Politics column for Feb. 12, 2012
Senator calls GOP on ‘Obamacare’
State Sen. Ed Murray, D-New Orleans, chided the Jindal administration Thursday, like many Republicans, for referring to the 2010 federal health-care legislation as “Obamacare.”
“I couldn’t find a statutory citation for that. What is Obamacare?” Murray asked during a meeting of the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget.
Commissioner of Administration Paul Rainwater said he was referring to President Barack Obama’s health-care reform.
“You mean the statute that was passed by Congress?” Murray asked, making the point that Obama signed the legislation into law only after Congress passed it.
“Yes, sir,” Rainwater said.
Armes upset over retirement proposal
State Rep. James Armes, D-Leesville, expressed concerns Thursday that the Jindal administration’s retirement package could impact his home life.
At issue was Gov. Bobby Jindal’s proposal that would force some state employees to work until they are 67 instead of retiring at a younger age. Excluded from the new rules would be state employees who currently are age 55 or older.
Armes questioned how that would affect his 52-year-old wife, who is a school nurse. He said she wants to retire at age 55.
“I’ve got to go home and tell her she’s got to wait until she’s 67? My anniversary’s next week. I don’t believe I’ll live that long,” he said.
Commissioner of Administration Paul Rainwater said Armes’ wife would be excluded as a school district employee.
“You’ll be able to go home tonight and tell her she’ll be able to retire,” he told Armes.
“I want that in writing,” Armes said.
Ellington’s spouse starts state job
The wife of former state Rep. Noble Ellington started work Wednesday in the Louisiana House speaker’s office.
Brenda Ellington will be paid $60,936 a year as assistant to House Speaker Chuck Kleckley, R-Lake Charles.
Brenda Ellington had been her husband’s legislative assistant. State law was changed so she could work for her husband and not violate state ethics law regarding nepotism.
Ellington, R-Winnsboro, did not seek re-election this fall, leaving the Legislature after a 24-year stint in the House, Senate, then back in the House.
Commissioner of Insurance Jim Donelon recently appointed Ellington as his chief deputy at a $150,000 a year salary.
Jindal appoints
two to SU board
Gov. Bobby Jindal on Friday appointed two new members to the Southern University Board of Supervisors in order to replace two past members who were elected to the state Legislature.
Jindal appointed Rev. Joe Gant Jr. of Shreveport and Bridget Dinvaut of Reserve.
Gant is the son of the Rev. Joe Gant Sr., who was the first non-alumni chairman of the Southern Board. Gant Jr. replaces new state Rep. Patrick Jefferson, D-Arcadia.
Dinvaut is the assistant district attorney for the St. John the Baptist Parish District Attorney’s Office. She replaces state Rep. Randal Gaines, D-LaPlace.
The Southern Board next meets Monday.
Armstrong gets post as Jindal advisor
Russell Armstrong, who made an unsuccessful bid for the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education last year, is Gov. Bobby Jindal’s new education policy advisor.
Armstrong is a former district support coordinator for the state Department of Education.
Last year he lost his bid for the District 8 seat on BESE.
Armstrong will be paid $66,500 per year, according to Jindal’s office.
Jindal makes fast trip to nation’s capital
Gov. Bobby Jindal made a whirlwind weekend trip to Washington, D.C., for festivities and business.
The governor’s press office said Jindal left for the nation’s capitol Friday to attend Washington Mardi Gras.
While in D.C., Jindal also planned to speak to the Conservative Political Action Conference, which focuses on conservative views.
Blanco mourns death of longtime advisor
Former Gov. Kathleen Blanco is mourning the death of a longtime political consultant.
Ray Teddlie, 59, died Feb. 4 in New Orleans.
Teddlie advised Blanco on her successful campaigns for lieutenant governor and governor.
In a statement, Blanco said Teddlie was the smartest man she ever met in Louisiana.
“Ray Teddlie was a brilliant man who understood human nature and knew how to tap into the goodness of people. He was sensitive, and used the subtlety of emotion quite effectively in his work,” the former governor said.
Mansion to go red for heart health
The Governor’s Mansion will be lit red this month to highlight heart healthiness.
The red glow also is a nod to the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign, which aims to fight heart disease in women.
“While we tend to think of cardiovascular disease as a men’s disease, more women than men actually die from cardiovascular disease,” first lady Supriya Jindal said in a prepared statement.
Jindal encourages a healthy diet and regular exercise.
One of her three children was born with a heart problem.
Consultant honored for ad campaign
Baton Rouge political consultant Roy Fletcher received Campaigns & Elections 2012 Reed Award for excellence in radio for an advertising campaign created in defense of debit swipe fee reform.
The award was produced in association with the political consulting firm of Penn Schoen Berland. The ad done for the National Association of Convenience Stores won Best Radio Ad of 2011.
N.J. governor mimics Jindal on union head
In a near repeat of a Louisiana controversy, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie last week called for the firing of a top teacher union official.
Chrstie made his demand after the union leader said “life’s not always fair” while discussing the inability of poor families to afford private school, and union opposition to state aid for students to attend those schools.
The union said the comments of Vincent Giordano, executive director of the New Jersey Education Association, were misinterpreted, according to news accounts.
On Feb. 2, Gov. Bobby Jindal called for the resignation of Michael Walker-Jones, executive director of the Louisiana Association of Educators, after Jones-Walker was quoted as saying that some parents in poverty may not have the time or information enough to make an informed decision on their child’s education.
Walker-Jones has said he was trying to convey the idea that parents are owed more information about their schools.
Walker-Jones and Giordano’s groups are affiliated with the National Education Association.
Jindal and Christie are both Republicans promoting greater privatization of the public schools in their states.
Former politician succumbs to cancer
Former state Rep. Harry “Soup” Kember died last week after battling cancer.
Kember was 77 and served in the Louisiana House of Representatives in the 1980s.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church is White Castle.
Kember is survived by three daughters and two sons.
NAACP official to address Press Club
Musheer Robinson, chairman for economic development for the Louisiana National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, will address the Press Club at noon Monday.
Robinson will discuss Gov. Bobby Jindal’s economic development initiatives, assess business prospects for blacks and talk about how race relations are affecting the quality of life in the state.
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. The public is invited.
Cassidy’s spouse to speak to GOP group
The wife of U.S. Rep. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, is scheduled to speak to the Republican Women of Central Wednesday about what Americans may face during and after the 2012 elections.
Dr. Laura Cassidy is a retired breast disease and cancer physician.
The noon luncheon will be held at Sammy’s Grill in Central.
Also speaking will be Central Community School System School Board member Roxanne Alonzo Atkinson, who will give an update on new school construction projects.
Cost for the meeting is $15 for renewing members of RWC and $20 for guests and non-members.
Occupy Baton Rouge to hold meetings
Occupy Baton Rouge is holding two weekly meetings this week, and every week.
On Wednesdays, the group will meet at 6 p.m. in the State Capitol Park across the steps from the State Capitol. On Saturdays, the group will gather at 12 p.m., also in the State Capitol Park.
The organization describes itself as a “leaderless, non-violent resistance movement.”
Education changes subject of forum
Proposed education changes will be the focus of a League of Women Voters of Baton Rouge public forum Thursday.
The forum invited panelists include state Education Superintendent John White; Larry Carter, president of United Teachers of New Orleans; Louisiana House Committee on Education chairman Steve Carter, R-Baton Rouge; retired teacher Michael Deshotel; state Rep. John Bel Edwards, D-Amite; and Stafford Palmieri, policy director for Jindal’s office.
The program begins at noon at Drusilla Place, 3482 Drusilla Lane.
The cost is $25 and includes lunch.
Reservations may be made by calling (225) 927-2255 or by e-mail at lwvbr@lwvbr.org.
Compiled by the Capitol news bureau. Contact email address is mballard@theadvocate.com.