THIS WEEK FOR THE GOOD: HB 321 was signed by the governor; HB 350 was signed by the governor; HB 622 was concurred in by the Senate and House and sent to the governor; SB 87 was signed by the governor; SB 733 was signed by the governor; SB 807 was signed by the governor; SB 808 was conferred in, concurred in by the House and Senate, and sent to the governor.
THIS WEEK FOR THE BAD: SB 351 was conferred in, concurred in by the Senate and the House, and sent tot the governor.
SCORECARD:
Total House introductions: 1389; total Senate introductions: 813.
Total House good bills: 41; total Senate good bills: 23.
Total House bad bills: 36; total Senate bad bills: 15.
Total House good bills heard in committee: 30; total Senate good bills heard in committee: 18
Total House bad bills heard in committee: 27; total Senate bad bills heard in committee: 10.
Total House good bills passing committee: 20; total Senate good bills passing committee: 12.
Total House bad bills passing committee: 7; total Senate bad bills passing committee: 8.
Total House good bills passing the House: 15; total Senate good bills passing the Senate: 7.
Total House bad bills passing the House: 4; total Senate bad bills passing the Senate: 4.
Total House good bills passing Senate committee: 9; total Senate good bills passing House committee: 7.
Total House bad bills passing Senate committee: 4; total Senate bad bills passing House committee: 4.
Total House good bills passing Senate: 9; total Senate good bills passing House: 6.
Total House bad bills passing Senate: 2; total Senate bad bills passing House: 2.
Total House good bills sent to the governor: 9; total Senate good bills sent to the governor: 5.
Total House bad bills sent to the governor: 2; total Senate bad bills sent to the governor: 2.
Total House good bills signed by the governor: 5; total Senate good bills signed by the governor: 5.
21 June 2008
Legislative regular session through Jun. 21, 2008
THIS WEEK FOR THE GOOD: HB 350 was sent to the governor; HB 622 passed House, with minor amendments passed Senate committee, and passed the Senate; HB 888 passed the Senate, the House concurred and was sent to the governor; HB 988 passed Senate and was sent to the governor; HB 1372 passed the Senate and was sent to the governor; SB 733 had amendments concurred with by the Senate and was sent to the governor; SB 808 passed the Senate.
THIS WEEK FOR THE BAD: HB 852 failed to pass the Senate; HB 939 passed the Senate and was sent to the governor; SB 351 passed the House; SB 672 had amendments concurred with by the Senate and was sent to the governor; SB 796 failed to pass the House.
SCORECARD:
Total House introductions: 1389; total Senate introductions: 813.
Total House good bills: 41; total Senate good bills: 23.
Total House bad bills: 36; total Senate bad bills: 15.
Total House good bills heard in committee: 30; total Senate good bills heard in committee: 18
Total House bad bills heard in committee: 27; total Senate bad bills heard in committee: 10.
Total House good bills passing committee: 20; total Senate good bills passing committee: 12.
Total House bad bills passing committee: 7; total Senate bad bills passing committee: 8.
Total House good bills passing the House: 15; total Senate good bills passing the Senate: 7.
Total House bad bills passing the House: 4; total Senate bad bills passing the Senate: 4.
Total House good bills passing Senate committee: 9; total Senate good bills passing House committee: 7.
Total House bad bills passing Senate committee: 4; total Senate bad bills passing House committee: 4.
Total House good bills passing Senate: 9; total Senate good bills passing House: 6.
Total House bad bills passing Senate: 2; total Senate bad bills passing House: 2.
Total House good bills sent to the governor: 8; total Senate good bills sent to the governor: 5.
Total House bad bills sent to the governor: 2; total Senate bad bills sent to the governor: 1.
Total House good bills signed into law: 3; total Senate good bills signed into law: 2.
THIS WEEK FOR THE BAD: HB 852 failed to pass the Senate; HB 939 passed the Senate and was sent to the governor; SB 351 passed the House; SB 672 had amendments concurred with by the Senate and was sent to the governor; SB 796 failed to pass the House.
SCORECARD:
Total House introductions: 1389; total Senate introductions: 813.
Total House good bills: 41; total Senate good bills: 23.
Total House bad bills: 36; total Senate bad bills: 15.
Total House good bills heard in committee: 30; total Senate good bills heard in committee: 18
Total House bad bills heard in committee: 27; total Senate bad bills heard in committee: 10.
Total House good bills passing committee: 20; total Senate good bills passing committee: 12.
Total House bad bills passing committee: 7; total Senate bad bills passing committee: 8.
Total House good bills passing the House: 15; total Senate good bills passing the Senate: 7.
Total House bad bills passing the House: 4; total Senate bad bills passing the Senate: 4.
Total House good bills passing Senate committee: 9; total Senate good bills passing House committee: 7.
Total House bad bills passing Senate committee: 4; total Senate bad bills passing House committee: 4.
Total House good bills passing Senate: 9; total Senate good bills passing House: 6.
Total House bad bills passing Senate: 2; total Senate bad bills passing House: 2.
Total House good bills sent to the governor: 8; total Senate good bills sent to the governor: 5.
Total House bad bills sent to the governor: 2; total Senate bad bills sent to the governor: 1.
Total House good bills signed into law: 3; total Senate good bills signed into law: 2.
20 June 2008
Floor action, Jun. 20: SB 402, SB 232, SB 233
DID YOU KNOW?
SB 402 by Sen. Bill Cassidy would have a study of shifting funds for uncompensated care among south Louisiana hospitals in proportion to the health care services provided for the uninsured statewide, starting next fiscal year. Rep. Neil Abramson at first prevented the matter from coming off the calendar by asking for such a vote which failed to move it 40-51. Minutes later, it successfully came off the calendar by a failed vote to table 43-53, but Abramson tried to table it, but the motion was defeated.
Rep. Erich Ponti, handling it, said this would better allocate resources to true needs. Rep. Joe Harrison offered amendments that were dumped out in committee that turned it into a study bill rather than implementation. Abramson asked whether these were challenging the will of the Health and Welfare Committee which he said otherwise would not have let it out. Harrison did not agree but said the amendment would bring a substantitve change. Rep. Hunter Greene then move to end all amendment consideration, and Rep. Jeff Arnold then made a substitute to end only this to which passed 60-35. Harrison yielded on close to Ponti who said a study only wouldn’t accomplish much, that a money-follows-the-person approach needed to be implemented for proper funding, and it wouldn’t even go into effect for several years only after the Legislature approved. The amendment failed 30-68.
Abramson then offered amendments. He characterized the bill at present as a fight over dollars between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, saying why New Orleans seemed to get disproportionate dollars because much more teaching went on there. So, he wanted to incrementally add sections of the state through each amendment so he could allow everybody to gang up on each section just like the bill does, but then withdrew them all, believing a point had been made.
Rep. Robert Johnson said the bill was mischaracterized, saying it followed the proportion of uninsured people living in a region, not ailing individuals. He said to vote for it now would invite future raids on other regions. He said the mix of the kind of operations also was not going to be worked into the proposed formula, either. He implied the author of was using it for political gain relevant to Cassidy’s announced run for Congress.
Rep. Pat Smith said Earl K. Long Hospital since it was able to attract more insured that it was being used as a cash cow to supplement other institutions. She said teaching occurred there, as well. Rep. Michael Jackson admitted he was running for Congress, and said he thought this process was good as a study which, after being done in three regions, could be extended because he did not want it to be there to beat up on New Orleans.
Closing, Ponti emphasized this was only a study, and wondered why some seemed scared of a study. He said Baton Rouge actually was less maldistributed than some other southern regions, and the northern part of the state operated under a different system not relevant to the south. He said then population shift from the hurricane disasters made this study more necessary than ever.
The bill, after establishment of lockout and quorum, failed 35-61.
DID YOU KNOW?
SB 232 by Sen. Willie Mount would place term limits on several boards and commissions of three years by constitutional amendemt. Handler Rep. Rick Gallot said if legislators had to be stopped at three terms (really, two-and-a-half), so should the education boards, State Civil Service Commission, Public Service Commission, etc. He also pointed out a two-year waiting period applied after being limited off one board to serve on another.
Rep. Cedric Richmond asked why leave out state elected officials; Gallot said it was Mount’s intent not to include them. Johnson wondered whether this limited discretion of voters, and Gallot said this was true but some to be affected would be appointed.
Rep. Rickey Hardy offered an amendment that would apply limits to judges, district attorneys, and sheriffs, with a grandfather clause. Rep. Cameron Henry asked if Hardy had consulted those being affected; he said he had not. Rep. Bodi White wondered why other parish-level officials weren’t included; Hardy said because he hadn’t thought of that. Rep. Nick Lorusso asked whether it was germane, and Speaker Jim Tucker ruled it didn’t since the bill addressed boards and commissions.
Gallot closed and the bill passed 92-8.
DID YOU KNOW?
With SB 232 passed, now the enabling legislation became relevant. Gallot offered the identical amendments which were adopted. The bill passed 93-6.
QUOTE OF THE DAY.
Is this amendment germane to the bill?
Yes it is.
Hardy to Lorusso, before Tucker could say anything.
SB 402 by Sen. Bill Cassidy would have a study of shifting funds for uncompensated care among south Louisiana hospitals in proportion to the health care services provided for the uninsured statewide, starting next fiscal year. Rep. Neil Abramson at first prevented the matter from coming off the calendar by asking for such a vote which failed to move it 40-51. Minutes later, it successfully came off the calendar by a failed vote to table 43-53, but Abramson tried to table it, but the motion was defeated.
Rep. Erich Ponti, handling it, said this would better allocate resources to true needs. Rep. Joe Harrison offered amendments that were dumped out in committee that turned it into a study bill rather than implementation. Abramson asked whether these were challenging the will of the Health and Welfare Committee which he said otherwise would not have let it out. Harrison did not agree but said the amendment would bring a substantitve change. Rep. Hunter Greene then move to end all amendment consideration, and Rep. Jeff Arnold then made a substitute to end only this to which passed 60-35. Harrison yielded on close to Ponti who said a study only wouldn’t accomplish much, that a money-follows-the-person approach needed to be implemented for proper funding, and it wouldn’t even go into effect for several years only after the Legislature approved. The amendment failed 30-68.
Abramson then offered amendments. He characterized the bill at present as a fight over dollars between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, saying why New Orleans seemed to get disproportionate dollars because much more teaching went on there. So, he wanted to incrementally add sections of the state through each amendment so he could allow everybody to gang up on each section just like the bill does, but then withdrew them all, believing a point had been made.
Rep. Robert Johnson said the bill was mischaracterized, saying it followed the proportion of uninsured people living in a region, not ailing individuals. He said to vote for it now would invite future raids on other regions. He said the mix of the kind of operations also was not going to be worked into the proposed formula, either. He implied the author of was using it for political gain relevant to Cassidy’s announced run for Congress.
Rep. Pat Smith said Earl K. Long Hospital since it was able to attract more insured that it was being used as a cash cow to supplement other institutions. She said teaching occurred there, as well. Rep. Michael Jackson admitted he was running for Congress, and said he thought this process was good as a study which, after being done in three regions, could be extended because he did not want it to be there to beat up on New Orleans.
Closing, Ponti emphasized this was only a study, and wondered why some seemed scared of a study. He said Baton Rouge actually was less maldistributed than some other southern regions, and the northern part of the state operated under a different system not relevant to the south. He said then population shift from the hurricane disasters made this study more necessary than ever.
The bill, after establishment of lockout and quorum, failed 35-61.
DID YOU KNOW?
SB 232 by Sen. Willie Mount would place term limits on several boards and commissions of three years by constitutional amendemt. Handler Rep. Rick Gallot said if legislators had to be stopped at three terms (really, two-and-a-half), so should the education boards, State Civil Service Commission, Public Service Commission, etc. He also pointed out a two-year waiting period applied after being limited off one board to serve on another.
Rep. Cedric Richmond asked why leave out state elected officials; Gallot said it was Mount’s intent not to include them. Johnson wondered whether this limited discretion of voters, and Gallot said this was true but some to be affected would be appointed.
Rep. Rickey Hardy offered an amendment that would apply limits to judges, district attorneys, and sheriffs, with a grandfather clause. Rep. Cameron Henry asked if Hardy had consulted those being affected; he said he had not. Rep. Bodi White wondered why other parish-level officials weren’t included; Hardy said because he hadn’t thought of that. Rep. Nick Lorusso asked whether it was germane, and Speaker Jim Tucker ruled it didn’t since the bill addressed boards and commissions.
Gallot closed and the bill passed 92-8.
DID YOU KNOW?
With SB 232 passed, now the enabling legislation became relevant. Gallot offered the identical amendments which were adopted. The bill passed 93-6.
QUOTE OF THE DAY.
Is this amendment germane to the bill?
Yes it is.
Hardy to Lorusso, before Tucker could say anything.
19 June 2008
Floor action, Jun. 19: SB 137, SB 159, SB 342, SB 808
DID YOU KNOW?
SB 137 by Sen. Julie Quinn would make a secondary offense for those who either are text messaging or, if you are a driver with less than a year of licensing, using a cell phone while driving. Handler Rep. Hollis Downs said this would improve safety without having distractions from all drivers and especially new drivers.
Rep. Austin Badon, however, offered an amendment to turn this bill essentially into his HB 852 which banned non-hands-free use of cell phones for all and passed the House. To make matters more interesting, Rep. Walker Hines tried to hook an amendment on to raise his non-smoking stricture in cars if there were 15 year-olds in it (as opposed to the currenbt 13-year-old standard), trying in essence to amend on his bill (to remind him as he could not remember what it was, it was HB 1021) on the subject that failed in the Senate. Its germaneness was challenged by Rep. Mert Smiley but upheld on the basis that it was another driver distraction.
Rep. Jeff Arnold said he could not support the bill especially with Badon’s amendment. He said even operating a GPS device could run afoul of this law. Arnold also chided Hines for his continued tries at passing this bill even after several defeats. With Hines implying his previous bill lost on several occasions because of a lack of members, a lockout and quorum call both were made and the latter was established. The amendment failed 34-56.
Badon then addressed his amendment, saying if it was good enough to be passed on its own, it ought to be good enough for an amendment. Arnold reminded Badon that HB 852 was defeated handily in the Senate, and thought it might be hurting SB 137 to be attached. Rep. Tony Ligi said that the bill might not stem the tendency for multitasking. Badon replied the act isolated was not good regardless of other distractions which may or may not occur as a result of a cell phone’s use.
Badon closed saying this should not be just a “kid’s bill” and that his amendment would make sure it is done right the first time. The amendment failed 33-49. The bill unamended from the floor passed 69-19.
DID YOU KNOW?
Since SB 159 by Sen. Don Cravins wpould prohibit minors from using any wireless telecommunications device while operating a motor vehicle which almost mimicked SB 137, there was no debate and it passed 88-4.
DID YOU KNOW?
SB 342 by Sen. Dale Erdey would prohibit first-year drivers from using cell phones. With it being so similar to SB 137 and SB 159, it passed 88-6.
DID YOU KNOW?
SB 808 by Sen. Rob Marionneaux would redo the way the state deals with its capital outlay budget. Speaker Jim Tucker pointed out it was essentially a duplicate of his HB 582 passed out of the House days earlier. It clarifies the process, he said, and it passed 93-0.
SB 137 by Sen. Julie Quinn would make a secondary offense for those who either are text messaging or, if you are a driver with less than a year of licensing, using a cell phone while driving. Handler Rep. Hollis Downs said this would improve safety without having distractions from all drivers and especially new drivers.
Rep. Austin Badon, however, offered an amendment to turn this bill essentially into his HB 852 which banned non-hands-free use of cell phones for all and passed the House. To make matters more interesting, Rep. Walker Hines tried to hook an amendment on to raise his non-smoking stricture in cars if there were 15 year-olds in it (as opposed to the currenbt 13-year-old standard), trying in essence to amend on his bill (to remind him as he could not remember what it was, it was HB 1021) on the subject that failed in the Senate. Its germaneness was challenged by Rep. Mert Smiley but upheld on the basis that it was another driver distraction.
Rep. Jeff Arnold said he could not support the bill especially with Badon’s amendment. He said even operating a GPS device could run afoul of this law. Arnold also chided Hines for his continued tries at passing this bill even after several defeats. With Hines implying his previous bill lost on several occasions because of a lack of members, a lockout and quorum call both were made and the latter was established. The amendment failed 34-56.
Badon then addressed his amendment, saying if it was good enough to be passed on its own, it ought to be good enough for an amendment. Arnold reminded Badon that HB 852 was defeated handily in the Senate, and thought it might be hurting SB 137 to be attached. Rep. Tony Ligi said that the bill might not stem the tendency for multitasking. Badon replied the act isolated was not good regardless of other distractions which may or may not occur as a result of a cell phone’s use.
Badon closed saying this should not be just a “kid’s bill” and that his amendment would make sure it is done right the first time. The amendment failed 33-49. The bill unamended from the floor passed 69-19.
DID YOU KNOW?
Since SB 159 by Sen. Don Cravins wpould prohibit minors from using any wireless telecommunications device while operating a motor vehicle which almost mimicked SB 137, there was no debate and it passed 88-4.
DID YOU KNOW?
SB 342 by Sen. Dale Erdey would prohibit first-year drivers from using cell phones. With it being so similar to SB 137 and SB 159, it passed 88-6.
DID YOU KNOW?
SB 808 by Sen. Rob Marionneaux would redo the way the state deals with its capital outlay budget. Speaker Jim Tucker pointed out it was essentially a duplicate of his HB 582 passed out of the House days earlier. It clarifies the process, he said, and it passed 93-0.
16 June 2008
Floor action, Jun. 16: SB 789, SB 796
DID YOU KNOW?
SB 789 was to apply to boards and commissions for certain highway commissions in rural areas (designed for Iberia Parish). Rep Patrick Connick asked to introduce an amendment dealing with the Crescent City Connection. Rep. Jeff Arnold asked whether it was germane, and Speaker Jim Tucker ruled it wasn’t. Connick complained and asked for a vote on the ruling. Tucker called him aside and reminded him these motions were rare and never successful. Disgruntled, Connick asked for personal privilege and Tucker said only asfter the bill passed. “We’ve got three more years; I’ll be back” Connick said, withdrew, and the bill passed without it.
DID YOU KNOW?
SB 796 would remove debt supported by a taxpayer-dedicated revenue stream to be counted as debt for calculation purposes. Rep. Karen Carter Peterson asked why do this? Handler Rep. Chris Hazel stumbled through an explanation that he thought it would improve the state’s bond rating. Peterson wondered whether it ought to be returned to the calendar but then relinquished her questioning.
Tucker, who had left the chair at the beginning of the questioning, took the microphone, absolved Hazel for being a “good soldier” carrying the water for author Sen. Joe McPherson and called it a “very bad bill.” Tucker explained the basis of the bill, the money borrowed for the TIMED program being affected, and said this was not good budgetary or fiscal policy and that rating agencies would not change their ratings as a result of this and thought they would think it would make Louisiana less trustworthy.
Peterson said she had not gotten a note from the Gov. Bobby Jindal administration and asked what it thought. Tucker said he hadn’t, either, so he didn’t know what it thought. Other members got Tucker to repeat that it reflected poorly on the state’s reputation.
Hazel on closing repeated it would create no new debt. The bill was defeated 3-84 with only the representatives from McPherson’s district voting for it.
QUOTES OF THE DAY:
We all have been concerned about Mr. Fannin’s mental state and its changing over the next ten days.
Tucker, referring to Rep. Jim Fannin, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee who controls the pursestrings.
Members, I want to clarify, that was not a new record, he was handling a Senate bill
Tucker, referring to the 3-84 vote on SB 796 referring to a record for lopsided defeat – last year Rep. John LaBruzzo lost even more spectacularly on his own bill.
SB 789 was to apply to boards and commissions for certain highway commissions in rural areas (designed for Iberia Parish). Rep Patrick Connick asked to introduce an amendment dealing with the Crescent City Connection. Rep. Jeff Arnold asked whether it was germane, and Speaker Jim Tucker ruled it wasn’t. Connick complained and asked for a vote on the ruling. Tucker called him aside and reminded him these motions were rare and never successful. Disgruntled, Connick asked for personal privilege and Tucker said only asfter the bill passed. “We’ve got three more years; I’ll be back” Connick said, withdrew, and the bill passed without it.
DID YOU KNOW?
SB 796 would remove debt supported by a taxpayer-dedicated revenue stream to be counted as debt for calculation purposes. Rep. Karen Carter Peterson asked why do this? Handler Rep. Chris Hazel stumbled through an explanation that he thought it would improve the state’s bond rating. Peterson wondered whether it ought to be returned to the calendar but then relinquished her questioning.
Tucker, who had left the chair at the beginning of the questioning, took the microphone, absolved Hazel for being a “good soldier” carrying the water for author Sen. Joe McPherson and called it a “very bad bill.” Tucker explained the basis of the bill, the money borrowed for the TIMED program being affected, and said this was not good budgetary or fiscal policy and that rating agencies would not change their ratings as a result of this and thought they would think it would make Louisiana less trustworthy.
Peterson said she had not gotten a note from the Gov. Bobby Jindal administration and asked what it thought. Tucker said he hadn’t, either, so he didn’t know what it thought. Other members got Tucker to repeat that it reflected poorly on the state’s reputation.
Hazel on closing repeated it would create no new debt. The bill was defeated 3-84 with only the representatives from McPherson’s district voting for it.
QUOTES OF THE DAY:
We all have been concerned about Mr. Fannin’s mental state and its changing over the next ten days.
Tucker, referring to Rep. Jim Fannin, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee who controls the pursestrings.
Members, I want to clarify, that was not a new record, he was handling a Senate bill
Tucker, referring to the 3-84 vote on SB 796 referring to a record for lopsided defeat – last year Rep. John LaBruzzo lost even more spectacularly on his own bill.
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