Inside politics for Aug. 2, 2009

• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: Aug 2, 2009

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Gov. Bobby Jindal and Texas Gov. Rick Perry made a friendly wager weeks ago on the outcome of the College World Series.

During a helicopter trip Tuesday, Gov. Bobby Jindal said he still is waiting for Perry to deliver on the bet by providing him with a barbecue dinner, since LSU beat Texas.

The Advocate called the Texas Governor’s Office to inquire about the delay. Less than two hours later, Perry’s press office announced that barbecue from The Salt Lick in Driftwood, Texas, should be on its way in two weeks.

Perry’s press secretary, Allison Castle, said it took time to arrange the delivery. 

“They’re going to get some amazing barbecue,” she said.

Texan keeps peace in LSU honor vote
U.S. Rep. William Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, announced last week that the House voted 426-0 for his resolution honoring the LSU baseball team with one member voting present.

Who sat out the vote marking LSU’s win over the University of Texas for the national championship? It was U.S. Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, whose congressional district is south of Dallas.

But why would Barton, who graduated from Texas A&M, abstain from a vote that praised the team that beat A&M’s most-hated rival?

“Despite the fact that I am a proud Texas Aggie, my wife is a Texas Longhorn,” Barton said in a prepared statement.

“So college sports can already be a point of contention in our home so I cast this vote in an effort to preserve marital harmony instead of congressional harmony,” Barton said.

“It was nothing personal against the Tigers or their fans, but sometimes you have to think about the problems a vote will cause in your house — not the House of Representatives.”

Loan guaranty by Odom in default
A loan guaranty agreement entered into by former state Agriculture Commissioner Bob Odom is creating headaches for the agency’s current leader.

State Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain told the State Bond Commission on Thursday that the $3.1 million loan is in default.
The Louisiana State Market Commission, which is part of the agency, is being called upon to pay it, he said.

State Treasurer John Kennedy, who clashed with Odom in the past, said Strain needs to sit down with people in the state Attorney General’s Office to determine how to handle the situation.