A political blunder?

Throughout the eight years of Bobby Jindal’s reign of terror, our esteemed legislators seemed to be missing a part of their anatomy, a spine.  They approved almost without exception any action Jindal desired, but near the end of Bobby’s tenure blamed the present budgetary mess totally on him.  It was as though our Republican legislators assumed they had no responsibility for contributing to the disaster that now exists in our fine state.

Apparently they were very successful in this approach because they persuaded most of Louisiana’s voters to elect them yet again.

However, it appears that our Louisiana legislators may not be the astute politicians that they think they are, for they may have recently committed a blunder that will change the playing field dramatically.  By refusing to grant the new governor’s request for a Democratic Speaker of the House, insisting instead that a Republican controlled House should have a Republican at its helm, they can no longer hide behind the skirts of the Democratic governor. 

In Louisiana all revenue generating bills originate in the House, and the Speaker controls which ones will be voted upon.  Once sanctioned in the House, these bills move to the Senate for approval, or modification.  The Senate just recently selected the 11 term Republican John Alario to handle that action.

Now we could assume that both Speaker selections are positive signs that the legislature has finally decided to take over the controls and right the ship.  However, since the crew is mostly the same as before and I haven’t seen any media stories indicating that they have received “spine implants,” I’m assuming the legislative leader selections were a political blunder on the part of our Republican legislators.

Their actions, contrary to their wishes, now forces Jindal’s minions to be held totally responsible for almost all that happens in Baton Rouge these next four years, including any further cuts to health care and education, or tax increases.  Did they really intend that to happen?  

Business as Usual-Let’s Hope Not

If there is any doubt about whether or not Louisiana is capable in moving in a new direction regarding the fiscal management of this state, the legislative blind siding of the new governor before he was even sworn in removed all doubt.

Instead of giving Edwards the point man he chose to lead the House, legislators decided to cave into the business lobbyists and outside affiliates most responsible for the present budgetary mess and elect a Republican, Taylor Barras, from New Iberia.  Their excuse was that a Republican majority in the House should have a Republican speaker.  However, this was not the same logic espoused when Bobby Jindal took office.  The Democrats were in the majority in the House, but Bobby wanted a Republican speaker.  He was granted that courtesy by the Democrats. 

The Democrats were subsequently voted out, and lost their majority in the House, followed by the implementation of Republican fiscal policies for 8 years,  ultimately resulting  in possibly the worst state financial crisis in its history.

Edwards has pledge to straighten out the fiscal mess in our state and develop realistic, stable funding sources for the budget.  To accomplish this he will need bipartisan cooperation in the legislature.  A legislature that, thanks to voter apathy, contains most of the same individuals responsible for the creation of the state’s present budget crisis.

In the House legislators thwarted Governor Edward’s request, and the Senate has once again selected Senator John Alario as its Speaker, a 44 year member of the legislature who supported Jindal’s policies and stifled any attempts to reduce some of the tax giveaways offered by our state.

Speakers of the legislative branches are crucial positions for implementing changes in governing, for these individuals appoint the various committee chairpersons and decide which legislative bills will be put to a vote.

As we start the new year, the selection of these Speakers gives me trepidation that “business as usual” will once again be the motto for Louisiana.

More offensive elements in New Orleans

While the Mayor of New Orleans and some of its more vocal citizens may be basking in success regarding the City Council’s vote to remove the statues and monuments that pay homage to members of the Confederacy, one has to wonder when these same individuals are going to demand that Mayor Landrieu and crew make some real changes to address the entire crime panorama in the city.

We are already aware of the out-of-control crime that exists within the walls of the city, but recent media reports now indicate that the police department can’t even realistically respond to 911 calls for help.

Tracking data indicated that in 2011 the average response time was 15 minutes. Mayor Landrieu’s response to these findings was, “This is unacceptable and we are putting plans into effect to deal with the problem.”  If this response sounds familiar, it should, for this is the pat statement always uttered when the media points out some of the tragic realities which exist in “the city that care forgot.”

Apparently Landrieu and the city council along with his chief-of-police have no clue how to “deal with the problem” because a more recent study of 911 response times indicates that 73 minutes is the new average norm for 2015.   The police chief’s response to these latest dismal stats was his usual, not enough officers.  However, neighboring Jefferson Parish has approximately 200 fewer officers and their average 911 response times are under 5 minutes, and they are responding to more calls.

Additionally, New Orleans 911 response times seems to vary by where you live.  If you happen to reside in the more affluent parts of the city like Uptown and some sections of Mid-city, 911 response times are less than for those residing in New Orleans East and Gentilly.

The New Orleans police chief is concerned that the reporting of such stats is extremely beneficial to the criminal element in the city and would prefer them not to be released.  I doubt that those relying on the police force to provide protection would agree with such logic.

If some  residents of New Orleans found the memorials to the Confederacy offensive and demanded their removal, perhaps it’s time for all the citizens of New Orleans to consider other offensive elements in the city that need removal, namely those individuals incapable of developing a strategic plan to provide an effective protective service for its residents. 

Mayor Landriue's choosen legacy

As Mayor Landrieu enters his final term he probably decided it was time to define his legacy for the city of New Orleans. Since he realized he had done little to solve the homeless problem, repair the decaying city infrastructures, reduce blight left by hurricane Katrina in New Orleans East, reduce the level of city poverty, or put a dent in the city’s crime rate, he found his saving grace with the removal of the city’s historical Confederacy monuments. 

Their removal will indeed serve as his legacy, but do nothing to solve the continuing humanistic problems plaguing its residents. Some supporting the removal process have proclaimed that the statues removal will benefit the African-America youth in the city.

Such action will do NOTHING  to stop the needless murder of these youth which continues to plague the city.   Glad I left.  Congratulations Mr. Mayor!

Jindal’s first stop on his magical mystery tour

Jindal’s first stop on his magical mystery tour

Governor Bobby Jindal signed legislation in 2012 allowing the state to pay tuition for certain public school students who transfer to religious and independent schools. The law enacting the Louisiana School Voucher Program passed with considerable bipartisan support. The program is available to students statewide in grades K through 12 who are enrolled in a public school that received a state letter grade of C, D, or F under the state’s school accountability program.  Eligible students also need to reside in a family with an annual income which does not exceed 250% of the federal poverty level.  At the time of passage that level was equivalent to $57,625 for a family of four. 

Tuesday, as part of Jindal’s whirlwind tour of our state to enlighten its residents about the fine job he has done during his eight year reign, he visited with parents in New Orleans who have taken advantage of the voucher program.  While they repeatedly praised the merits of this taxpayers’ funded program, the school Jindal chose to visit in New Orleans was a perfect example of why the program needs to be reigned-in.

According to media reports, the school’s K through 4 enrollment is 80 students with 63 of them on taxpayers’ money through vouchers.  Would this school even exist if not for the voucher funded students?  Our esteemed legislators claim it was never the intent of the voucher program to almost totally fund a private school’s operating budget with taxpayers’ money.   Obviously, that claim is yet another falsehood perpetuated by this group, for many other examples exist indicating Louisiana is now in the business of funding private schools at the expense of public schools.

One has to wonder if the strain of Jindal’s recent bid for president has taken a toll on his mental faculties.  Why would he showcase a school which is a perfect example of why the voucher system should be restricted or completely curtailed?  Does Jindal operate from such an ego maniac persona that he doesn’t even realize that in his attempt to showcase one of his signature programs, he provided great fodder for those wishing to eliminate the voucher program altogether?   Way to go Bobby!  I can’t wait to see the rest of your tour.