forgotston.com

Today, there was an editorial in the Baton Rouge paper and a column in the Lake Charles paper talking about
the efforts of Secretary of State Jay Dardenne to promote higher voter turnout in LA.

What was missing in both pieces and apparently in Dardenne’s plans to boost turnout was the ever-growing number
of elections and election dates in this state and how they play into voter apathy.

If one celebrated Valentines Day once a month, I doubt that it would have much meaning as it does by
celebrating once a year.

A major player in this voter apathy is the LA Lege. The leges have granted special legal authority to the presiding
officers of the House and Senate to call special elections to fill vacant seats in their respective bodies.

On February 24, there will be 3 elections to fill vacant House seats. Two of these races are in Caddo Parish
and one in St. Landry Parish. Then on March 10, there will be another special election to fill another lege seat
in New Orleans. On March 30, there is an election to fill vacancies in judgeships in Orleans and Jefferson
Parishes.

Is there any wonder that the voters don’t know when there is an election and have become apathetic about voting.

Proposed Solutions

Shortening the voting hours, while relieving the poll commissioners somewhat, will not increase turnout. Increasing
the pay of the commissioners will help the commissioners, but it won’t increase turnout.

In urban areas, if a person who lives within walking distance of a polling place chooses not to go vote, how will
putting voting machines in malls make them more likely to vote.

Solutions Not Proposed

There is a possible solution to the voter apathy which we don’t see being proposed.

Reduce the number of elections allowed each year to twice a year. Hold the elections in periods that do not conflict
with the summer malaise and holiday periods.

This suggestion will accomplish several things. 1) It provides dates certain for elections in LA for those who still
think their vote counts. 2) It reduces the costs of elections which can be passed on to the poll commissioners. 3) The
state would pay for both elections thus relieving local governments of these expenses.

If we are really serious about boosting voter turnout how about using a little common sense. The leges should start by
cleaning their houses.

C.B.

Uncategorized CB 8:00 am

Wednesday morning Governor Blanco addressed a meeting in New Orleans of the Reinsurance Association of America.

The governor said was that she thought the insurance industry was overreacting to the effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Then Blanco said: “There are many citizens in Louisiana who have been forced to let their insurance policies lapse,” she said, “and it’s strictly because the rates have risen so dramatically.” Associated Press, February 14, 2007. (emphasis mine)

Interesting that she would make these comments to reinsurers which, according to one insurance expert that I contacted, are companies that write no direct business and have virtually no influence over whether a direct writer decides to start doing business in the state.

Following the meeting this happened.

Liberty Mutual company won state regulators’ approval Wednesday for an increase in its rates on Louisiana policyholders by an average of 13 percent, affecting about 24,000 homeowners. Associated Press, February 14, 2007.

The “regulators” are the Louisiana Insurance Rating Commission. All of the members except one (Commissioner of Insurance) are appointed by Governor Blanco.

Is this a case of one hand not knowing what the other is doing or is Governor Blanco being a hypocrite?

C.B.

Uncategorized CB 8:00 am

In a recent story in the Baton Rouge paper is found the following comment about why less than 300 checks have been distributed by the contractor for Governor Blanco’s Road Home Program:

Pamela Patenaude, assistant secretary for community planning and development at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, offered one explanation, saying, “The ramp up time (for Road Home program administrator ICF International) to handle 100,000 applicants took some time.’’

What’s the factual basis for that statement? That’s like saying that the first step in a 10 mile walk takes longer than the first step in a 1 mile walk.

Ms. Patenaude’s statement is an excuse, not an explanation.

What LA residents need is less excuses and more solutions.

C.B.

Uncategorized CB 8:00 am