Three former members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation will participate in a panel discussion on “making government work in today’s political climate” at the Council for a Better Louisiana’s annual meeting next week.
Former Sen. John Breaux and Congressmen Billy Tauzin and Rodney Alexander will “offer their insights on what’s needed to make government functional again,” CABL says in a news release. Longtime political journalist and Gambit Publisher Clancy DuBos will moderate the discussion.
Breaux, a Democrat, served in the U.S. Senate from 1987 until 2005. He currently teaches a class called “How Washington Works” at LSU’s Manship School of Mass Communication. Tauzin is a Democrat-turned-Republican who represented Louisiana’s 3rd Congressional District and later became a pharmaceutical lobbyist. Alexander is also a Democrat-turned-Republican who served under former Gov. Bobby Jindal as secretary of Veterans Affairs after his tenure representing the 5th Congressional District.
CABL President Barry Erwin says the conversation is aimed at exploring Congress’ 13% approval rating and Louisiana voters’ widespread lack of confidence in government.
“We have long seen voter frustration with the Congress, but Louisiana has for the most part been immune from that,” Erwin says in a statement. “In recent years, however, we hear more and more people expressing concerns about state government’s inability to resolve major issues. We hope this roundtable will offer insights on how we can resolve public concerns and move Louisiana forward.”
Also at CABL’s annual meeting—which will take place on Thursday, Dec. 7, at the L’Auberge Casino & Hotel—a panel of political journalists will discuss a variety of political issues. Jeremy Alford, publisher of LaPolitics Weekly; Melinda Deslatte, capitol correspondent for The Associated Press; and Greg Hilburn, political reporter for the USA Today Network of Louisiana, will participate in the panel.
The CABL annual meeting will kick off at 9:30 a.m. and wrap up at 1:30 p.m. Individual tickets are available online for $85.
