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