Light Session Agenda Expected

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

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

State Police to Answer For Driver's License Hike

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

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

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

They Said It

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

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

Subscribe and read this week's entire issue

Also in this issue:

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

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

--Moves could be made on BESE, Civil Service

--Nagin depleting state loan fund

--Ronnie Johns seen for legislative comeback

--Secret elections proposed for legislative leaders

--Jindal gets no medal for handing them out

--More They Said It

Melancon's Poll Shows Closer Race

A poll done for Congressman Charlie Melancon shows him trailing Sen. David Vitter, 48-38 percent, which is better news for the Democrat than other recent survey results.

The Anzalone-Liszt poll sample of 800 voters was taken Feb. 18-24, with a margin of error of 3.5 percent. The poll contrasts widely with monthly Rasmussen Reports, which showed Vitter's lead expanding from 18 percent to 24 percent in the first two months of the year. The Anzalone poll shows the race has changed little since its May survey when Vitter led 47-37 percent.

The Rasmussen polls are automated, which professional pollsters count as less reliable than in-person polls.

Most Statewide Officials Back Term Limits Bill

A proposed constitutional amendment to limit statewide elected officials besides the governor to three terms is not getting much argument from those currently holding those jobs.

That could be because the proposal by Rep. Simone Champagne, D-New Iberia, is prospective, so no one now holding office would have to leave before 2024.

Favoring the amendment are: Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain, Secretary of State Jay Dardenne and Treasurer John Kennedy. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon takes no position. Attorney General Buddy Caldwell and outgoing Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu did not respond to e-mail queries.

They Said It

"With domestic terrorism increasing, I wanted to have this for an option. We should not be sheep to the slaughter."

--Rep. Henry Burns on bill to allow guns in church

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--GOP Split for Lt. Governor Race; are conservatives out to stop Dardenne?

--Two-pronged legislative threat to No. 2 office

--State Lands $80 Million Broadband Grant

--Jobs Bill Contains Road Money for State

--New City Council Appears to Be Landrieu-Friendly

--Slow Movement on Federal Appointments

--Who Dat Say It Will Cost More to Drive?

--More They Said It

Hospitals Set for Budget Battle

The pending federal budget, which extends the favorable Medicaid match for states for six months, could set off heated competition for possible new revenue in the state budget that the Legislature will write in coming months.

The state's private and community hospitals hope to persuade legislators to use potential extra federal dollars to give back some of the 3 percent in provider rates--18 percent in cuts--since 2008.

But the hospitals will meet resistance from the Jindal administration, which wants to sock away any new available funds for the 2011-12, when all stimulus funding ends and the state faces the so-called "cliff," a $1.7 billion shortfall in the general fund.

Hospitals will appeal to legislators for a compromise. Said one hospital official, "We've already hit the cliff, and we've been going down ever since."

Is GOP Chairman Looking at Lt. Governor Race?

State Republican party chairman Roger Villere Jr. has talked about running for lieutenant governor this year, according to a knowledgeable source. Villere could not be reached for comment.

Villere of Metairie recently won a new four-year term as state chairman, has not held elected office before. Two other Republicans, Secretary of State Jay Dardenne and St. Tammany Parish President Kevin Davis, have stated their strong interest in running to finish the term of New Orleans Mayor-elect Mitch Landrieu.

They Said It

"I'm tired of watching the clockwatchers."

--Interim Jefferson Parish President Steve Theriot on streamlining plans, in the Picayune

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--More on Budget Battle

--Senator's Redistricting Plan Stirs Colleagues

--BR Hospitals Say Partnership Unfair

--Battle of Bypasses Could Gridlock Funding

--Former Legislator Eyes N.O. House Seat

--Councilman Uses Office to Announce for Legislature

--Analyst Sees Democrats Losing U.S. House

--'Tis the Season for Legislative Fundraisers

--More They Said It

Budget "Amnesty"

The best that higher education officials and healthcare providers hope to hear in the budget message from the Jindal administration today is that it's bad but it could be worse, like next year.

The Jindal administration is expected to present an executive budget today that uses one-time tax amnesty money to patch some of the hole in the Medicaid program and to prevent any further deep cuts to higher education.

Of the much-higher-than-expected $460 million take from last year's tax amnesty program, $220 million is unspoken for, after replenishing the Rainy Day Fund and paying other commitments. The administration wants to use some of that money to draw down federal Medicaid match funds. That would also free up some general fund money for colleges, who are trying to hold the line against further reductions after $250 million in cuts over the past 13 months.

Robideaux Close to Locking Up Pro Tem Post

With strong Republican and Acadiana support, Rep. Joel Robideaux, a Lafayette independent, is seen as the frontrunner to be elected speaker pro tem by the House, replacing Sen.-elect Karen Carter Peterson.

While Robideaux's GOP backing is not unanimous, a legislative source said, "Republicans have no where to go but to Joel." The only other potential candidates are Democrats, Reps. Rick Gallot of Ruston and Noble Ellington of Winnsboro. Neither has been able to crack support for Robideaux among Acadiana Democrats.

They Said It

"They might not like one another, but they are going to sleep together."

--Sen. Ben Nevers on universities accepting academic credits from community colleges

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--For Interim Lt. Governor: Angelle or Angele?

--High hopes for congressional action on Medicaid

--Landrieu Starts Transition With City on High

--Candidates Line Up for N.O. House Seat

--Boustany Backs Obama Plan for Cuba Trade

--Ankner Not Missed by Legislators, Contractors

--Senator Scores First on Who Dat License

--Louisiana Books Rank on National List

--More They Said It

Landrieu Wins in Primary

Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu blew away the opposition, taking two-thirds of the vote to win the New Orelans mayor's election in the primary. He dominated both the African-American and white vote. Troy Henry finished a distant second with 13 percent.

In City Council elections, Arnie Fielkow and Jackie Clarkson appear to have been elected in the primary, which will give the council a 5-2 white majority.

Deficit

It won't be reflected in the executive budget the governor presents next week, but the state's looming $1 billion shortfall could be almost cut in half, depending on congressional action in the coming months.

The budget that the Obama administration sent to Congress this week extends the 80 percent federal Medicaid match rate for six months until June 2011 for all states. If that provision remains in the budget, it would mean $428 million more in Medicaid funds for Louisiana in its upcoming budget, according to the Division of Administration.

The extension does not specifically address Louisiana's unique Medicaid match problem caused by a temporary post-hurricane average income increase, but it does cover for six months what the state would have lost.

They Said It

"He (Speaker Jim Tucker) said, 'Hit us over the head with a 2X4.' He didn't say hit us with a feather duster or a pillow."

--Higher education commission member Mark Musick

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--Tough-and-go budgeting until Congress acts

--Single college board to be major legislative issue

--Baldone to decide in 3rd District race

--House Pro Tem job about to become open

--Why Chairman doesn't expect stonewalling from agencies

--Colleges might get pass on more cuts

--Economic development projects up in air

--DOTD promises to be clearer on bid requests

--More They Said It

Prospects Dim for Abolishing No. 2 Office

Chances for abolishing the lieutenant governor's office, as suggested by Gov. Bobby Jindal, appear dim, according to several lawmakers asked. It is difficult for any controversial issue to gain super majorities. Compounding that would be that a number of legislators, including Senate President Joel Chaisson II, D-Destrehan, are eyeing a possible run for the post.

Hunt Downer Expected to Run for Congress

Former House Speaker Hunt Downer has told area business leaders he will enter the race in the 3rd Congressional District for the seat being vacated by Congressman Charlie Melancon.

"It just seems to be lining up that way," the Houma Republican told LaPolitics. The major general in the National Guard says he is looking at retiring from the military this year.

They Said It

"To me, if people don't respond to what you ask for, that's a good place to start streamlining."

--Rep. Jane Smith, R-Bossier City, on lack of response by agencies to Streamlining Commission

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--More on Politics of Succession

--Another State Senator Eyes Lt. Gov. Office

--Mayor's Race Pushed Under Radar by Saints--and Why That's Good for Landrieu

--Roemer for Senate in 2014? What Roemer?

--Legislator Questions Why High Bidder Wins Contract

--Hospital Money Brightens Bleak Healthcare Week

--Higher Ed Group Won't Give Advice It's Asked for

--Democrats Seeks Political Gain from Mary-Gate

--More They Said It

All Going Vitter's Way

As Washington Mardi Gras gets underway in the nation's capital this year, everything is going the Sen. David Vitter's way, from fundraising to polling.

So much so that a rumor floating through the D.C. Hilton bar on Thursday was that Melancon would drop down and run for re-election in the 3rd District in hopes of saving the seat for Democrats.

"I can put that one to rest right now," states Melancon campaign manager Bradley Beychok, who promised Democrats will wage an aggressive campaign.

Senate President Shows Interest in Lt. Gov.

In the event that Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu is elected mayor of New Orleans, Senate President Joel Chaisson II of Destrehan says he is being strongly encouraged to seek the No. 2 post. "It's intriguing," he said, while still calling the speculation premature. "I've had a good run in state politics," said the term-limited senator. "That might be a logical step."

They Said It

"Our state bar is so low we may stub our toe on it."

--BESE member Chas Roemer on mew standards for public schools to achieve to avoid state takeovers, in the Advocate

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--More on Vitter-Melancon

--N.O. Polls Say Landrieu Could Win in Primary

--Did "Louisiana Purchase" Aid Massachusetts Upset?

--New U.S. Attorney Pick Still Needs Vitter Approval

--Alcohol Oversight Move to State Police Dropped

--Jindal Promises "Shovels in the Ground" for LSU Hospital This Year

--Former DEQ Chief Eyes Run for Legislature

--Changes Seen for Washington Mardi Gras

--More They Said It

Speaker Presses Change Agenda

Foretelling a very busy legislative session, Speaker of the House Jim Tucker has called for a series of systemic reforms in state government and predicts that Gov. Bobby Jindal and lawmakers will use political capital and "take risks" to address controversial issues beyond the budget deficit.

In his speech at the annual LABI conference, among the issues he promised the House would address are:

-- changing pension plans of future state employees to the "defined contribution" model;

-- restructuring higher education by raising admission standards for four-year schools;

-- giving the Legislature more say over K-12 education funding, which would require a constitutional amendment to infringe on the budget-making authority of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

"The House will take the lead on these issues," he pledged.

Blanco Won't Dismiss Lt. Governor Speculation

The realization that Mitch Landrieu might not have a lock on the New Orleans mayor's race has not yet dampened the speculation of who might succeed him in a possible special election this fall.

The latest name mentioned to be the new lieutenant governor is the old one, former Gov. Kathleen Blanco, who held the No. 2 post, 1996-2004.

A source close to Blanco said she is fielding calls from people in the hospitality industry who want her to consider running or, at very least, "to just don't say no yet." She has not indicated if she has any interest in running, according to the source.

Newsweek Columnist Touts Jindal for Vice President

The rehabilitation of Bobby Jindal's national image has begun. Almost one year after his disastrous nationally televised speech, during which he crisscrossed the land raising money for himself and GOP candidates, Jindal is again attracting notice as a future light of the Republican Party and a possible vice presidential candidate in 2012.

That's according to a blogger for Newsweek who writes the weekly column, Absurdly Premature 2012 Watch. It notes Jindal's fall from the ranks of presidential contenders but makes the case that he would be a strong running mate for premature frontrunner Mitt Romney.

They Said It

"It's always about race. I don't know why we dance around it."

--New Orleans Constable Lambert Boissiere Jr. on the mayor's race, in the New York Times

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--Reactions to Speaker Tucker's speech

--Henry Emerges as Major Black Candidate for N.O. Mayor

--John Georges calls for replacing Letten, then says it's a joke

--More names for premature lieutenant governor's race

--DOTD Readies Second Stimulus List

--Jefferson Parish Turmoil Aids Contender for President

--Democrat Leads Money Chase in 3rd District

--More They Said It

Potential Lieutenant Governor Vacancy Eyed

Sen. Ed Murray's sudden departure from the New Orleans mayor's race further strengthens Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu's frontrunner status and increases speculation about who will succeed him should he vacate the state's No. 2 position.

The leading potential Republican candidate being mentioned is Secretary of State Jay Dardenne. A close political supporter predicts Dardenne would seek the post in the election.

Among Democrats, Rep. Rick Gallot of Ruston says he "would consider jumping in that race."

Other mentioned potential candidates include Sen. Mike Michot, R-Lafayette, and Natural Resources Secretary Scott Angelle.

Candidates Line Up for Unvacated Pro Tem Spot

House members have their eyes on another No. 2 position expected to come open soon. Speaker Pro Tem Karen Carter Peterson, D-New Orleans, is the heavy favorite to win the special state Senate election on Feb. 6 to finish the term of Cheryl Gray, who resigned last month.

Three representatives seeking her post already have begun making calls to colleagues: Joel Robideaux, I-Lafayette; Rick Gallot, D-Ruston; and Noble Ellington, D-Winnsboro.

Buddy Leach a Lock to Lead State Democrats

It's all but a foregone conclusion that Buddy Leach will be elected chairman of the state Democratic Party at the central committee's Jan. 30 meeting. The 75-year-old former congressman, state legislator and gubernatorial candidate said he has sent letters to members asking for their support. No one else is running after embattled former chairman Chris Whittington stepped down last year.

They Said It

"This race is far from over. I don't believe any of these frickin' polls."

--New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin on the mayor's race, on WBOK

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--More on Lieutenant Governor speculation

--Why Ed Murray Quit Mayor's Race

--Landrieu in Jindal's Place; Georges in Same Place

--More on Candidates for Pro Tem

--Jindal Raises Money at Leach's Lodge

--Whistleblower Points to Top in Jefferson Parish Probe

--Budget Chair: Streamliners Covered Same Ground

--Higher Ed Group Looks to Mergers and Boards

--More They Said It

On vacation until Jan. 8

More Talk Than Action

The state's leading Republicans, Sen. David Vitter and Gov. Bobby Jindal, near the end of the year with bulging campaign warchests and only one announced opponent between them.

One recently rumored Vitter opponent who says he is not running is Paul Rainwater, director of the Louisiana Recovery Authority.

"Yes, he was approached, but he isn't running for the Senate," responded his press secretary Christina Stephens. Rainwater was in transit from Washington on Wednesday and was unavailable for comment.

That leaves Secretary of State Jay Dardenne, who spoke at length to Gannett News Service this week about challenging Vitter without saying anything more definite than "I have not decided to get into the race nor have I said I'm not."

Then there is Jim Bernhard, who recently passed on running for the Senate. The new political talk is that he is considering running against Gov. Jindal in 2011. One source, who wished not to be named but said he regularly speaks with Bernhard, said the Shaw Group CEO is "interested in running for governor." Bernhard did not return a call for comment.

Jacobs Drops Out of N.O. Mayor's Race

After Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu's surprising entry into the New Orleans mayor's last week, it was no great surprise that Leslie Jacobs decided to drop out. After running a new poll, she told the Picayune, "Those numbers confirmed what I thought: Once Mitch entered the race, I could not win."

Edwards Book Sells Out of First Printing

Edwin Edwards' biographer Leo Honeycutt reports that his book, which hit stores this week, already has orders exceediing the first printing of 10,000. "We sold 3,000 on Monday," he said of the first delivery from the printer in Canada.

Edwards will receive a share of profits from book sales, but he won't be able to receive a copy of the work itself because of federal prison rules barring hardcover books.

They Said It

"All our great leaders are gone: Ghandi, Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr. And I'm not feeling very well myself."

--Manny "Chevrolet" Bruno, candidate for mayor of New Orleans, on WDSU

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--More on Rainwater, Dardenne, Bernhard

--Jeff Landry to File for Congress

--Love Over Politics: Gray to Leave Senate

--Clerk to Lead Ed Murray's Campaign

--Legislators Consider Next Move with Civil Service

--Revenue Estimators Could Deepen Budget Hole

--Landrieu Backs Healthcare, Takes Big Hit in Poll

--Pastorek Predicts Strong Race to Top Response

--More They Said It

Landrieu Blows Open Mayor's Race

With his surprise entry into the New Orleans mayor's race, Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu already has achieved what seemed impossible: to get people talking about something other than the Saints . . . at least until Sunday.

Though now considered the early favorite for one runoff spot, he has more obstacles to overcome now than he would have had if entered the race even a month earlier.

Landrieu stands a better chance than other white candidates to eat into the base support of the four African-American candidates. But Landrieu's candidacy is still unlikely to prevent Murray or another black from garnering the most support in that community and thus making the runoff.

If Landrieu does make the runoff against a consensus African-American candidate, with a majority black electorate, the lieutenant governor would face the same test he came up short on last time.

GOP Sees Opportunity to Succeed Landrieu

A big if, of course, but should Landrieu win the mayor's race, he would resign his state office before the May 31 mayoral inauguration. According to the state constitution, as amended in 2006, the governor would then appoint an interim lieutenant governor, to be approved by both houses of the Legislature. But with more than one year left in the term, a special election would be held to coincide with congressional elections in the fall. The winner would face re-election in 2011.

Republicans would see this as the golden opportunity to put one of their own at the head of the line of succession. There would be no lack of aspirants, starting with an obvious potential contender, Secretary of State Jay Dardenne.

Treasurer Favors Putting Bonds Fees On-Line

Now that the Division of Administration has put all state contracts on line, Treasurer John Kennedy says he's for doing the same thing with the costs of state and local bond issues.

The idea is being pushed by Sen. Robert Adley, R-Benton, who believes a lot of money in fees could be saved if local governments and taxing districts could see what is being spent on bond counsel, underwriters and financial advisors.

"It's a great idea," said Kennedy. "I think Robert is dead-on right."

They Said It

"I think if we're not careful, we could get a candidate in there who could really do some damage to the community--to all New Orleans--for a long time to come."

--New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin on the mayor's race, on WBOK

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--More on Landrieu's decision

--Georges Buys Galatoire's While on Jury Duty

--Supreme Court Ruling Could Aid Jefferson

--Healthcare Bill Pressure Switches to Vitter

--Higher Ed Board to Look at Finances, Governance

--Donelon Opposes Closing Citizens

--Administration Looks at Reducing Prison Population

--More They Said It

Streamliner Claims $900 Million in Cuts

The chairman of the state Streamlining Commission estimates that $900 million can be saved by implementing the 217 recommendations the group has passed so far. Though fiscal notes are still being written to quantify the cost savings, Sen. Jack Donahue, R-Covington, says the advisory group's final report "will comfortably have what the governor is looking for."

Gov. Bobby Jindal asked the commission to come up with $802 million in recommended cuts to address most of the projected $950 million shortfall in the coming budget.

Second Republican Enters Race in 3rd District

New Iberia attorney Jeff Landry, a Republican, has started lining up financial support to run for Congress in the 3rd District.

"He's definitely getting in the race," said state party chairman Roger Villere, who spoke with Landry this week.

Already announced is Rep. Nickie Monica, R-Laplace, who is out raising money. Still in the wings is Natural Resources Secretary Scott Angelle, a Democrat who says he might switch and run.

Jindal: "Unfair to Criticize" Landrieu

While conservatives have pummeled Sen. Mary Landrieu for getting $300 million in Medicaid relief for the state in the healthcare bill she voted to move forward, Gov. Bobby Jindal, while opposed to the bill, has been publicly neither critical nor supportive of what she did.

He did, however, give a statement to CNN--but not to state media--that offered her some defense against critics.

Jindal's statement read in part, "The bill is awful, but it is unfair to criticize Senator Landrieu or the rest of our delegation for fighting to correct this injustice to Louisiana." He referred to the increased required state Medicaid match for coming years due to an increase in state personal income, which included post-Katrina insurance settlements and Road Home grants.

They Said It

"You can do it with a scalpel or you can do it with a chainsaw. You prefer the chainsaw."

--Commissioner of Administration Angele Davis to John Kennedy on his Streamlining proposal to reduce state employees.

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--Commissioner, Treasurer Clash Over Cuts

--Candidates Face Competition Off Ballot in N.O.

--Mayoral Candidate Has Contract With City

--Despite Critics, Glover Won't Be Easy to Beat

--Construction Budget Eyed for Building Highways

--Administration Points to Fewer Unclassified Workers

--Edwards Book Goes on Sale Dec. 13

--More They Said It

Thanksgiving Vacation: Next Issue Dec. 4

Streamlining Friction

In a confrontation building up for weeks on the Streamlining Commission, Treasurer John Kennedy's agitation of the Jindal administration resulted in a clash with Commissioner of Administration Angele Davis over state contracts and the proposed LSU teaching hospital in New Orleans.

At Wednesday's meeting of the advisory group, Kennedy pressed for the Office of Contract Review, under Davis, to rein in questionable contracts by conducting cost-benefit analyses of pacts over $50,000. Davis argued against what she called "a new layer of bureaucratic micromanagement" that would second-guess policy decisions made by the Legislature and agency heads.

No vote was taken, but the conflict could escalate on Monday when Education Superintendent Paul Pastorek comes to the commission to explain and defend the thousands of professional services contracts his agency lets.

Business Groups to Push for Higher Ed Reform

The advisory commission reviewing higher education is steadily building an agenda of recommended changes for the Board of Regents, the governor and the Legislature to address.

Now a coalition of chambers of commerce and local business groups is forming in aims of building a consensus of local support for the reforms.

A source involved says the state's largest chambers and Blueprint Louisiana have signed onto the effort that will be unveiled in the coming weeks.

Landrieu Healthcare Vote May Come with

Even if Sen. Mary Landrieu votes with Democrats tomorrow or Saturday to take up the healthcare bill, she has yet to commit to support it in the end, according to her staff.

She is widely reported to be among the last three Democratic holdouts that Majority Leader Harry Reid is courting.

The Washington Post reported, "Landrieu has lobbied for additional benefits for the state." It didn't elaborate, but congressional sources say the need to fix Louisiana's post-Katrina Medicaid match problem, amounting to $700 million over two years, is at the top of her wish list.

They Said It

"We call that weenieing around, on the Streamlining Commission."

--Treasurer John Kennedy to DHH Secretary Alan Levine's plan to start a cost-saving Medicaid program as a pilot

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--All state contracts going on line

--Vote for hospital study doesn't mean it happens

--Jacobs' entry turns around N.O. mayor's race

--Streamliners won't stop with final report

--Destination Futility on highway road show

--Why BR bond issue fell so hard

--Christmas election or no fire protection

--More They Said It

Streamlining Cuts Adding Up

State cabinet agencies have been ordered by the Division of Administration to incorporate in their budget-making all their cost-cutting suggestions made to the Streamlining Commission. They make up the bulk of recommendations that have specified savings, totaling almost $300 million in cuts or about one-third of next year's projected $900 million shortfall.

Only about $70 million of the reductions would require changes in laws outside of the budget.

The full commission is plowing through recommendations offered by advisory groups in weekly meetings that will grow more frequent as it approaches its Dec. 15 deadline for its final report.

Microsoft Co-Founder Buys House in New Orleans

New Orleans has more famous part-time residents but none are richer than one of its newest: Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft, who recently bought a residence in the French Quarter.

Orleans Parish property records show that 1139 Chartres Street was sold for $2 million on July 31 to NOLA Residence LLC, which is registered in Seattle. A New Orleans source with direct knowledge of the transaction confirmed that Allen bought the property.

The 56-year-old Allen is listed by Forbes Magazine as the 32nd richest person in the world, worth $10.5 billion.

Cao's BR Fundraiser To Be Rescheduled

Congressman Joseph Cao was blasted by conservatives in Louisiana for being the lone Republican vote for the Democrats' healthcare bill, causing him to cancel two scheduled fundraisers.

But Republicans can be forgiving, especially since they have no real alternatives in the 2nd Distrct. Congressman Bill Cassidy will reschedule the cancelled fundraiser he had planned for him in Baton Rouge. "Congressman Cassidy disagrees with his (Cao's) vote but will still support his re-election," said press secretary Wes Climer.

They Said It

"I feel both courageous and lonely."

--Congressman Joseph Cao, the lone Republican to vote for the healthcare bill, in the Picayune

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--Kennedy tears into state contracts

--Georges, Murray lead money race

--Tucker wants $1 Billion for blight, infrastructure

--Purpera will apply for legislative auditor

--Education group to look at tuition policy

--Chances rated slim for BR bond issue

--More They Said It

Landrieu Pivotal on Healthcare

After the U.S. House of Representatives votes on its healthcare reform bill on Saturday, the last Louisiana vote in doubt will be Sen. Mary Landrieu's.

The Senate vote, though, won't happen soon, as Democrats now do not expect it take place until early next year.

How High Up Will EBR Courthouse Probe Go?

A federal investigation of bribery investigation focused on state and city courts in East Baton Rouge Parish has quickly secured four guilty pleas while raising questions and spawning rumors of how high up the probe will go.

Streamlining Commission Divided on Big Changes

With less than six weeks to complete its final report, the state Streamlining Commission will start voting on recommendations on Monday.

Some of the bolder ideas put forth by Treasurer John Kennedy and the Mercatus Center of George Mason University have met strong resistance within the commission and state government.

They Said It

"Unless the next mayor is very clever, it's going to explode and there are going to be race riots."

--Former New Orleans recovery czar Ed Blakely, in the Picayune

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--Senate leader's position closer to Landrieu's

--Fee-Splitting deal in Jefferson Parish investigated

--More on internal divisions on Streamlining Commission

--Amnesty haul brightens state budget problem

--Georges turns Democrat to run for mayor

--Ethics leader, legislators clash over law

--More They Said It

Path Set to Change Colleges

On its surface, a policy recommendation from the higher education advisory commission to increase graduation rates seems like a nice idea with little real future impact. But if implemented the way the Jindal administration seems to want, it could dramatically decrease enrollments of four-year schools over the next few years by increasing admission standards.

The real action, however, must be taken by the Board of Regents, which can direct the college governing boards to set higher admission standards and to reduce exemptions. The Regents can do that on their own, without legislative approval. Higher education sources believe that is no accident but a strategy to down-size some schools without legislators having to take hard votes.

Edwards Book to Be Published in December

The biography of Edwin Edwards is at a printer in Canada, set for delivery in early December, according to author Leo Honeycutt.

Laboring on the authorized biography for five years, Honeycutt had access to Edwards in prison visits, but insists he maintained editorial control as author and self-publisher.

Honeycutt will have to market the book largely on his own for a year. Edwards won't be able to attend any book signings until he is released to a halfway house in Baton Rouge in January 2011.

Dave Treen

Dave Treen, who died this week at 81, was the first Republican governor elected since Reconstruction, but also the first governor to succeed Edwin Edwards, which meant that reforms he accomplished were largely undone and had to be passed again by other governors. Other measures, like the Department of Environmental Quality, survived.

Treen's enduring contribution to Louisiana politics was his integrity, civility and transparency that more recent governors have strived to match, or not.

They Said It

"Hadn't seen those since the FBI left town."

--Billy Cannon on reporters' digital recorders, in the Picayune

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--President Lombardi: whose side is he on?

--Surprise Census issue puts Landrieu on spot

--Democrats look forward to leadership transition

--Georges to enter N.O. Mayor's race

--Congressmen scramble to defend oyster industry

--More They Said It

Democratic Leadership May Change

Heading into a Senate election year, some Democratic elected officials hope to heal internal leadership divisions by getting state chairman Chris Whittington to step aside. Several political sources say Whittington has agreed to resign his office if Democrats can come up with a consensus candidate that can gain the support of the governing body, the Democratic State Central Committee.

Whittington did not return two calls for comment. He and his allies successfully resisted an attempt in March to remove him from office with three years to go in his second elected term.

Now some elected officials, who did not wish to be quoted, say Whittington has told a delegation of active party members that he is leaning toward stepping aside for the sake of unity on the eve of an election year.

Car Tax Drives Clark To Supreme Court Seat

The decisive factor is Judge Marcus Clark's victory over attorney Jimmy Faircloth in the Supreme Court election in northeast Louisiana was the high turnout in his home parish Ouachita, due to a property tax proposition also on the ballot to support development of the V-Vehicle car plant in Monroe.

In a very low turnout overall, Clark bested Faircloth, 53-47 percent, or by 3,026 votes. The 19,575 votes cast in Ouachita made up 35 percent of the total electorate in the 20-parish district. Clark of West Monroe carried the parish by nearly 9,000 votes, while Faircloth carried the other 19 parishes by almost 6,000.

The 1.8 mill property tax to help fund the parish's $15 million contribution to the state's incentive package passed with 53 percent of the vote. It rivaled the highly negative Supreme Court race for voter interest.

New Name for N.O. Mayor; Georges Raising Money

Those closely following the New Orleans mayor's election see two primary races developing, among whites and among African-Americans.

Business consultant Troy Henry announced this week, causing some handicappers to see him as the most serious competitor yet to Sen. Ed Murray for primacy among black voters.

Businessman John Georges, who will be the first white candidate to announce next week, is actively pursuing something he barely tried in the 2007 governor's race: raising other people's money.

How well Georges he did at his well-attended fundraiser will be revealed in the next campaign finance report in early November, which will be a closely watched indicator of the money race.

They Said It

"Their approach to correcting the ills of Louisiana is to throw a hand grenade into the room and sweep the pieces into a pile, wherever they happen to go."

--Wildlife Secretary Robert Barham on reorganization plan proposed by out-of-state consultant to Streamlining Commission, in the AP

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--Potential Democratic chairman successor

--Kennedy Wins Concession with Jindal Administration

--Streamlining recommendations that didn't fare so well

--More factors in Supreme Court election

--Two races for New Orleans mayor

--Insurance plan could be big money saver

--Poll shows Melancon's underlying problem

--More They Said It

Streamliners to Accelerate

The pace and activity of commission meetings steps up later this month to at least one a week. Chairman Sen. Jack Donahue predicts dozens of new recommendations, large and small, will be presented soon, including one possible recommendation that could create some waves in state government.

Presidents Visit, Cabinet Secretaries Bring Checks

The $600 million for additional Road Home grants announced by HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan during President Obama's trip to New Orleans yesterday softened some of the criticism for the brevity of the presidential visit.

As far as Louisiana Recovery Authority Director Paul Rainwater is concerned, more gets done from a trip by a Cabinet secretary than when Air Force One touches down. "I love having cabinet secretaries here," he said. "I can talk real stuff and we can move things."

First Candidate Announces For Third District

Many names have been bandied about as potential candidates to replace Congressman Charlie Melancon in the Third District, but the first to make it official is Democrat Ravi Sangisetty, a Houma lawyer who announces on Monday.

Having concentrated on fundraising so far, he will report nearly $200,000 raised for the third quarter, according to a spokesman, including a $100,000 personal loan.

They Said It

"This has been probably the most tormenting process over one issue that I've ever seen in my life."

--Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden after the Metro Council voted to keep $901 million bond issue on the Nov. 14 ballot, in the Advocate

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--Turnout, late ads factors in Supreme Court race

--New entry brings warchest to N.O. mayor's race

--Landrieu on healthcare most-watched list

--School test scores show races from bottom

--First state poll in Senate race

--More They Said It

Vitter Leads in Polls and Money

Sen. David Vitter maintains a double-digit lead in the polls and a 2-1 bulge at the bank, according to new numbers on a race that has just over a year to go.

A Rasmussen poll of 500 voters taken Oct. 5 has Vitter leading Melancon 46-36 percent. That's practically no change from a mid-July Public Policy poll of 727 voters in which Vitter led, 44-32 percent, before Melancon announced he was running.

Vitter's campaign finance report due out next week will show he collected $1.2 million in the last three months and has $3.9 million cash on hand. The Melancon campaign says it will report $750,000 raised and nearly $1.8 million in the bank.

Southern Board Looks For New Leadership

Board members and officials at Southern University were surprised by Chairman Tony Clayton's recent decision not to seek another term at next month's meeting. Even the governor's senior staffers have tried to talk him into running again, but Clayton believes it's time for a change.

"We have ushered in a new era," he said, citing funding to rebuild SUNO and a new law school, "and we will have a new president at the end of the year. A lot has been done under one chairman."

But he has not completely closed the door. Though he supports the sole announced candidate for board chairman, Lea Montgomery, if she is unable to line up majority support, he said, "In that case, I will do what the majority wants."

Assessor's RICO Lawsuits Shake the Oil Patch

South Louisiana has its lowest rig count in modern history, but of greater concern to independent oil companies is a raft of lawsuits for unpaid taxes that allege racketeering on the part of the firms and their CEOs.

Terrebonne Parish Assessor Gene Bonvillain filed two suits in federal court in May and 29 more in August against the major independent oil and gas firms alleging they fraudulently did not report oilfield equipment or underreported the value of wells and equipment. The suits claim companies have cheated the parish out of over $100 million in the past decade.

What's most galling to the firms is that the suits allege criminal violations under the federal Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organizations act. "I've had six different companies say they will not drill another well in Louisiana," said Don Briggs, president of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association.

Bonvillain referred all questions to the Chehardy Sherman Ellis law firm of Metairie. But he did say, "I think four or five more (assessors) are going to file shortly."

They Said It

"I would like to see a system that looks like someone designed it on purpose."

--Treasurer John Kennedy on higher education boards

Subscribe and See These Stories in LaPolitics Weekly

--More on Vitter-Melancon poll, fundraising

--Most Competitive Congressional Race

--AG Caldwell Considers Legal Action on Census

--Congress Can Only Fix Half of Medicaid Match Problem

--Biggest Tax Election in State in Trouble

--More They Said It