A combination of miscommunication, distrust and a lack of votes sent both chambers home for the weekend, with the governor-backed congressional plan facing new obstacles to Senate approval. The word late Wednesday was that a revised plan by Sen. Neil Riser, R-Columbia, backed by Gov. Bobby Jindal, would answer objections that caused his bill to be defeated earlier this week. But it was apparent Thursday morning that the changes Riser made to satisfy southwestern Louisiana and to keep Lafourche and Terrebonne together created a new problem in the Florida parishes. Members of both houses return to the State Capitol on Monday, when the Senate will take another crack at passing a congressional plan.
— A $15 million marketing contract to rebrand and promote Louisiana seafood has attracted 35 proposals from state, national and international firms. Funded by a grant from BP following the oil spill, the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board will review proposals by April 19 and choose three finalists to make presentations on April 25. A board spokeswoman says the full $15 million contract will be awarded to one firm or group. “It’s mind blowing,” says one ad professional of the interest in the contract demonstrated by major firms. Some national and international firms have partnered with state firms on their proposals. One major national firm, Fleishman Hillard, contracted with former Commissioner of Administration Angele Davis to help craft its proposal.
They said it: “Let there be no bloodshed in this House today.” —Rev. Travis Lee Houston of the First Pentecostal Church of Bogalusa, offering the opening prayer for the Senate on Thursday
(John Maginnis publishes LaPolitics Weekly, a newsletter on Louisiana politics, at LaPolitics.com.)
