Louisiana’s potential share of the Clean Water Act penalties paid for as a result of BP’s 2010 oil spill—estimated at anywhere from $2 billion to $6 billion—has conservation interests fearing a hijacking by lawmakers during the regular session. “Look at what happened last year,” says Chris Macaluso, coastal outreach coordinator for the Louisiana Wildlife Federation. During the 2012 regular session, lawmakers added a provision to state law requiring that any BP fine money be deposited into the Coastal Protection and Restoration Fund. But with only a simple majority vote needed to reverse the law, eyes are turning to the upcoming session. Rep. Simone Champagne, R-Jeanerette, will ask state lawmakers to pass a constitutional amendment in the spring to limit the money to coastal protection and restoration projects. She did the same last year, but negotiations broke down in the Senate and the language was put into statute instead.
—Even before Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden fired Police Chief DeWayne White this week, a public movement was under way to consolidate the police department and sheriff’s office. The metro councilman leading the quest believes the controversial firing gives impetus to the plan. “Timing is everything,” says Metro Councilman Joel Boé. “Now I could not pick a better time.” He has set a March 6 initial meeting for a committee formed by the council to study possible unification.
They said it: “Texas Brine has taught me more about purgatory and limbo, and I went to Catholic school, than the nuns could.” —Bayou Corne homeowner Candy Blanchard on the nearby sinkhole.
(John Maginnis publishes LaPolitics Weekly, a newsletter on Louisiana politics, at LaPolitics.com.)
Today’s poll question: Do you think the Baton Rouge police chief should be an elected position, or should the mayor continue to appoint someone for the job?
