Mayor’s new bond proposal will have economic stimulus spin

Mayor Kip Holden told the Downtown Development District Commission today to expect another bond proposal on the October or November ballot—this time with an economic stimulus spin. Holden says it’s time to take the best of all downtown studies and move ahead. Businesses are still expressing interest in locating to downtown Baton Rouge. "There will not be another study this government will fund," Holden says. "There will be implementation plans." Voters narrowly rejected last year’s $989 million bond proposal, which included economic development, public safety and infrastructure projects. The projects will remain the same while the dollar amount be lower, he says. It could reflect lower project costs, and East Baton Rouge Parish possibly landing some of President-elect Barack Obama’s proposed stimulus money.

Holden says the city-parish submitted an estimated $500 million wish list in stimulus projects at the U.S. Conference of Mayors late last year. "I feel good about it," Holden says. "We have to act on stimulus, also (Hurricane) Gustav dollars from the state and local dollars for a full package to put people to work and position the Baton Rouge economy." Holden anticipates they’ll finalize a bond proposal figure in about two months.—Anna Thibodeaux

Construction starts on Geismar biofuel plant

Construction has begun on a Geismar plant in which Tyson Foods Inc. and Syntroleum Corp. will use grease and animal fats to produce diesel and jet fuel. Tyson says the $138 million project remains on schedule for a 2010 production start. Springdale, Ark.-based Tyson and Tulsa, Okla.-based Syntroleum formed a joint venture, Dynamic Fuels LLC, to build the refinery. The first concrete foundations were poured almost a month ago, and the companies say the project remains on budget. Equipment for the plant has been ordered and is scheduled for delivery by the second and third quarters. Staffing is expected to start in the middle of 2009. The plant is expected to produce 75 million gallons of fuel annually from fat from chicken, beef and pork.

MidSouth Bank receives federal money

Lafayette-based MidSouth Bank has sold $20 million worth of shares to the U.S. Treasury as part of the federal financial bailout plan. The Treasury bought the shares as part of the Capital Purchase Program, a component of the $700 billion Troubled Assets Relief Program. The department also has a 10-year option to purchase up to $3 million more in MidSouth shares. Rusty Cloutier, president and CEO of MidSouth, has said the bank will use the cash to expand its loan programs.

Pastorek to announce school takeover plans

The state superintendent of education will hold a news conference at noon today to announce which schools he thinks should be taken over by the state because of poor performance. Paul Pastorek will make the recommendations for what to do with the 33 schools, including 12 in East Baton Rouge Parish. The state already runs 71 public schools through the Recovery School District, including four in East Baton Rouge. The state education board will have final say on the recommendations.

Leadership Louisiana names class of 2009

The Council for a Better Louisiana has announced the 2009 class of Leadership Louisiana. The program is designed to make business, education, nonprofit and cultural leaders more aware of the public issues and assets in Louisiana. Local members of the class are: Wade Baumgartner, LSU Ag Center; Julie Baxter, Moore, Walters, Thompson; Dennis Blunt, Phelps Dunbar; Dr. Michael Burdine, Spine Diagnostic & Pain Treatment Center; Tony Clayton, Clayton & Frudge Law Firm; Carole Dupre, Louisiana Economic Development; Dr. Stewart Gordon, LSU Health Sciences Center; Paul Kirk, Woman's Hospital; Christian Molidor; LSU School of Social Work; Tracy Morganti, Adams and Reese; Cathy Scott, Cathy H. Scott CPA, Dr. Lynn Tucker, Cosmetic Dermatology Clinic; Christopher Tyson, Jones Walker; and Allison Young, BlueCross BlueShield of Louisiana.

Poll: Most against plan to drop committee meetings

Forty-four percent of the people who responded to a Daily Report survey say they are against plans for the Metro Council to drop its scheduled committee meetings because it will make it difficult for citizens to get their opinions heard. Thirty-five percent say they support the measure because the committees never took on controversial issues, and 21% were undecided. Nearly 750 people participated in the survey. The new Metro Council will hold its first meeting Wednesday.

Today's question: What will be the average price for a gallon of regular gas in Baton Rouge on March 31?

News roundup: State legislators reveal what's on their mind in ’09 ... Lawsuits increased in 2008 ... New restaurant opens on Florida Boulevard

State of the states: The National Conference of State Legislatures has released a list of the most pressing topics states will be dealing with this year. Budget gaps are the biggest issue, with NCSL officials saying state legislatures are dealing with the worst fiscal conditions in more than 30 years. Other big issues include transportation and infrastructure, higher education affordability, health costs and reform, clean energy, unemployment and home ownership.

The recession didn't hurt everything: The number of suits filed in U.S. federal courts increased by 9% in 2008 because of a growing number of disputes related to employment, antitrust and public safety. Researchers for the Law360 Litigation Almanac, which compiled the report, say the increase in litigation came despite shrinking corporate legal budgets. The number of suits is expected to grow in 2009 because of fallout from the ongoing financial crisis and an expected increase in new regulations from the incoming Obama administration.

DJon's is in business: DJon's, a steak, seafood and fine dining restaurant, is now open on Florida Boulevard across from Baton Rouge Community College. This is the first full-service restaurant operated by Darryl Johnson, who runs the Socially Yours catering service and Taylor Made Gourmet Food in Main Street Market.