Dear Friends:

When you receive this newsletter I will already be up in Baton Rouge, as the 2011 Regular Session of the Legislature opened on April 25. We adjourn on June 23, and we have important work to do, particularly concerning our state finances. Please take this opportunity to review the SURVEY that I have included in this newsletter. Please answer it and submit it to me as soon as possible. Your opinions, ideas, and input are extremely important to me.
This year we face a $1.6 billion shortfall in the state budget. There are only two ways to attack this problem: spending cuts or revenue increases. Governor Bobby Jindal has submitted his proposals for what the state should do in a $24.9 billion budget, details of which can be found at www.doa.louisiana.gov.
This Legislative Session is critically important because it will impact how we allocate scarce resources to provide important services to citiens. The Governor has suggested many changes, some of which will require the passage of Constitutional Amendments to be voted on later this year.
Here are some important areas for change:

State Government:
The Governor proposes that Louisiana sell some state prisons to private corporations. This would generate revenue, but would require that we pay the corporations to operate prisons into the future. It would also result in changes to the correctional system and could result in the loss of jobs for many state workers. Other budget recommendations involve laying off state workers, tuition increases, and privati ation of the Office of Group Benefits, which governs state employees’ health care benefits.

Taxes:
While the Governor has committed himself to not increasing taxes, he has further proposed reducing taxes by eliminating 4 cents of the state cigarette tax. However, a bill has been proposed to increase the tax on cigarettes to bring in more revenue to the state. Legislation concerning the suspension of some tax exemptions, including limiting the state income tax deduction for federal taxes paid, will also be proposed this session.

Education:

The Governor has proposed using money from the Millenium Trust Fund which is made up of settlement dollars from the Tobacco Settlement currently dedicated to Healthcare and Higher Education, to fund the TOPS program for eligible students. However, all Louisiana college students will be paying higher tuition, since the universities can now set their own tuition increases in exchange for accountability and other performance achievements. At the same time, a program to standardi e fees will result in higher costs for community college students attending school part-time. A merger of the University of New Orleans and Southern University in New Orleans has also been proposed.

Health and Human Services:

The Governor has proposed decreasing the number of mothers eligible for state help with daycare expenses while they work or attend classes. Proposed changes to the state system of providing medical care to the poor, and a privatization program for this care, will fall heavily on the poorest citi ens. And, the Governor proposes cutting funding for School Based Health Centers.

State Historic Tax Credits:
The current state program of Tax Credits for renovation of historic buildings expires December 31. Legislation is being offered to extend these credits so that projects like the Saenger Theatre renovation and other rehabilitation and economic development projects around the State can move forward.

Criminal Justice:
A bill has been introduced proposing that penalties be increased to maximum fines of $10,000 and 10 years imprisonment for those convicted of the crimes of human trafficking and trafficking of children for sexual purposes.

New Orleans BioDistrict:
New Orleans’ growth as a center for medical research and health care will be focused on the area surrounding the new state hospital, now under construction. A bill has been introduced to configure the board that will govern this New Orleans BioDistrict, and oversee economic development plans for the area. State funding and support is absolutely necessary for New Orleans to become nationally prominent in healthcare.

Monticello Canal:

In other news important to residents of New Orleans, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Sewerage and Water Board are using a hydraulic computer model to determine if the massive drainage projects on Claiborne Avenue will affect the Monticello Canal, which drains into the 17th Street Canal in the Hollygrove area. If flooding will likely result, the plans will be modified to improve the Monticello Canal and its flood walls.

Even though I will be extremely busy in Baton Rouge for the next several months, my legislative aide, Brenda Trammel, can always be reached at (504) 556-9970. You can also reach me on my cell phone at (504) 427-4344 or at the Capitol by calling (225) 342-6945 or via e-mail at legerw@legis.state.la.us. I continue to be truly honored to represent you in the Louisiana Legislature and appreciate your taking the time to respond to the attached survey.

Sincerely,

Walt

Your responses and comments are valuable.   Please let your voice be heard.

Do you think the Homestead Exemption should be permanent and not have to be renewed each year?

Should state prisons be sold to private operators?

What is the MOST important spending priority? (Check only one.)

Is the Recovery School District doing a good job?

Are you in favor of increasing the tax on tobacco?

Should the University of New Orleans and Southern University at New Orleans be combined in some way?

Should money from the Millenium Trust Fund be used to pay for TOPS?

Should the Office of Group Benefits be privatized?

Have you or your family personally experienced any hardships because of state budget cuts?

Please enter any other comments here.