Calling Jindal’s bluff
From the <em>Huffington Post: Jindal’s grandstanding on stimulus funds once again puts the Governor’s ambition over the needs of the state.
Economy
Grace: Promising unity to deliver dollars
From the Times-Picayune: At least two members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation are planning to work across party lines for the good of the state.
Suplus funds used to “balance” budget
From the Advocate: Department of Health and Human Services gets around $118 million in spedning cuts by using one time Medicaid dollars.
Jindal: Hodge plant future unsure
From the Ruston Leader: Four hundred and thirty jobs in limbo with the fate of the Smurfit-Stone paper mill.
When the Boom goes Bust
From the Advocate and the Associated Press: After an ‘08 budget that increased spending and cut taxes, Governor Jindal faces the realities of a collapse in oil prices and the economy in general, setting up the first real test of his political career.
Landrieu outlines priorities as Small Business Committee Chair
From the Washington Post: In a letter to President-elect Barack Obama, Senator Mary Landrieu asks to have Small Business Administration returned to a Cabinet level post.
Busy Day for LA on Capitol Hill
Yesterday was a busy day for Louisiana on Capitol Hill. First up was a new economic stimulus and disaster assistance package, which would give Louisiana an extra $3 billion in recovery aid.
The legislation would give Louisiana 30 years, instead of three, to repay more than $1.7 billion as its share of levee upgrades in metro New Orleans; $350 million to help hospitals in Louisiana and Mississippi deal with cash-flow issues and other post-hurricane problems; and $75 million to help fight increased violent crime and rebuild police fire and criminal justice facilities.
Secondly, Sen. Landrieu spent a second day castigating FEMA for their poor management and failure to even bother asking the Louisiana Recovery Authority, non-profits or housing agencies if they needed supplies donated to hurricane victims.
Paul Rainwater, executive director of the LRA, said:
Had I known about these supplies, I would have moved to quickly put them to good use.
You can listen to the full hearing here.
