Let The Purges Begin??? 

Clinton, following the norm, fired ninety-some US Attorneys, in one fell swoop, right out of the gate, and, rightly, no one said, "Boo!"  Then again, "New Tone" Bush, very late in the game, fired a handful of US Attorneys for non-performance and was raked over the coals.  But, this, folks, is a purge, plainly and simply.  Can we say, "Totalitarianism?"  

From Instapundit (Glenn Reynolds):

This is the link to the actual memo from OPM.

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From 2theadvocate.com:

Vitter:  Time To Cut Off ACORN

By Gerard Shields
The Advocate Washington Bureau
September 15, 2009

WASHINGTON – Two members of the Louisiana congressional delegation on Monday called for a committee hearing on ACORN and the severance of its federal funding.

Republican U.S. Sen. David Vitter has long been a big critic of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, commonly known as ACORN. He reintroduced his amendment calling for the federal government not to provide any money to the group.

Vitter and U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany, R-Lafayette, are among several Republican lawmakers calling for investigations and audits following three videos released last week in which ACORN workers in Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and Brooklyn, N.Y., advised people posing as a pimp and prostitute how to skirt federal tax laws.

ACORN also came under fire last year after members in several states were accused of submitting fraudulent voter registration forms.

On Friday, the U.S. Census Bureau cut off its ties to have ACORN help in counting people next year for the 2010 census.

“The Census dropping ACORN as a partner is a good, common sense move,” Vitter said Monday. “Now we must go one step further and support my simple and direct amendment, which declares that no federal funds go to ACORN.”

Vitter has been unsuccessful in similar amendments in the past. Earlier in the year, he tried to block the nomination of the Census Bureau director until the ACORN funds were cut off.

“We are the boogeyman for the right-wing and its echo chambers,” said Bertha Lewis, ACORN’s chief organizer, in a prepared statement Monday.

Arthur Z. Schwartz, a New York lawyer representing ACORN, wrote in a letter to Roger Ailes, president of Fox News, which aired the tapes last week, “It is very clear that the questions being asked are a voiceover, placed on the tape by the filmmaker. The staffer involved claims that the questions she was asked were not the questions asked by the voiceover online.”

ACORN is considering a lawsuit against Fox News, according to Schwartz.

ACORN, which advocates for the poor, received $1.6 million for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30 to provide housing services to low-income communities, according to the Web site USASpending.gov. Between 2003 and 2006, the group received $8.2 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Web site showed.  

ACORN National Operations is headquartered in Brooklyn, N.Y. The group’s Organizing and Support Center is headquartered in New Orleans.

On the U.S. House side, Boustany called for the House Ways and Means Committee to hold a hearing to investigate ACORN. The videos indicate that the group’s tax filing assistance programs show evidence of suggested tax fraud, Boustany said Monday.

“These serious allegations involve the administration and enforcement of our federal tax laws, which fall directly under the jurisdiction of the subcommittee on oversight,” said Boustany, who sits on the committee.

ACORN has offices in Baton Rouge, Lake Charles and New Orleans. Lanny Roy is the state president in Louisiana and said the entire organization shouldn’t be criticized because of the actions of several members.

“I’m really angered and appalled,” Roy said. “ACORN has brought justice to the communities and we challenge anybody to investigate us.”

Roy, who also sits on ACORN’s national board, has worked for the organization for 33 years. He said he would be contacting Vitter and Boustany’s offices to protest their actions.

“We have nothing in our history that shows us doing anything illegal,” Roy said.

Roy emphasized that none of the Louisiana workers have been accused of wrongdoing.

“I wouldn’t do that and none of our other members would do that,” Roy said. “We work hard because we believe in what we do.”

The organization has aided the poor by doing their taxes and protecting them from predatory housing lending, Roy said.

Much of the most recent criticism happened after Fox News ran the videos of the exchanges between ACORN workers and those posing as the pimps and prostitutes.

The workers involved in the matter have been dismissed, Roy said. Likewise, ACORN actually reported on some of its members providing wrongful voter registrations throughout the nation, Roy said.

“What bothers me is that they’re going after an organization with strong outreach to communities throughout the nation,” Roy said.

Strange update:  Senator Vitter was a "no show" during the vote to de-fund ACORN.  Huh?

Update:  Senator Vitter missed his flight - scheduling issue - and, consequently, missed the vote.

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An urgent matter demanding your attention, today:  Professor Cass Sunstein, perhaps the most dangerous nominee for Obama’s shadow government (worse than Van Jones), is slated for Senate confirmation, today.  Please contact David and Mary, ASAP, and beseech them to vote NO on his confirmation.   

A sample message:

Senator,

Please vote NO to confirm Professor Cass Sunstein to administer the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs.  While, on the surface, he does not seem as extreme as Van Jones, he certainly is - perhaps more so given his subtlety. 

His confirmation will prove disastrous for the nation and for Louisiana, in particular.  His extreme views on hunting, animal rights, agriculture and the 1^st and 2^nd Amendments to the US Constitution are terribly dangerous.  He must not be confirmed.

Thank you for your attention.

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The following is a letter from an on-site observer at the Obama town hall meeting in Bozeman, Montana, August 14, 2009.  Bullies.  

Hello All, 

By now, you have probably heard that President Obama came to Montana last Friday. However, there are many things that the major news has not covered. I feel that since Bill and I live here, and we were at the airport on Friday, I should share some facts with you. Whatever you decide to do with the information is up to you. 

On Wednesday, August 5th, it was announced locally that the President would be coming here. There are many groups here that are against his healthcare and huge spending, so those groups began talking and deciding on what they were going to do. The White House would not release ANY details other than the date. 

On Tuesday, Bill found out that they would be holding the Townhall [sic] meeting at the airport. (This is only because Bill knows EVERYONE at the airport).  Our airport is actually located outside of Belgrade (tiny town) in a very remote location. Nothing is around there. They chose to use a hangar that is the most remotely located hangar. You could not pick a more remote location, and you cannot get to it easily. It is totally secluded from the public. 

FYI: We have many areas in Belgrade and Bozeman which could have held a large amount of folks with sufficient parking. (gymnasiums/auditoriums). All of which have chairs and tables, which would not have to be SHIPPED IN!! $$$$$

During the week, cargo by the TONS was being shipped in constantly. Airport employees could not believe how it just kept coming. Though it was our President coming, several expressed how excessive it was, especially during a recession.  $$$$$     

Late Tuesday/early Wednesday, the 12th, they said that tickets would be handed out on Thursday 9am at two locations, and the president would be arriving around 12:30 on Friday. 

On Thursday morning, about 600 tickets were passed out. However, 1500 were printed at a Local printing shop, per White House request. Hmmm ... 900 tickets just DISAPPEARED.  This same morning, someone called into the radio from the local UPS branch and said that THOUSANDS of dollars worth of lobster was shipped in for Obama. Montana has some of the best beef in the nation, and it would have been really wonderful to help out the local economy. Anyone heard of the Recession??  Just think ... with all of the traveling the White House is doing, $$$$$, one can only imagine what else we are paying for. 

On Friday, Bill and I got out to the airport about 10:45am. The groups that wanted to protest Obama's spending and healthcare had gotten a permit to protest, and that area was roped off. But that was not to be. A large bus carrying SEIU (Service Employees International Union) members drove up onto the area (illegal) and unloaded right there. There was quite a commotion, and there were specifically 2 SEIU men trying to make trouble and start a fight. Police did get involved and arrested the one man, but they said they did not have the manpower to remove the SEIU crowd.   

The SEIU crowd was very organized and young. About 99% were under the age of 30, and they were not locals! They had bullhorns and PROFESSIONALLY made signs. Some even wore preprinted T-shirts. Oh, and Planned Parenthood folks were with them ... professing abortion rights with their T-shirts and preprinted signs. BTW, all these folks did have a permit to protest in ANOTHER area. 

Those against healthcare/spending moved away from the SEIU crowd to avoid confrontation, being orderly and respectful. Even though SEIU kept coming over and walking through, continuing to be very intimidating and aggressive at the direction of the one SEIU man.  

So, we had Montana folks from ALL OVER the state with their homemade signs and their DOGS with homemade signs. We had cowboys, nurses, doctors you name it. There was even a guy from Texas who had been driving through. He found out about the occasion, went to the store, made a sign and came to protest. 

If you are wondering about the press ... well, all of the major networks were over by that remote hangar I mentioned. They were conveniently parked on the other side of the buildings FAR away. None of these crowds were even visible to them. I have my doubts that they knew anything about the crowds.

We did have some local news media around us from this state and Idaho. Speaking of the local media, they were invited. However, all questions were to be turned into the White House in advance of the event. Wouldn't want anyone to have to think off the top of their head. 

It was very obvious that it was meant to be totally controlled by the White House. Everything was orchestrated down to the last detail to make it appear that Montana is just crazy for Obama and government healthcare. Even those people who talked about their insurance woes -- the White House called our local HRDC (Human Resource and Development Committee) and asked for names. Then the White House asked those folks to come. Smoke and mirrors ... EVERYTHING was staged!   

I am very dismayed about what I learned about our current White House. The amount of control and manipulation was unbelievable. I felt I was not living in the United States of America, more like the USSR!  I was physically nauseous. Bill and I have been around when former Presidents or Heads of State visited. It has NEVER been like this. I am truly very frightened for our country. America needs your prayers and your voices. If you care about our country, please get involved. Know the issues, and let Congress hear your voices again and again.  If they are willing to put forth so much effort to BULLY a small town, one can only imagine what is going on in Washington DC.   Scary!! 

Kathy in Bozeman, Montana

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They're going after Glenn Beck.  Click on all the embedded links to see how sinister it is.

From American Spectator (For a related story, go to The Wall Street Journal):

From The Times-Picayune:

Note:  Vitter received a standing ovation.  At the end of the article, we learn the SEIU was there.

Health care forum with Sen. David Vitter in Elmwood is jammed

by Mark Waller
August 10, 2009

Constituents packed into a health care forum hosted by Sen. David Vitter today in Elmwood, where Vitter took audience questions mostly criticizing President Barack Obama's reform push and stated his own opposition to the plans . "I think there are problems and issues with the health care system that need improvement," Vitter said during the forum. "I want to focus specifically on those problems, and I don't want to throw out the baby with the bath water. I completely and unalterably oppose the Obama administration plan."

Vitter said Obama's reforms - creating a new government health plan option that competes with private insurers - would drive companies out of the health care business, raise costs and result in government officials making health care decisions for people.

The heated subject attracted such a crowd that all the seats were full, and people stood along the back and sides of the Jefferson Parish Council chambers at the Joseph S. Yenni Building. An overflow crowd even amassed outside the doors of the building and remained there throughout the session, holding a peaceful demonstration.

Vitter began the forum by encouraging people to fill all available spaces in the room and apologizing for the lack of a larger venue. He said at the end that he would provide more opportunities for people to speak out.

The Republican senator read audience questions submitted on speaker sheets and repeatedly agreed with questioners who raised numerous concerns about the reforms advanced by Obama, a Democrat.

Similar forums hosted by Democratic legislators around the country have prompted fiery and controversial demonstrations. Protesters disrupted town hall meetings, in some cases shouting down speakers at the events.

Republicans have seized on them as evidence that Obama lacks public support for his health care legislation.

The Democrats have fired back, accusing the Republicans of mob tactics and of trying to undermine the democratic process.

"These disruptions are occurring because opponents are afraid not just of differing views -- but of the facts themselves, " Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland said in an opinion piece in USA Today. "Drowning out opposing views is simply un-American. Drowning out the facts is how we failed at this task for decades."

Friendly crowd for Vitter

The audience at the Vitter event was spirited, but not protesting against the senator. Signs people held up outside the building also aligned with Vitter's views.

Vitter said the proposed reforms will drive the number of uninsured or underinsured people even higher than current problematic levels by pushing some people out of private insurance plans or cutting existing Medicare programs that are serving them well.

He said current counts of uninsured Americans often are exaggerated because they include illegal immigrants and young people who choose not to acquire insurance because they view health issues as remote problems.

"If there is any so-called government option," Vitter said, "I believe it will be a very uneven playing field."

Instead, he said he favors allowing small businesses to band together for group insurance at better rates than they currently receive, allowing people to obtain less expensive prescription drugs from other countries and cutting down on unnecessary and costly lawsuits.

"Let's start cutting costs which have no benefits," he said.

He received a standing ovation when he said he would propose requiring members of Congress to enroll in the government option if such a program is created.

Airing views outside

Meanwhile, the health care debate also unfolded in the parking lot, where some people in the crowd, including Millie Chenevert, were disappointed they couldn't get inside to see the town hall meeting.

"We came thinking that we were going to have a voice in this," Chevevert said. "People are being turned away and going home. This is wrong for them not to give us a bigger venue."

George Paterson, however, said he didn't mind assembling with others outside to express his views.

"Obama's health care is not about health care," said Paterson, who called the plan a move to socialism. "It's about power and control."

"We're here to support Vitter," he said. "We need more people like Sen. Vitter to speak up and support the American people."

Cindy LeBlanc said the Democratic leadership in Washington is pushing to do too much at once.

"It needs to be cleaned up," LeBlanc said about the state of health care. "It's a mess. Let's take once piece and section at a time."

While the crowd mostly seemed sympathetic to Vitter's views, a few pro-Obama demonstrators also appeared outside the Yenni Building. Stephen Miles, deputy state director of the Service Employees International Union, argued fears coming from the Republican side are unfounded.

"What we're interested in is creating a health care system that's not broken," Miles said. "There's a problem with affordability. There's a problem with access. We have a serious problem that requires a serious solution."

He said the government option will give people another choice of health care coverage without hurting existing insurance policies. And he argued its presence in the marketplace will suppress costs.

"The result will be driving down costs and giving people more choices," Miles said. The government plan, he said, "will never be the only option."

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Badly written, from The St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

Six People, Including P-D Reporter, Arrested At Carnahan Meeting

By Leah Thorsen
August 6, 2009

MEHLVILLE -- St. Louis County police on Thursday arrested at least four people, including a Post-Dispatch reporter, outside a town hall forum held by Rep. Russ Carnahan, said Dawn Majors, a Post-Dispatch photojournalist who witnessed everything unfold.

It happened about 8:30 p.m at Bernard Middle School on Forder Road in Mehlville. Carnahan, D-St. Louis, had drawn a rowdy crowd that overflowed the school gym and left dozens of people outside. Many of those who showed up at what had been billed as a forum on aging carried signs about the national health-care debate. 

Dozens of people were kept out because there was no room for them inside. Members of the local Tea Party Coalition, a movement that has emerged to counter President Barack Obama’s policies, had urged their members to attend, which in turn spurred Democrats to establish a strong presence. 

The event was winding down when Majors said she saw a police squad car turn its lights on and went to see what was happening. As she approached it, her eyes started to burn.

“And that's when I realized I'd walked through remnants of pepper spray,” Majors said. She turned her attention to taking pictures. 

She said she saw a woman in handcuffs who was complaining about the pain of the spray and asking to wash her face and eyes. The response of the officer who was arresting her was, “I warned you,” Majors said. 

Majors said the woman had been speaking very loudly and passionately in support of health-care reform earlier in the evening. 

“She made herself very visible,” Majors said. 

She also saw a man handcuffed and on his stomach. The man kept asking why he was being arrested, Majors said. An officer nearby said she wasn't the arresting officer, but she would let him know later. That response upset the man on the ground, she said.

Another man was sitting on the ground rubbing his knee, but was not handcuffed. Majors said she heard an officer tell him that he would be taken to jail and booked. 

She also saw Post-Dispatch reporter Jake Wagman, who was reporting on the event and shooting video for stltoday.com. He was standing on a sidewalk, taking video. 

As she photographed everything, Majors said she heard Wagman yell her name and say that he was being arrested. She turned and saw he had been handcuffed and was being put in the back of a squad car. The officer said Wagman had been interfering, Majors said.

She said she did not see what led up to his arrest. 

Efforts to get the police version of what happened have been unsuccessful as of 10 p.m.  

UPDATE: St. Louis County police say six people were arrested. Two of those were arrested on suspicion of assault, one of resisting arrest and three on suspicion of committing peace disturbances. Carnahan was gone when the ruckus started. 

Kenneth Gladney, a 38-year-old conservative activist from St. Louis, said he was attacked by some of those arrested as he handed out yellow flags with “Don't tread on me” printed on them. He spoke to the Post-Dispatch from the emergency room of the St. John's Mercy Medical Center, where he said he was waiting to be treated for injuries to his knee, back, elbow, shoulder and face that he suffered in the attack. Gladney, who is black, said one of his attackers, also a black man, used a racial slur against him before the attack started. 

“It just seems there's no freedom of speech without being attacked,” he said.

Accompanying video:
 

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Looks like Stormy Daniels might not run for the Senate, after all.

From XBIZ Newswire:

Stormy Daniels Arrested for Domestic Violence

By Steve Javors
July 28, 2009

From Breitbart:

House Dems Threaten Floor Vote To Break Impasse

By Erica Werner (Associated Press)
July 24, 2009

A powerful House committee chairman threatened on Friday to force a floor vote to break the impasse within Democratic ranks over President Barack Obama's health care overhaul, a drastic step that could roil the House. Energy and Commerce Chairman Henry Waxman, D-Calif., said negotiations with fiscally conservative Democrats on his panel cannot continue indefinitely. But a floor vote would put fellow Democrats in an exposed position, having to cast a vote on a $544-billion upper-income tax increase that the Senate is unlikely to embrace to help pay for covering the millions of uninsured Americans. The problems on the House side of the Capitol come a day after Senate Democratic leaders announced they would not go ahead as planned with a floor vote before Congress departs for its August recess. Senate Democrats are also divided. While some are negotiating with Republicans, others want to plow ahead on their own. "We're going to have to look at perhaps bypassing the (Energy and Commerce) committee because we've got to get moving on this legislation," Waxman said. "I hope we don't come to that conclusion." Two House panels have already passed legislation. Waxman is stymied because seven conservatives on his committee—part of a group called the Blue Dog Democrats—are sticking together. Negotiations are continuing, but Waxman said he's running out of patience. "We're not going to let them empower the Republicans to control the committee," he said. "This can't be an interminable discussion," Waxman added. As lawmakers continued to haggle, the White House said President Barack Obama will keep working on health care in August even if Congress goes home. "Nobody in planning meetings decided we should just take August off," said White House press secretary Robert Gibbs. "For a long time we planned to continue the discussion on the issues that are important, be it the economy, health care ... education. That had always in many ways been priced into the scenario." Obama met Friday morning at the White House with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont. Reid said Thursday that the panel will push to complete a bill before the Senate breaks Aug. 7. Baucus has been negotiating with the panel's Republicans in hopes of producing a bipartisan bill.

From Senator David Vitter:

Recently a Washington  Times article described how the “powers that be” forced the House Judiciary Chairman to end a probe into  allegations of voter fraud against the Association of Community Organizations  for Reform Now (ACORN).

ACORN’s efforts to register voters multiple times, register people without their knowledge or register people who outright did not exist have  been well documented.  There have been probes into alleged voter fraud in Missouri, Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Mexico and Florida.  In Florida, the St. Petersburg Times reported that ACORN employees even attempted to register Mickey Mouse. 

These allegations are particularly troublesome given the fact that ACORN receives significant funding directly from the federal government.  ACORN’s “charitable” affiliates have received, conservatively, more than $31 million in direct federal funding between 1998 and 2007.  In 2008 alone, ACORN’s affiliates received almost $10 million in total government funding.  ACORN has also received numerous subgrant awards of indirect funding from the federal government.  For example, more than $7 million was awarded to ACORN Housing Corporation (AHC) in 2008 from the National Foreclosure Mitigation Program administered by NeighborWorks America.

It remains unclear who has the power to tell the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee what hearings he can and cannot hold, and I will continue working as your U.S. Senator to fight to keep your taxpayer dollars from funding corrupt special interest groups like ACORN and to shine a spotlight on these sorts of abuses whenever they arise.

Note:  What follows is the linked Washington Times article in case it disappears.  Don’t forget that ACORN (renamed COI) has been given the job of conducting the census.  As well, in many areas, where new registrants may vote the day they are registered, Mickey Mouse’s vote counted even if his registration was set aside.

From The Washington Times:

Originally published 03:04 p.m., June 25, 2009, updated 03:26 p.m., June 25, 2009

Conyers Abandons Plan To Probe ACORN

 By S.A. Miller

 House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers Jr. has backed off his plan to investigate wrongdoing by the liberal activist group ACORN, saying "powers that be" put the kibosh on the idea.

Mr. Conyers, Michigan Democrat, earlier bucked his party leaders by calling for hearings on accusations the Association of Community Organization for Reform Now (ACORN) has committed crimes ranging from voter fraud to a mob-style "protection" racket.

"The powers that be decided against it," Mr. Conyers told The Washington Times.

The chairman declined to elaborate, shrugging off questions about who told him how to run his committee and give the Democrat-allied group a pass.

Pittsburgh lawyer Heather Heidelbaugh, whose testimony about ACORN at a March 19 hearing on voting issues prompted Mr. Conyers to call for a probe, said she was perplexed by Mr. Conyers' explanation for his change of heart.

"If the chair of the Judiciary Committee cannot hold a hearing if he want to [then] who are the powers that he is beholden to?" she said. "Is it the leadership, is it the White House, is it contributors? Who is 'the power?'"

Capitol Hill Democrats had bristled at proposed hearings because it threatened to rekindle criticism of the financial ties and close cooperation between President Obama's campaign and ACORN and its sister organizations Citizens Services Inc. and Project Vote.

The groups came under fire during the campaign after probes into possible voter fraud in a series of presidential battleground states, including Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Mexico and Nevada.

ACORN and its affiliates are currently the target of at least 14 lawsuits related to voter fraud in the 2008 election and a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act complaint filed by former ACORN members.

The group's leaders have consistently denied any wrongdoing and previously said they welcomed a congressional probe. The group did not immediately respond Thursday to questions about Mr. Conyers being convinced to drop those plans.

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From C.B. Forgotston:

May 27, 2009

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Suzie Isn't Running Against David...  Supposedly

STATEMENT FROM SUZIE TERRELL:

"While it would be a great honor to serve the people of LA in the U.S. Senate, David and I have always been able to work together on issues important to us and to our state. Because of this I have always supported Senator Vitter and fully expect that he will be re-elected in 2010. Senator Vitter is well aware of my interest in involving more women and young people in leadership positions on state and federal levels, and has been working with me to do so. As we grow the Republican party on our local and national level, it is important that we move forward with unity."

Note:  Parse.  Suzie's mood was similar in the spring of '02.  It's the spring of '09, giving her plenty of time to pivot, particularly if the NRSC encourages her to do so.

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The Equal Pay For Women Act
(LA House Bill 705)

This Alert is sent out to inform our members on what is at stake in H.B.705.

 The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry issued warnings regarding certain aspects and effects of the bill if were to pass:

 

• An adequate legal remedy already exists under federal law for failing to pay employees the same for equal work; (Federal Fair Labor Standards Act [29 U.S.C. 2206(d) and 216], and the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of  2009;

• Louisiana does not need a separate remedy;

• The same or substantially similar work,  words used in the bill, are highly subjective in nature;

 

• Innumerable legal battles will ensue based on the subjective language used in the bill;

 

• The Bill would have a negative effect on the economic growth of Louisiana because it creates a climate inimical to attracting new business. Neighboring states - Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, and Arkansas - do not have such laws.

The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry recommends the defeat of this Bill so that Louisiana can be competitive in attracting new businesses and so that our small business owners will not face the many unnecessary lawsuits that will follow if HB 705 is passed.  The LABI asks that as many calls as possible go to the Legislature to defeat HB 705.

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Wayne would like to know your thoughts on the following bills.  Please contact him.

Friends,

I’ve been reading through some of the pre-filed bills found on the legislative website or The Town Talk website.  Just a few of the following I wanted to call to your attention.  The following is “my” opinion only.

HB 40----GOOD BILL---exempts 65 year olds and up from state income tax; this would bring more retirees to LA and the increased spending from the savings would stimulate the economy; most of these folks have paid taxes for years. 

HB 84-----GOOD BILL----puts term limits on ALL elected officials. 

HB 94-----BAAAAD BILL----increases taxes on special fuels like gasoline. 

HB 496------GOOD BILL---abolishes the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and moves their functions under the LA Dept of Education.

Please check these and others out and then LET AREA reps and senators know what you think.

Wayne

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Just what we need, more taxes.  Apparently, ol' Herbie didn't pay attention to the recent TEA Party.

From The Town Talk (April 22, 2009):

Dixon Looking To Raise Gas Tax
By Mike Hasten, Gannett Capital Bureau

BATON ROUGE -- While legislators from all over the state pre-file bills for this year's legislative session that would lower taxes, two lawmakers are seeking tax increases.

Rep. Herbert Dixon, D-Alexandria, has filed House Bill 94, which could increase from 16 cents to 20 cents the tax on a gallon of gasoline, diesel or other fuels used in vehicles.

Rep. Karen Carter Peterson, D-New Orleans, has HB75, which would increase the tax on cigarettes from 36 cents to $1.36 per pack. It also raises taxes on cigars and smokeless tobacco but by a percentage of sales price, not $1.

Mark Lambert of the Department of Transportation and Development says his office was not involved in the drafting of Dixon's bill and he was not aware of it until last week when contacted for comment.

"We had nothing to do with the filing of the bill," Lambert said, and he's not sure if it would do what Dixon wants, if he indeed wants to increase all motor fuels taxes.

Dixon said he plans to divide the funds raised by the gas-tax increase among the state and the parish, if the bill is successful. Seventy-five percent of the funding would go to the state, and 25 percent would go to individual parish governments.

The intent behind the bill is to provide for infrastructure needs, despite the economic downturn, Dixon said. It will be painful at first, Dixon continued, but the added revenue will help Louisiana leverage state and federal funding for work on bridges and roads.

Current monies for these type of projects are "meager," Dixon added.

Proceeds could be directed toward addressing a $14 billion backlog in highway construction in the state.

Dixon said the tax would apply to both gasoline and diesel fuels.

If approved, the tax increase would boost highway construction funds by $120 million a year. That would be split $90 million to the state highway priority program and $30 million to parish road construction.

Under current law, fuel tax revenues are also split with the statewide flood protection program and parish bridges. Dixon's bill cuts those programs out of the extra four cents.

The bills are pre-filed for the legislative session that begins April 27.

Note:  The above is a lovely complement to the U.S. House bill, The American Clean Energy and Security Act 2009 (at present, no assigned bill number), that, if eventually passed, could cause the country to set the Wayback Machine to 1875.  Subcommittee hearings began Monday, April 20, and full committee markup begins Monday, May 11.

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Shocking Video Unearthed:  Democrats in their own words covering up the Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac scam that caused our economic crisis