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Louisiana Lege in action

For years the leges have complained that the state constitution “tied their hands” and gave the governor of Louisiana too much power.

For decades (Under the 1921 and 1974 State Constitutions) Louisiana governors have selected the leadership of both houses of the lege and thus controlled the committee chairmanships and membership.

Since 1972, there were only two exceptions. In 1976, in a rare show of lege independence, the House of Representatives bucked Governor Edwin Edwards and selected “Bubba” Henry as Speaker.

In 1988 Buddy Roemer selected Alan Bares as President of the Senate, but in 1990 the Senate revolted and voted Sammy Nunez as president for the remainder of the term.

Bobby Jindal’s anointment of Senator John Alario and Representative Chuck Kleckley as the leaders of their respective bodies isn’t because the constitution gives the governor that authority.

Alario is a lightening rod that has awakened the public to wherein the problem lies. It’s the lack of political courage by the leges.

In the 1940s, the New Orleans Item editorialized that the LA leges “have about as much independence as trained seals.” Since then, not much other than the names and faces has changed.

Thanks to the anointment of Alario, the truth is exposed and that is a good thing.

C.B.

1 CB 8:44 am

Team Jindal’s Jerseys

From Wednesday’s Times Picayune regarding Bobby Jindal’s anointment of Senator John Alario for Senate President and Representative Chuck Kleckley for Speaker of the House:

“An Alario-Kleckley match would establish geographical and ideological diversity, something Jindal has indicated is important in a Legislature where parochial interests are as important as partisan ones.”

Ideological diversity between two individuals who are both Republicans — Huh?

Perhaps the “Roads Scholar” will explain the diverse political ideologies of each.

C.B.

1 CB 8:00 am

The smoke filled-room

Rep. Joel Robideaux suddenly has concerns about Bobby Jindal, instead of the members of the House, choosing the Speaker of House. See his press release here.

I say suddenly because Robideaux had no problem when Jindal picked Robideaux as Speaker Pro Tempore (Number 2 person in the House of Representative.).

In his press release Robideaux admits to working with the governor to count the votes for Speaker. If Robideaux was so concerned about the governor’s interference, why did he feel the need to confer with the governor.

The sudden concern for law and order is no mystery. Robideaux’s new position on lege independence coincides with a report earlier today that Jindal has chosen Rep. Chuck Kleckley as the Speaker.

Robideaux is now choking on the smoke from the room from which he just exited.

C.B.

1 CB 6:47 pm