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Browsing entries posted on Tuesday, November 03, 2009
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Confrontation not political, woman claims
A Baton Rouge rape survivor whose videotaped confrontation with U.S. Sen. David Vitter is circulating around the Internet said Tuesday that the incident was not politically motivated. The incident is posted on YouTube and has had more than 100,000 viewers as of Tuesday evening. The YouTube video is available http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6YZ1wP1978 Read more…Posted in: Politics, Campaigns, U.S. Congress
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Use of one-time money for Medicaid deficit
Louisiana’s health chief proposed Tuesday using one-time money to fill some three-fourths of a $308 million projected shortfall in the state’s $6.5 billion Medicaid program.
State Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Alan Levine called the plan he outlined to legislative money committees “a balanced approach” that will for now shield private health care providers from more cuts.The use of one-time money for recurring expenditures has been opposed by Gov. Bobby Jindal and some legislative leaders.Increases in projected spending in Medicaid — the government health insurance program for the poor — is occurring in payments to private hospitals, nursing homes, pharmacy, laboratory and x-ray services, according to DHH data.The $231 million in one-time money that includes some federal stimulus dollars, a financial settlement as well as tapping proceeds in a special account will help bridge the gap, said Levine.The Joint Legislative Budget Committee must approve many of the elements in the Medicaid budget-balancing proposal.Budget committee co-chairman Rep. Jim Fannin, D-Jonesboro, said the DHH projections of a budget shortfall could be over-inflated because they are based on one-quarter worth of data.“These are projections,” said Fannin, recalling how DHH last year proposed cuts based on similar data only to determine a short time later that the numbers didn’t hold up.Levine said it is the best estimate DHH can provide today.Because of uncertainties, Levine said he is suggesting use of one-time money instead of cuts in payments to health care providers which would have to be rescinded if conditions improve.Posted in: Politics
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Legislative auditor announces retirement
Mark Saltz/The Advocate
Steve Theriot, Legislative Auditor during a May 2007 discussion, announced his retirement Tuesday morning.
Legislative Auditor Steve Theriot announced Tuesday that he is retiring in less than three weeks.
“It’s never an easy thing … I’m not getting any younger,” he said.
Theriot, 63, will work until Nov. 20. He said his immediate plans are to take his granddaughters to Walt Disney World in December.
Theriot’s first assistant, Daryl Purpera, will fill in until the Legislature picks a permanent replacement.
Purpera has been with the Legislative Auditor’s Office since 1985.
The auditor is an employee of the Legislature who checks the financial books and job performance of government agencies in Louisiana.
Before becoming legislative auditor in 2004, Theriot was a legislator and a Jefferson Parish School Board member.
He replaced Dan Kyle as legislative auditor after Kyle resigned to run for governor.
Kyle turned the Legislative Auditor’s Office into a public watchdog that ferreted out public corruption.
The kickbacks case against former Elections Commissioner Jerry Fowler began as an investigation by the Legislative Auditor’s Office. Kyle also took a close look at former Agriculture Commissioner Bob Odom.
Theriot wasn’t as high profile as Kyle. But he did battle in court with Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon over access to records in Donelon’s office.
Theriot said he has been contemplating retirement for awhile. He said he wants to spend more time at his home in Marrero.
His replacement must be a licensed certified public accountant. A special commission will compile a list of possible replacements. The majority of the Legislature must agree on Theriot’s successor.Posted in: Politics
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Kennedy wants to tackle NGOs
Patrick Dennis/The Advocate
Council for A Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin, right, and State Treasurer John Kennedy during a meeting Tuesday of the Commission on Streamlining Government in which funding for non-governmental organizations was discussed.
State Treasurer John Kennedy pushed Tuesday morning to purge legislators’ special projects from the state budget. But other members of the Commission on Streamlining Government balked at the idea of cutting off funding for what are referred to in state government as nongovernmental organizations — or NGOs. Commissioner of Administration Angele Davis said eliminating NGOs would affect water systems, battered women shelters, councils on aging and volunteer fire departments. Read more…
