Northeast Louisiana may become ground zero for an
educational experiment without parallel in Louisiana history: rather than
looking to have a district separate, such as what happened with Ouachita Parish
and Monroe City schools, districts may end up combining to a certain extent.
Last year, the Louisiana Legislature asked the
Department of Education to review the deteriorating financial situation in many
school districts. Particularly rural districts have fought stagnant if not
declining populations, which dampen business activity and tax revenues, in the
face of ever-increasing costs.
The report, released
last month, noted that about a third of all districts faced fiscal pressure.
Six in particular – Union,
Morehouse,
East
Carroll, Tensas,
Madison,
and Catahoula
the document identified at elevated risk. Together, these hosted 26 traditional
public schools with around 9,200 students in the fall. Their 2018 financial reports
(only up-to-date Catahoula has released its 2019 audit) excluding Catahoula show
together their net positions deteriorated by $48 million from 2017 (Catahoula
eked out a tiny gain from 2018 to 2019).
2.3.20
Edwards ITEP changes solve nothing
It’s what Democrat Gov. John Bel Edwards does
best – says he’ll change something to make Louisiana less inhibitive of economic
growth, only to produce a cosmetic result that does nothing substantive.
Until now, his best-known sleight-of-hand in this regard concerns the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program. He abandoned the requirement of his predecessor that able-bodied adults without dependents receiving it work, train for work, or volunteer, and replaced that with meaningless executive order that changed nothing about that while alleging it accomplished much the same thing as he had discarded. Fortunately, over these next few months SNAP rules changes by the Republican Pres. Donald Trump Administration essentially will cancel Edwards’ intervention and put the state back in the posture prior to his arrival.
Last month, Edwards may have topped that. During his first term, he changed the rules of the Industrial Tax Exemption Program on a couple of occasions. This property tax break for major capital expenditures offset the confiscatory local levies on corporations, but had no local input. His new rules basically gave a veto power to major local entities, which disconcerted businesses who complained conditions sought by local governments to grant the credit could make the activities in question economically unviable and thereby would discourage investment.
Until now, his best-known sleight-of-hand in this regard concerns the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program. He abandoned the requirement of his predecessor that able-bodied adults without dependents receiving it work, train for work, or volunteer, and replaced that with meaningless executive order that changed nothing about that while alleging it accomplished much the same thing as he had discarded. Fortunately, over these next few months SNAP rules changes by the Republican Pres. Donald Trump Administration essentially will cancel Edwards’ intervention and put the state back in the posture prior to his arrival.
Last month, Edwards may have topped that. During his first term, he changed the rules of the Industrial Tax Exemption Program on a couple of occasions. This property tax break for major capital expenditures offset the confiscatory local levies on corporations, but had no local input. His new rules basically gave a veto power to major local entities, which disconcerted businesses who complained conditions sought by local governments to grant the credit could make the activities in question economically unviable and thereby would discourage investment.
27.2.20
Democrats need competitive candidate in CD 5
The big story concerning Republican Rep. Ralph Abraham’s retirement
isn’t whether a Republican will win, but whether Democrats have the ability to
field a competitive candidate.
In Louisiana, congressional districts come open only every few years, which present the best opportunity for a party takeover without an incumbent running. And Abraham’s Fifth District has perhaps the best potential, as currently drawn, for a Democrat other than the majority-minority Second. While it slightly trails the Fourth in proportion of registered black voters, it has a higher proportion of Democrats and lower proportion of Republicans than any other in the state except for the Second.
But a Democrat won’t win, as recent voting history indicates, with GOP candidates at all levels outdistancing Democrats no less than 15 points. Despite that, Democrats desperately need to make the race competitive.
In Louisiana, congressional districts come open only every few years, which present the best opportunity for a party takeover without an incumbent running. And Abraham’s Fifth District has perhaps the best potential, as currently drawn, for a Democrat other than the majority-minority Second. While it slightly trails the Fourth in proportion of registered black voters, it has a higher proportion of Democrats and lower proportion of Republicans than any other in the state except for the Second.
But a Democrat won’t win, as recent voting history indicates, with GOP candidates at all levels outdistancing Democrats no less than 15 points. Despite that, Democrats desperately need to make the race competitive.
26.2.20
Judge should resign, but for correct reason
If Republican 23rd Judicial District
Judge Jessie Leblanc goes, it shouldn’t happen for the virtue-signaling reason
stated by Democrat Gov. John Bel Edwards.
Controversy has swirled about Leblanc since she assumed office in 2013, first winning a special election and then gaining a full term in 2014. The daughter of longtime former Ascension Parish Assessor Gerald McCrory, she clashed on several occasions with District Attorney Ricky Babin over a number of issues, perhaps the most visible being a public corruption case involving St. James Parish officials from which she eventually recused herself after Babin accused her of bias.
But things became really interesting when late last year she recused herself from signing a warrant related to a very minor case. Like pulling a loose string, since then it has unraveled in titillating and disappointing ways that could prove costly to taxpayers.
Controversy has swirled about Leblanc since she assumed office in 2013, first winning a special election and then gaining a full term in 2014. The daughter of longtime former Ascension Parish Assessor Gerald McCrory, she clashed on several occasions with District Attorney Ricky Babin over a number of issues, perhaps the most visible being a public corruption case involving St. James Parish officials from which she eventually recused herself after Babin accused her of bias.
But things became really interesting when late last year she recused herself from signing a warrant related to a very minor case. Like pulling a loose string, since then it has unraveled in titillating and disappointing ways that could prove costly to taxpayers.
25.2.20
Dardenne denies politics to serve that agenda
Whiny Jay Dardenne still
wants us to believe that there should be no politics in administration but that
the political opponents of his boss Democrat Gov. John Bel Edwards put
it there – even as his own assertion demonstrates the opposite.
Louisiana’s Commissioner of Administration got the ball rolling on this theme last month when he moaned about all the other members of the state’s Revenue Estimating Conference not following revenue recommendations from either of the two economists making forecasts. The net effect disallowed increased spending by state government.
Dardenne claimed this meant “politics” interfered with the prediction process, to be avoided in his view only when policy-makers elected and appointed unquestioningly ratified the estimates. This idea, of course, misses the obvious desire by policy-makers and the people to include political judgment in the process; otherwise, they wouldn’t have amended into the Constitution the need for unanimous policy-maker concurrence over the Dardenne doctrine of convenience regarding government by unelected experts.
Louisiana’s Commissioner of Administration got the ball rolling on this theme last month when he moaned about all the other members of the state’s Revenue Estimating Conference not following revenue recommendations from either of the two economists making forecasts. The net effect disallowed increased spending by state government.
Dardenne claimed this meant “politics” interfered with the prediction process, to be avoided in his view only when policy-makers elected and appointed unquestioningly ratified the estimates. This idea, of course, misses the obvious desire by policy-makers and the people to include political judgment in the process; otherwise, they wouldn’t have amended into the Constitution the need for unanimous policy-maker concurrence over the Dardenne doctrine of convenience regarding government by unelected experts.
24.2.20
Skepticism of LA higher education warranted
It’s not so much the ignorance behind the belief as
that the belief exists in the first place, and so fervently in so many quarters
that discredits higher education, especially in the eyes of the Louisiana citizenry.
Last week, Southern University Baton Rouge political science professor Albert Samuels presented a talk at the school’s version of “free speech alley.” It was entitled “The Moment We Have Feared is Upon Us: Why the 2020 Election May Be Democracy's Last Stand in America.”
A brief story about the upcoming event appeared in the Baton Rouge Advocate, with no follow. Southern’s student newspaper the Southern Digest won’t appear until Feb. 25, regardless of whether it covered it. The flyer promoting it featured pictures of Republican Pres. Donald Trump, Adolf Hitler, and the flag of the Soviet Union.
Last week, Southern University Baton Rouge political science professor Albert Samuels presented a talk at the school’s version of “free speech alley.” It was entitled “The Moment We Have Feared is Upon Us: Why the 2020 Election May Be Democracy's Last Stand in America.”
A brief story about the upcoming event appeared in the Baton Rouge Advocate, with no follow. Southern’s student newspaper the Southern Digest won’t appear until Feb. 25, regardless of whether it covered it. The flyer promoting it featured pictures of Republican Pres. Donald Trump, Adolf Hitler, and the flag of the Soviet Union.
21.2.20
The Inquisitor column, Feb. 21, 2020
State should promote safer horse racing conditions
https://www.theinquisitor.com/columns-opinions/state-should-promote-safer-horse-racing-conditions
Links:
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-horseracing-legislation/drug-reform-in-u-s-horse-racing-faces-obstacles-idUSKBN1X9222
https://www.paulickreport.com/news/ray-s-paddock/commentary-the-performance-enhancing-effects-of-lasix/
https://www.npr.org/2019/06/05/729344390/should-racehorses-be-medicated
https://www.theracingbiz.com/2020/01/28/sides-spar-in-horseracing-integrity-act-hearing/
https://www.paulickreport.com/news/ray-s-paddock/time-for-talk-is-done-congress-hears-debate-over-horseracing-integrity-act/
https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/churchill-downs-executive-addresses-surge-horse-deaths-68587841
https://www.ktbs.com/news/horses-die-at-arklatex-race-tracks/article_a53c7572-51df-11ea-a083-4f9e442de179.html
https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn7941-95-of-thoroughbreds-linked-to-one-superstud/
https://www.paulickreport.com/news/the-biz/coalition-representing-major-u-s-tracks-announces-lasix-ban-for-2-year-old-races-then-stakes/
http://horseracing.louisiana.gov/documents/LARulesofRacingBookNovember2019Update.pdf
https://www.theinquisitor.com/columns-opinions/state-should-promote-safer-horse-racing-conditions
Links:
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-horseracing-legislation/drug-reform-in-u-s-horse-racing-faces-obstacles-idUSKBN1X9222
https://www.paulickreport.com/news/ray-s-paddock/commentary-the-performance-enhancing-effects-of-lasix/
https://www.npr.org/2019/06/05/729344390/should-racehorses-be-medicated
https://www.theracingbiz.com/2020/01/28/sides-spar-in-horseracing-integrity-act-hearing/
https://www.paulickreport.com/news/ray-s-paddock/time-for-talk-is-done-congress-hears-debate-over-horseracing-integrity-act/
https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/churchill-downs-executive-addresses-surge-horse-deaths-68587841
https://www.ktbs.com/news/horses-die-at-arklatex-race-tracks/article_a53c7572-51df-11ea-a083-4f9e442de179.html
https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn7941-95-of-thoroughbreds-linked-to-one-superstud/
https://www.paulickreport.com/news/the-biz/coalition-representing-major-u-s-tracks-announces-lasix-ban-for-2-year-old-races-then-stakes/
http://horseracing.louisiana.gov/documents/LARulesofRacingBookNovember2019Update.pdf
20.2.20
Cassidy reelection to extend GOP dominance
Welcome to the norm in Louisiana U.S. Senate
elections as the state transitions fully into Republican majority-party rule.
This week, Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy announced his entirely expected reelection bid for this fall. So far, he has but one announced opponent, a Democrat with little name recognition and few resources.
Possibly a bigger name among Democrats could enter, but even among the party’s most prominent politicians none likely could come within 10 points of Cassidy in the general election. Simply and especially because national issues come into play in consideration of this seat, no state Democrat is close enough to the median center-right voter in Louisiana on the entire scope of issues to triumph against a solid conservative like Cassidy (American Conservative Union rating voting score: 83).
This week, Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy announced his entirely expected reelection bid for this fall. So far, he has but one announced opponent, a Democrat with little name recognition and few resources.
Possibly a bigger name among Democrats could enter, but even among the party’s most prominent politicians none likely could come within 10 points of Cassidy in the general election. Simply and especially because national issues come into play in consideration of this seat, no state Democrat is close enough to the median center-right voter in Louisiana on the entire scope of issues to triumph against a solid conservative like Cassidy (American Conservative Union rating voting score: 83).
19.2.20
No permit good for LA concealed carry
There’s no reason to oppose having Louisiana joining
the 16 states at present that allow carrying of concealed
handguns without having to go through a permitting process.
HB 72 by Republican state Rep. Danny McCormick would eliminate the need to qualify and pay for costs associated with a permit, making where allowed by law concealed carry legal for any legal state resident with a handgun legally obtained unless they don’t meet a long list of conditions associated with prior criminal behavior, mental instability, certain discharges from the armed forces, or drug use, or who have violated federal guns laws. It would eliminate the education requirement or a display of firearm competency, or an application statement vouching that training has occurred and that the applicant is not ineligible for the permit by virtue of one of the legally disqualifying conditions..
McCormick calls the fees connected with obtaining an existing permit a tax triggered merely by concealing the weapon. If carried openly, no permit or fee is necessary. He argues that the state shouldn’t put unnecessary impediments in the way of exercising a constitutional right.
HB 72 by Republican state Rep. Danny McCormick would eliminate the need to qualify and pay for costs associated with a permit, making where allowed by law concealed carry legal for any legal state resident with a handgun legally obtained unless they don’t meet a long list of conditions associated with prior criminal behavior, mental instability, certain discharges from the armed forces, or drug use, or who have violated federal guns laws. It would eliminate the education requirement or a display of firearm competency, or an application statement vouching that training has occurred and that the applicant is not ineligible for the permit by virtue of one of the legally disqualifying conditions..
McCormick calls the fees connected with obtaining an existing permit a tax triggered merely by concealing the weapon. If carried openly, no permit or fee is necessary. He argues that the state shouldn’t put unnecessary impediments in the way of exercising a constitutional right.
18.2.20
LA budget contains intriguing storylines
Earlier this month, Louisiana mainstream media
covered the release
of the state’s faux executive budget by Democrat Gov. John Bel Edwards. Lots of surface
details emerged, but they all glossed over, if not missed entirely, the deeper
and more substantive stories.
Primary among these in the pretend budget – a sham because it contained revenues unrecognized by the state’s panel empowered to do so, the Revenue Estimating Conference – was without its fake revenue Edwards essentially couldn’t make any new spending commitments. The reason: Medicaid expansion expenses are eating the state out of house and home, despite over $300 million in tax increases for the program Edwards falsely alleged would save the state money.
Other consequences followed. You couldn’t swing a dead cat during last year’s gubernatorial campaign without Edwards pledging to raise salaries for educators, but even with the unauthorized money included his spending plan had no room for these. With a half-normal-sized increase in the Minimum Foundation Program Edwards suggested districts individually approve raises with that bounty.
Primary among these in the pretend budget – a sham because it contained revenues unrecognized by the state’s panel empowered to do so, the Revenue Estimating Conference – was without its fake revenue Edwards essentially couldn’t make any new spending commitments. The reason: Medicaid expansion expenses are eating the state out of house and home, despite over $300 million in tax increases for the program Edwards falsely alleged would save the state money.
Other consequences followed. You couldn’t swing a dead cat during last year’s gubernatorial campaign without Edwards pledging to raise salaries for educators, but even with the unauthorized money included his spending plan had no room for these. With a half-normal-sized increase in the Minimum Foundation Program Edwards suggested districts individually approve raises with that bounty.
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