Washington Watch for May 5, 2008

• By GERARD SHIELDS
• Washington correspondent
• Published: May 5, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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Former U.S. Sen. John Breaux, D-La., wasted little time in making a big splash in the Washington lobbying arena.

Four months ago, Breaux formed a lobbying firm with former U.S. Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., and their sons. First-quarter lobbying reports required to be filed in the House show Breaux-Lott earned $945,000 in that three-month period.

Among the firm’s largest clients were AT&T and the Association of American Railroads, according to the records reviewed by the Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call. The two clients each paid the firm $150,000.

Delta Airlines paid the firm $125,000, while Chevron added another $75,000. The records show that the firm landed The Shaw Group of Baton Rouge, which paid $70,000. Other notable clients were Shell Oil and defense contractor Northrop Grumman.

New Orleans benefits

Breaux and his longtime Louisiana legislative pal former U.S. Rep. Billy Tauzin, R-Chackbay, will host benefit concerts for New Orleans at the upcoming national Democratic and Republican conventions, according to the Capitol Hill newspaper Politico.

Tauzin is now president and CEO of the chief pharmaceutical lobby, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association. Donors trying to get their names in front of politicians attending the event can donate up to $135,000.

Universal health care

U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., added her name last week to a proposal to provide universal health care throughout the country.
The bipartisan idea, which has the backing of seven Democratic and seven Republican senators, would require individuals to purchase private health insurance and would establish state-run insurance pools.

A system of federal premium collections and subsidies would also be created, based largely on income tax filings. The proposal would create affordable coverage for the one in five Louisiana residents who does not have insurance, Landrieu said.

The program would be an “exciting new direction and promising direction” for the 47 million people across the country who do not have health-care coverage, Landrieu said.

Another hat in the ring

Conservative businessman Paul Hollis, of New Orleans, recently announced his Republican U.S. Senate bid.