Posted Wednesday Morning

NEWS FOR WEDNESDAY 051612
BY DAVE GRAICHEN

THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE IS INVESTIGATING A HOUSE FIRE THAT CLAIMED THE LIFE OF A VILLE PLATTE MAN. FIRE MARSHAL BUTCH BROWNING SAID IN A NEWS RELEASE THE VILLE PLATTE FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THE FIRE SHORTLY AFTER 2 A.M. TUESDAY. BROWNING SAYS FIREFIGHTERS ARRIVED MINUTES LATER TO DISCOVER THE HOME FULLY INVOLVED IN FLAMES. HE SAYS ONE PERSON IN THE HOUSE ESCAPED THE BLAZE AND FIREFIGHTERS LATER FOUND THE BODY OF 51-YEAR-OLD IRVING ANTOINE IN HIS BEDROOM.

TWO NORTH LOUISIANA LAWMAKERS ARE SCRAPPING THEIR ATTEMPT TO MAKE LSU'S SHREVEPORT CAMPUS A BRANCH OF LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY. REPS. THOMAS CARMODY AND JIM FANNIN SAY THEY DON'T HAVE THE TWO-THIRDS SUPPORT TO GET THE MERGER PROPOSAL THROUGH THE LOUISIANA HOUSE, SO THEY AGREED TO SHELVE THE IDEA TUESDAY WITHOUT A VOTE. THE MERGER IDEA FACED OPPOSITION FROM LSU SYSTEM LEADERS, BUT SUPPORT FROM THE BOARD OF REGENTS THAT OVERSEES PUBLIC HIGHER EDUCATION ACROSS THE STATE. THE TWO CAMPUSES ARE 70 MILES APART. SUPPORTERS SAID THE CONSOLIDATION WOULD IMPROVE EDUCATION IN NORTHWEST LOUISIANA. IT WAS SUGGESTED BY A HIGHER EDUCATION CONSULTANT HIRED BY SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER CITY AREA BUSINESS LEADERS SEEKING TO EXPAND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES IN THE STATE'S THIRD LARGEST METROPOLITAN AREA. OPPONENTS SAID LSU-SHREVEPORT NEEDS MORE RESOURCES, NOT A GOVERNANCE CHANGE.

HOUSE-APPROVED LEGISLATION GRANTING TAX REBATES TO CITIZENS OR COMPANIES WHO DONATE MONEY TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS HEADING TO THE SENATE FLOOR. UNDER MONROE REPRESENTATIVE KATRINA JACKSON'S BILL, TAXPAYERS CAN RECEIVE A REBATE IF THE CONTRIBUTION GOES TOWARDS IMPROVING PUBLIC EDUCATION. SHE SAYS THE AMOUNT OF THE REBATE IS BASED ON THE LETTER GRADE OF THE SCHOOL.

LOUISIANA TREASURER JOHN KENNEDY ACCUSED GOV. BOBBY JINDAL'S ADMINISTRATION TUESDAY OF USING SCARE TACTICS TO DRUM UP SUPPORT FOR RESTORING HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET. IN A LETTER TO JINDAL, KENNEDY ASKED HIS FELLOW REPUBLICAN TO "STOP SCARING OUR HEALTH CARE AND HIGHER EDUCATION COMMUNITIES" ABOUT THE $268 MILLION STRIPPED FROM NEXT YEAR'S $25 BILLION BUDGET BY HOUSE GOP LAWMAKERS. THE TREASURER AGAIN PUSHED IDEAS HE HAS PROPOSED FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS OF BUDGET REDUCTIONS. HE SAID THE STATE CAN ELIMINATE VACANT JOBS, REORGANIZE DEPARTMENTS, REDUCE CONSULTING CONTRACTS AND MORE AGGRESSIVELY COLLECT OUTSTANDING DEBTS OWED THE STATE, WHICH HE SAID WOULD CUT THE MONEY WITHOUT HARMING CRITICAL SERVICES.

THE LOUISIANA HOUSE OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVED PROPOSALS TO FORCE REDUCTIONS IN STATE WORKERS AND CONTRACTS, DESPITE OPPOSITION FROM THE JINDAL ADMINISTRATION. ONE PROPOSAL WOULD MANDATE THAT EXECUTIVE BRANCH AGENCIES CUT AT LEAST 5,000 JOBS EACH YEAR FOR THE NEXT THREE BUDGET YEARS AND WOULD REQUIRE A $500 MILLION ANNUAL SAVINGS FROM THE MOVE BY THE 2015-16 BUDGET YEAR.
THE SECOND MEASURE WOULD REQUIRE THE STATE TO SPEND 10 PERCENT LESS ON CONSULTING AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACTS NEXT YEAR. SUPPORTERS SAID THE PROPOSALS WOULD GENERATE SAVINGS AND COULD HELP PROTECT SERVICES FOR TAXPAYERS. THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET OFFICE HAS CALLED THE PROPOSALS ARBITRARY AND UNWORKABLE. THE PROPOSALS HEAD NEXT TO THE SENATE FOR DEBATE.

THE LOUISIANA HOUSE HAS AGREED TO REQUIRE DRUG TESTING OF WELFARE RECIPIENTS, AMID CHARGES FROM OPPONENTS THAT THE MANDATE EQUALS CLASS WARFARE BY TARGETING POOR MOTHERS. THE PROPOSAL WAS SENT TO THE SENATE WITH A 65-26 VOTE.
THE BILL HAS BEEN REPEATEDLY REJECTED IN RECENT YEARS. REPUBLICAN REP. SHERMAN MACK'S BILL WOULD REQUIRE 20 PERCENT OF ADULTS WHO RECEIVE AID THROUGH THE FAMILY INDEPENDENCE TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO BE DRUG-TESTED. ANYONE WHO TESTS POSITIVE WOULD BE REQUIRED TO RECEIVE DRUG TREATMENT TO CONTINUE GETTING WELFARE. SUPPORTERS SAY THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE WELFARE CHECKS PAY FOR FAMILY NEEDS. OPPONENTS SAY THE PROPOSAL UNFAIRLY ASSUMES POOR MOTHERS ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE ON DRUGS THAN OTHERS WHO RECEIVE TAXPAYER-FUNDED AID.

A BID BY LOUISIANA HIGHER EDUCATION LEADERS TO BOOST CHARGES ON COLLEGE STUDENTS STALLED TUESDAY AFTER FACING RESISTANCE FROM HOUSE LAWMAKERS WHO QUESTIONED IF STUDENTS AND FAMILIES COULD AFFORD ANOTHER FEE HIKE. REP. CHRIS BROADWATER SHELVED HIS FEE INCREASE BILL IN THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE, LIKELY DOOMING THE PUSH FOR HIGHER COLLEGE STUDENT FEES FOR THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION. THE PROPOSAL COULD HAVE RAISED AS MUCH AS $107 MILLION A YEAR FOR CAMPUSES THAT FACE BUDGET CUTS OF UP TO $225 MILLION IN THE COMING FISCAL YEAR, ON TOP OF SEVERAL YEARS OF MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR REDUCTIONS THAT HAVE ONLY BEEN PARTIALLY OFFSET WITH TUITION INCREASES.

A $3.9 BILLION, MULTI-YEAR STATE CONSTRUCTION BUDGET STARTED ADVANCING TUESDAY IN THE LEGISLATURE, GETTING ANOTHER $32 MILLION IN PROJECTS ADDED BY THE HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE BEFORE APPROVAL. LOUISIANA HAS A CAP ON ANNUAL BORROWING THAT LIMITS SPENDING ON CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS TO $350 MILLION IN THE FISCAL YEAR THAT BEGINS JULY 1. THE JINDAL ADMINISTRATION PROPOSED A LIST OF PROJECTS TO USE UP ALL THAT CAPACITY AND MORE, WHEN SUBMITTING THE BILL (HOUSE BILL 2) TO LAWMAKERS. AS BACKED BY THE HOUSE PANEL, THE BUDGET CONTAINS $40 MILLION MORE THAN THE STATE HAS MONEY TO SPEND. THAT LEAVES THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE TO DETERMINE WHICH PROJECTS WOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE STATE BOND COMMISSION FOR LINES OF CREDIT. THE "CAPITAL OUTLAY" BILL ALSO INCLUDES FEDERAL HIGHWAY MONEY AND OTHER FUNDING SOURCES SET ASIDE FOR STATE CONSTRUCTION.

FAILURE TO REPORT THE SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD COULD LAND SOMEONE IN JAIL, UNDER A BILL (HOUSE BILL 577) HEADED TO THE GOVERNOR. THE MEASURE, INSPIRED BY THE PENN STATE SEX ABUSE SCANDAL, WILL CARRY A PENALTY OF UP TO THREE YEARS IN PRISON FOR A "MANDATORY REPORTER" DESCRIBED IN LAW NOT TO NOTIFY AUTHORITIES OF THE ABUSE. THE MEASURE BY REP. JOE LOPINTO, R-METAIRIE, ALSO REQUIRES THAT ANY ADULT WHO WITNESSES THE SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD AND FAILS TO REPORT IT CAN BE IMPRISONED FOR UP TO FIVE YEARS.

STATE LAWMAKERS HAVE AGREED TO CREATE A NEW SPECIALIZED LICENSE PLATE IN LOUISIANA TO HELP DRUM UP MONEY FOR HONEYBEE RESEARCH. THE "PROTECT THE HONEYBEE" LICENSE TAG WILL BE DESIGNED BY THE NORTH LIVE OAK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OF WATSON AND THE LOUISIANA BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION. THE MONEY GENERATED BY THE BILL (HOUSE BILL 234) WILL PAY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS WORKING ON HONEYBEE RESEARCH, UNDER THE MEASURE HEADED TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK WITH A FINAL VOTE FROM THE HOUSE.

FACEBOOK AND OTHER SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES ARE AGAIN OFF-LIMITS FOR A LIST OF CERTAIN SEX OFFENDERS IN LOUISIANA. A SIMILAR PREVIOUS LAW WAS DECLARED UNCONSTITUTIONAL BY A FEDERAL JUDGE, SO LAWMAKERS REWROTE THE PROVISION, HOPING TIGHTENED LANGUAGE COULD STAND UP TO JUDICIAL SCRUTINY. THE HOUSE GAVE FINAL PASSAGE TO THE REWRITE TUESDAY WITH A 93-0 VOTE THAT SENT IT TO THE GOVERNOR, WHO SUPPORTS THE MEASURE.

IF YOU DECIDE TO GET YOUR HAIR DONE, DON’T SCHEDULE IT WHEN YOU’RE A POTENTIAL JUROR IN JUDGE THOMAS YEAGER’S COURTROOM. STATE DISTRICT JUDGE THOMAS YEAGER SENTENCED LAMAR HUNTER TO SEVEN DAYS IN JAIL FOR CONTEMPT OF COURT. HUNTER WAS AMONG 15 RAPIDES PARISH RESIDENTS ON THE FIRST PANEL OF A JURY POOL IN THE SECOND-DEGREE MURDER TRIAL OF JOSEPH ANTON CHEHARDY JR. JURORS WERE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN FROM THE LUNCH BREAK NO LATER THAN 1:30. WHEN HE WALKED IN AT 2:45 HE TOLD THE JUDGE HE WAS AT WORK. JUDGE YEAGER CHECKED. THE JUDGE WAS NOT AMUSED TO FIND OUT HUNTER WAS GETTING A NEW DO..

Posted About A Week Ago

NEWS FOR MONDAY 051312
BY DAVE GRAICHEN

IT'S THE SENATE'S TURN TO HAGGLE OVER THE PROPOSED 25-BILLION DOLLAR SPENDING PLAN FOR THE FISCAL YEAR THAT STARTS JULY 1ST. THE STATE HOUSE APPROVED THE BUDGET LAST FRIDAY, BUT TOOK 278-MILLION DOLLARS IN ONE-TIME FUNDING OUT. HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS CHAIRMAN JIM FANIN SAYS THE LOSS OF THESE DOLLARS WILL MEAN MORE DRASTIC CUTS TO STATE SERVICES. FISCAL CONSERVATIVES ARGUED FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE ONE-TIME DOLLARS AND THEY WERE ABLE TO PASS AN AMENDMENT THAT LEAVES IT UP TO THE JINDAL ADMINISTRATION ON WHERE THE CUTS WILL BE MADE. THE STATE SENATE IS EXPECTED TO AMEND THE BUDGET. LAWMAKERS HAVE UNTIL JUNE 4TH TO APPROVE A SPENDING PLAN.

SEVERAL CENTRAL LOUISIANA LAWMAKERS AUTHORED AN AMENDMENT TO THE STATE BUDGET BILL THAT WOULD KEEP DABADIE CORRECTIONAL CENTER IN PINEVILLE OPEN. IT IS EXPECTED THE GOVERNOR’S ADMINISTRATION WILL DO IT’S BEST TO SEE IT STRIPPED FROM THE FINAL BILL.

SECRETARY OF STATE TOM SCHEDLER AND THE STATE'S REGISTRARS OF VOTERS ARE ENCOURAGING ALL LOUISIANA RESIDENTS WHO ARE AT LEAST 17 YEARS OLD TO REGISTER TO VOTE, IF THEY'RE NOT ALREADY REGISTERED. LOUISIANA'S ANNUAL VOTER REGISTRATION WEEK BEGINS TODAY. REGISTRARS THROUGHOUT THE STATE WILL HOST REGISTRATION EVENTS THROUGH FRIDAY. THEY ALSO WILL EDUCATE RESIDENTS ABOUT THE ELECTIONS PROCESS, INCLUDING PROVIDING INFORMATION ON THIS FALL'S ELECTIONS.
THE DEADLINE TO REGISTER TO VOTE FOR THE NOV. 6 CONGRESSIONAL AND PRESIDENTIAL OPEN PRIMARY IS TUESDAY, OCT. 9. CITIZENS CAN ALSO REGISTER ONLINE AT WWW.GEAUXVOTE.COM , AT THE OFFICE OF MOTOR VEHICLES, THROUGH PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AGENCIES, PUBLIC SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND LIBRARIES; OR BY MAIL.

LOUISIANA STATE POLICE SAY 26-YEAR-OLD TWINS FROM ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH DIED WHEN THEIR CAR SWERVED ACROSS U.S. 61 AND FLIPPED INTO A BAYOU. STATE POLICE SAY THE BODIES OF THE TWO MEN WERE FOUND SHORTLY AFTER THEIR VEHICLE WAS PULLED FROM THE BAYOU SUNDAY. THE MEN HAD BEEN MISSING SINCE SATURDAY MORNING.

AS THE SUMMER VACATION DRIVING SEASON APPROACHES, STATE HIGHWAY SAFETY OFFICIALS ARE URGING YOU TO BE SURE TO FASTEN YOUR SAFETY BELT. LOUISIANA HIGHWAY SAFETY COMMISSIONER JOHN LEBLANC SAYS 15 PEOPLE DIED IN TRAFFIC CRASHES DURING THE LAST MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, AND ABOUT HALF OF THEM MAY HAVE LIVED IF THEY'D BEEN BELTED IN. LEBLANC SAYS SEAT BELTS DOUBLE YOUR CHANCES OF SURVIVING A SERIOUS TRAFFIC CRASH. LAW ENFORCEMENT IN LOUISIANA WILL LAUNCH ITS ANNUAL "CLICK IT OR TICKET" SEAT BELT CAMPAIGN & CRACKDOWN A WEEK FROM TODAY.

SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA WAS GOING WILD THIS WEEKEND WHEN AMERICAN IDOL BROUGHT TOP 3 FINALIST JOSHUA LEDET BACK TO WESTLAKE TO GET FOOTAGE FOR THIS WEDNESDAY'S HOMECOMING SHOW. A PARADE WAS HELD WITH JOSH ON SATURDAY IN WESTLAKE AND THE STREETS WERE PACKED. HE ALSO PERFORMED AT A SOLD-OUT CONCERT THAT NIGHT WHERE LT. GOVERNOR JAY DARDENNE SURPRISED HIM WITH PAPERS NAMING JOSH AMBASSADOR OF LOUISIANA.

TERMITES ARE SWARMING IN LOUISIANA. LSU AGCENTER ENTOMOLOGIST DR. GREGG HENDERSON SAYS TEST RESULTS FROM APRIL 30TH, USING "LIGHT TRAPS" THAT ATTRACT TERMITES, INDICATE THIS MAY BE AN ABOVE-AVERAGE YEAR FOR THE WOOD-EATING PESTS. TERMITES SWARM AS A SORT OF MATING DANCE AND THEY ARE EASY TO SPOT WHEN THEY ARE "ON THE WING", BECAUSE THEY TEND TO SWARM AROUND BRIGHT LIGHTS, LIKE STREET LIGHTS. HENDERSON SAYS IF YOU SUSPECT TERMITES IN AND AROUND YOU HOME, IT’S BEST TO CONSULT PROFESSIONALS FOR INSPECTION OR TREATMENT.

THE LAFAYETTE CITY-PARISH COUNCIL IS SET TO VOTE TUESDAY ON WHETHER TO DO AWAY WITH THE CITY’S TRAFFIC CAMERA ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM, BUT EVEN IF IT’S KEPT ALIVE, SOME COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE PUSHING FOR CHANGES IN THE SCOPE OF THE PROGRAM AND HOW IT IS MANAGED. THREE COUNCILMEN HAVE PROPOSED ENDING THE AUTOMATED ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM, WHICH BEGAN IN 2007 AND IS TOUTED BY SUPPORTERS AS A CRITICAL TOOL TO IMPROVE DRIVER BEHAVIOR. OPPONENTS DISPUTE SOME OF THE SAFETY CLAIMS AND ARGUE THAT THE ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM’S MAIN GOAL IS TO RAISE MONEY FOR CITY-PARISH GOVERNMENT. THE CAMERAS SNAP PHOTOS OF A DRIVER AND LICENSE PLATE WHEN A VEHICLE SPEEDS THROUGH A MONITORED INTERSECTION OR RUNS A RED LIGHT. THE ALLEGED VIOLATOR IS MAILED A CITATION. THE PROGRAM ALSO EMPLOYS TWO “SPEED VANS,” VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH RADAR AND CAMERAS THAT ARE DISPATCHED THROUGHOUT THE CITY.

STATE POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING THE FRIDAY MORNING DEATH OF A 33-YEAR-OLD BALDWIN MAN WHO WAS SHOT WITH A STUN GUN BY A BALDWIN POLICE OFFICER AFTER HE ESCAPED FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT THERE. STATE POLICE SPOKESMAN TROOPER STEPHEN HAMMONS SAID THE MAN’S IDENTITY IS BEING WITHHELD PENDING NOTIFICATION OF HIS NEXT OF KIN. BALDWIN POLICE CHIEF GERALD MINOR REQUESTED STATE POLICE INVESTIGATE THE MAN’S DEATH SHORTLY AFTER BEING SHOT FRIDAY MORNING.

MOTHER NATURE COOPERATED SATURDAY FOR THE ORGANIZERS AND TEAMS TAKING PART IN THE DRAGON BOAT RACES ON THE RED RIVER. HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE LINED THE BANKS OF THE RIVER TO SUPPORT THEIR FRIENDS AND FAMILIES WHO MADE UP THE 41 BOAT TEAMS. THE EVENT, IN ITS SECOND YEAR, BENEFITED THE ALEXANDRIA MUSEUM OF ART.

Posted About Three Weeks Ago

NEWS FOR THURSDAY 051012
BY DAVE GRAICHEN

YESTERDAY WAS CENTRAL LOUISIANA DAY AT THE STATE LEGISLATURE, A DAY IN WHICH SEVERAL LOCAL OFFICIALS TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOBBY AGAINST THE CLOSURE OF DABADIE CORRECTIONAL CENTER IN PINEVILLE AND THE PRIVATIZATION OF A PRISON IN AVOYELLES PARISH. BUT, WHEN THE DAY WAS DONE, MOST WHO MADE THE TRIP TO BATON ROUGE FELT LESS THAN OPTIMISTIC. ALEXANDRIA MAYOR JACQUES ROY, PINEVILLE MAYOR CLARENCE FIELDS AND OFFICIALS WITH THE LOCAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND ENGLAND AUTHORITY MADE THE JOURNEY TO GIVE THEIR SIDE OF THE STORY . THIS IS THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW CHANGES AT THE TWO FACILITY HAVE BEEN PUSHED BY THE GOVERNOR.

STATE EDUCATION SUPERINTENDENT JOHN WHITE WAS IN ALEXANDRIA ON WEDNESDAY TO LEAD ONE OF ABOUT 20 TOWN HALL-STYLE MEETINGS AIMED AT INFORMING THE STATE'S EDUCATORS ABOUT PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE EDUCATION SYSTEM. WHITE SAYS THE PURPOSE OF THE MEETINGS IS TO GATHER INPUT FROM EDUCATORS AND TO HELP DRAFT THE FINAL PLAN WHICH WILL BE PUBLISHED TOWARDS THE END OF THE MONTH. THE 18-PAGE PRESENTATION HIGHLIGHTS THE STATE'S PREVIOUS STATISTICS, PROPOSES TOOLS FOR PLAN IMPLEMENTATION ON BOTH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND STATE LEVELS, AND OUTLINES A NEW CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT GUIDELINES.

FORBES MAGAZINE RECOGNIZES TWO AREAS FROM LOUISIANA AS SOME OF THE BEST PLACES IN THE COUNTRY FOR JOBS. LAFAYETTE RANKS NUMBER ONE AMONG MID-SIZE CITIES FOR JOBS, WHILE NEW ORLEANS-METAIRIE RANKS 13TH AMONG LARGE METRO AREAS. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SECRETARY STEPHEN MORET SAYS LAFAYETTE'S EMPLOYMENT GROWTH IS UP FIVE-PERCENT FROM LAST YEAR. THE NEW ORLEANS-METAIRIE ECONOMY AREA IS ON THE RISE, AS WELL, FOLLOWING HURRICANE KATRINA. MORET SAYS THEY'VE SEEN A GROWTH IN THE NUMBER OF FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES WHO ARE HIRING...

A LENGTHY DEBATE IS EXPECTED TODAY ON THE HOUSE FLOOR OVER A PROPOSED 25-BILLION DOLLAR SPENDING PLAN FOR THE FISCAL YEAR THAT BEGINS JULY 1ST. POLITICAL ANALYST BERNIE PINSONAT SAYS THE BIG DISPUTE IS OVER A PLAN TO USE 346-MILLION DOLLARS IN SO-CALLED ONE-TIME MONEY TO FILL BUDGET HOLES. PINSONAT SAYS THE BUDGET AS IT STANDS NOW CALLS FOR AT LEAST 71-MILLION DOLLARS IN CUTS TO LOUISIANA PUBLIC COLLEGES AND THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE STRIPPED 158-MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HOSPITALS. THE COMMITTEE ALSO STRIPPED FROM THE BUDGET $1.7-MILLION TO KEEP THE INSPECTOR GENERAL'S OFFICE UP AND RUNNING.

THE LOUISIANA SENATE DELAYED DEBATE WEDNESDAY ON GOV. BOBBY JINDAL'S PUSH TO CHARGE RANK-AND-FILE STATE WORKERS MORE AND MAKE THEM WAIT LONGER FOR THEIR PENSION BENEFITS, AMID QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER THE BILLS HAVE ENOUGH VOTES TO PASS. SEN. ELBERT GUILLORY SCRAPPED HIS PLANS TO BRING UP THE TWO CENTERPIECE PROPOSALS AFTER A FIRST AND LESS-CONTROVERSIAL BILL SOUGHT BY JINDAL TOOK TWO VOTES BEFORE REACHING ENOUGH SUPPORT FOR PASSAGE. GUILLORY SAID HE PLANNED TO MAKE THE ROUNDS WITH SENATORS TO AGAIN TALLY HIS VOTES ON MEASURES TO RAISE THE RETIREMENT CONTRIBUTION RATE BY 2 PERCENTAGE POINTS AND TO PUSH BACK THE RETIREMENT AGE FOR GETTING FULL BENEFITS.

A HOUSE COMMITTEE HAS UNANIMOUSLY PASSED A BILL AIMED AT CURBING BULLYING IN LOUISIANA SCHOOLS. BATON ROUGE REP. PATRICIA SMITH SAYS SHE WAS MOTIVATED TO FILE ANTI-BULLY LEGISLATION AFTER A POINTE COUPEE PARISH GIRL--WHO WAS BULLIED AT SCHOOL--COMMITTED SUICIDE. THE MEASURE WOULD REQUIRE SCHOOL BOARDS TO ADOPT ANTI-BULLY POLICIES, WHERE MANY HAVE NONE. THE BILL WILL GO NEXT TO THE FULL HOUSE FOR DEBATE AND VOTE.

LSU CHANCELLOR MIKE MARTIN HAS BEEN APPROACHED BY ANOTHER UNIVERSITY ABOUT TAKING THE SAME JOB THERE. IT'S BEING REPORTED COLORADO STATE IS INTERESTED IN HIRING MARTIN AND ITS GOVERNING BOARD WILL HOLD A MEETING TOMORROW TO DISCUSS THE SEARCH FOR A NEW CHANCELLOR. MARTIN TOLD A BATON ROUGE NEWSPAPER HE WILL GIVE STRONG CONSIDERATION TO THE OFFER. LSU HAS SEEN A NUMBER OF SERIOUS PROBLEMS COME UP IN RECENT WEEKS INCLUDING DEEP BUDGET CUTS, THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF LSU-SHREVEPORT AND UNREST AMONG FACULTY AND STAFF. SOME SEE MARTIN'S POTENTIAL DEPARTURE AS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO PRESS FOR A MERGER OF THE CHANCELLOR'S OFFICE WITH THAT OF THE SYSTEM PRESIDENT TO SAVE THE STATE MONEY.

A TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN IN GRAND ISLE, IN COASTAL JEFFERSON PARISH YESTERDAY. MAYOR DAVID CAMARDELLE SAYS THEY DODGED A BULLET. JUST A HANDFUL OF HOMES AND STRUCTURES WERE DAMAGED. NO ONE IS REPORTED HURT.

A PROPOSAL THAT WOULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR BREAKAWAY SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO FORM IN PARISHES FAILED TO WIN ENOUGH VOTES FOR PASSAGE WEDNESDAY IN THE LOUISIANA HOUSE. REP. ALAN SEABAUGH'S BILL (HOUSE BILL 609) WOULD TAKE OUT A CURRENT REQUIREMENT THAT BREAKAWAY DISTRICTS GET SUPPORT FROM VOTERS STATEWIDE AND INSTEAD REQUIRE ONLY VOTERS IN THE PARISH WHERE THE NEW DISTRICT IS PROPOSED TO DECIDE ON THE IDEA. CRITICS SAID THE BREAKAWAY DISTRICTS COULD STRIP DOLLARS AWAY FROM SOME OF THE NEEDIEST, MOST AT-RISK PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND THEY SAID THE CREATION OF NEW SCHOOL DISTRICTS AFFECTS THE FINANCING FOR ALL DISTRICTS AROUND THE STATE AND SHOULD HAVE TO GET STATEWIDE APPROVAL. THE HOUSE VOTED 53-44 FOR THE BILL, BUT SINCE IT WOULD REQUIRE A CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE, IT NEEDED 70 VOTES TO PASS.

THE HOUSE VOTED 88-9 YESTERDAY THAT AMERICAN HISTORY AND CIVICS COURSES IN LOUISIANA'S PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS SHOULD INCLUDE INSTRUCTION ON THE NATION'S "FOUNDING PRINCIPLES. THE PROPOSAL (HOUSE BILL 436) BY REP. JOE HARRISON, R-NAPOLEONVILLE, WOULD REQUIRE TEACHING ON THE STRUCTURE OF GOVERNMENT, SEPARATION OF POWERS, FREE ELECTIONS, EQUAL JUSTICE, PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS, FEDERALISM, DUE PROCESS, INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY AND THE BILL OF RIGHTS.
THE BILL MOVES TO THE SENATE FOR DEBATE.

A $325 MILLION BORROWING PLAN TO REPAIR AND UPGRADE RURAL ROADS ACROSS LOUISIANA HAS RECEIVED FINAL LEGISLATIVE PASSAGE. THE PROPOSAL WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED IN A HOUSE VOTE WEDNESDAY. THE BILL HEADS TO GOV. BOBBY JINDAL, WHO SUPPORTS IT. EVERY PARISH BUT ORLEANS PARISH WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE HIGHWAY REPAIR MONEY, WHICH WILL PAY FOR WORK ON ROADS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR FEDERAL MATCHING DOLLARS IN THE HIGHWAY PROGRAM. THE PROPOSAL LETS THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT BORROW DOLLARS BY SELLING BONDS TO INVESTORS FOR UPFRONT CASH. THE DEBT WILL BE PAID OFF WITH INTEREST OVER 20 YEARS WITH A POT OF MONEY FROM REGISTRATION, LICENSE FEES AND TAXES ON COMMERCIAL TRUCKS AND TRAILERS.

PEOPLE WHO REPORT CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE TO AUTHORITIES WILL GET STATE WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION SO THEY CAN'T BE FIRED, SUSPENDED OR DEMOTED BECAUSE OF THE ALLEGATIONS. THE HOUSE GAVE UNANIMOUS, FINAL PASSAGE TO THE BILL (SENATE BILL 158) BY SEN. J.P. MORRELL, D-NEW ORLEANS. THE PROPOSAL WAS FILED IN RESPONSE TO ALLEGATIONS OF UNREPORTED ABUSE INVOLVING FORMER PENN STATE UNIVERSITY ASSISTANT FOOTBALL COACH JERRY SANDUSKY, WHO IS CHARGED WITH DOZENS OF CRIMINAL COUNTS FOR ALLEGED SEXUAL ABUSE OF EIGHT BOYS OVER 15 YEARS.

THE HOUSE VOTED 61-39 TO DO AWAY WITH THE JOB PROTECTION STATUS CALLED TENURE FOR NEW SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS. THE PROPOSAL (HOUSE BILL 293) BY REP. JOE HARRISON, R-NAPOLEONVILLE, WOULD APPLY TO ANY BUS DRIVERS HIRED AFTER JULY 1. IT WOULDN'T TAKE AWAY TENURE FOR BUS DRIVERS WHO ALREADY HAVE IT. HARRISON SAID LOUISIANA IS THE ONLY STATE IN THE NATION THAT HAS TENURE FOR BUS DRIVERS. THE MEASURE MOVES TO THE SENATE FOR DEBATE.

U.S. SEN. MARY LANDRIEU IS CRITICIZING THE WHITE HOUSE FOR SUBMITTING A COAST GUARD BUDGET FOR 2013 THAT SHE SAYS IS MORE THAN 3 PERCENT SMALLER THAN WHAT THE SEARCH AND RESCUE AGENCY NOW HAS. THE WHITE HOUSE HAS REQUESTED $8.4 BILLION FOR THE COAST GUARD FOR 2013. AT A HEARING OF THE HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE, WHICH LANDRIEU OVERSEES, THE LOUISIANA DEMOCRATIC SENATOR SAID WEDNESDAY THAT THE COAST GUARD'S FUNDING WAS INADEQUATE. LANDRIEU SAID THE BUDGET REQUEST CUTS FUNDING FOR NEW COAST GUARD CUTTERS AND HURTS THE AGENCY'S ABILITY TO STOP DRUG TRAFFICKERS.
SHE ALSO SAID THE COAST GUARD NEEDS MORE MONEY TO GET BETTER AT POLAR ICEBREAKING TO HELP OPEN UP THE ARCTIC TO OIL AND NATURAL GAS DRILLING, SHIPPING AND FISHING.

BATON ROUGE PD AND SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES ARREST A MAN IN CONNECTION WITH A SPATE
OF RECENT BANK ROBBERIES. 47-YEAR-OLD PAUL MCCARTHY IS SUSPECTED OF ROBBING THREE LOCAL BANKS, AND ONE BANK BURGLARY...IN EACH CASE WEARING A DISGUISE. MCCARTHY IS ON PAROLE FOR ROBBERY IN JACKSON, MS.

Posted About Three Weeks Ago

NEWS FOR TUESDAY 050812
BY DAVE GRAICHEN

MORE PROBLEMS WITHIN THE ALEXANDRIA HOUSING AUTHORITY. AN AUDIT OF WAS PERFORMED BY A THIRD-PARTY ACCOUNTING FIRM. THE REPORT WAS MADE PUBLIC YESTERDAY. IN THE 179 PAGE REPORT THE ACCOUNTING FIRM WARNED THE AUTHORITY CANNOT CONTINUE TO OPERATE AS IT HAS FOR THE LAST NUMBER OF YEARS AND THAT DRASTIC ACTION NEEDS TO BE TAKEN NOW IN ORDER TO AVOID FINANCIAL DISASTER. THE REPORT ALSO RECOMMENDS TAKING LEGAL ACTION TO RECOVER MONEY THAT FORMER AHA EMPLOYEES PAID THEMSELVES WITHOUT BOARD APPROVAL.

THE ANNUAL DEBATE ON WHETHER THE STATE SHOULD RANDOMLY DRUG TEST WELFARE RECIPIENTS GETS A HEARING IN A HOUSE COMMITTEE TODAY. THE BILL BY LIVINGSTON REP. SHERMAN MACK WOULD REQUIRE YOU TO SIGN A CONSENT FORM SAYING THAT YOU DO NO DO DRUGS, BUT COULD BE RANDOMLY TESTED. MACK SAYS IF YOU'RE TESTED AND FAIL, YOUR BENEFITS ARE NOT CUT OFF. MACK SAYS MANY TAX PAYING PEOPLE FROM HIS DISTRICT HAVE JOBS THAT REQUIRE THEY TAKE DRUG TESTS AT WORK, AND FEEL PEOPLE WHO DO DRUGS SHOULDN'T RECEIVE STATE BENEFITS. HE SAYS UNDER THE PROPOSED LAW, IF A WELFARE RECIPIENT FAILS A RANDOM DRUG TEST, THEY ARE REQUIRED TO ENTER
A REHABILITATION PROGRAM AND PASS ANOTHER TEST WITHIN 90 DAYS. IF THEY FAIL TO PASS THAT TEST, THEY WOULD LOOSE THEIR BENEFITS.

MONDAY, THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS RESEARCH COUNCIL OF LOUISIANA, A NONPARTISAN GOVERNMENT MONITORING GROUP, URGED LAWMAKERS TO RESTORE MONEY FOR THE OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL IN NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET. ACCORDING TO PAR, "THE ROLE AND SKILLS OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL'S OFFICE ARE ESPECIALLY VALUABLE DURING TIGHT BUDGET TIMES AND THE STATE NEEDS A SELF-MOTIVATED WATCHDOG AGENCY TO STOP WASTE, MISMANAGEMENT, ABUSE AND FRAUD IN EXECUTIVE BRANCH GOVERNMENT. AS IT WROTE THE BUDGET FOR THE 2012-13 FISCAL YEAR, THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE STRIPPED THE $1.7 MILLION FOR THE INSPECTOR GENERAL AND EVEN WENT AS FAR AS TO REMOVE REFERENCE TO THE OFFICE. LAWMAKERS SAY THE AGENCY'S WORK OVERLAPS THE DUTIES PERFORMED BY OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AND AUDITING OFFICES IN STATE GOVERNMENT. PAR SAYS IN RECENT YEARS, THE OFFICE HAS FOUND ABUSES INCLUDING EXCESSIVE OVERTIME BY GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, THE ILLEGAL USE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT DATABASES AND THEFT BY STATE WORKERS. MORE THAN A DOZEN PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ARRESTED TIED TO THOSE INVESTIGATIONS.

REPORTS THAT LOUISIANA IS SPENDING LESS TAXPAYER MONEY ON PAYROLL, BECAUSE IT HAS FEWER EMPLOYEES ARE NOT TRUE--ACCORDING TO STATE TREASURER JOHN KENNEDY. KENNEDY SAYS CLAIMS MADE BY THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE TO THAT EFFECT ARE NOT ACCURATE, BASED ON A LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR'S REPORT. KENNEDY SAYS AN AUDITOR'S REPORT FROM FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR SHOWS THAT THE STATE HAS ELIMINATED ABOUT 6900 POSITIONS, OVER THE PAST 6 YEARS. A LARGE NUMBER OF STATE EMPLOYEES ARE PAID SALARIES IN EXCESS OF $100-THOUSAND A YEAR. SOME STATE DEPARTMENT HEADS ARE PAID THREE TO FOUR TIMES THAT. KENNEDY SAYS STATE EXECUTIVE PAY SCALES ARE PARTLY TO BLAME FOR EVER-RISING ANNUAL STATE BUDGETS.

THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE ADVANCED BUDGETS MONDAY FOR THE JUDICIARY AND THE LEGISLATURE. THE ANNUAL SPENDING PLAN (HOUSE BILL 1058) TO FINANCE THE OPERATIONS OF MANY STATE COURTS, INCLUDING THE LOUISIANA SUPREME COURT, IN THE NEW YEAR THAT BEGINS JULY 1 WOULD STAY FLAT AT $159 MILLION.
SUPREME COURT LEADERS SOUGHT A $6 MILLION INCREASE TO COVER INCREASED COSTS OF RETIREMENT AND HEALTH CARE AND EXPAND DRUG COURT PROGRAMS. THE PROPOSAL TO FINANCE LEGISLATIVE AGENCIES (HOUSE BILL 1044) WOULD GROW ABOUT $3 MILLION TO NEARLY $93 MILLION, MAINLY BY ROLLING OVER $2 MILLION FROM THIS YEAR TO NEXT YEAR'S OPERATING EXPENSES FOR THE LOUISIANA SENATE.

A 10-YEAR, $37 MILLION TAX BREAK FOR THE NEW ORLEANS HORNETS IS NEARING FINAL PASSAGE WITH BACKING IN A 7-2 VOTE FROM THE SENATE REVENUE AND FISCAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE. THE HOUSE-APPROVED MEASURE (HOUSE BILL 1072) HEADS NEXT TO THE FULL SENATE FOR DEBATE. THE TAX BREAK, SPONSORED BY REP. CAMERON HENRY, R-METAIRIE, IS PART OF THE STATE'S DEAL TO KEEP THE NBA TEAM IN LOUISIANA.

LOUISIANA RANKS THIRD-HIGHEST IN THE COUNTRY FOR THE PERCENTAGE OF KIDS ENROLLED IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS, ACCORDING TO DATA FROM THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU. THE REPORT SHOWS OVER 19-PERCENT OF THE STATE'S CHILDREN ATTEND PRIVATE SCHOOLS. MYRA MCGOVERN, WITH THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS, SAYS THE STATE HAS A LONG TRADITION OF PRIVATE SCHOOLING THAT GOES BACK TO THE DAYS BEFORE IT HAD PUBLIC SCHOOLS. LOUISIANA RANKED BEHIND ONLY HAWAII AND DELAWARE FOR PERCENTAGES OF KIDS ENROLLED IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

LOUISIANA SENATORS ARE WATERING DOWN GOV. BOBBY JINDAL'S PROPOSALS TO CHARGE STATE EMPLOYEES MORE AND MAKE THEM WAIT LONGER FOR THEIR PENSION BENEFITS.
THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE REWROTE THE BILLS AT A MONDAY HEARING, TO SHRINK AND PHASE IN THE INCREASED PAYMENTS AND LESSEN THE BLOW TO WORKERS WHO HAVE BEEN STATE EMPLOYEES FOR DECADES. THE RETIREMENT PROPOSALS HAVE FACED OPPOSITION FROM LAWMAKERS AND CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTIONS. LAWMAKERS AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE HAVE BEEN HAGGLING BEHIND THE SCENES OVER ADJUSTMENTS THAT COULD WIN ENOUGH SUPPORT FOR PASSAGE. AS REWRITTEN, NONE OF THE CHANGES WOULD BEGIN UNTIL JULY 1, 2013, FOR CURRENT WORKERS. THE DELAYED RETIREMENT AGE WON'T APPLY TO WORKERS WHO ARE 55 YEARS OLD OR OLDER, OR THOSE WHO HAVE WORKED FOR THE STATE FOR AT LEAST 20 YEARS.

GOV. BOBBY JINDAL HAS SIGNED INTO LAW A BILL THAT CREATES A NEW TAX BREAK PROGRAM THAT WILL GIVE REBATES FOR DONATIONS TO VOUCHER PROGRAMS THAT ALLOW STUDENTS TO ATTEND PRIVATE SCHOOLS. JINDAL SAYS IT WILL GIVE CHILDREN IN FAILING PUBLIC SCHOOLS MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO GET AN IMPROVED EDUCATION. HE SIGNED THE MEASURE MONDAY. THE TAX BREAK BEGINS WITH THE 2013-14 SCHOOL YEAR. THE BILL PROVIDES A NEARLY DOLLAR-FOR-DOLLAR STATE TAX REBATE TO PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES WHO DONATE MONEY TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT GIVE THE PRIVATE SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENTS. OPPONENTS SAY THE TAX BREAK PROGRAM WILL DAMAGE PUBLIC EDUCATION IN THE STATE BY SIPHONING OFF CHILDREN TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND TAKING DOLLARS AWAY FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

GAS PRICES CONTINUE TO FALL AS SUMMER APPROACHES, DROPPING 20 CENTS A GALLON OVER THE LAST MONTH. THE CURRENT PRICE OF REGULAR GAS IS AVERAGING $3.61 A GALLON, DOWN FROM $3.82 A MONTH AGO. AAA FUEL ANALYST DON REDMAN SAYS UNREST IN THE EUROPEAN FINANCIAL MARKETS IS HELPING DRIVE DOWN THE PRICE OF CRUDE. REDMAN SAYS GAS PRICES ARE FOLLOWING A SIMILAR PATTERN TO THE ONE THEY FOLLOWED A YEAR AGO, WHEN PRICES COLLAPSED IN MAY. HE SAYS A DROP IN CRUDE PRICES AND FALLING DEMAND, CAUSED THE DROP IN PRICES TO BEGIN EARLIER THIS YEAR.

THE 2012 FORTUNE 500 LIST WAS RELEASED THIS MORNING, AND CENTURYLINK IS LISTED AS THE TOP RISING STAR. THE MONROE BASED BUSINESS WAS NO. 171 OVERALL WHICH IS UP FROM 334TH LAST YEAR. BATON ROUGE'S SHAW GROUP SLIPPED TO NO. 412 ON THIS YEAR'S LIST AND NEW ORLEANS' ENTERGY ALSO FELL ABOUT 30 SPOTS TO NO. 239. CENTURYLINK'S REPORTED REVENUE OF OVER $15 BILLION IN 2011 REPRESENTS NEARLY A 200% YEAR-OVER-YEAR INCREASE.

GOVERNOR BOBBY JINDAL WAS IN SHREVEPORT YESTERDAY TO ANNOUNCE A PAPER COMPANY BASED IN NEW JERSEY IS MOVING ITS CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS TO SHREVEPORT. RONPAK'S DECISION IS EXPECTED TO BRING ONE-HUNDRED NEW JOBS TO THE AREA. RONPAK PRESIDENT RON SEDLEY SAYS THEY ARE ALSO BUILDING A NEW FACILITY AT THE PORT OF CADDO-BOSSIER. RONPAK MAKES CUSTOM-PRINTED PAPER BAGS AND FOOD WRAPS FOR MAJOR FAST FOOD CHAINS. THEY ALSO SELL PAPER PRODUCTS TO PHARMACIES.

IF THE SABINE RIVER AUTHORITY WANTS TO SELL TOLEDO BEND RESERVOIR WATER TO TEXAS OR ANY OTHER STATE, IT WOULD HAVE TO GET APPROVAL OF THE GOVERNOR, LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES AND PARISH MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS UNDER LEGISLATION HEADED FOR FINAL APPROVAL OF THE HOUSE FLOOR. SENATE BILL 436, SPONSORED BY SEN. GERALD LONG, R-WINNFIELD, DOESN'T TAKE AWAY THE SRA'S AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTS WHICH PROVIDE FOR THE SALE, UTILIZATION, DISTRIBUTION OR CONSUMPTION OF WATER OUTSIDE THE BOUNDARIES OF THE STATE, AS LONG AS IT GETS THE WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE GOVERNOR. BUT IT ADDS A REQUIREMENT THAT ANY DEAL RECEIVE THE APPROVAL OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEES, TWO THIRDS OF POLICE JURORS IN THE PARISHES THAT BORDER THE RESERVOIR AND TWO THIRDS OF THE MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS IN THOSE PARISHES.


SPORTS..

LSU MOVES UP TO NUMBER THREE IN THE LATEST BASEBALL AMERICA TOP 25 POLL. THE TIGERS ARE 38-AND-11 OVERALL AND TIED WITH SOUTH CAROLINA FOR THE BEST SEC RECORD AT 16-AND-8. THERE'S JUST SEVEN REGULAR SEASON GAMES LEFT BEFORE THE CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT BEGINS.

SAINTS LINEBACKER JONATHAN VILMA AND THREE OTHER PLAYERS SUSPENDED IN THE NFL'S INVESTIGATION OF NEW ORLEANS' CASH-FOR-HITS BOUNTY SYSTEM CHALLENGED THEIR PUNISHMENTS MONDAY. VILMA, NAMED BY THE NFL AS A RINGLEADER OF THE OPERATION, APPEALED HIS SEASON-LONG SUSPENSION WHILE THE NFL PLAYERS ASSOCIATION NOTIFIED THE LEAGUE IT WAS RESERVING THE APPEAL RIGHTS OF SAINTS DEFENSIVE END WILL SMITH AND THOSE OF EX-SAINTS ANTHONY HARGROVE AND SCOTT FUJITA. ALL FOUR PLAYERS AND THE UNION ARGUE THAT NO APPEAL SHOULD BE HEARD BEFORE NFLPA GRIEVANCES ARE RESOLVED QUESTIONING NFL COMMISSIONER ROGER GOODELL'S AUTHORITY TO DISCIPLINE THE PLAYERS AND TO HEAR THEIR APPEALS.

Posted About Three Weeks Ago

NEWS FOR FRIDAY 050412
BY DAVE GRAICHEN

AN AUTOPSY WILL BE PERFORMED ON THE BODY OF A WOMAN WHO WAS FOUND THURSDAY MORNING IN THE AREA OF 14TH AND LEVIN STREETS IN ALEXANDRIA. OFFICIALS ARE NOT RELEASING THE WOMAN’S NAME PENDING POSITIVE IDENTIFICATION. THE AUTOPSY WILL MAKE THE FINAL DETERMINATION, BUT AT THIS POINT IT APPEARS SHE DIED OF NATURAL CAUSES.

IT APPEARS THE DAYS MAY BE NUMBERED FOR THE D.G. HUNTER POWER GENERATING STATION IN ALEXANDRIA. MAYOR JACQUES ROY SAID YESTERDAY THAT CITY OFFICIALS "HAVE COME TO THE CONCLUSION SOME TIME BACK" THAT THE AGE OF D.G. HUNTER AND NEW ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS MAY PREVENT ANY UPGRADES AT THE POWER STATION. UTILITIES DIRECTOR MIKE MARCOTTE EXPLAINED THAT NEW EMISSIONS REGULATIONS PASSED LAST YEAR BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY LIKELY WOULD DOUBLE THE CITY'S ESTIMATED COSTS ON REGENERATING D.G. HUNTER, WHICH CURRENTLY HAS JUST TWO OF ITS FOUR UNITS OPERABLE. ALTHOUGH ALL POSSIBLE OPTIONS ARE BEING EXPLORED, MAYOR ROY SAYS HE BELIEVES THE CITY'S ELECTRICAL FUTURE SHOULD REMAIN TIED WITH CLECO.

A FORMER U.S. ATTORNEY HIRED BY THE NFL TO EVALUATE ITS INVESTIGATION OF THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS' BOUNTY PROGRAM SAID THURSDAY THE EVIDENCE SHOWS PLAYERS RECEIVED PAYMENTS FOR HITS ON TARGETED OPPONENTS. MARY JO WHITE SAID IN A CONFERENCE CALL THAT EVIDENCE IN THE LEAGUE'S INVESTIGATION OF THE THREE-YEAR PAY-FOR-PAIN SYSTEM PROVIDED "AN UNUSUALLY STRONG RECORD" AND CAME FROM PEOPLE WITH "FIRSTHAND KNOWLEDGE AND CORROBORATED BY DOCUMENTATION." WHEN ASKED TWICE WHETHER ANY PLAYERS ACTUALLY WERE PAID FOR HITS, WHITE CONFIRMED THEY WERE WITHOUT GOING INTO SPECIFICS. SHE ADDED THAT MOST OF THE MONEY IN THE BOUNTY SCHEME WAS PROVIDED BY THE PLAYERS.

WILLIAM JEFFERSON, WHO CAME UP FROM NORTH LOUISIANA POVERTY TO BECOME THE STATE'S FIRST MODERN DAY AFRICAN-AMERICAN CONGRESSMAN AND ONE OF ITS MOST POWERFUL POLITICIANS, WAS EXPECTED TO REPORT TO A FEDERAL PRISON FRIDAY — THE LATEST INDIGNITY RESULTING FROM A FEDERAL INVESTIGATION THAT DISSOLVED HIS POWER AND MADE HIM A LAUGHING STOCK OVER BRIBE MONEY HIDDEN IN HIS FREEZER.

THE LOUISIANA HOUSE UNANIMOUSLY AGREED THURSDAY TO EXPAND A 10-YEAR LOCAL PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION AND MAKE IT AVAILABLE TO MORE BUSINESSES, BUT ONLY AFTER THEY INCLUDED MORE HURDLES FOR BUSINESSES TO CLEAR BEFORE THE TAX BREAK COULD BE OFFERED. THE PACKAGE OF BILLS, SOUGHT BY THE JINDAL ADMINISTRATION, WOULD ALLOW PARISHES TO OFFER THE TAX BREAKS TO DIGITAL MEDIA BUSINESSES, DATA CENTERS, RENEWABLE ENERGY FIRMS, CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS AND RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FIRMS , IF THEY HAVE A MAJORITY OF THEIR SALES OUT OF THE STATE AND MAKE A CAPITAL INVESTMENT IN LOUISIANA GREATER THAN $25 MILLION. LOCAL GOVERNING BODIES WOULD HAVE TO DECIDE IF THEY WANT TO PARTICIPATE BEFORE THE TAX BREAK COULD BE OFFERED TO COMPANIES AS PART OF A STATE AND LOCAL INCENTIVE PACKAGE. THEY COULD ALSO DECIDE WHETHER TO USE THE PROGRAM ON A PROJECT-BY-PROJECT BASIS. BEFORE THE PROPERTY TAX BREAK CAN BE EXPANDED, IT WOULD REQUIRE A CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE APPROVED BY VOTERS IN A STATEWIDE ELECTION. THE MEASURE NOW HEADS NEXT TO THE SENATE FOR DEBATE.

THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE HAS ANNOUNCED THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT IN PLANS FOR A $6 BILLION LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS EXPORT TERMINAL IN SOUTHWESTERN LOUISIANA.
A THURSDAY NEWS RELEASE SAYS SEMPRA ENERGY INC., HAS REACHED AN AGREEMENT WITH AN AFFILIATE OF A FRENCH COMPANY, GDF SUEZ, TO DEVELOP THE FACILITY. IT IS THE THIRD AND FINAL COMMERCIAL AGREEMENT SIGNED BY SEMPRA FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE TERMINAL, WHICH WILL EXPORT 12 MILLION METRIC TONS PER YEAR. EARLIER AGREEMENTS HAD BEEN ANNOUNCED WITH MITSUBISHI CORPORATION AND MITSUI & CO. LTD.
CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN 2013. THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE SAYS THE FACILITY WILL BRING 130 NEW, PERMANENT JOBS TO THE AREA, ALONG WITH 3,000 CONSTRUCTION JOBS.

A PROPOSAL TO CREATE TAX BREAKS FOR DONATIONS TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS RECEIVED UNANIMOUS APPROVAL THURSDAY FROM THE LOUISIANA HOUSE. THE MEASURE BY REP. KATRINA JACKSON, D-MONROE, CAME IN RESPONSE TO A JINDAL ADMINISTRATION BILL, WHICH HAS WON FINAL LEGISLATIVE PASSAGE, TO GIVE A NEAR DOLLAR-FOR-DOLLAR TAX REBATE FOR PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES THAT DONATE TO NONPROFITS THAT GIVE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR CHILDREN TO ATTEND PRIVATE SCHOOLS. JACKSON'S BILL (HOUSE BILL 1006) IS A SMALLER TAX BREAK. IT WOULD GIVE TAXPAYERS A REBATE FOR DONATIONS MADE TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR BOOKS, TECHNOLOGY AND OTHER PROGRAMS. THE REBATE WOULD BE 25 PERCENT OF THE DONATION IF IT WENT TO A SCHOOL GRADED WITH A "C'' IN THE STATE ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM, 50 PERCENT FOR A "D'' SCHOOL AND 75 PERCENT FOR AN "F'' SCHOOL. THE PROPOSAL HEADS NEXT TO THE SENATE FOR DEBATE

A MEASURE TO TOUGHEN PENALTIES FOR BUYING, SELLING OR CARRYING A GUN WITH A REMOVED OR OBLITERATED SERIAL NUMBER RECEIVED THE BACKING OF THE HOUSE. PRESENT LAW CARRIES A PRISON SENTENCE UP TO SIX MONTHS. THE BILL (HOUSE BILL 4) BY REP. JOE LOPINTO, R-METAIRIE, WOULD SET A MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCE FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR FOR A FIRST OFFENSE AND AT LEAST TWO YEARS FOR A SECOND OR LATER OFFENSE.

BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE HAVE BACKED A PROPOSAL (SENATE BILL 435) THAT WOULD REQUIRE MASSAGE PARLORS, SPAS, HOTELS, STRIP CLUBS AND TRUCK STOPS TO POST INFORMATION ABOUT THE NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING RESOURCE CENTER HOTLINE. THE MEASURE BY SEN. SHARON WESTON BROOME, D-BATON ROUGE, HEADS BACK TO THE SENATE FOR APPROVAL OF HOUSE CHANGES, BEFORE REACHING FINAL PASSAGE.

LOUISIANA SENATORS ARE WORKING TO CRAFT A TOUGHER STATEWIDE BAN ON BULLYING AT SCHOOLS, BUT WITH STRONG DISAGREEMENT OVER HOW TO LABEL WHAT CONSTITUTES HARASSMENT AGAINST STUDENTS, IN A DEBATE THAT HAS BECOME AN ANNUAL FLASHPOINT OVER GAY RIGHTS. A BILL ADVANCED THURSDAY BY THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE WOULD DEFINE BULLYING, DESCRIBE WAYS TO REPORT ALLEGATIONS AND SET THE TIMELINE FOR SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS TO RESPOND. THE PANEL REFUSED TO BACK A SECOND BILL BY SEN. YVONNE DORSEY-COLOMB, D-BATON ROUGE, THAT WOULD SPELL OUT THAT HARASSMENT AND BULLYING WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED BECAUSE OF A PERSON'S CHARACTERISTICS, INCLUDING RACE, ANCESTRY, RELIGION, PHYSICAL OR INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY, MENTAL ILLNESS, LANGUAGE ABILITY, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY AND POLITICAL IDEAS. SUCH A LIST HAS BEEN REPEATEDLY OPPOSED BY THE CONSERVATIVE LOUISIANA FAMILY FORUM AND RELIGIOUS GROUPS AS INTRODUCING SEXUAL POLITICS INTO THE CLASSROOM AND PROMOTING A "GAY AGENDA" IN SCHOOLS. GENE MILLS, HEAD OF THE FAMILY FORUM, HELPED WRITE THE BILL WITHOUT A LIST OF CHARACTERISTICS.

A FEDERAL JUDGE HAS PUSHED BACK THE START OF A CIVIL TRIAL FOR CLAIMS AGAINST BP PLC AND OTHER COMPANIES INVOLVED IN THE 2010 GULF OIL SPILL. U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE CARL BARBIER ON THURSDAY SET A DATE OF JAN. 14, 2013. TRIAL HAD BEEN SCHEDULED TO START ON NOV. 8. THE LITIGATION CENTERS ON THE OIL SPILL THAT BEGAN IN APRIL 2010 FROM BP'S MACONDO WELL IN THE GULF OF MEXICO OFF THE LOUISIANA COAST. THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AND THE STATE OF ALABAMA HAD WANTED THE TRIAL TO START THIS SUMMER, BUT BP ASKED FOR A JANUARY 2013 DATE. THE LATER DATE WOULD GIVE BARBIER TIME TO GRANT FINAL APPROVAL TO A SETTLEMENT ALREADY REACHED WITH A COMMITTEE OF PLAINTIFFS ATTORNEYS.

ANIMAL ACTIVIST AND RETIRED GAME-SHOW HOST BOB BARKER VISITED NORTHWEST LOUISIANA THURSDAY TO OPEN A NEW AREA AT CHIMP HAVEN, A NATIONAL CHIMPANZEE SANCTUARY, AND TO WATCH AS FIVE HIV-INFECTED CHIMPS TRANSFERRED FROM A CLOSED TEXAS FACILITY WERE INTRODUCED TO THEIR NEW HOME. OTHER SANCTUARIES TOOK THE REST OF ITS ANIMALS, INCLUDING 11 CHIMPANZEES. NONE WOULD TAKE DOC, JOJO, MURPHY, FLICK OR PIERRE BECAUSE THEY ARE INFECTED WITH THE HIV VIRUS. ONE ALSO HAS HEPATITIS. THE CHIMPS WERE INFECTED AS PART OF AN EXPERIMENT MANY YEARS AGO. BUT, ARE SAID TO BE IN VERY GOOD HEALTH. BARKER, WHO IS NO 88, GAVE $380,000 TO HELP CREATE THE AREA, WHICH IS NAMED AFTER HIM, AND TO SUPPORT THE ANIMALS FOR A YEAR.

LAFAYETTE PARISH SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES SAY A WORKER WAS KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT WHILE ON THE JOB. OFFICIALS SAY A CRANE OPERATOR ACCIDENTALLY CRUSHED A CO-WORKER WHO WAS ON THE GROUND AS THEY WERE MOVING SOME PIPES. 26-YEAR-OLD KEVIN BENJAMIN OF CARENCRO WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL WHERE HE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD. AN INVESTIGATION IS UNDER WAY, ALTHOUGH NO CRIMINAL CHARGES ARE EXPECTED.

THE LA NINA WEATHER PHENOMENON IS OVER. FORECASTERS SAY THAT'S GOOD NEWS FOR THE DROUGHT IN THE SOUTH AND HURRICANE AREAS ALONG THE COASTS. THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PRONOUNCED THE TWO-YEAR LA NINA FINISHED ON THURSDAY. LA NINA IS THE FLIP SIDE OF EL NINO AND IS CAUSED BY THE COOLING OF THE CENTRAL PACIFIC OCEAN. LA NINA'S GREATEST EFFECTS ARE IN THE WINTER, USUALLY TRIGGERING DROUGHT IN THE U.S. SOUTH AND MORE RAIN FURTHER NORTH. IT ALSO OFTEN MEANS MORE HURRICANE ACTIVITY IN THE ATLANTIC DURING THE SUMMER. FOR US THIS YEAR, FORECASTERS ARE PREDICTING HOTTER THAN NORMAL TEMPS, WITH AVERAGE RAIN.

A LAFAYETTE GRAND JURY REFUSED TO BRING CHARGES AGAINST A LAFAYETTE HIGH SCHOOL DANCE TEACHER ACCUSED OF INDECENT BEHAVIOR WITH JUVENILES. 30- YEAR-OLD KATIE CHAMPAGNE WAS ACCUSED OF INAPPROPRIATE TOUCHING BY A 14- YEAR-OLD GIRL IN HER CLASS. CHAMPAGNE'S DEFENSE ATTORNEY, WILLIAM GOODE, SAYS NO HARD EVIDENCE COULD BE FOUND TO SUPPORT THE CHARGES. POLICE IDENTIFIED SIX CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 17 WHO HAD ALLEGEDLY BEEN VICTIMS IN THE CASE. CHAMPAGNE WAS ARRESTED ON SIX COUNTS OF INDECENT BEHAVIOR WITH A JUVENILE, SUSPENDED FROM HER JOB AND HAD TO POST A 30-THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND, IN SPITE OF HAVING NO PRIOR CRIMINAL RECORD. NOW THAT THE GRAND JURY HAS RETURNED A RULING OF NO TRUE BILL, ESSENTIALLY DISMISSING THE CHARGES, CHAMPAGNE'S ATTORNEY SAYS SHE WILL BEGIN THE PROCESS OF GETTING BACK TO HER JOB. GOODE SAYS THERE WAS NEVER ANY DOUBT THAT SHE WOULD RETURN TO TEACHING DANCE. CHAMPAGNE HAS BEEN ON PAID ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE FOLLOWING HER ARREST.

A SHREVEPORT MAN HAS BEEN BOOKED INTO JAIL ON A CHARGE OF SECOND-DEGREE MURDER IN THE DEATH OF HIS 23-MONTH OLD DAUGHTER. POLICE SAY THE CHILD, ALIYAH WEST, WAS FOUND UNCONSCIOUS AND UNRESPONSIVE BY OFFICERS RESPONDING TO A CALL AT A SHREVEPORT HOME WEDNESDAY EVENING. THE CHILD WAS LATER PRONOUNCED DEAD AT WILLIS KNIGHTON MEDICAL CENTER. AN INVESTIGATION BY DETECTIVES AND CORONER'S INVESTIGATORS LED TO THE ARREST OF 37-YEAR-OLD MARQUICE MCNEIL THURSDAY EVENING.

A WINNFIELD MAN WAS CONVICTED THIS WEEK ON METHAMPHETAMINE CONSPIRACY AND TRAFFICKING CHARGES AND FACES UP TO 90 YEARS IN PRISON. 35 YEAR OLD TIMOTHY NORRIS COULD BE LOOKING AT EVEN MORE JAIL TIME IF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE IS SUCCESSFUL IN CLASSIFYING HIM AS A HABITUAL OFFENDER. IN 2003, NORRIS WAS CONVICTED OF POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE AND JAILED FOR FIVE YEARS.
ON THE LATEST CHARGES, A 12-PERSON JURY CONVICTED NORRIS ON WEDNESDAY AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR DELIBERATING. THE VERDICT WAS UNANIMOUS IN THE CHARGES OF TWO COUNTS OF CONSPIRACY TO TRAFFIC METHAMPHETAMINE AND TWO COUNTS OF DISTRIBUTION. WITHOUT THE HABITUAL OFFENDER CLASSIFICATION, NORRIS FACES A MAXIMUM 90 YEARS IN PRISON AT HARD LABOR AND A FINE UP TO $150,000.

SPORTS..

AFTER BEATING IN-STATE RIVAL TULANE ON TUESDAY, THE FOURTH RANKED TIGERS BEGIN A SERIES TONIGHT AGAINST THEIR BIGGEST SEC RIVAL, THE OLE MISS REBELS. SIX OF THE LAST EIGHT GAMES PLAYED BETWEEN THESE TWO TEAMS HAVE BEEN DECIDED BY TWO RUNS OR LESS. LSU ENTERS THE SERIES IN A THREE-WAY TIE FOR THE OVERALL LEAD IN THE SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE. KENTUCKY, SOUTH CAROLINA AND THE TIGERS ARE ALL 14-AND-7 IN THE LEAGUE.