How legislators voted on key issues
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Pay raise — Senate Bill 672
No other legislation attracted as much attention or as much controversy as the legislators’ efforts to dramatically increase their salaries without public debate. Called from the calendar, the state Senate voted 20-16 on June 10 to triple legislator’s salaries and allow for future pay raises without another vote. The House suspended its rules to put the proposal to a vote by the full House on June 13. The House changed the measure to double the pay, rather than triple it for lawmakers and approved the bill on a 56-45 vote. The Senate then suspended its rules and approved the changes on June 16.
The bill was sent to the governor on June 18. Gov. Bobby Jindal must veto it before July 8 or it becomes law. The pay raise takes effect on July 1.
During his gubernatorial campaign, Jindal said he would oppose legislative pay raises that take effect before the next election. Recently he said he would not veto this measure.
ON THE TABLES BELOW AND AT RIGHT: Wants to double own pay
Tax cut — Senate Bill 87
Gov. Bobby Jindal waited until midway through the legislative session to jump onboard a $359 million tax break. His administration initially opposed the measure. The Senate voted 19-18 to turn the tax break into a gradual elimination of the state income tax. The House changed the bill back to nearly the way it started. House members then tried to amend the legislation to include more taxpayers. That effort failed when 49 voted for including lower-earners in the tax break and 50 voted to exclude them while 5 did not cast a ballot on the question.
The final measure was approved without a single lawmaker voting “no” in either chamber. SB87, which was signed into law on June 22, changes the tax brackets that were set up by the Stelly amendment, a 2002 constitutional measure in which the state’s voters approved lowering sales taxes on groceries and utilities in exchange for higher income taxes for some. SB87 allows about half the state’s higher earning taxpayers to start seeing savings in 2009. Single tax filers would have to make $95,000 a year to get the maximum savings of $500. Married tax filers with a $150,000 combined in-come would save $1,000. The vote shown here in the Senate was for phasing out state income taxes altogether. In the House, the vote shown is to expand the tax relief to all income levels. Gov. Bobby Jindal signed the bill into law.
ON THE TABLES BELOW AND AT RIGHT: Change income tax brackets
Cable TV — Senate Bill 807
After lengthy debate and several failed amendments, the Louisiana Legislature approved the Consumer Choice Television Act, which AT&T claims will promote competition for cable television. Local and parish governments argue that the bill amounts to an unconstitutional cancellation of their contracts with cable companies and would significantly cut into local revenues. During debate local governments attempted to opt out of the statewide legislation. SB807 passed the Senate on a 27-8 vote May 6. It was approved 94-9 by the House on June 10.
Under SB807, telecommunications companies would file an application with the Secretary of State’s Office for a 15-year, renewable statewide franchise.
Local governments would be able to collect up to 5 percent of the company’s gross revenue from providing the service. The legislation is entitled the “consumer choice television act.” A similar bill was passed by the 2007 Legislature and was vetoed by then-Gov. Kathleen Blanco on the grounds that it hurt local governments too much. Gov. Bobby Jindal has not indicated where he stands on the issue.
ON THE TABLES BELOW AND AT RIGHT: Allow statewide cable TV franchising
Increase college tuition — House Bill 734
The House and Senate agreed to allow for up to 5 per-cent tuition increases each of the next four years for all of the state’s public universities and two-year colleges. Tuition at LSU is expected to rise about $234 starting in the fall. Southern could go up about $184 and Baton Rouge Community College could rise about $90.
Louisiana is the only state that requires two-thirds legislative approval for tuition and fee hikes. Proposed constitutional amendments would have changed that structure and given control to raise prices to the higher education governing boards. But legislative opposition to raising tuition fees prompted that bill’s sponsors to back off on the constitutional amendment and focus passing a tuition increase.
HB734 had close votes in both chambers, requiring a second try to get the necessary two-thirds vote in the House.
The legislation was approved 27-8 by the Senate on June 18 and 84-18 by the House on June 9.
The tuition plan was sent to the desk of Gov. Bobby Jindal, who has indicated he will not veto the measure.
ON THE TABLES BELOW AND AT RIGHT: Increase college tuition
Term limits — Senate Bill 232
People who serve on various elected and appointed state boards and commissions would be subject to term limits under bills that won final legislative passage. Under SB 232, members of the constitutionally created boards such as the Public Service Commission, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Board of Supervisors for the systems that oversee LSU, Southern, the University of Louisiana and community and technical colleges, the Civil Service Commission, the State Police Commission, and the Forestry Commission could serve no more than three consecutive terms.
The Senate passed the measure May 6 on a 31-4 vote. The House approved 92-8 on June 20.
The proposed constitutional amendment goes to voters Nov. 4 for approval. A companion measure, Senate Bill 233 , changed the law to impose term limits on those serving on boards and commissions in the executive branch of government. A term limited board member would have to take two years off before hopping to another board. It easily won passage.
ON THE TABLES BELOW AND AT RIGHT: Limit terms of boards, commissions
Evolution — Senate Bill 733
The Louisiana Science Education Act overhauls the way evolution is taught in Louisiana public schools.
Backers said the bill is needed to give science teachers more freedom to hold discussions that challenge traditional theories, including Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. It would allow science teachers to use supplemental materials, in addition to state-issued textbooks, on issues like evolution, global warming and human cloning.
Opponents contend the legislation would inject creationism and other religious themes into public schools.
House approved the measure June 11 on a 94-3 vote with seven representatives not casting a vote. The Senate passed the measure on a 35-0 with four members not casting votes on June 16.
Gov. Bobby Jindal already has signed this bill into law.
ON THE TABLES BELOW AND AT RIGHT: Challenge traditional science
Fight over state budget cuts — House Bill 1
The state operating budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1 sparked a struggle over spending. The House reduced Gov. Bobby Jindal’s $30.1 billion proposed spending plan, cutting funding for health care and education. The House also chopped the pay of the governor’s economic development secretary. The House approved the budget with those cuts on a 102-0 vote on May 15.
The Jindal administration worked with the Senate to reverse most of the cuts, resulting in a $29.9 billion budget that boosts teacher pay and funds the governor’s work-force training initiatives. Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret would be paid the $320,000 the governor promised him. Legislators packed the budget with projects for their districts. The Senate approved that budget on a 37-1 vote on June 18. The House on June 21 approved 102-0 the Senate’s changes, meaning that every state representative who voted for budget cuts in May, voted to restore the money in June.
ON THE TABLES BELOW AND AT RIGHT:
Senate: Remove budget cuts
House: Initially approved cutting the budget
Prohibit wearing body armor at school — House Bill 1153
Supporters said this legislation was inspired by an occurrence at McKinley High School where a student wearing body armor was arrested for carrying a firearm on campus. The measure prohibits anyone from wearing bullet proof vest to school or at school-sponsored functions unless the principal is told in writing 24 hours ahead of time. Schools are required to post signs. It creates the misdemeanor crime punishable by up to a year in prison.
The House on May 19 approved the measure on a 79-11 vote. The Senate on June 10 approved the measure 35-0.
ON THE TABLES BELOW AND AT RIGHT: Forbids body armor at school
Track in Iberville Parish — House Bill 937
The measure authorizes a parishwide referendum for Iberville Parish voters to decide if their parish could host live horse racing, parimutuel betting and slot machines at a horse racing track plus allow off-track wagering. A group of Louisiana business people want to build St. Gabriel Downs southeast of Baton Rouge. A Legislative Fiscal Office report anticipates completion of a track in 2010 or 2011, eventually conducting annual track seasons of 94 race days with thoroughbred and quarter horses competing.
Early in the process, Gov. Bobby Jindal’s press secretary has said the governor would veto the legislation as an expansion of gambling. The House on May 21 approved the measure on a 69-21 vote. The Senate voted 22-11 on June 19 to send the bill to the governor’s desk.
ON THE TABLES BELOW AND AT RIGHT: Iberville vote to allow horse racing
No other legislation attracted as much attention or as much controversy as the legislators’ efforts to dramatically increase their salaries without public debate. Called from the calendar, the state Senate voted 20-16 on June 10 to triple legislator’s salaries and allow for future pay raises without another vote. The House suspended its rules to put the proposal to a vote by the full House on June 13. The House changed the measure to double the pay, rather than triple it for lawmakers and approved the bill on a 56-45 vote. The Senate then suspended its rules and approved the changes on June 16.
The bill was sent to the governor on June 18. Gov. Bobby Jindal must veto it before July 8 or it becomes law. The pay raise takes effect on July 1.
During his gubernatorial campaign, Jindal said he would oppose legislative pay raises that take effect before the next election. Recently he said he would not veto this measure.
ON THE TABLES BELOW AND AT RIGHT: Wants to double own pay
Tax cut — Senate Bill 87
Gov. Bobby Jindal waited until midway through the legislative session to jump onboard a $359 million tax break. His administration initially opposed the measure. The Senate voted 19-18 to turn the tax break into a gradual elimination of the state income tax. The House changed the bill back to nearly the way it started. House members then tried to amend the legislation to include more taxpayers. That effort failed when 49 voted for including lower-earners in the tax break and 50 voted to exclude them while 5 did not cast a ballot on the question.
The final measure was approved without a single lawmaker voting “no” in either chamber. SB87, which was signed into law on June 22, changes the tax brackets that were set up by the Stelly amendment, a 2002 constitutional measure in which the state’s voters approved lowering sales taxes on groceries and utilities in exchange for higher income taxes for some. SB87 allows about half the state’s higher earning taxpayers to start seeing savings in 2009. Single tax filers would have to make $95,000 a year to get the maximum savings of $500. Married tax filers with a $150,000 combined in-come would save $1,000. The vote shown here in the Senate was for phasing out state income taxes altogether. In the House, the vote shown is to expand the tax relief to all income levels. Gov. Bobby Jindal signed the bill into law.
ON THE TABLES BELOW AND AT RIGHT: Change income tax brackets
Cable TV — Senate Bill 807
After lengthy debate and several failed amendments, the Louisiana Legislature approved the Consumer Choice Television Act, which AT&T claims will promote competition for cable television. Local and parish governments argue that the bill amounts to an unconstitutional cancellation of their contracts with cable companies and would significantly cut into local revenues. During debate local governments attempted to opt out of the statewide legislation. SB807 passed the Senate on a 27-8 vote May 6. It was approved 94-9 by the House on June 10.
Under SB807, telecommunications companies would file an application with the Secretary of State’s Office for a 15-year, renewable statewide franchise.
Local governments would be able to collect up to 5 percent of the company’s gross revenue from providing the service. The legislation is entitled the “consumer choice television act.” A similar bill was passed by the 2007 Legislature and was vetoed by then-Gov. Kathleen Blanco on the grounds that it hurt local governments too much. Gov. Bobby Jindal has not indicated where he stands on the issue.
ON THE TABLES BELOW AND AT RIGHT: Allow statewide cable TV franchising
Increase college tuition — House Bill 734
The House and Senate agreed to allow for up to 5 per-cent tuition increases each of the next four years for all of the state’s public universities and two-year colleges. Tuition at LSU is expected to rise about $234 starting in the fall. Southern could go up about $184 and Baton Rouge Community College could rise about $90.
Louisiana is the only state that requires two-thirds legislative approval for tuition and fee hikes. Proposed constitutional amendments would have changed that structure and given control to raise prices to the higher education governing boards. But legislative opposition to raising tuition fees prompted that bill’s sponsors to back off on the constitutional amendment and focus passing a tuition increase.
HB734 had close votes in both chambers, requiring a second try to get the necessary two-thirds vote in the House.
The legislation was approved 27-8 by the Senate on June 18 and 84-18 by the House on June 9.
The tuition plan was sent to the desk of Gov. Bobby Jindal, who has indicated he will not veto the measure.
ON THE TABLES BELOW AND AT RIGHT: Increase college tuition
Term limits — Senate Bill 232
People who serve on various elected and appointed state boards and commissions would be subject to term limits under bills that won final legislative passage. Under SB 232, members of the constitutionally created boards such as the Public Service Commission, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Board of Supervisors for the systems that oversee LSU, Southern, the University of Louisiana and community and technical colleges, the Civil Service Commission, the State Police Commission, and the Forestry Commission could serve no more than three consecutive terms.
The Senate passed the measure May 6 on a 31-4 vote. The House approved 92-8 on June 20.
The proposed constitutional amendment goes to voters Nov. 4 for approval. A companion measure, Senate Bill 233 , changed the law to impose term limits on those serving on boards and commissions in the executive branch of government. A term limited board member would have to take two years off before hopping to another board. It easily won passage.
ON THE TABLES BELOW AND AT RIGHT: Limit terms of boards, commissions
Evolution — Senate Bill 733
The Louisiana Science Education Act overhauls the way evolution is taught in Louisiana public schools.
Backers said the bill is needed to give science teachers more freedom to hold discussions that challenge traditional theories, including Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. It would allow science teachers to use supplemental materials, in addition to state-issued textbooks, on issues like evolution, global warming and human cloning.
Opponents contend the legislation would inject creationism and other religious themes into public schools.
House approved the measure June 11 on a 94-3 vote with seven representatives not casting a vote. The Senate passed the measure on a 35-0 with four members not casting votes on June 16.
Gov. Bobby Jindal already has signed this bill into law.
ON THE TABLES BELOW AND AT RIGHT: Challenge traditional science
Fight over state budget cuts — House Bill 1
The state operating budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1 sparked a struggle over spending. The House reduced Gov. Bobby Jindal’s $30.1 billion proposed spending plan, cutting funding for health care and education. The House also chopped the pay of the governor’s economic development secretary. The House approved the budget with those cuts on a 102-0 vote on May 15.
The Jindal administration worked with the Senate to reverse most of the cuts, resulting in a $29.9 billion budget that boosts teacher pay and funds the governor’s work-force training initiatives. Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret would be paid the $320,000 the governor promised him. Legislators packed the budget with projects for their districts. The Senate approved that budget on a 37-1 vote on June 18. The House on June 21 approved 102-0 the Senate’s changes, meaning that every state representative who voted for budget cuts in May, voted to restore the money in June.
ON THE TABLES BELOW AND AT RIGHT:
Senate: Remove budget cuts
House: Initially approved cutting the budget
Prohibit wearing body armor at school — House Bill 1153
Supporters said this legislation was inspired by an occurrence at McKinley High School where a student wearing body armor was arrested for carrying a firearm on campus. The measure prohibits anyone from wearing bullet proof vest to school or at school-sponsored functions unless the principal is told in writing 24 hours ahead of time. Schools are required to post signs. It creates the misdemeanor crime punishable by up to a year in prison.
The House on May 19 approved the measure on a 79-11 vote. The Senate on June 10 approved the measure 35-0.
ON THE TABLES BELOW AND AT RIGHT: Forbids body armor at school
Track in Iberville Parish — House Bill 937
The measure authorizes a parishwide referendum for Iberville Parish voters to decide if their parish could host live horse racing, parimutuel betting and slot machines at a horse racing track plus allow off-track wagering. A group of Louisiana business people want to build St. Gabriel Downs southeast of Baton Rouge. A Legislative Fiscal Office report anticipates completion of a track in 2010 or 2011, eventually conducting annual track seasons of 94 race days with thoroughbred and quarter horses competing.
Early in the process, Gov. Bobby Jindal’s press secretary has said the governor would veto the legislation as an expansion of gambling. The House on May 21 approved the measure on a 69-21 vote. The Senate voted 22-11 on June 19 to send the bill to the governor’s desk.
ON THE TABLES BELOW AND AT RIGHT: Iberville vote to allow horse racing
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