Here is some of the latest news from around the state of Louisiana, on Monday morning, April 7.
New Orleans City Council
All is not so well in the New Orleans City Council.According to the TP, a Thursday dispute “featured Carter calling Fielkow a hypocrite, Fielkow accusing Carter of a "cheap shot" and Cynthia Hedge-Morrell and Cynthia Willard-Lewis blasting Fielkow for showing what they said was a lack of respect for the consultants and Carter, the chairman of the Telecommunications Committee. In the end, the contracts all were renewed, with only Fielkow voting no. “
Washington Madam
Jury selection begins Monday in the trial of Deborah Jeane Palfrey, or commonly known as the "D.C. Madam".The key question is whether David Vitter will be called as a witness and whether he will take the Fifth Amendment.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has increased its surveillance of Louisiana's Mississippi River levees as that river's level continues to rise.
Ethics Reform or Politics?
Rep. Gallot of Ruston and House Speaker Jim Tucker are supporting legislation that would suspend the campaign finance reporting law change “until 60 days after the 2009 Legislature ends” which would end the Section 527 organizations which can persuade voters on issues without any disclosure.
The new law would require any political organization fitting definitions found in the 527 section of federal tax law to file state reports that detail contributors, the amount of contributions and expenditures made.Gallot is a Democrat and Tucker is a Republican.The 527 campaigns were used in promoting Bobby Jindal’s ethics package.
