Looks like a little counting of coup has broken out
concerning Louisiana’s top two newspapers over Prisoner #03128-095, now known as
Democrat former Gov. Edwin
Edwards.
Next week he will celebrate his 90th
birthday, and a number of overenthusiastic well-wishers will pony up big bucks
to honor him. Headlined by admirer-in-chief Democrat Gov. John Bel Edwards,
donors include John Georges, former Democrat candidate for New Orleans mayor
and no-party candidate for governor who now owns The Baton Rouge Advocate.
This raised
the hackles of New Orleans
Times-Picayune/NOLA.com columnist Tim Morris, who wondered why a sitting
governor should laud a convicted predecessor. He also questioned Georges’
explanation of his link the event, as Georges said he personally paid for his
portion but put the newspaper’s name on it to generate publicity, and
understood it was a charity event. Morris noted the prominence of The Advocate’s logo on the official website for the occasion, and that the
event appeared to support no identified charitable purpose.
2.8.17
Defunding superior option to Cassidy overhaul
Another attempt, another stalled action to pare the
bad aspects of the misnamed Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”).
Where does that leave Louisianans and what does Sen. Bill Cassidy have to offer
about this?
As to the first question, if you’re a more productive member of society, in a bad place. Keep in mind the law does little to improve health care access for the population as a whole, mainly achieving dramatic wealth redistribution. For Louisianans, health care insurance premiums for Affordable Care Act-compliant plans have increased on average between 10 percent to 20 percent in 2015; 6 percent to 30 percent in 2016; 23 percent to 41 percent in 2017; and scheduled for 2018 in a range from 12 percent to 36 percent.
In other words, in the worst of all scenarios, the law has helped triple non-group rates in Louisiana. Nationally, the average increase from 2013 to 2017 was 60 percent, well beyond the pace of medical inflation.
As to the first question, if you’re a more productive member of society, in a bad place. Keep in mind the law does little to improve health care access for the population as a whole, mainly achieving dramatic wealth redistribution. For Louisianans, health care insurance premiums for Affordable Care Act-compliant plans have increased on average between 10 percent to 20 percent in 2015; 6 percent to 30 percent in 2016; 23 percent to 41 percent in 2017; and scheduled for 2018 in a range from 12 percent to 36 percent.
In other words, in the worst of all scenarios, the law has helped triple non-group rates in Louisiana. Nationally, the average increase from 2013 to 2017 was 60 percent, well beyond the pace of medical inflation.
1.8.17
Offer shows merit of Shreveport water privatization
Maybe Shreveport should take a quick peek around
the horse’s mouth on a deal that saves it hundreds of millions of dollars, and
take this very seriously.
A local lawyer representing SUEZ’s North American operations pitched an idea to city government that the company would buy Shreveport’s water and sewerage operations for $508 million. SUEZ, a French corporation that also deals in environmental and energy matters, contracts for operation in or outright owns and runs about 100 municipal systems in America, making it the second largest firm doing that.
A deal like this would create a windfall for the city. Recent years have seen dramatic rate hikes endured by Shreveport consumers to pay for hundreds of millions of dollars in improvements mandated by the federal government. Not only would this relieve the city of this burden, it also could save money by Shreveport not having to run water and sewerage operations and this puts a lot of money into its coffers for other capital improvement needs.
A local lawyer representing SUEZ’s North American operations pitched an idea to city government that the company would buy Shreveport’s water and sewerage operations for $508 million. SUEZ, a French corporation that also deals in environmental and energy matters, contracts for operation in or outright owns and runs about 100 municipal systems in America, making it the second largest firm doing that.
A deal like this would create a windfall for the city. Recent years have seen dramatic rate hikes endured by Shreveport consumers to pay for hundreds of millions of dollars in improvements mandated by the federal government. Not only would this relieve the city of this burden, it also could save money by Shreveport not having to run water and sewerage operations and this puts a lot of money into its coffers for other capital improvement needs.
31.7.17
Raising minimum wage subverts intended purpose
An outstanding argument against raising the minimum
wage was delivered by one of its recipients, underscoring that this increase should
not happen in Louisiana.
The Advocate recently asked Gov. John Bel Edwards about whether he still champions the idea of the state adopting a law moving Louisiana higher than the federal level of $7.25 an hour. Through a spokesman, he confirmed he did.
For the story’s introductory material, it gave comments rendered by a woman who apparently once had worked for some time at minimum wage. At age 27, she had two children and tried to go to community college while working at that wage. She eventually had to quit attending and picked up an additional job. Apparently, she has moved on to a more prosperous station in life since.
The Advocate recently asked Gov. John Bel Edwards about whether he still champions the idea of the state adopting a law moving Louisiana higher than the federal level of $7.25 an hour. Through a spokesman, he confirmed he did.
For the story’s introductory material, it gave comments rendered by a woman who apparently once had worked for some time at minimum wage. At age 27, she had two children and tried to go to community college while working at that wage. She eventually had to quit attending and picked up an additional job. Apparently, she has moved on to a more prosperous station in life since.
30.7.17
The Advocate column, Jul. 30, 2017
If Louisiana politicians don't halt nursing home gravy train, they should at least do this...
http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/opinion/jeff_sadow/article_769e012a-7228-11e7-ab6a-0f56831240d8.html
Links:
http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/courts/article_9518b0fa-6b34-11e7-ab6c-4b0bce7c17f6.html
http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/legislature/article_b399f0dc-14ce-11e7-be73-9307a966036f.html
http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/legislature/article_b399f0dc-14ce-11e7-be73-9307a966036f.html
http://new.dhh.louisiana.gov/assets/medicaid/AnnualReports/MAR_SFY2014_15.pdf
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/fpc/rcworkgroup/071316doc1.pdf
http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/opinion/jeff_sadow/article_769e012a-7228-11e7-ab6a-0f56831240d8.html
Links:
http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/courts/article_9518b0fa-6b34-11e7-ab6c-4b0bce7c17f6.html
http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/legislature/article_b399f0dc-14ce-11e7-be73-9307a966036f.html
http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/legislature/article_b399f0dc-14ce-11e7-be73-9307a966036f.html
http://new.dhh.louisiana.gov/assets/medicaid/AnnualReports/MAR_SFY2014_15.pdf
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/fpc/rcworkgroup/071316doc1.pdf
27.7.17
Dense LA reporter feeds distrust of media
If the attitudes expressed by the Monroe
News-Star’s/USA TODAY Network’s Greg Hilburn stand in for those generally of
the media, then it’s no surprise why the election and presidency of Pres. Donald Trump
and the actions of the Republican legislative majorities in Louisiana flummox
them.
Only the Gannett folks thought it newsworthy enough to report about the election of state Rep. Tony Bacala as vice chairman of the Republican Legislative Delegation. Undoubtedly Bacala rose to prominence for his proposals to restrain inefficient government spending, such as bills asking for minimal Medicaid patient responsibility and ending the counterproductive Earned Income Tax credit, and other measures like eliminating vacancies in state government to capture the savings.
Conservative policy prescriptions like these resonate with large minorities, if not with majorities, in Louisiana’s center-right electorate. But not to Hilburn, who characterized Bacala’s ascension as “tightening the far right's grip on the lower chamber.” One wonders if there’s some swastika tattooed on Bacala’s somewhat glabrous pate about which only Hilburn knows, or perhaps he has seen Bacala flash some alt-right signs or gear that has escaped everybody else, to explain how he could write something so opinionated in a news story.
Only the Gannett folks thought it newsworthy enough to report about the election of state Rep. Tony Bacala as vice chairman of the Republican Legislative Delegation. Undoubtedly Bacala rose to prominence for his proposals to restrain inefficient government spending, such as bills asking for minimal Medicaid patient responsibility and ending the counterproductive Earned Income Tax credit, and other measures like eliminating vacancies in state government to capture the savings.
Conservative policy prescriptions like these resonate with large minorities, if not with majorities, in Louisiana’s center-right electorate. But not to Hilburn, who characterized Bacala’s ascension as “tightening the far right's grip on the lower chamber.” One wonders if there’s some swastika tattooed on Bacala’s somewhat glabrous pate about which only Hilburn knows, or perhaps he has seen Bacala flash some alt-right signs or gear that has escaped everybody else, to explain how he could write something so opinionated in a news story.
26.7.17
Tax filing law culls inferior LA candidates
It turns out that a change made in recent years to qualifications
for Louisiana elected office has brought a welcome order of natural selection
for potential policy-makers.
Act 827 of 2010 amended R.S. 18:463 so that for all state and local candidates for office that for each of the previous five tax years, they must have filed his federal and state income tax returns, or filed for an extension of time for filing either federal or state income tax returns or both, or were not required to file either a federal or state income tax return or both. And, every election cycle, this requirement that candidates follow the law regarding their financial reporting to government trips up candidates.
Upcoming New Orleans municipal election have proven no different, if not exceptionally fertile, in this regard. No fewer than half a dozen face some kind of suit over that provision with one already ruled disqualified as a result.
Act 827 of 2010 amended R.S. 18:463 so that for all state and local candidates for office that for each of the previous five tax years, they must have filed his federal and state income tax returns, or filed for an extension of time for filing either federal or state income tax returns or both, or were not required to file either a federal or state income tax return or both. And, every election cycle, this requirement that candidates follow the law regarding their financial reporting to government trips up candidates.
Upcoming New Orleans municipal election have proven no different, if not exceptionally fertile, in this regard. No fewer than half a dozen face some kind of suit over that provision with one already ruled disqualified as a result.
25.7.17
Flood insurance privatization could save LA much
Louisiana’s members of Congress plus its state government
can work together to prevent huge taxpayer bailouts for flooding losses while
keeping premium costs reasonable.
For almost half a century the government-backed National Flood Insurance Program has dominated the flood casualty industry, which has affected no state more than Louisiana. A fifth of all losses have occurred in it, with a third of all payouts made to it.
Still, flooding in north Louisiana almost 18 months ago and around Baton Rouge about a year ago caught out a large number of properties without the insurance, adding billions more in costs to taxpayers on top of the roughly $25 billion debt the program owes. Dealing with that insolvency, which would force state regulators to close any company with that imbalance in the private sector, has become a major part of reform attempts in 2012, 2014, and in proposed legislation addressing the end of the program’s current authorization at the end of September.
For almost half a century the government-backed National Flood Insurance Program has dominated the flood casualty industry, which has affected no state more than Louisiana. A fifth of all losses have occurred in it, with a third of all payouts made to it.
Still, flooding in north Louisiana almost 18 months ago and around Baton Rouge about a year ago caught out a large number of properties without the insurance, adding billions more in costs to taxpayers on top of the roughly $25 billion debt the program owes. Dealing with that insolvency, which would force state regulators to close any company with that imbalance in the private sector, has become a major part of reform attempts in 2012, 2014, and in proposed legislation addressing the end of the program’s current authorization at the end of September.
24.7.17
Onus on Edwards to depoliticize police panel
Democrat Gov. John Bel Edwards found relief from a
minor embarrassment that appears not so cut and dried an indictment against the
quality of his leadership.
Last week Calvin Braxton, Sr. resigned from the Louisiana State Police Commission, after allegations he tried to exert influence over state troopers. The SPC acts as the body overseeing state police personnel, organized as a civil service separate from other classified state civil service employees.
A television station investigation said, beginning right before Edwards’ inauguration, he attempted to pressure troopers by making them aware of his status on the SPC. Among other things, it hears disputes over aspects of employment, meaning that a member represents one of seven votes that could discipline or discharge a sworn Department of Public Safety employee.
Last week Calvin Braxton, Sr. resigned from the Louisiana State Police Commission, after allegations he tried to exert influence over state troopers. The SPC acts as the body overseeing state police personnel, organized as a civil service separate from other classified state civil service employees.
A television station investigation said, beginning right before Edwards’ inauguration, he attempted to pressure troopers by making them aware of his status on the SPC. Among other things, it hears disputes over aspects of employment, meaning that a member represents one of seven votes that could discipline or discharge a sworn Department of Public Safety employee.
23.7.17
The Advocate column, Jul. 23, 2017
Louisiana officials should avoid 'playing politics' and cooperate with voter fraud probe
http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/opinion/jeff_sadow/article_d20c1070-6cb9-11e7-996b-4ba08a38469e.html
http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/opinion/jeff_sadow/article_d20c1070-6cb9-11e7-996b-4ba08a38469e.html
Links:
http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/elections/article_453c7736-601e-11e7-b7ec-9391c8cf59cd.html
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/07/06/why-louisiana-is-refusing-to-hand-over-voter-registration-data-to-trumps-election-probe/
https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/whitehouse.gov/files/docs/information-requests-to-states-06282017.pdf
http://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=81488
http://www.justfactsdaily.com/politifact-deceptive-report-on-illegal-voting-by-non-citizens/
http://www.heritage.org/election-integrity/commentary/do-illegal-votes-decide-elections
http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/elections/article_453c7736-601e-11e7-b7ec-9391c8cf59cd.html
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/07/06/why-louisiana-is-refusing-to-hand-over-voter-registration-data-to-trumps-election-probe/
https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/whitehouse.gov/files/docs/information-requests-to-states-06282017.pdf
http://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=81488
http://www.justfactsdaily.com/politifact-deceptive-report-on-illegal-voting-by-non-citizens/
http://www.heritage.org/election-integrity/commentary/do-illegal-votes-decide-elections
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