial celebration

Subscribe and read this week’s whole issue:

--Retirement Bills Delayed Again, Tweaked More

--Budget Up in House on Thursday

--New Democratic Leader Faces Pressing Challenges

--LSU’s Political Concerns Led to Firing Lombardi

--Council Member Sacrifices Term to Take Office Sooner

--Troy Brown Wins Rematch For Higher Office

--More They Said It

Budget, retirement bills stall

Daily Legislative Update

Subscribers get LaPolitics Daily Legislative Updates, available by e-mail or on-line at Subscribers Only page.

It's Raining

Even for legislators grown numb to annual revenue shortfalls, the double whammy of deficits recognized this week was hard to take. The Revenue Estimating Conference not only forecast a $303 million shortage of funds for the next fiscal year, it also said the current year budget, which ends June 30, has a $211 million hole in it.

A ready answer lies in the state's Budget Stabilization Fund, commonly known as the Rainy Day Fund, which held $647 million as of April 11. State law permits up to one-third of the fund, or about $216 million, to be tapped when the official forecast is lowered within a fiscal year.

But Appropriations Committee Chairman Jim Fannin. D-Jonesboro, is not ready to draft a resolution to use the fund because he doubts two-thirds of the House would go along to send the measure to the Senate. "A number of Republicans won't vote for it," he said, and some Democrats would also withhold support "to spite the governor."

Yet other legislators doubt there is that much entrenched opposition. "I think we should look at it," said Rep. Brett Geymann, R-Lake Charles, a leading fiscal hawk.

Angelle for PSC?

The speculation over what's next for Scott Angelle, a hot topic last year, is warming up again. The latest word from some close sources is that he is considering running for the Public Service Commission this fall against incumbent Jimmy Field. The Natural Resources secretary did not return a phone call for comment.

The 2nd PSC district would be attractive to the former St. Martin Parish president, because 57 percent of it is on his side of the Atchafalaya, with Field's smaller base in the mostly white precincts of Baton Rouge.

Already declared is former Lafayette TV weatherman Ed Roy, a former councilman, who has enlisted the fundraising help of respected oil man Paul Hilliard.

They Said It

"We continue to make Mr. Benson a ward of the state."

--Rep. Sam Jones, opposing tax break bill for New Orleans Hornets, now owned by Tom Benson

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Also this week:

--Lawsuit Could Double Jeopardy

--Dueling Legacy Bills Alive in the Senate

--Business Support Helps Monroe Mayor Win Fourth Term

--Willard-Lewis Concedes Close Election to Stacy Head

--Smiley Departs Pardon Board for Assessor's Office

--Veteran Campaigner Wins One for Himself

--Now Here’s an Incentive

--More They Said It

Daily Legislative Update

Revenue Projections Plunge * Ex-Legislator Leaves Pardon Board * More Daily Updates

Go to the Subscribers Only page for the LaPolitics Daily Legislative Update. It is sent daily to e-mail subscrihbers.

Open Seat on Supreme Court

Amidst the tributes to Supreme Court Justice Kitty Kimball on her announced retirement this week, her potential successors began making plans for what will be the major state election on the November ballot.

Kimball, 67, a Democrat, was highly regarded for her evenness by business groups and plaintiffs attorneys alike. The campaign to succeed her, however, is likely to become a sharp partisan contest in which both parties and business and trial lawyers will clash over electing someone closest to their interests.

The secretary of state has yet to set an election date, but the obvious choice is the November primary followed by a December runoff. The winner will serve out Kimball’s term through 2018. The 5th District includes East Baton Rouge Parish and the eight surrounding parishes. Its voter registration is 64 percent white and 32 percent black.

Two appellate judges have said they will run, and two more appellate judges and two district judges are considered likely contenders. The potential early field contains four Republicans and two Democrats.

Ethics Complaint Against Legacy Bill Author

The red-hot legacy lawsuit issue got personal on Thursday when leading environmental lawyer Don Carmouche announced the filing of an ethics complaint against Rep. Neil Abramson, author of the bill backed by oil companies.

Carmouche alleges a conflict of interest by Abramson, a partner in the New Orleans law firm Liskow & Lewis, which represents Exxon and BP as defendants in legacy lawsuits.

A new player in the legacy fight, Sen. David Vitter, quickly came to Abramson’s defense by attacking Carmouche. “This intimidation tactic certainly underscores the trial lawyers’ key role in all this—-just how important preserving the legacy lawsuit bonanza is to them.”

They Said It

--Rep. Bernard LeBas, author of anti-phone cramming bill, on being billed on his credit card for a web site offering “Love Tips”

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Daily Legislative Update

Go to the Subscribers Only page for the LaPolitics Daily Legislative Update. It is sent daily to e-mail subscrihbers.

Vitter Calls Out Jindal

Sen. David Vitter criticized Gov. Bobby Jindal today for not leading to resolve the high-stakes legacy lawsuit issue, saying that his inaction aids landowners and trial lawyers at the expense of oil exploration.

"I don't think the governor is that neutral," Vitter told LaPolitics. "If the governor wanted to get everyone together to forge a compromise, it would get done."

He said the lack of a legislative solution helps the landowner-lawyer side by maintaining the status quo of what he calls a "trial lawyer bonanza."

The governor's press office responded with a statement: "David Vitter is misinformed. Governor Jindal tasked Secretary (Scott) Angelle with negotiating an agreement between all the different stakeholders several months ago. They have been working diligently and are close to an agreement."

Tough Vote on Prison Sale Bill Next Week

The first votes on the prison sale bill indicate that maintaining GOP and leadership discipline could be even harder than on the education bills.

By 13-11, the House Appropriations Committee approved HB 850 to authorize the lease or sale of Avoyelles Correctional Center, after a contentious four and a half hour hearing. Two Republicans voted no and two Democrats, including Chairman Jim Fannin, D-Jonesboro, voted yes.

The next day, on what amounted to a test vote for both sides, a move to recommit the bill to the Criminal Justice Committee failed 45-50.

They Said It

"I have no problem being mistaken for anyone else. I'm the only one in captivity."

--Sen. Robert Kostelka

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Also this week:

--Governor's Retirement Bills Start to Move

--Top N.O. Pols Back Willard-Lewis for Council

--Fletcher Goes to Work for Monroe Mayoral Challenger

--Tough Vote on Prison Sale Bill Next Week

--Governor, LFT Unite to Oppose Total School Choice

--Jackson Makes Mark With Tough Questions

--Vitter for Rubio for VP

--More They Said It

Daily Legislative Update

Go to the Subscribers Only page for the LaPolitics Daily Legislative Update. It is sent daily to e-mail subscrihbers.

Amended, Not Changed

The two major education bills backed by the governor could be on their way to his desk today, pending one more vote by the House this morning to accept amendments added by the Senate, which passed both measures last night by wide majorities after eight hours of debate.

While the governor's office said it wanted the bills passed without changes, it signaled it could accept Senate amendments that did not alter the core of the bills. Senators had insisted on putting their own mark on the bills.

During the lengthy Senate debate, the House stayed late as well in order to receive the bills when passed and to set concurrence votes for today.

The tenure bill passed 23-16, with six Republicans, including four from southwest Louisiana, voting no, and six Democrats voting yes. The choice bill, HB 976 by Carter, passed, 24-15, with the same six Republicans voting no and seven Democrats voting yes.

Though both bills were amended, the two changes to the tenure bill and eleven to the school choice bill drew no objections from the author Sen. Conrad Appel, R-Metairie. On the choice bill, 16 amendments opposed by Appel were all defeated with Republicans mostly voting against, and seven more were withdrawn. Two of six proposed changes were accepted on the tenure bill.

Retirement Age Bill Does Not Include Jindal

The proposed change to state employees' retirement rules that has created the greatest firestorm of protest would push back the retirement age to 67 for those who are not yet 55. But HB 53 would not affect Gov. Bobby Jindal if he seeks and serves a third term. He could still retire at age 55 if he serves 12 years in statewide office, even if the age-change bill becomes law, according to an analysis by the Louisiana State Employees Retirement System.

But that hypothetical situation likely won't last. In a statement, governor's press secretary Frank Collins responded, "We will amend the bill in committee so that in the event that the Governor serves a third term or serves again in state government, the reform provisions would still apply to him."

Currently, the governor, lieutenant governor, treasurer and legislators taking office before 1996 are under the "Legislative Plan," which has different eligibility rules than for regular state workers. In its current form, the bill does not change their eligibility to retire at age 55 after 12 years of service in elected office. The bill also excludes teachers and hazardous duty personnel.

They Said It

"I'm just concerned these bills have more holes than a lace curtain."

--Sen. Bob Kostelka on education bills

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Also This Week:

--Only Sanctioned Amendments Approved

--School Boards, Not Statewides Could Face Term Limits

--Managed Care Off to Quiet Start in BR, Acadiana

--House Gives Poll Workers Extra Hour of Sleep

--Senator Wants to Stop Elections by Anointment

--Bishop Ran Like He Had an Opponent

--More They Said It

Legislators Feel Fiscal Stress

Adding to early-session stress over controversial education and retirement bills are fears that the Legislature could face another big shortfall in revenue projections, causing further deep cuts in the budget. Senate sources say the pace of tax collections could cause up to a $175 million drop in anticipated funds by when the Revenue Estimating Conference meets sometime in May.

The current budget is based on an anticipated $350 million revenue growth. But collections in the core categories--sales, personal income, corporate income--are flat and the anticipated growth may not be fully realized. Much depends on corporate income tax returns, but those collections have swung widely in past years and is the most difficult category to predict.

Governor's press secretary Frank Collins gave this statement, "As always, we're going to have a balanced budget that doesn't raise taxes and protects critical services."

Healthcare Overspending Seen as Culprit

For a major cause of the pending budget crisis, the House Appropriations Committee homed in on a $678 million increase in the Department of Health and Hospitals budget. Over half of that increase, $379 million, came from higher-than-projected Medicaid utilization of private providers. This includes more people with behavioral problems seeking care in hospital emergency rooms following the state's closure of beds in mental health facilities from mid-year budget cuts.

Committee Chairman Jim Fannin, D-Jonesboro, pressed DHH Secretary Bruce Greenstein on how he plans to make ends meet in the future. "I don't see the growth in spending keeping up with the growth you have in the budget," he said.

A later statement from Greenstein read, "The (budget) increase is misleading in that it does not reflect the significant cost reduction strategies and savings that are part of DHH's budget strategy." He added that while national Medicaid expenses have grown by 40 percent in the last six years, Louisiana has held that growth to 30 percent.

They Said It

"It's not even Russian Roulette, because there are no empty chambers."

--Rep. John Schroder on the healthcare budget

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Also this week:

--Education Bills Head to Senate Next Week

--Republican Forces Monroe Mayor into Runoff

--Race to Factor Large in N.O. Council Runoff

--Jindal Backs Winner in Local Judicial Race

--Louisiana Delegate Contest Hinges on Next Primaries

--Legislature Considers New Term Limits Targets

--LC License Holder Sells Interest to Ameristar

--Veteran Local Leader Stepped Up to New Level

--More They Said It

Daily Legislative Update

Go to the Subscribers Only page for the LaPolitics Daily Legislative Update. It is sent daily to e-mail subscrihbers.

GOP Solidarity Keeps Voucher Bill Intact

Without the rancor or crowds of last week's committee hearing and with Republican solidarity, the centerpiece omnibus bill on the governor's education agenda passed 61-42 Thursday night, after over 12 hours of debate.

The supporters passed nine amendments in six hours with a total of only two no votes on one bill, and a majority of Democrats on all but one, with most opposition concentrated in the Black Caucus.

For the most part, Democratic chairmen and vice chairmen fell in line too, mindful, no doubt, of the discipline enforced last week when Speaker Chuck Kleckley removed Rep. Harold Ritchie, D-Franklinton, as vice chairman of the Insurance Committee, when he voted against another education bill.

Given that, legislators will be looking for what happens to Rep. Herbert Dixon, D-Alexandria, chairman of the Labor Committee, who voted against six of the supporters' amendments. After Ritchie's removal, lobbyists speculated he might be the next to go.

Going to the heart of the opposition to the bill, Rep. John Bel Edwards tried to remove the local funding portion from the scholarship grants, arguing that citizens who taxed themselves for local schools did not vote to use the money for private education. "This is the amendment that gets it done," he concluded. It failed, 48-50.

Poll Shows Santorum With Double-Digit Lead

A new poll on Saturday's presidential primary suggests Rick Santorum might be not only the big winner but the only winner when it comes to collecting delegates.

A Magellan Strategies poll of 2,018 likely Republican voters done Monday shows: Santorum, 37 percent; Mitt Romney, 24; Newt Gingrich, 21; Ron Paul, 3; others, 9; undecided, 6.

Pollster John Diez, who paid for the survey himself, thinks Romney is limited by a high negative rating. Respondents rate him 49 percent positive to 41 percent negative, while Santorum has 72 percent positive, 20 percent negative.

They Said It

"It's equivalent to being the Crowley Rice Queen, except that I'm a man."

--Sen. Norby Chabert on being grand marshal of the Lafourche Seafood Festival

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Also this week:

--Sides Go Public in Legacy Lawsuit Dispute

--GOP Primary Affects Local Races, N.O. to Monroe

--So Close, But Coastal Funding Back in Limbo

--College Presidents Promise Not to Complain, But . . .

--Broadwater Overcomes Surgery, GOP Opposition

--Charlie Cook Talks at Loyola on Elections

--New "Jindal" Debuts at Gridiron Show Tonight

--More They Said It

Daily Legislative Update

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Removed Democrat Said He Was Made an Example

On the morning after a 16-hour Education Committee hearing, legislators were still buzzing over Speaker Chuck Kleckley's stripping Rep. Harold Ritchie of his Insurance Committee vice chair after the Bogalusa Democrat opposed a separate governor-backed education bill.

Asked if he thought he was made an example of, Ritchie answered, "I think I was," adding, "They didn't need my vote." HB 969 by Rep. Kirk Talbot, R-River Ridge, would grant rebates to contributors to non-profits that provide private-school scholarships to low-income public school students. It passed, 15-4.

House Democratic Caucus leader John Bel Edwards charged, "This is an attempt by the Speaker to intimidate all Democrats in leadership positions."

Kleckley denied that. "I disagree this is an attempt to intimidate Democrats," he said, but would not comment on his conversation with Ritchie, whom he called "a good friend."

Santorum Surges, Vitter Aides Help Campaign

A month ago, presidential candidate Rick Santorum barely had an organization backing him in the Louisiana primary on March 24.

Now two top aides of Sen. David Vitter have taken leave to organize for the conservative's surging campaign here. Vitter Chief of Staff Kyle Ruckert and Communications Director Joel DiGrado are working with Vitter's consultant, John Braebender, on Santorum's campaign in Louisiana.

The senator, however, is not endorsing, though he has "a lot of affinity with Santorum," said DiGrado, who previously worked for the former Pennsylvania senator.

Following an appearance in Lafayette on Tuesday, Santorum will attend services at Calvary Baptist Church in Shreveport and First Baptist Church in Bossier City on Sunday. Then he flies to Baton Rouge to make the LSU-Mississippi State baseball game.

Mitt Romney will attend a Shreveport fundraiser on March 23. Newt Gingrich, who needs a Southern state win, will make appearances in Baton Rouge next week.

They Said It

"He took a triple dose of his ADD medicine. I think it worked."

--Rep. John Schroder on Education Committee Chairman Steve Carter's conduct of committee hearing

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Also in This Issue:

--Session Starts Fast and Rough

--More Heads to Roll?

--Poll Backs Jindal's Ed Plans, with Reservations

--Deal Said Near on Legacy Lawsuits

--Peacock Stands Alone Casting First Votes

--Brown Overcomes Attacks, Upsets GOP Incumbent

--PAR, LaPolitics Team For Membership Drive

--More They Said It

Jindal vs. State Workers

The combination of issues affecting state workers, from pay to privatization to retirement policy, has created what seems the most contentious and soured relationship ever between a governor and state workforce.

In response to a large volume of calls, Civil Service has posted on its website guidelines for state workers wishing to contact legislators (OK if not using state phones or computers) and to attend public rallies (OK during work hours, if granted leave).

Then there are the teachers. Legislators will be hearing from them, if they haven't already, when the governor's education bills come up in committee as early as Wednesday.

Bill Would Fund Courses for Home Schoolers

In HB 876 by Rep. Steve Carter, R-Baton Rouge, among students eligible to take publicly funded courses are those in an "approved home study program," or home-schoolers. If passed, it would mark the first time state dollars are spent on home schooling.

Also eligible for state-funded courses are students in schools graded C, D or F, those in the scholarship program and those attending schools that do not offer the desired courses.

They Said It

"We swept most of the funds last year. We're just vacuuming up the corners this year."

--Appropriations Chairman Jim Fannin on moving statutorily dedicated funds into the general budget

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Also This Week:

--State Wins in Congress On BP Fine Allocation

--U.S. Senators Engaged With Legislative Session

--Riverboat Casino Fleet Building to Full Strength

--GOP Caucuses Overshadow Presidential Primary

--Patrick Williams Takes Short Cut to Capitol

--New Lines Give Morris --Edge on Incumbent

--Crisis Nothing New for Randal Gaines

--Charlie Smith's Last Call

--More They Said It

Education Goes First

While legislators say most constituent feedback concerns proposed controversial retirement system changes, most of what they are hearing from the governor's office is about his education agenda.

The governor's large education package will be contained in only four bills, according to Education Committee Chairman Steve Carter, R-Baton Rouge, who says they will be filed by the Friday deadline (after then each legislator can file only five bills).

"I assume they (the administration) will try to get them out as soon as they can," said Carter.

Whether planned that way or not, legislators say Jindal's release of his pension reform plan has sparked the most public opposition but also has deflected controversy from the education plan.

Legislator Talks Congressional Race with D.C. Democrats

Rep. Patrick Williams, D-Shreveport, went to Washington Thursday to talk to Democratic officials about running for Congress in the Fourth District against GOP Congressman John Fleming, who is the state party's priority target this year.

Williams said he will ask financial help the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee can provide. "There is no sense in getting in and not having the funds," he added.

He may be disappointed in that the DCCC tends to offer viable candidates help to finish campaigns rather than to start them. For that, Williams or some other Democrat would look to state party chairman Buddy Leach's help raising early money.

They Said It

"We're about to throw deep. We only have a little bitty football, but we're going to throw deep."

--Buddy Roemer on pursuing nominations of Americans Elect and the Reform Party, in the Picayune

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Also in this issue:

--BESE Lines Up Funding for Voucher Plan

--Higher Ed Plans Face Crowded Legislative Agenda

--Oil Exec Predicts War Over Legacy Lawsuits

--Legislator Talks Congressional Race with D.C. Democrats

--Who Picks Projects Central to Roads Bill

--New Legislator Profiles: Former Aide Lands Seat on Appropriations Committee

--New Legislator Profiles: Runoff Match-up Holds Felicianas Seat for GOP

--More They Said It

Democrats Gear Up Opposition

Though Republicans hold majorities in both houses, Democratic leaders are counting on caucus solidarity and pushback on GOP members from state employees, teachers and senior citizens to moderate if not thwart Gov. Jindal's most far-reaching proposals on education, retirement and budgeting.

Rep. John Bel Edwards, D-Amite, leader of the House Democratic Caucus, cites bills to increase the retirement age and state employee contributions to retirement accounts as ones that will generate unified Democratic opposition and some Republican crossover.

Recognizing the governor will have the votes to get much of what he asks, another strategy for Democrats is to remind voters who is responsible. "They (Republicans) are absolutely going to own it if it passes," said Edwards.

RESTORE Act Hitching Rides on House, Senate Bills

With the RESTORE Act, to direct 80 percent of BP oil spill fines to coastal states, stuck in Congress, the state's delegation is looking to hitch the bill's language to measures more likely to pass soon.

This week, Congressman Steve Scalise succeeded in attaching the RESTORE wording to an energy bill nearing House passage.

In the Senate, Sen. Mary Landrieu has filed an amendment to include RESTORE in the highway funding bill, as she works with Sen. David Vitter, who is one of a bipartisan quartet handling the bill. He will also be on its conference committee.

They Said It

"Based on the history of how we have gotten the short end of the stick, the governor is taking the bull by the horns . . . "

--Rep. Patrick Connick on governor's plan not to use bridge tolls in budget, in the Picayune

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Also this week:

--Teepell Hire Boosts Talk of Cassidy 2014 Senate Run

--Lawmakers Scramble to Keep Barksdale Fighters

--Clash Among Old Friends Starts BR Mayor's Race

--Pension Changes Nixed in Other States' Courts

--Hunter Wins Closest Vote, Survives Legal Challenges

--Father, Early Jobs Gave Miller Capitol Experience

--More They Said It

Budget Counts on Changes

Unlike last year's executive budget, this year's is not contingent on selling prisons and the passage of constitutional amendments, which the House excised in 2011. It again provides for no general pay increases for state workers and no growth in K-12 funding, beyond more money for increased enrollment.

Most of the gap between projected revenues and the continuation budget comes from $325 million in spending reductions and $230 million in use of one-time money for recurring expenses, partly from tapping into statutorily dedicated funds.

Savings of $55 million ride on the Legislature approving proposed changes in the state employee retirement system, including a 3 percentage point increase in employee contribution, and an increase in the retirement age to 67.

Medicaid providers' reimbursement rates will be reduced an average 2 percent. Private and community hospital association leaders said they were "extremely disappointed" but they will work to "educate and remind legislators" about "the critical services these hospitals provide."

The long-discussed sale of an Office of Group Benefits' health insurance plan will not go forward, but the Preferred Provider Organization will be contracted out to a third-party administrator, resulting in the reduction of 177 jobs, over half of the OGB staff.

Former Police Chief Looks at Mayoral Run

With Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden up for election to a third term this November, former police chief Greg Phares says he is considering challenging him.

"If people believe I am qualified to be mayor, I am honored by that and would have to consider it," he said, but added that, as a state civil service employee, he is not ready to pursue the idea further at this time. Phares is chief investigator for the state inspector general.

Phares was approached by Baton Rouge contractor Lane Grigsby, who said he and Shaw Group CEO Jim Bernhard oppose the idea of a mayor serving three terms. Grigsby formed a PAC that raised money for BESE and legislative candidates last year.

"I'm not trying to find a candidate," said Grigsby, "I'm trying to come up with a program to entice a number of candidates to run." Citing crime as the major problem facing the capital, he said he will push for a change in the Plan of Government on the fall ballot to consolidate the Baton Rouge City Police and sheriff's office along with the police departments of smaller communities in the parish, a total of seven agencies that would be merged under the elected sheriff. Current city policemen would stay under Civil Service, but not new hires, under Grigsby's plan.

They Said It

"He asked me out. I said no."

--New Orleans Councilwoman Stacy Head, jokingly, after outbursts toward her from candidate Andrew Gressett during candidates' forum for the at-large seat, in the Picayune

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Also in this week's issue:

--D.C. Mardi Gras Honors Oysters, Beer

--Vitter Praises Jindal, Claims Bipartisanship

--Jindal Hammers LSU Over Hospital Spending

--Seniors Protest Move of Elderly Services

--Former State Police Head Wins New Minority Seat

--Thompson Wins House Election on Rebound

--More They Said It

Healthcare in Major Transition

Despite the governor?s focus on changing K-12 and state retirement plans, in terms of importance, nothing matches the changes currently taking place in the state's public healthcare system. The Jindal administration is challenged on two fronts, as it privatizes a large part of the Medicaid system while LSU hospitals start closing clinics and laying off hundreds of employees to meet steep mid-year budget cuts.

A new era of Medicaid began this week as 180,000 patients, mostly children and pregnant women in the New Orleans region and Florida Parishes, started seeing doctors organized in networks that are administered by five insurance companies. Right behind, the Baton Rouge and Acadiana region begins its two-month enrollment period this week for 300,000 patients, to be followed shortly by North Louisiana, under an ambitious implementation schedule to be completed statewide by June.

Meanwhile, fewer healthcare services will be available from LSU-run hospitals and clinics under a budget-cutting plan to be presented to the LSU Board of Supervisors today. LSU System Vice President Dr. Fred Cerise is scheduled to outline $29 million in reductions affecting programs and up to 650 staff jobs in the Health Care Services Division. On the chopping block is a north Baton Rouge clinic that sees 5,000 area children.

Landrieu Mostly in Line with Jindal on Education

Gov. Jindal's sweeping education proposals afford Sen. Mary Landrieu the opportunity to stake out broad common ground in place of the divisions and mutual criticism that have marked their relationship in recent years.

While press accounts highlighted her differences with Gov. Jindal's K-12 agenda, Landrieu agrees more than disagrees on key tenets, including greater choice for parents, tighter tenure policy and merit pay.

Aligning with Jindal on his most important issue could be seen as an important first move toward her re-election campaign in 2014, especially now that the governor apparently has ruled out challenging her by committing to complete his second term.

Chairman Sees Lower Hurdle for Retirement Change

A key tenet of Gov. Jindal's proposed changes to the state employees retirement system, a three percentage point increase in workers' contributions, was offered but failed last year. What will be different this year? Jim Tucker is no longer in the House.

The former speaker derailed the contribution increase bill last year when he ruled it a payroll tax, requiring two-thirds approval, effectively killing the measure. Tucker's rationale was that the state was decreasing its contribution by that amount and shifting the money to other areas of the budget.

Rep. Kevin Pearson, R-Slidell, doubts new Speaker Chuck Kleckley, R-Lake Charles, would take the same position. Pearson wouldn't.

They Said It

"Contractors are no more than vipers."

--John Pourciau, retired DHH information technology director, on administration proposal to contract out IT jobs, in the Advocate.

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Also in this issue:

--GOP Primary Could Be Problem for Democrats

--Rainy Day Fund Ruling a Respite, Not a Fix

--Chairman Expects Six Bills in Education Package

--Shadoin Overcomes Money, Past to Get Elected

--Valarie Hodges' Mission Leads Her to Legislature

--More They Said It