As the regular legislative session gets off to a normal slow start, most of the little action today concerned the ongoing and unfinished business of the redistricting session just concluded. House Speaker Jim Tucker faced the strongest criticism yet for his decision to hire Holtzman Vogel to guide the state through the federal approval process. Democrats criticized the hire because the Washington firm informally advised the House Republican Caucus during the special session. Rep. John Bel Edwards, leader of the Democratic Caucus, accused Tucker of “poor judgment” in hiring a firm to represent the whole House after that firm had advised Republicans. Tucker says he was satisfied the hiring was appropriate and did not contemplate seeking another firm. “We’re moving on,” he says. The House is pressing for federal approval on two fronts, both submitting its plan for Justice Department pre-clearance and filing suit in district court in Washington. While the state has only sought administrative approval in the past, the closeness of the fall elections prompted Tucker to have a lawsuit close to trial in case Justice denies approval within its 60-day review period.
— While redistricting BESE was less controversial than doing so for Congress or the Legislature, lawmakers still were unable to approve a plan for the education board during the special session and are trying again in the regular session. BESE members are up for re-election this fall. The House & Governmental Affairs Committee approved two similar bills by southwest legislators that try to balance the political influence of Lafayette and Lake Charles. Currently, District 7 is represented by Dale Bayard of Sulphur. The bills by Reps. Mike Danahay, D-Sulphur, and Nancy Landry, R-Lafayette, are scheduled for debate on Thursday. The bills could face floor amendments because BESE members say they finally reached their own consensus on drawing lines last night.
— It takes a lot to stir the mild-mannered secretary of Wildlife & Fisheries, Robert Barham. That is, until you litter in front of him. Barham told the Appropriations Committee this week that he rarely flashes his badge, but could not restrain himself recently when he saw a motorist, on leaving the DWF parking lot, empty a trash bag on the street. “I turned on my light and pulled her over,” says Barham, who offered her a choice: pick up her trash or get a $175 ticket for littering. “I promise you she got on her knees to pick up her trash,” he says, also putting litterers on notice. “Anyone I see littering,” he said, “will get a personal visit from the secretary of Wildlife & Fisheries.” Today, the House Natural Resources Committee approved HB 292 by Rep. Jim Morris, R-Oil City, to renew the $1 fee on the four-year driver’s license that’s dedicated to litter abatement through Keep Louisiana Beautiful.
(John Maginnis will publish a daily update on the legislative session at 3 p.m., available to LaPolitics Weekly subscribers on the Subscribers Only page at LaPolitics.com. You can register your user name and password on the Lapolitics home page.)
