BusinessReport.com

Posted on July 2 at 2:08 p.m.

Carpool lanes. Public transit with a real budget and a mandate to get people out of cars (instead of something for the "working poor" to use as a ride to work). Light rail or commuter rail instead of a loop. Public/Private shuttles and busses subsidized by large employers (Exxon? Hello?) Nah, it's just easier to complain about traffic instead of leapfrogging the problem.

Funny, Google shuttles something like 1/20 of their employees (keeping huge numbers of cars off the road) using private busses. Why can't your refineries and large employers (State of Louisiana, banks, etc.) do the same thing? Where are the carpool parking lots on I-12? I know you've all been outside of Baton Rouge and seen the benefits of these approaches in other cities. The city doesn't need elevated carpool lanes like Houston - bad ideas and expensive to boot - but all those people going the same direction every morning and afternoon might as well halve the traffic by sharing rides.

Who doesn't like a lower gas bill? You can't do anything about the falling dollar and rising demand from India and China, but you can find a friend to ride to work with every other day.

Kudos to you for at least driving a fuel-efficient car, J.R. The next time I hear a soccer mommy driving a Suburban with two kids in it (or any other 6+ cylinder solo driver who isn't a contractor) complain about the price of gasoline, I think I'll yell.

On Fueling smart growth

Posted on July 2 at 1:59 p.m.

I don't see why people eat at the lower-tier national chains anyway. The same 5-7 ingredients served in different ways. But I guess there's no accounting for taste in a culture that thinks Wal-Mart is "good for the community".

On A piece of the pie

Posted on June 24 at 1:29 a.m.

"But there are only a handful of industries generating jobs in the poverty-stricken Delta, which also has some of the nation's highest illiteracy rates."

Maybe that has something to do with the high rate of conservative voters and the large population of blacks. Just sayin'. Try getting a loan for a catfish farm when you have little collateral and you're black. Good luck!

On Fuel, feed costs crippling US catfish industry

Posted on June 24 at 1:27 a.m.

I can't see how anyone gives your opinion any weight when you're employed by a connected Jindal acolyte.
Seriously - at what point does the Baton Rouge power/opinion structure have any independent articulation? It sure a'int here.

On Every legislator a king

Posted on June 19 at 10:07 p.m.

LinkedIn is boss. More people in Baton Rouge should use it and Craigslist.

On At social site, only the businesslike need apply

Posted on June 19 at 10:06 p.m.

I know my pay has doubled since 1980. But I was eight years old then.

On Recall requests coming into Sec. of State's Office

Posted on June 19 at 6:21 p.m.

Forgot the best part of the story:

"The lead author of the study, Ross Devol, said states that are investing in science and technology assets are the same states that have a vision and plan for retaining high economic growth. Researchers also said, compared to information from the 2004 report, regional competition for technology industries is on the rise, due to global competition from China and India."

But hey - go ahead and pass some fantasy Intelligent Design bill - that way, kids in Louisiana public schools will get even LESS time to study the science curriculum they need to compete.

Why the whole state isn't marching on the capitol to straighten out the priorities of these bums is beyond me.

On Every legislator a king

Posted on June 19 at 6:17 p.m.

Here's a tidbit for those who want to see young, smart computer professionals stay in the state:

Top 10 science and technology states

1. Massachusetts
2. Maryland
3. Colorado
4. California
5. Washington
6. Virginia
7. Connecticut
8. Utah
9. New Hampshire
10. Rhode Island

'....Rounding out the bottom of the list were Louisiana, Kentucky, Arkansas, West Virginia, and Mississippi."

Good thing the lege is working on rewarding themselves instead of advancing the interests of a state that relies on a 19th-century economy and education system. Good luck with that.

On Every legislator a king

Posted on June 19 at 4:05 p.m.

Het Rolfe: what's up with that ad you paid for? Something about it being "an outright lie"?

On The search is on

Posted on June 19 at 4:04 p.m.

Tucker said: "If we're going to have an educated, qualified Legislature, you have to have decent pay."

What, are they all going to go to "Good Government School" now that they've got raises and can pay for it?

I'm chagrined that you haven't raked Bobby over the coals for going back on his word - his brochure promised to veto any legislative pay raises that took effect during the same term. And yet, here's the GOP wonder boy, destroying in a single stroke every single ounce of goodwill and trust he'd built up in Louisiana by indicating he "doesn't agree", but "won't veto".

I guess criticizing Jindal is a little taboo, what with your Rolfe paying for a radio spot that directly controverts the facts?

On Every legislator a king