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.
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