Politics Column for May 27, 2012

Jindal stops by Alario crawfish boil

Gov. Bobby Jindal made a rare appearance at a legislative party last week.

Jindal and political adviser Timmy Teepell dropped by the Baton Rouge apartment of Senate President John Alario, R-Westwego, for a crawfish boil.

“He stayed for a good while, over an hour. It was Alario’s idea. Alario invited him. Bobby really enjoyed it,” Teepell said by email.

Sen. gets lesson on refund card reality

State Sen. John Smith, R-Leesville, said he had no experience with the state income tax refund debit card until last weekend.

“I almost clipped up the card,” Smith told Senate colleagues. But he said he recognized it was the refund card before that happened.

Smith said he then went to the bank on which he sits on the board of directors, and could neither cash the card out, nor cash it at any bank in town.

Walmart wouldn’t take it, nor would local gas stations, he said.

“I don’t know what to do with my card. Maybe I should have clipped it up,” Smith lamented. “There’s no incentive for a bank to take a card from another bank and cash it out.”

“I did learn a lesson. I should have had my CPA direct deposit it,” Smith concluded.

Budget-cut rhetoric turns on proponent

State Sen. Greg Tarver, D-Shreveport, took a jab at state Rep. Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, when Henry couldn’t identify funds to cover a program he proposed.

At Henry’s urging the House eliminated one-time money in Gov. Bobby Jindal’s proposed $25 billion budget. Then, Henry found himself before the Senate Finance Committee, which is now dealing with the cuts.

Henry’s legislation restricting use of welfare recipients’ electronic benefits card, had a $454,000 price tag for computer changes and Henry had no idea from where the money would come.

“Did you ask Sen. Vitter to help?” asked Tarver, referring to U.S. Sen. David Vitter, R-La., who advocated the elimination of the one-time funds, and praised Louisiana House members who voted for it.

“No,” responded Henry. But he added he would like Vitter and U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany, R-Lafayette, who sponsored the federal welfare law change, to help him find some federal funds.

“I’ll take the $454,000 from anywhere I can get it,” Henry concluded.

Reporter had ‘no clue,’ Adley says

State Sen. Robert Adley, R-Benton, offered a sobering picture of the future of journalism Thursday.

Adley said a Shreveport-based television reporter recently asked him to meet her outside the State Capitol for an interview.

The reporter, Adley said, told him she was by a statue of a man holding up his hands. She apparently did not know who the statue depicted.

The statue is of Louisiana political legend Huey P. Long. It marks his grave in the Capitol garden.

“I was astounded that people who are reporting ... have absolutely no clue,” Adley said.

Hoffman advocating ‘read alouds’ for kids

State Rep. Frank Hoffmann, R-West Monroe, held story time on the Louisiana House floor Monday to demonstrate the need to read to children.

Hoffmann entertained his colleagues with a passage from Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”

“Read Grinch to your children and grandchildren,” Hoffmann said in pushing for House Concurrent Resolution No. 106, which advocates the inclusion of “read alouds” in early childhood education programs.

“We thank you for your rhymes,” state Rep. Walt Leger III, D-West Monroe, told Hoffmann.

Tourism offering La.-music-themed site

The Louisiana Office of Tourism is launching Louisiana Soundtrack, a website for visitors to enjoy the state’s musical offerings and plan a personalized music-themed vacation with just a few mouse clicks. The site, www.LouisianaSoundtrack.com, contains audio and video of indigenous music genres such as jazz, Cajun and zydeco. Visitors can also learn about the heritage and evolution of Louisiana music, and information on venues and events showcasing the state’s music.

“With so many great live music venues and music-themed festivals in Louisiana, visitors can be overwhelmed by the many experiences offered,” said Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne, whose office oversees Louisiana’s Office of Tourism. “We hope folks will use the site as a one-stop shop to learn about Louisiana music, and then set a personal itinerary based on the region of the state or the dates they will be visiting.”

The site also features listings and links to information about Louisiana’s major music festivals, live music venues, historical music sites, recurring concert series and jam sessions. Music fans can visit www.LouisianaSoundtrack.com and sign up to receive information on upcoming music events.

Federal health-care on BR Dems agenda

Baton Rouge Democrats will discuss the federal health care law Tuesday.

The Grassroots Baton Rouge Democrats will hold the discussion at 7 p.m. at the Construction & General Laborers’ Local #1177, 1233 Government St.

Speakers will be Mike Stagg of Grassroots Louisiana Democrats, and Aaron Lercher, a mathematics librarian.

For more information, contact [e-mail].

Press Club will not meet Memorial Day

The Baton Rouge Press Club will not meet Monday in honor of Memorial Day.

Press Club meets on Mondays at De La Ronde Hall, which is located at 320 Third St. in downtown Baton Rouge.

Lunch, which is served at 11:30 a.m., is $12 for members and $15 for non-members.

The public is invited, but only members of the Press Club and members of the news media are allowed to ask questions during the question-and-answer portion of the program.

Compiled by the Capitol news bureau. Contact email is [e-mail].