It started as an amicable divorce, but as such things often go, differences over money are making messier the separation of University of New Orleans from LSU. After debate over how to cover the transfer expenses and to indemnify LSU against potential legal action, the Senate approved SB 266 by Sen. Conrad Appel, R-Metairie, appropriately on UNO Day, at the Capitol. Working out a protocol was necessary because, Appel says, at least one other university system transfer “was in the works.” Higher education sources say informal talks have renewed about Louisiana Tech transferring to the LSU System from the University of Louisiana System. That move was first broached about five years ago, but interest in it was renewed with the UNO transfer. To go forward with another transfer within the next year, the constitution requires a study to be ordered.
— Both sides suggest the other is not counting their votes right on a potential override vote of the governor’s veto of the tobacco tax repeal. Gov. Bobby Jindal has until Tuesday to veto or allow HB 591 to become law. Jindal made a personal appeal to the House Republican caucus to not override a veto, though Speaker Jim Tucker, addressing the body, says he thinks lowering the tax on cigarettes is a bad idea. Republicans who voted for the 4-cent per pack tax extension hope it’s the governor who blinks. If Jindal forces the issue, the Senate is expected to vote first; 29 of them, three more than two-thirds, voted for the bill. Then would come the vote in the House, which passed the bill with just the 70 votes needed. Andrew Muhl of the American Cancer Society says two Democrats absent for the first vote are ready to vote to override and that there could be a defection from the nay side. Since the tax does not expire until July 2012, the $12 million from the tax renewal does not affect the budget being debated. Though no governor wants to be overridden—that hasn’t happened in the state in 20 years—it could be more important to Jindal’s long-term political aspirations to keep his anti-tax reputation pristine.
(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.)
