forgotston.com

The “Roads Scholar” was in Jefferson Parish on Wednesday regaling the citizens with his exploits.

According to a report by WVUE-TV in New Orleans ( story here), “The Roads Scholar” made the following pronouncements:

Governor Bobby Jindal said …that he will veto any tax increases lawmakers approve during the upcoming legislative session. (emphasis mine)

Jindal said he expects some lawmakers to try to raise taxes given the state’s money problems.

“The Scholar” really knows how to string words together. Unfortunately, they don’t always have much meaning.

Being a “conservative” “The Scholar” will certainly conserve a lot of ink in the veto pen as there will be no taxes to veto.

New taxes and tax increases are prohibited by the state constitution from even being considered, much less enacted, during the “upcoming legislative session.”

Taxes vs. fees

When it comes to extracting money from the citizens, “The Scholar”, apparently, differentiates between “taxes” and “fees” when it comes to raising money for state government.  As a practical matter, in Louisiana that is a difference with a distinction.

“The Scholar” opposes tax increases, but supports fee increases which CAN be raised in the upcoming legislative session.

For example, “The Scholar” supports the current increases in the cost of our driver’s license, college tuition and charges for use of the state parks and historic sites among other involuntary extractions from our wallets.

Suggestion

It would benefit The Scholar’s postgraduate education if between church services and fundraisers he would take a few minutes to skim through the Louisiana Constitution of 1974.

If he does, the next time he entertains us, he may actually enlighten us.

A tip of the hat to a member of the Crack Mullet Research Team who caught the comments.

C.B.

1 CB 8:00 am

According to the state constitution every citizen of Louisiana is entitled to have one person representing them in the Louisiana House of Representatives.

The LA Lege assigned me to House District 73. The person currently assigned to represent that district is State Representative Steve Pugh of Ponchatoula.

Adoption sought

For reasons only known to him, Mr. Pugh has abandoned me. I am now an orphaned citizen.

Therefore, I’m offering myself up for adoption by another member of the LA House of Representatives.

I’m a native-born, healthy, law-abiding, taxpaying, self-sufficient, self-employed, insured, duly registered voter of Louisiana who requires little for myself from state government. In the interest of full disclosure, I am educationally-challenge as a result of having graduated from the public schools of LA.

Situation desired

My needs in a lege willing to adopt are: 1) A willingness to allow me to express to them my thoughts about matters of state government. 2) A willingness and ability to acknowledge communications from me. 3) A willingness to occasionally provide specific information about our state government that is otherwise not available to me.

Gender, race, religious preference and political party affiliation of the adoptive representative is irrelevant.

Adoption temporary

My orphaned situation should only be temporary. The adoptive relationship will only be needed until Mr. Pugh can gerrymander me out of House District 73 or until the voters in the district replace him.

If you know of any member of the LA House of Representatives who currently is experiencing a shortfall of population in their district and has the courage to represent a citizen of Louisiana, please forward this message on to them.

Currently, I believe that there are some House districts with population shortfalls in New Orleans as well as in my native Northeast LA.

Confidentiality guaranteed

To avoid harassment by the other leges, I will agree to keep confidential the name of my adoptive representative.

Any adoption charges are subject to limitations imposed by the Campaign Finance Disclosure Act and Code of Governmental Ethics.

C.B.

1 CB 8:09 am

“I want you all to know that the [U.S. Education Arne Duncan] secretary told me privately that [LA Superintendent of Education Paul] Pastorek is probably one of the best superintendents in the nation,” U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu said. The Baton Sunday Advocate, March 7, 2010.

It makes one wonder what is Duncan’s basis for making that statement? Best paid? Best dressed?

It certainly has nothing to do with the quality of our education system which is consistently ranked last or next to last among the 50 states.

Frankly, I’d prefer one of the lesser superintendents whose public education system ranks at least in the top half of states.

Finally, if one wants a private comment to remain private, don’t tell Mary.

C.B.

1 CB 8:00 am