Finally, yesterday, the House Committee on House and Governmental Affairs approved bills that are too “perkish” for starts.That committee has agreed to allowing Senate Bill 8 go forward, which sets a $50 ceiling on the amount of free food and drinks that elected officials can accept from lobbyists. The ceiling would apply per occasion. So, logic tells one that a lobbyist can lavishly dine a legislator frequently, just stay within the fifty dollar tab unless there is a hard and fast cap for total amount of paid meals for elected officials or for snacking buddies involving individual lobbyists and elected official.The Committee also approved Senate Bill 3, which bans elected officials from accepting free tickets to sports and cultural events although this debate is far from over as it is in the Senate.
The Senate will take a crack at the signature Jindal legislations that got bogged down for days. There are already indications that Senate Bill 3 is being modified.
I know this has been said before so it is not original but I say do away with all free food and all tickets to cultural and sporting events and any type of event imaginable.Also do away with all opportunities for elected officials to receive any “dibs” on events that others cannot attend even if the government officials pay from their own pockets.There should be no reason that they get access to the events that the “people” cannot attend due to sellouts.
I would also lock up the free boxes owned by the state but given to the Governor’s use and give those tickets to charity.If the Governor really wants to meet someone for business person, there is always he Mansion.That way, there is no future controversy or controversies over the Hannah Montana or future issues.The entire privilege is a perk when you consider the power of the Governor.If he calls someone who is in town and they can’t meet at the Mansion or on the 4th floor or in a cab or Governor’s limo, there is something wrong.
Bobby Jindal had it right when he turned down Governor Blanco’s requests for his presence at the BCS Bowl.In retrospect, Governor Blanco should have bought her own ticket like everyone else, if she could have found one.
It is time for the Louisiana people to take back government from the few and the privileged.What gains we have made this session as all the smoke clears might not be enough and could be revisited in the future.Nobody should get a free ride, free chicken, or free suite.It is time for us to live that mentality.Government by the people which is the basic tenet of democracy.The Louisiana people can dredge it from the dead.Once our government realizes that we are watching, I believe those cutting corners will rather be dead than embarrassed beyond any save-face perkish “sweet talk”.
Geee.... Thanks for the inspirational fairy tale pep talk Stevo.................. I makes me want to waste another 5 or 6 years hanging around this wonderfully progressive state........ Not. Written by ........Ah, paperwork, paperwork, paperwork
on 2/21/2008
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
