DID YOU KNOW?
HB 678 would give incentives to insurance companies to provide insurance in the state and, as amended, would give tax credits to those paying premiums. Rep. Shirley Bowler, however, objected to the bill’s granting of a catastrophic fund which she said not only had proven to be a failure in Florida, but that the bill’s wording actually wanted to create such a fund. “In no way should it be showing up in a conference report looking for our endorsement,” she said. She said relief would take at least three years to show up so there was no rush to pass this bill, and moved to recommit to conference.
Author Rep. Karen Carter said the language was only suggesting, not mandatory, and urged rejecting the substitute motion. But Bowler said this change to get rid of the fund was important, not innocuous, and could be eliminated easily before the 6 PM deadline (it was then 4:15 PM). The motion failed 38-54.
The bill then subsequently passed 81-18.
DID YOU KNOW?
SB 153 would give private insurers the chance to buy bits and pieces of the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation business. It was amended in conference to delay its implementation until SB 195 had a chance to operate, which would sell the entire book of business.
The report was adopted 98-0.
DID YOU KNOW?
SB 232 would cerate a structure by which private nonprofit organizations could be paid to counsel individuals about the Road Home program. A dispute arose over the conference committee stripping out an amendment, objected to by the Senate, by Rep. Pete Schneider that would have prohibited legislators’ family members from benefiting monetarily from the arrangement. Handler Rep. Jalila Jefferson-Bullock said the concern was that member of legislators families would not get Road Home money. But Rep. Hunter Greene pointed out the bill had nothing to do with the actual receipt of the money.
Schneider pointed out that this could become a vehicle for corruption and asked for indefinite postponement. Jefferson argued it facilitated housing assistance and that Schneider’s request “pandered to fear.” But Rep. Steve Scalise said the amendment was not overbroad and was very specific, saying it applied only to elected officials and their immediate families as already defined through the ethics code.
Schneider said the Legislature had to appear absolutely above board on this issue, and wanted a substitute motion to indefinitely postpone. That motion failed 45-53. Rep. Cedric Richmond then said he wanted to defend Jefferson against cheap shots and thought it was a good bill. It passed 63-32.
DID YOU KNOW?
HB 678 made it to the Senate. Sen. Butch Gautreaux wanted to know the practical effect of having his amendment being stripped out which guaranteed 75 percent of the business done would be residential, and was told that business done would tend to mostly take care of residential business, a statement he did not find particularly compelling.
Nevertheless, the report was adopted 30-8.
QUOTES OF THE DAY:
No, I don’t want to go into detail about this. All I want to say about it is it involved a gift presented by Rep. Jeff Arnold involving the outgoing “dean” of the Westbank delegation, Rep. John Alario, and the new one, Rep. John LaBruzzo, and the name of disgraced former House member Tommy Wright was brought up first in terms of how the gift looked, and then intimation concerning the gift related to reasons why Wright left the house; Wright was accused of soliciting a sex act from a male, and plead guilty to flight from an officer. It managed to be humorous yet juvenile at the same time.
Maybe’s he’s having a senior moment.
Rep. Juan LaFonta saying Schneider should know that SB 232 would not invite corruption.
It would help to vote your machines if you were in your seats.
Speaker Joe Salter.
28 June 2007
27 June 2007
Floor action, Jun. 27: HR 69, HR 75, HR 116
DID YOU KNOW?
Because of the vicissitudes of the flow of business between chambers, especially when conference committees are involving many senators, the members of the chambers tend to work on some internal housekeeping and engage in moments of jocularity in the last couple of days of the session.
DID YOU KNOW?
HR 69 would require more information to be provided in amendments to non-state entities to the general appropriations. Rep. Blade Morrish said it would provide more insight into the process.
Rep. John Alario pointed out that, as the resolution stood, noncompliance by the Senate with this would kill the annual HB 1. Rep. Steve Scalise noted that it was much like Morrish’s HB 266. But Rep. Charlie DeWitt faulted the resolution for not bringing in the Senate – even though the Senate had failed to act on HB 266. Morrish pointed out that all the resolution asked for was more information. “It’s not an undue burden, just a simple ask for information.” He did admit that it could create logistical problems.
Alario then offered amendments to limit the resolution’s affect only to House amendments, by allowing two-thirds of the House to waive having the Senate do so. Alario said the resolution would make this kind of information available which he said had been intended in the past but was ruled not possible. The amendments were adopted without objection.
Rep. Jack Smith cautioned about this and other rules changes, saying a bunch of people leaving were making these and that they ought to wait on a new Legislature to make such decisions. But Rep. Ronnie Johns saw nothing wrong with the idea and it being done now.
The resolution passed 91-10.
DID YOU KNOW?
HR 75 would have changed the way conference committees would have operated, principally making them meet in the open. But author William Daniel IV decided to withdraw the resolution but said he hoped something like it would be considered in the future and apply to both chambers.
DID YOU KNOW?
HR 116 would allow the state to sell out its annuity stream as a result of a lawsuit settlement with tobacco manufacturers, a motion that has generated great controversy. It was pulled by Alario.
QUOTES OF THE DAY:
Must have took mine out of there on purpose.
Rep. Troy Hebert, when he found his folder with Senate amendments after claiming he didn’t know where they were.
And, sorry, nobody else can join me on the podium.
Rep. Nick Lorusso, when introducing the New Orleans’ Saints dance team, the Saint-Sations.
I was just looking for Rep. Lorusso’s wife … I know she’s around the chamber somewhere.
Rep. Karen Carter's response
Mr. Speaker, can we get some order over here. It looks like those ladies are getting attacked
It doesn’t look like Mr. Gallot is in attack mode.
Rep. Charmaine Marchand after the group left the podium, with Speaker Joe Salter’s reply.
Mr. Alario, why do you rise?
I was hoping you’d say that, Mr. Speaker.
Mark up one for Alario.
Alario to Salter during a moment of tedium.
Because of the vicissitudes of the flow of business between chambers, especially when conference committees are involving many senators, the members of the chambers tend to work on some internal housekeeping and engage in moments of jocularity in the last couple of days of the session.
DID YOU KNOW?
HR 69 would require more information to be provided in amendments to non-state entities to the general appropriations. Rep. Blade Morrish said it would provide more insight into the process.
Rep. John Alario pointed out that, as the resolution stood, noncompliance by the Senate with this would kill the annual HB 1. Rep. Steve Scalise noted that it was much like Morrish’s HB 266. But Rep. Charlie DeWitt faulted the resolution for not bringing in the Senate – even though the Senate had failed to act on HB 266. Morrish pointed out that all the resolution asked for was more information. “It’s not an undue burden, just a simple ask for information.” He did admit that it could create logistical problems.
Alario then offered amendments to limit the resolution’s affect only to House amendments, by allowing two-thirds of the House to waive having the Senate do so. Alario said the resolution would make this kind of information available which he said had been intended in the past but was ruled not possible. The amendments were adopted without objection.
Rep. Jack Smith cautioned about this and other rules changes, saying a bunch of people leaving were making these and that they ought to wait on a new Legislature to make such decisions. But Rep. Ronnie Johns saw nothing wrong with the idea and it being done now.
The resolution passed 91-10.
DID YOU KNOW?
HR 75 would have changed the way conference committees would have operated, principally making them meet in the open. But author William Daniel IV decided to withdraw the resolution but said he hoped something like it would be considered in the future and apply to both chambers.
DID YOU KNOW?
HR 116 would allow the state to sell out its annuity stream as a result of a lawsuit settlement with tobacco manufacturers, a motion that has generated great controversy. It was pulled by Alario.
QUOTES OF THE DAY:
Must have took mine out of there on purpose.
Rep. Troy Hebert, when he found his folder with Senate amendments after claiming he didn’t know where they were.
And, sorry, nobody else can join me on the podium.
Rep. Nick Lorusso, when introducing the New Orleans’ Saints dance team, the Saint-Sations.
I was just looking for Rep. Lorusso’s wife … I know she’s around the chamber somewhere.
Rep. Karen Carter's response
Mr. Speaker, can we get some order over here. It looks like those ladies are getting attacked
It doesn’t look like Mr. Gallot is in attack mode.
Rep. Charmaine Marchand after the group left the podium, with Speaker Joe Salter’s reply.
Mr. Alario, why do you rise?
I was hoping you’d say that, Mr. Speaker.
Mark up one for Alario.
Alario to Salter during a moment of tedium.
25 June 2007
Floor action, Jun. 25: SB 161, HB 614, HB 962, HB 495
DID YOU KNOW?
SB 14 got deferred and is subject to call, meaning supporters of the controversial bill which would take away the sole power of the state Treasurer to set the State Bond Commission’s agenda did not have the votes to assure its passage in the House at the time.
DID YOU KNOW?
SB 161 would ban partial birth abortions and punish doctors who do so and create legal actions for wrongful death – the difference between this and HB 614 which in this would allow the mother to sue if wrongfully done. An oversight in wording sent the bill back to the calendar to cook up an amendment.
Moments later, it was back and changed. The bill passed 98-1.
DID YOU KNOW?
HB 614, moments later in the Senate, was passed over as a result.
DID YOU KNOW?
HB 962 would allow the state-owned insurer Citizens Property Insurance Corporation to charge rates comparable to the private sector’s in parishes deemed “noncompetitive” in provision of homeowner insurers, instead of its mandated 10 percent markup. The bill was amended by handler state Sen. Don Cravins to allow the state auditor easier access to the records of Citizens. The bill passed 35-1.
DID YOU KNOW?
During debate on HB 459, Sen. Rob Marionneaux complained that the House was failing to move on Senate bills that had a fiscal impact, and proposed returning every House bill that had a fiscal note to the calendar starting with this one. The motion failed.
DID YOU KNOW?
HB 495 would give income tax breaks to “artists.” Sen. Willie Mount handled it and said it would create a better climate for art production and would “bring talent home.” The definition of “art” already has been set by the state. She said the $7.5 million lost in revenue should be offset over a $195 million industry.
Sen. Art Lentini asked whether one had to be a full-time artist, apparently not. He wondered whether the state had the ability to do accurate audits on all of this and though it likely much fraud would be involved. Mount said it could be declared on if also declared on federal income tax forms. Lentini pressed on what documentation could prove this income existed as art, didn’t know of any, and expressed great doubt these transactions could be accurately tracked and verified.
Marionneaux blasted the bill, saying it singled out a special class of people when others he named he said deserved such breaks far more. He implied these breaks would disproportionately favor the wealthier and wondered why not remove income tax liability from the poorest taxpayers. “If you design Gucci purses, you get it. This isn’t what we ought to be doing.” Sen. Max Malone claimed the bill would extend itself to “media,” including broadcast media.
Mount reemphasized the measure would apply only to art sold and asked for passage. After a quorum call, the bill failed 18-20.
QUOTES OF THE DAY:
And the reporters here [in the press gallery] say they’re going down a quarter?
Sen. James David Cain, when asking about HB 386 that would remove any satte sales taxes from selling newspapers.
I nominate this bill as the worst bill of the session…. It’s the Edsel of the session.
Sen. Ken Hollis on HB 484 which would allow bars to hold poker tournaments as long as they derive no income from them – and apparently was convincing enough to return the bill to the calendar.
SB 14 got deferred and is subject to call, meaning supporters of the controversial bill which would take away the sole power of the state Treasurer to set the State Bond Commission’s agenda did not have the votes to assure its passage in the House at the time.
DID YOU KNOW?
SB 161 would ban partial birth abortions and punish doctors who do so and create legal actions for wrongful death – the difference between this and HB 614 which in this would allow the mother to sue if wrongfully done. An oversight in wording sent the bill back to the calendar to cook up an amendment.
Moments later, it was back and changed. The bill passed 98-1.
DID YOU KNOW?
HB 614, moments later in the Senate, was passed over as a result.
DID YOU KNOW?
HB 962 would allow the state-owned insurer Citizens Property Insurance Corporation to charge rates comparable to the private sector’s in parishes deemed “noncompetitive” in provision of homeowner insurers, instead of its mandated 10 percent markup. The bill was amended by handler state Sen. Don Cravins to allow the state auditor easier access to the records of Citizens. The bill passed 35-1.
DID YOU KNOW?
During debate on HB 459, Sen. Rob Marionneaux complained that the House was failing to move on Senate bills that had a fiscal impact, and proposed returning every House bill that had a fiscal note to the calendar starting with this one. The motion failed.
DID YOU KNOW?
HB 495 would give income tax breaks to “artists.” Sen. Willie Mount handled it and said it would create a better climate for art production and would “bring talent home.” The definition of “art” already has been set by the state. She said the $7.5 million lost in revenue should be offset over a $195 million industry.
Sen. Art Lentini asked whether one had to be a full-time artist, apparently not. He wondered whether the state had the ability to do accurate audits on all of this and though it likely much fraud would be involved. Mount said it could be declared on if also declared on federal income tax forms. Lentini pressed on what documentation could prove this income existed as art, didn’t know of any, and expressed great doubt these transactions could be accurately tracked and verified.
Marionneaux blasted the bill, saying it singled out a special class of people when others he named he said deserved such breaks far more. He implied these breaks would disproportionately favor the wealthier and wondered why not remove income tax liability from the poorest taxpayers. “If you design Gucci purses, you get it. This isn’t what we ought to be doing.” Sen. Max Malone claimed the bill would extend itself to “media,” including broadcast media.
Mount reemphasized the measure would apply only to art sold and asked for passage. After a quorum call, the bill failed 18-20.
QUOTES OF THE DAY:
And the reporters here [in the press gallery] say they’re going down a quarter?
Sen. James David Cain, when asking about HB 386 that would remove any satte sales taxes from selling newspapers.
I nominate this bill as the worst bill of the session…. It’s the Edsel of the session.
Sen. Ken Hollis on HB 484 which would allow bars to hold poker tournaments as long as they derive no income from them – and apparently was convincing enough to return the bill to the calendar.
22 June 2007
Legislative regular session through Jun. 23
THIS WEEK FOR THE GOOD: HB 25 with minor amendments passed the Senate; HB 113 with minor amendments passed Senate committee and passed the Senate; HB 248 passed committee; HB 365 with major amendments passed the House, with major amendments passed Senate committee and passed the Senate; HB 436 had rules suspended to pass Senate committee; HB 474 passed Senate and goes to the governor; HB 614 with major amendments passed Senate committee; HB 678 with mnor amendments passed Senate committee; HB 704 with minor amendments passed the Senate; HB 730 with minor amendments passed the Senate; HB 960 with minor amendments passed Senate; SB 98 passed House committee and with major amendments the House; SB 127 passed House committee and with minor amendments passed the House; SB 161 passed House committee; SB 195 with major amendment passed the House.
THIS WEEK FOR THE BAD: HB 273 passed the Senate and goes to the governor; HB 407 passed the Senate; HB 962 passed Senate committee; SB 1 passed House committee and the House; SB 14 passed House committee; SB 320 failed to pass the Senate.
SCORECARD:
Total House introductions: 975; total Senate introductions: 365.
Total House good bills: 33; total Senate good bills: 14.
Total House bad bills: 13; total Senate bad bills: 8.
Total House good bills heard in committee: 31; total Senate good bills heard in committee: 14.
Total House bad bills heard in committee: 11; total Senate bad bills heard in committee: 8.
Total House good bills passing committee: 15; total Senate good bills passing committee: 9.
Total House bad bills passing committee: 8; total Senate bad bills passing committee: 5.
Total House good bills passing the House: 14; total Senate good bills passing the Senate: 8.
Total House bad bills passing the House: 4; total Senate bad bills passing the Senate: 2.
Total House good bills passing Senate committee: 12; total Senate good bills passing House committee: 5.
Total House bad bills passing Senate committee: 2; total Senate bad bills passing House committee: 2
Total House good bills passing Senate: 6; total Senate good bills passing House: 3.
Total House bad bills passing Senate: 2; total Senate bad bills passing House: 1.
Total House good bills sent to governor: 1; total Senate good bills sent to governor: 0.
Total House bad bills sent to governor: 1; total Senate bad bills sent to governor: 0.
THIS WEEK FOR THE BAD: HB 273 passed the Senate and goes to the governor; HB 407 passed the Senate; HB 962 passed Senate committee; SB 1 passed House committee and the House; SB 14 passed House committee; SB 320 failed to pass the Senate.
SCORECARD:
Total House introductions: 975; total Senate introductions: 365.
Total House good bills: 33; total Senate good bills: 14.
Total House bad bills: 13; total Senate bad bills: 8.
Total House good bills heard in committee: 31; total Senate good bills heard in committee: 14.
Total House bad bills heard in committee: 11; total Senate bad bills heard in committee: 8.
Total House good bills passing committee: 15; total Senate good bills passing committee: 9.
Total House bad bills passing committee: 8; total Senate bad bills passing committee: 5.
Total House good bills passing the House: 14; total Senate good bills passing the Senate: 8.
Total House bad bills passing the House: 4; total Senate bad bills passing the Senate: 2.
Total House good bills passing Senate committee: 12; total Senate good bills passing House committee: 5.
Total House bad bills passing Senate committee: 2; total Senate bad bills passing House committee: 2
Total House good bills passing Senate: 6; total Senate good bills passing House: 3.
Total House bad bills passing Senate: 2; total Senate bad bills passing House: 1.
Total House good bills sent to governor: 1; total Senate good bills sent to governor: 0.
Total House bad bills sent to governor: 1; total Senate bad bills sent to governor: 0.
Floor action, Jun. 22: SB 1, SB 223
DID YOU KNOW?
SB 1 would vaguely enable the state to marginally tinker with its delivery of health care to the indigent. It would implement cost-saving technology, put together groups to study health care, and reorganize the charity system to create “medical homes.” It would require the federal government to approve of a pilot program. It passed 101-0.
DID YOU KNOW?
SB 223 would raise the minimum coverage levels for automobile insurance. Handler Rep. Danny Martiny said it was 23 years since rates were raised and costs for repair and medicine had gone up considerably. In fact, he wanted to remove previous amendments that had lowered them. But Rep. Shirley Bowler objected, saying this would price poorer people out of the insurance and thus car market, and that Martiny’s $17 a month estimated increase was an understatement given that claims would increase and these costs would be passed along.
Rep. Ronnie Johns brought other statistics to show that rate was much higher for some kinds of drivers. He said it would increase the number of uninsured drivers on the road. But Rep. Damon Baldone asked whether raising coverage might lower costs in other areas, such as recouping medical expenses; Johns replied others would go up also, like attorney fees. Rep. Mike Powell said that unless limits are higher, more costs are paid by others to insure others that did not have adequate limits, so somebody pays regardless and it might as well be those who cause accidents. The question finally called on the amendment, which was adopted 72-26.
After a technical amendment, Rep. Nick Lorusso offered an amendment to phase in the adoption of the higher rates. Martiny objected, saying the bill just had been brought back into its original limits and said the problem of lower limits should be dealt with immediately without a lot of hassle that a phase-in would cause. Lorusso said it would buy time to better figure out rates. The amendment failed 27-67.
Shortly thereafter the entire question was called, and the bill passed 77-24.
QUOTES OF THE DAY:
Hard to believe, but, yes, I care for poor people.
Bowler, not long after musing it was unusual for a suburban conservative Republican to come out defending the right of poor people to own cars and drive them.
We should call Rep. Martiny’s amendment the “Ronnie Johns Pay Raise” amendment.
Johns, an insurance agent, when arguing against higher limits.
SB 1 would vaguely enable the state to marginally tinker with its delivery of health care to the indigent. It would implement cost-saving technology, put together groups to study health care, and reorganize the charity system to create “medical homes.” It would require the federal government to approve of a pilot program. It passed 101-0.
DID YOU KNOW?
SB 223 would raise the minimum coverage levels for automobile insurance. Handler Rep. Danny Martiny said it was 23 years since rates were raised and costs for repair and medicine had gone up considerably. In fact, he wanted to remove previous amendments that had lowered them. But Rep. Shirley Bowler objected, saying this would price poorer people out of the insurance and thus car market, and that Martiny’s $17 a month estimated increase was an understatement given that claims would increase and these costs would be passed along.
Rep. Ronnie Johns brought other statistics to show that rate was much higher for some kinds of drivers. He said it would increase the number of uninsured drivers on the road. But Rep. Damon Baldone asked whether raising coverage might lower costs in other areas, such as recouping medical expenses; Johns replied others would go up also, like attorney fees. Rep. Mike Powell said that unless limits are higher, more costs are paid by others to insure others that did not have adequate limits, so somebody pays regardless and it might as well be those who cause accidents. The question finally called on the amendment, which was adopted 72-26.
After a technical amendment, Rep. Nick Lorusso offered an amendment to phase in the adoption of the higher rates. Martiny objected, saying the bill just had been brought back into its original limits and said the problem of lower limits should be dealt with immediately without a lot of hassle that a phase-in would cause. Lorusso said it would buy time to better figure out rates. The amendment failed 27-67.
Shortly thereafter the entire question was called, and the bill passed 77-24.
QUOTES OF THE DAY:
Hard to believe, but, yes, I care for poor people.
Bowler, not long after musing it was unusual for a suburban conservative Republican to come out defending the right of poor people to own cars and drive them.
We should call Rep. Martiny’s amendment the “Ronnie Johns Pay Raise” amendment.
Johns, an insurance agent, when arguing against higher limits.
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