Bills’ fates clash

• By WILL SENTELL
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: May 14, 2009 - Page: 1A

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A Baton Rouge lawmaker caught in twin controversies said Wednesday his bill to trim the power of local school boards is separate from another proposal to increase the state’s cigarette tax.

State Rep. Steve Carter, R-Baton Rouge, who earlier this session backed a $1 per pack cigarette tax hike, said he is undecided whether to endorse a new proposal to increases taxes by 50 cents per pack.

“I am going to have to review it to be honest with you,” Carter said of the 50-cent boost.

“I am anti-tax and anti-smoking,” he said. “I am caught between a rock and a hard place.”

The fate of the school board bill, which was in limbo Tuesday night, is set for a committee hearing next week.

Carter is sponsor of House Bill 851, which would limit the power of local school boards.

It is backed by Gov. Bobby Jindal.

Carter is also a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, which is considering the 50 cent per pack tax increase. Jindal opposes the measure, which is House Bill 889.

The proposed tax would raise about $100 million per year.

The two high-profile issues got ensnared on Tuesday night.

Carter and other backers of the school board revamp bill thought the House Education Committee would approve it during a hearing that began at about 7:15 p.m.

But that gathering was halted suddenly so that the House Ways and Means Committee, which was also meeting late, could get enough members to proceed.

Carter and House Education Committee Vice-Chairman  Frank Hoffmann, R-West Monroe, who are on both panels, were summoned to the House Ways and Means Committee. Neither showed up.