forgotston.com

We’ve all seen the list of Bobby’s line-item vetoes of NGOs and local pork projects (”earmarks”) from the State Operating Budget (HB 1, 2008 R.S.).

Below you will find links to lists of what remains of the NGOs and local pork. There’s still over $40 Million of our tax dollars spent on such items. That’s more than Kathleen Blanco or Big Daddy allowed in their budgets.

Despite Bobby’s “criteria” for lege pork, there is no rhyme or reason for what he vetoed. The only consistency in the vetoed items is the inconsistency.

Thanks to State Treasury John Kennedy for making this information available. Nobody else in state government would.

Now, as Paul Harvey says, you know the rest of the story.

C.B.

ngos-after-vetoes1

ngos-after-vetoes2

For more details of the NGOs go here: http://www.legis.state.la.us/sif/sifssearch.aspx

1 CB 8:00 am

For months now we’ve heard non-stop whining by our leges about hard they work and how underpaid they are.

During the Regular Session, the hard-working leges watched an LSU baseball game during the College World Series which started at 1 PM. That was the same time both the House and Senate were beginning debate on the laws of our state. It must have been tough gulping down a $50 lunch (plus tax and tip) at Taco Bell courtesy of some lobbyist and getting back to the chamber in time for the first pitch.

The game was broadcast live on ESPN-2.

Not only do leges have televisions on their desks on the House and Senate floor but, obviously, they also have cable (or satellite paid for by you) to watch their favorite programs.

Full-time jobs

I’m happy the leges are fans of the Tigers. I’m one too. However, I watched the game on my own time. But, I digress.

Normally, I wouldn’t mind the leges taking a few hours out of the law-making process to catch a ballgame. However, that was when they were merely “part-time” public servants. Now, the leges claim they are entitled to “full-time pay” because they work “full-time.”

How many of you have an employer that allowed you to watch the game? How many have tvs provided by your employer on your desk at work? How many have employers who furnish you with cable or satellite for your tv at your desk?

C.B.

1 CB 9:50 am

The Saturday before the Regular Session ended, members of the House were in Baton Rouge patting themselves on the back and practicing lies to tell the “folks back home.” It was prior to their giving their final approval (102-0) to the bloated state budget (HB 1).

It was truly sickening to watch.

Errors of omission

The best political lies are those to which there is a grain of truth. Somehow, the politicians think it is not a lie to omit relevant facts from their rhetoric. “Bobby J” is a perfect example of such a politician.

When the leges come home, they will be making the obligatory appearances at the various civic clubs to tell you what they done FOR you. Of course, they will omit what they have done TO you.

Latest lie

Saturday’s lie is they cut the state budget by 13%. Here’s their story:

Rep. Chuck Kleckley, R-Lake Charles, called the budget an “unprecedented” cut in spending in the history of the state.

“I think that this is something we can be very, very proud of that we were able to reduce our government by this significant amount,” Kleckley said. Associated Press, June 21, 2009.

Here’s what they aren’t going to tell you:

Rep. Karen Carter Peterson said the $1 billion growth in spending of state tax dollars was what mattered, not federal aid.

“That’s an increase in 12 percent of the state general fund budget. I am not at all trying to diminish the work that was done,” said Peterson, D-New Orleans. “But you must return home with facts. You must not misstate the facts.” Associated Press, June 21, 2009.

“Spending cap” problems

The reduction in Federal funds was a result non-recurring Federal Funds as a result of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

The budget is so bloated that the leges are again getting dangerously close to the constitutional “spending cap.” Later in the year as more oil and gas revenues flow into the state treasury, the leges will have to bust the “cap” AGAIN to be able to spend all the extra state money.

NOTE: The “cap” would not have to be busted, if they simply gave the money back to us.

Accountability needed

Please don’t let these greedy, self-serving, wealthy politicians get away with omitting the facts when they come home to face the music for their obscene pay raise.

If the leges get away with this lie it’s on us. We must start holding our public servants accountable.

C.B.

1 CB 7:59 am