Inside Politics for Oct. 28, 2012

Jindal votes early
for Nov. 6 election

Flanked by bodyguards and aides, Gov. Bobby Jindal dashed into the Governmental Building Friday to vote early for the Nov. 6 election.

Jindal stood in line for 10 minutes, chatting with fellow voters while he waited.

For East Baton Rouge Parish voters like Jindal, the ballot is lengthy. Races for president, mayor, the Public Service Commission, the Louisiana Supreme Court and other races share space with nine proposed constitutional amendments.

Jindal announced that he cast his vote for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and constitutional amendments involving gun rights, public pensions and local property taxes. He declined to reveal his votes for mayor, the PSC or the Supreme Court. He said he might make an endorsement in the Supreme Court race should there be a runoff.

23 representatives hold fishin’ session

Twenty-two state representatives joined House Speaker Chuck Kleckley in the fishing village of Venice last week for what was billed as “a working session.”

Also dropping in on the House Leadership Retreat was Paul Rainwater, former commissioner of administration and now the governor’s chief of staff.

A report of the session released by Kleckley’s office said the group talked about the past legislative session and “what lies ahead.”

Among those attending the session were state Rep. Chris Broadwater, R-Hammond; Steve Carter, R-Baton Rouge; Franklin Foil, R-Baton Rouge; Bob Hensgens, R-Abbeville; Joel Robideaux, R-Lafayette; Karen St. Germain, D-Pierre Part; and Ledricka Thierry, D-Opelousas.

Broome wanted session over cuts

Senate President Pro Tempore Sharon Weston Broome, D-Baton Rouge, was among nine members of the Senate who backed holding a special session.

Broome said her constituents are concerned about health care cuts.

“The citizens’ ideas and concerns count ... and they elected us as legislators to be their voice,” she said.

The bid for a special session failed on Friday.

Jindal heads off
to stump in Iowa

A day after House legislators submitted dozens of signatures calling for a special session, Gov. Bobby Jindal jetted to Iowa.

The governor’s press office said Jindal would attend an event for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney before addressing the Scott County Republican Party’s Ronald Reagan Dinner.

On Thursday, the press office said, Jindal planned to attend the First Coast Women’s Services Pro-Life Dinner Fundraiser in Florida.

White backs Jenkins in constable race

State Sen. Bodi White, R-Central, is getting involved in a local constable’s race.

Carey Jenkins, a candidate for Constable of Ward 3, District 2, recently mailed a campaign flyer featuring endorsements from East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff Sid Gautreaux, State Police Col. Bo Garrison and White.

“Carey Jenkins knows our people and will serve them with compassion and dedication. I know of no other person so uniquely qualified to serve as constable and endorse him 100 percent,” White is quoted as saying.

Fiscal hawks scout support for package

The so-called fiscal hawks who battled Gov. Bobby Jindal over the state budget this year are quietly preparing for the next legislative session.

The hawks — a group of mostly Republican legislators in the House who style themselves as conservatives — are holding meetings across the state with business leaders.

State Rep. Brett Geymann, R-Lake Charles, said a gathering in Alexandria last week drew more than 80 people. He said they discussed state budget ideas for 21/2 hours.

“We’re trying to reform the budget process,” he said.

Geymann said the fiscal hawks will unveil a legislative package in January for next year’s legislative session.

Jindal not playing favorites in PSC race

Gov. Bobby Jindal tapped Scott Angelle to serve as interim lieutenant governor, natural resources secretary and legislative liaison.

However, Jindal isn’t ready to endorse Angelle for the latest job the Breaux Bridge native is seeking.

Angelle, a Republican, is running against state Rep. Erich Ponti, R-Baton Rouge, for a seat on the Public Service Commission. Three others are in the race too, another Republican, a Democrat and a No Party candidate.

The governor said either Angelle or Ponti would do a great job.

“We have worked very well with both Erich and, obviously, Scotty. We think they’re both great guys,” he said.

LSU supervisors to award LABI leader

The LSU Board of Supervisors voted Friday to award an honorary doctorate to former Louisiana Association of Business and Industry president Ed Steimel.

Steimel retired as LABI chief in 1989. He then became development director for LSU’s College of Engineering. In his early career, Steimel also headed the Public Research Council, a governmental research organization.

The doctorate will be awarded at LSU’s December graduation ceremony.

House panel suggests two for Ethics Board

A state House committee has advanced the name of two candidates for an open seat on the Louisiana Board of Ethics.

The full House will decide by mail ballot whether Ashley Kennedy Shelton of Baton Rouge, Louisiana director of One Voice, or Julianne Nice of New Orleans, a self-employed consultant for non-profits, will sit as one of its two appointees on the 11-member Ethics Board.

House appointee Vanessa LaFleur of Baton Rouge resigned to take an attorney job in the state Department of Revenue, creating an unexpected vacancy.

The House and Governmental Affairs Committee interviewed four candidates recommended by the presidents of the state’s private colleges who are assigned the task by law.

House Clerk Butch Speer said the House hopes to have its appointee in place by the board’s November meeting.

Former Blanco aide has baby daughter

A one-time aide to former Gov. Kathleen Blanco is a new father.

Ty Brommell and wife, Kim, welcomed Elizabeth Ann Wednesday morning. The baby will be known as Ellie.

“Both baby and mother are doing great!” the new father announced.

Brommell was executive director of the Governor’s Office of Rural Development for the Blanco administration. He also worked for former state Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Bob Odom. His current employer is the Police Jury Association of Louisiana.

State Sen. Adley sells Pelican Gas company

State Sen. Robert Adley just got a lot more free time.

Adley, R-Benton, sold his company, Pelican Gas Management, to a business group from Alabama.

“Outside of the Senate, I’m retired,” he said.

Pelican Gas had an exclusive agreement with the Louisiana Municipal Gas Authority to manage the natural gas the authority sells to towns and other municipalities at a wholesale cost.

Citing a confidentiality agreement, Adley declined to disclose how much he collected by selling his company.

He said he and his wife, Claudia, will spend more time with their new granddaughter, on their boat and at their home in the Carolinas.

Heard to discuss his book at Press Club

Earl Heard, author of “Sports Legends and Heroes,” will speak Monday at the Press Club of Baton Rouge.

Heard will discuss his book, which focuses more on what the athletes have done with their overall lives than wins, scores and championships.

Press Club meets on Mondays at the De La Ronde Hall in downtown Baton Rouge at 320 Third St. Lunch, which is served at 11:30 a.m., is $12 for members and $15 for nonmembers.

U.S. Rep. Cassidy to address meeting

U.S. Rep. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, is scheduled Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. to address the Chamber of Commerce of East Baton Rouge Parish.

The meeting will be held at Cafe Amércain on Jefferson Highway near its intersection with Lobdell.

The public is invited.

Compiled by The Advocate Capitol news bureau. Contact email is cnb@theadvocate.com.