An old parable and an old aphorism explain why Louisiana
political offices tend to have fewer women occupying these than elsewhere.
This week, some discussions occurred about women winning
elective office. In both Livingston
Parish and next
parish over at Louisiana State University, groups convened to hash out why
it seemed women were underrepresented relative to other parts of the country
(or world) in office. It seems particularly odd as not only do women who
contest offices win at roughly the same rate as do men, but, in a study of
members of Congress, women
who did win more often, in terms of prior experience, competence,
integrity, and problem-solving abilities, seem to have more of these qualities
than do male candidates.
Additionally, among these congressional
candidates, it appeared that men slightly less qualified on these bases or as
qualified disproportionately defeated females, so (assuming the same applied to
candidacies at all levels) some kind of “penalty” intruded on the process. Some
of the investigation by the two panels mirrored the parable of blindfolded
people stationed at different parts of the elephant, then asked to describe
what they felt. Naturally, they came up with a whole host of speculations, all
true separately but none close to identify the beast.
13.3.19
St. George pretty much forgone conclusion
No May election date, no problem for the organizers
of the city of St. George. Although some might try to make its birth as messy
as possible.
Earlier this week, Democrat Gov. John Bel Edwards refused to certify the May 5 municipal election date for the incipient city that petitioners wish to form in southern East Baton Rouge Parish. While he tried to blame Republican Atty. Gen. Jeff Landry’s office for not offering assistance that previous holders of that office had supplied as causing the slowdown, Landry effectively rebutted that with a written demonstration on how little time and effort it would take to review the petition for completeness, which is all the law asks.
Delaying the vote also saves the parish money, as having a standalone election in only certain parts of the parish costs more than tucking in the item on a ballot already with other items. However, this departed from precedent in 2005, when a special election created Central. This was the only election in the parish despite one just weeks earlier that included most of the parish’s precincts.
Earlier this week, Democrat Gov. John Bel Edwards refused to certify the May 5 municipal election date for the incipient city that petitioners wish to form in southern East Baton Rouge Parish. While he tried to blame Republican Atty. Gen. Jeff Landry’s office for not offering assistance that previous holders of that office had supplied as causing the slowdown, Landry effectively rebutted that with a written demonstration on how little time and effort it would take to review the petition for completeness, which is all the law asks.
Delaying the vote also saves the parish money, as having a standalone election in only certain parts of the parish costs more than tucking in the item on a ballot already with other items. However, this departed from precedent in 2005, when a special election created Central. This was the only election in the parish despite one just weeks earlier that included most of the parish’s precincts.
12.3.19
LA correctly puts protection before privilege
A recent report
shows that Louisiana cares more about protecting constitutional rights than in
promoting privilege for certain groups.
Each year, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation and Equality Federation Institute team up to rate states on their friendliness to the groups’ agenda. Both advocate for laws that encourage acceptance of expressing homosexuality, even if that limits activity protected by the First Amendment.
With the majority of states, Louisiana scores low, but that shouldn’t surprise given the groups’ agenda. For example, the report faults states for having Religious Freedom Restoration Acts, which implement federal law that aids states in protecting First Amendment rights of their citizens. As many sincerely hold religious beliefs that see homosexual behavior as sinful, these acts protect exercise of that belief that doesn’t force adherents to endorse, by word or deed, expressions of homosexuality.
Each year, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation and Equality Federation Institute team up to rate states on their friendliness to the groups’ agenda. Both advocate for laws that encourage acceptance of expressing homosexuality, even if that limits activity protected by the First Amendment.
With the majority of states, Louisiana scores low, but that shouldn’t surprise given the groups’ agenda. For example, the report faults states for having Religious Freedom Restoration Acts, which implement federal law that aids states in protecting First Amendment rights of their citizens. As many sincerely hold religious beliefs that see homosexual behavior as sinful, these acts protect exercise of that belief that doesn’t force adherents to endorse, by word or deed, expressions of homosexuality.
11.3.19
Shreveport should swap recycling for garbage fee
How about a trade, Shreveport’s recycling fee for a
solid waste collection fee?
Shreveport’s City Council looks poised to set up procedures at tomorrow’s meeting to collect a garbage fee, after hashing out details at today’s work session. The proposed $7 a month will provide enough to provide most funding for the operation, which would go into an enterprise fund similar to that for water provision, and present an opportunity to give sanitation workers a pay raise.
Almost no cities of Shreveport’s size nationally don’t charge some kind of fee. In fact, the largest cities in Louisiana all charge more.
Shreveport’s City Council looks poised to set up procedures at tomorrow’s meeting to collect a garbage fee, after hashing out details at today’s work session. The proposed $7 a month will provide enough to provide most funding for the operation, which would go into an enterprise fund similar to that for water provision, and present an opportunity to give sanitation workers a pay raise.
Almost no cities of Shreveport’s size nationally don’t charge some kind of fee. In fact, the largest cities in Louisiana all charge more.
10.3.19
The Advocate column, Mar. 10, 2019
Medicaid expansion isn't going away, but GOP can reduce the financial bleed
Links:
https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/article_c4fd995e-3a16-11e9-a7ca-0fbb9a0545a9.html
http://ldh.la.gov/assets/HealthyLa/Resources/MdcdExpnAnnlRprt_2017_WEB.pdf
http://ldh.la.gov/assets/medicaid/forecast/May18ForecastReport.pdf
http://www.ldh.la.gov/healthyladashboard/
https://pelicaninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/PEL_MedicaidPaper_FINAL_WEB.pdf
https://www.watchdog.org/louisiana/louisiana-governor-faces-harsh-criticism-over-plan-to-target-elderly/article_443c3430-2d09-11e8-870e-2fbee5358480.html
https://www.mackinac.org/18434
https://www.cms.gov/Research-Statistics-Data-and-Systems/Research/ActuarialStudies/Downloads/MedicaidReport2017.pdf
Links:
https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/article_c4fd995e-3a16-11e9-a7ca-0fbb9a0545a9.html
http://ldh.la.gov/assets/HealthyLa/Resources/MdcdExpnAnnlRprt_2017_WEB.pdf
http://ldh.la.gov/assets/medicaid/forecast/May18ForecastReport.pdf
http://www.ldh.la.gov/healthyladashboard/
https://pelicaninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/PEL_MedicaidPaper_FINAL_WEB.pdf
https://www.watchdog.org/louisiana/louisiana-governor-faces-harsh-criticism-over-plan-to-target-elderly/article_443c3430-2d09-11e8-870e-2fbee5358480.html
https://www.mackinac.org/18434
https://www.cms.gov/Research-Statistics-Data-and-Systems/Research/ActuarialStudies/Downloads/MedicaidReport2017.pdf
8.3.19
Dardenne tries to fool again on budget
Over carrying out his statutory duties, Louisiana’s
Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne tried to
fool us once. He’s trying to do it again.
My most recent column for the Baton Rouge Advocate took Dardenne and his boss Gov. John Bel Edwards to task for technically breaking the law in their most recent presentation to the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget. Dardenne presented a budget using numbers concocted by economists for his office and for the Legislature, but which had not gained approval of the Revenue Estimating Conference.
The REC requires unanimity to assign revenue forecasts. One member, House Speaker Taylor Barras, has refused to change general fund estimates from those accepted at the Jun. 26, 2018 meeting, although he asked at the most recent meeting to revise numbers associated with dedicated funds, many of which have yet to receive an official forecast. Dardenne and the other two members rejected that.
My most recent column for the Baton Rouge Advocate took Dardenne and his boss Gov. John Bel Edwards to task for technically breaking the law in their most recent presentation to the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget. Dardenne presented a budget using numbers concocted by economists for his office and for the Legislature, but which had not gained approval of the Revenue Estimating Conference.
The REC requires unanimity to assign revenue forecasts. One member, House Speaker Taylor Barras, has refused to change general fund estimates from those accepted at the Jun. 26, 2018 meeting, although he asked at the most recent meeting to revise numbers associated with dedicated funds, many of which have yet to receive an official forecast. Dardenne and the other two members rejected that.
7.3.19
Raising smoking age will cost LA more
If Louisiana intends to raise the age of tobacco use and possession to 21, it needs to do it for the right reason.
Prefiled HB 38, by state Rep. Frank Hoffman, would do this, and includes alternative nicotine products including vaping material. A few states and a number of local governments already have put this limit into law.
The bill resurrects arguments pitting exercise of personal liberties against the state’s duty to protect its citizens. Already the prohibition applies to alcohol, and with the U.S. Supreme Court pontificating that states can’t automatically sentence to life imprisonment those under 18 who commit horrific crimes because their brains may not have developed enough to distinguish right and wrong in all instances, consistency dictates increasing the age.
5.3.19
Case reminds to pare constables, justices
With the West Bank’s dynamic duo now officially in
disgrace, maybe legislators will wake up and reform Louisiana’s small claims
court system.
Last week, a court found former Jefferson Parish Second District Justice of the Peace Patrick DeJean guilty of charges related to abusing his office. JPs provide numerous administrative functions in addition to adjudicating cases with minor amounts in controversy, for which they may receive fees. These convictions automatically cost him his position.
Whatever legitimate business DeJean had didn’t seem adequate for a gambling habit he had picked up, thus his crimes of overcharging revenues and falsely inflating expenses (Jefferson Parish, as do others throughout the state, supplement in various ways JPs and their office, although not legally required to do so). While not connected to those felonies, he had a partner in running up business, former Constable Tony Thomassie.
Last week, a court found former Jefferson Parish Second District Justice of the Peace Patrick DeJean guilty of charges related to abusing his office. JPs provide numerous administrative functions in addition to adjudicating cases with minor amounts in controversy, for which they may receive fees. These convictions automatically cost him his position.
Whatever legitimate business DeJean had didn’t seem adequate for a gambling habit he had picked up, thus his crimes of overcharging revenues and falsely inflating expenses (Jefferson Parish, as do others throughout the state, supplement in various ways JPs and their office, although not legally required to do so). While not connected to those felonies, he had a partner in running up business, former Constable Tony Thomassie.
4.3.19
Perkins surrenders his mayoral honeymoon
The honeymoon is over officially for wunderkind Shreveport’s Democrat Mayor Adrian Perkins.
Sworn in at the tail end of last year, the first city mayor born after its switch from the commission form of government and who hardly has lived any of his adult life in the city, the precocious Perkins swept into office on a perception that he offered a clean break from stagnation of the recent past. Citizens who saw city government as opaque and infested with cronyism in policy-making hoped he would bring fresh ideas and a fresh start.
Instead, in his first two months on the job, Perkins seemed like one of the good old boys who additionally believed the executive imposes and the legislature disposes. He hit a minor speed bump when he proposed a garbage fee to a public wary but open to the idea. Shreveport is among the very few larger cities that does not have such a charge.
Sworn in at the tail end of last year, the first city mayor born after its switch from the commission form of government and who hardly has lived any of his adult life in the city, the precocious Perkins swept into office on a perception that he offered a clean break from stagnation of the recent past. Citizens who saw city government as opaque and infested with cronyism in policy-making hoped he would bring fresh ideas and a fresh start.
Instead, in his first two months on the job, Perkins seemed like one of the good old boys who additionally believed the executive imposes and the legislature disposes. He hit a minor speed bump when he proposed a garbage fee to a public wary but open to the idea. Shreveport is among the very few larger cities that does not have such a charge.
3.3.19
The Advocate column, Mar. 3, 2019
Why does Gov. John Bel Edwards only follow the rules when they suit him?
Links:
https://jeffsadow.blogspot.com/2018/03/edwards-red-meat-case-losing-streak.html
http://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=96394
http://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=96362
http://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=206538
http://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=206526
https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/article_7dc2e624-36c0-11e9-906f-db2b37477b64.html
https://www.nola.com/politics/2019/02/louisiana-revenue-standoff-complicates-agency-budgets.html
https://www.doa.la.gov/opb/pub/FY20/Budget_Presentation_JLCB.pdf
http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Video/VideoArchivePlayer.aspx?v=house/2019/feb/0222_19_20JLCB
Links:
https://jeffsadow.blogspot.com/2018/03/edwards-red-meat-case-losing-streak.html
http://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=96394
http://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=96362
http://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=206538
http://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=206526
https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/article_7dc2e624-36c0-11e9-906f-db2b37477b64.html
https://www.nola.com/politics/2019/02/louisiana-revenue-standoff-complicates-agency-budgets.html
https://www.doa.la.gov/opb/pub/FY20/Budget_Presentation_JLCB.pdf
http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Video/VideoArchivePlayer.aspx?v=house/2019/feb/0222_19_20JLCB
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