Simmering anger over how expanded unemployment benefits slipped through the House has caused growing agitation toward Speaker Jim Tucker among some of his fellow Republicans. One Republican legislator, who wished not to be identified, says more than a dozen members are angry enough to talk about a possible move against Tucker as speaker. “Members are looking at options … but several Republican members have had enough,” the representative says. “We have to draw a line at some point in time.” Tucker, however, says, “I’m not worried about it.” He says more members are angry at themselves over how the unemployment benefits provision passed the House last week.
— An revenue-raising attempt to delay the phase-in of personal income tax deductions is dead in the House before it is even debated on the Senate floor. Fifty-five representatives have signed a letter of opposition to SB 335 by Sen. Lydia Jackson, D-Shreveport, which would freeze excess itemized deductions at 65%, when they were scheduled to increase to 100% this year.
— State casino association director Wade Duty warns making riverboats and the land-based gambling hall go smoke-free would reduce state gaming tax revenues by 20%, or $107 million. He bases that on the 21% drop-off in gambling at Illinois riverboats after they went smoke-free in January 2008. Senators were not impressed with the argument, defeating an amendment to exempt casinos, 10-23. The anti-smoking bill by Sen. Rob Marionneaux, D-Livonia, passed 22-10. A nearly identical House bill by Rep. Gary Smith, D-Garyville, awaits floor action. “We showed them the numbers,” Duty says. “They nodded their heads and said, ‘But I hate cigarettes.'”
(John Maginnis publishes LaPolitics Weekly, a newsletter on Louisiana politics, at LaPolitics.com.)
