Dear Friends:

As you know, the Louisiana Legislature will begin its 2012 Regular Session on Monday, March 12th, and will adjourn on Monday, June 4th. As always, important work awaits us when we return to Baton Rouge. Budget hearings will begin in the important Appropriations Committee on March 6th and will continue through the first few weeks of Session. At this time, the State faces an $800 million dollar shortfall for the upcoming budget year, and these hearings will go a long way to determine where scarce resources will be allocated. It is crucial that I hear from you, as your opinions, ideas, and input are extremely important to me.

Last month, Governor Jindal submitted his Executive Budget to the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget. To review his plans for Fiscal Year 2012-13, please go to www.doa.louisiana.gov. The Governor has proposed significant changes to the Public Retirement System, additional employee contributions to the retirement system, the Sale of the New Orleans Adolescent Hospital Property, the partial Privatization of the Office of Group Benefits, as well as the Privatization and Sale of State Prisons, among other things to assist in balancing this year's budget.

Education Reform and Retirement Reform top the list of the Governor's highest priorities for the Session. Here are some details of those proposals and other of the Governor's proposed changes:

Education:

The Governor proposes including the rest of the State in the voucher program first introduced in New Orleans several years ago. This program would allow low income parents with children in poorly performing public schools the opportunity to take tax dollars allocated to local school districts to private schools in lieu of tuition. Additional changes to teacher pay would be tied to performance measures, and tenure would be reserved only for those teachers who score in the top 10% of teacher evaluations for 5 years in a row.

Fewer State Workers:

The Governor's budget calls for the elimination of 6,371 jobs. In New Orleans, the greatest impact of the job reductions will be felt by the LSU Medical Center, all local state-run hospitals and clinics, including Greater New Orleans Community Health Clinics, Mental Health Services, Medical Detox programs, and the University of New Orleans and SUNO.

Changing State Retirement:

The Governor's budget proposed that State Employees contribute 3 percent more to their retirement, and that all new state employees be allowed to retire at the age of 67, and will be moved to a "cash balance" type retirement system, rather than the current defined benefit plan. Current State Employees under the age of 55 also have to work until age 67 to retire. Furthermore, retirement benefits will be based on the average of the 5 highest years of earnings, rather than the 3 highest years of earnings. These modifications are said to result in a savings of $55 million dollars in the first year.

Privatization:

The Governor's budget proposes that the Office of Group Benefits, which handles state employees' medical care, would be turned over to a Private Provider Organization, or PPO, for administration of its benefits. The Avoyelles Correctional Facility in Cottonport would be sold to a private operator. The Office of Student Financial Assistance's student loan operations program would also be privatized.

Health Care:

Significant reductions to mental health expenditures, crisis intervention beds, and outpatient services for medical detox and behavioral health treatment are being recommended by the Governor's Executive Budget. As of February 1, 2012, Medicaid patients in New Orleans and the Northshore, have been moved to a new private health plan. Other cuts to Hospice Care, Managed Care for long term personal care services for adults, and reimbursement rates are also being proposed.

New Orleans Area:

The Crescent City Connection tolls are set to expire on December 31, 2012 unless the legislature acts to renew the tolls. The ongoing process of the Consolidation of Civil District Court and Criminal District Court will be reviewed, and likely modified to ensure effective and efficient access to justice and cost effectiveness. Continued focus on addressing public safety, detox services for drug abusers, and appropriate sentencing for drug possessers will be considered to ensure that public safety resources can be spent where they best serve our community. A focus on resourcing prosecutors, public defenders, and probation and parole officers is crucial.

Though I will be working diligently in Baton Rouge for you over the next several months, my legislative aide, Brenda Landry, can always be reached at (504) 556-9970, and my administrative assistant Beth Wilson, can be reach in Baton Rouge at (225) 342-8385. You can also reach me on my cell phone at (504) 427-4344 or via e-mail at legerw@legis.la.gov

I continue to be truly honored to represent you in the Louisiana Legislature as the State Representative for District 91 and now as the Speaker Pro Tempore of the Louisiana House of Representatives. Thank you for taking the time to respond to the attached Survey.

Sincerely,

Walt Leger
Speaker Pro Tempore, Louisiana House of Representatives Representative, District 91

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

1. Louisiana's State Retirement Systems have an outstanding liability of $18.5 Billion dollars. What changes would you support? (questions 1-4)

1a. The current system requires a minimum number of years to retire, would you support changing the requirement that all state employees work until age 67?

1b. Should current employees be required to retire at a later age than they planned?

1c. Should current employees over the age of 40 be exempted from the proposed changes to the retirement system?

1d. Should all current employees be exempted from the proposed changes to the retirement system?

2. Should the Voucher program be expanded Statewide?

3. Should the Voucher program continue in Orleans Parish?

4. Is the consolidation of the Orleans Parish Civil District Court and Criminal District Court a good idea if it fails to save taxpayers money?

5. Should the State refund 25% of moving costs for Corporations who move their headquarters to Louisiana?

6. Would you support a local millage increase to assist the State in paying for additional mental health services in Orleans Parish?

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

8. Would you support the creation of Security Taxing District that would provide a neighborhood patrol for added security?

8a. On an annual basis, how much would you being willing to pay for such a Service?

Optional: Enter your personal information.

Please enter any other comments here.