Memorial Day Monday, May 26 2008
Did House break own/Jindal rules? Thursday, May 22 2008
LA House Rule 11.6 provides, in part:
Any appropriation bill which, upon introduction, contains funding for an entity which is neither a budget unit nor a political subdivision of the state shall require the submission of information as required in this Rule. Emphasis mine.
On April 30, 2008, Governor Bobby Jindal wrote Rep. Hunter Greene, R-Baton Rouge, Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, regarding the criteria for approving funding for NGOs. Among the criteria was:
Must have the proper disclosure form published online prior to consideration for funding (consistent with information provided in the House disclosure form). Emphasis mine.
Capital Outlay budget passed
HB 2 of the 2008 Regular Session by Rep. Hunter Greene which appropriates millions for capital projects. It thus requires disclosure of NGOs according to the House Rules and Governor Jindal.
HB 2 passed the House last Thursday by a vote of 102 to 0. See vote here: http://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=489118
Forms not listed
When I went to the information posted on the lege website for NGOs, I could not find any information about the millions in bond funding.
Did the House violate it’s own rules? Did they suspend them?
Will Governor Jindal veto the millions in bond funding for these NGO projects?
C.B.
1 7:13 am
Jindal screws working people Wednesday, May 21 2008
Jindal giveth
On May 14, 2008, Governor Bobby Jindal said the following:
“This is real tax relief that working Louisianans will notice in their paychecks starting January 2009. The elimination of the Stelly Tax increase means over three hundred million dollars in lower taxes next year – more than a billion dollars in tax relief over the next five years - and more money in the hands of families who will do a better job spending their money than the government would. This is another example of just how much you can get done if you don’t care who gets the credit.” Emphasis mine.
Jindal taketh away
On May 20, 2008, the Daily Monopoly reportED the following:
The budget also does not account for a tax-cut bill that’s working its way through the Legislature. Senate Bill 87 would roll back the 2002 “Stelly Plan” income tax increases starting Jan. 1. Albrecht said the change would reduce revenue by $62 million next year, provided the state Department of Revenue changes the withholding tables so that workers get an immediate increase in take-home pay.
But [Commissioner of Administration Angele] Davis said the tax tables won’t be changed by then, meaning the bill won’t have any impact next year because most taxpayers won’t see a tax reduction until they file their returns in 2010.
Despite what Governor Jindal promised the working people, his Commissioner of Administration said their paychecks will NOT increase starting in January 2009.
If you are upset, call Governor Jindal at: 225-342-7015 or 866-366-1121 (Toll Free).
C.B.
1 8:00 am
