LOUISIANA CAPSULE NEWS (January 23, 2008)

     Governor Jindal and other state officials were sworn in Monday (1/14) along with 144 legislators. More than half the 105 member House is new. 18 of 39 Senators are new.

     The LSU Tigers are national champions in football. The Tigers defeated Ohio State 38 to 24 in the Superdome (1/7) to claim the BCS Championship.

     Governor Bobby Jindal has frozen hiring at the state level. He said the freeze will save at least $25 million. The governor anticipates “some strong budget challenges.”

     Congressman Richard Baker has announced he is leaving his legislative position. He will become the top lobbyist for the hedge fund industry which he once regulated.

     Congressman William Jefferson has admitted receiving $100,000 from a businesswoman. Jefferson is attempting to get his pre-trial admission thrown out of court.

     Governor Jindal's ethic advisors are calling for all elected officials to disclose their personal finances. They also are calling for legislative perks, such as free tickets, to be abolished.

     LSU Chancellor Sean O'Keefe has resigned. Rumors have circulated for two weeks that he was told to start looking for another job by LSU systems President John Lombardi.

     LSU tackle Glenn Dorsey has been awarded the Outland Trophy as the nation's best interior lineman. He also won the Lombardi Award and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy.

     The Louisiana House of Representatives has voted 103-0 to expand the Appropriations Committee from 19 to 25 members. 19 members will serve geographic areas and 6 will serve at large.

     Former-Governor Kathleen Blanco is unhappy that none of the 534 units for hurricane victims has been built. She notes Mississippi has built over one fourth of its units.

     Congressman Charles Boustany has announced he will seek a third two-year term this fall. Three Louisiana Congressmen, Baker, Jindal and McCrery, will not return.

     Insurance Department Chief of Staff Chad Brown has resigned. The move leaves Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon without his two top aides. Three commissioners are needed.

     LSU football season tickets are expected to increase in price dramatically. Some of the tickets are expected to double in price by 2010. High salaries are prompting the increase.

     New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin says the city is ready for Mardi Gras. 800,000 revelers attended Mardi Gras last year and Mayor Nagin expects a larger crowd this year.

     Thousands of hurricane victims still live in cities outside Louisiana. They will be housed in these cities until March 2009. The Feds will then help those displaced to return.

     Former House Speaker Joe Salter will become Director of Government Affairs in the Department of Education. The former educator's salary will be $120,000 annually.

LAFAYETTE PARISH NEWS

     Camella Boulevard will soon be completed all the way to Verot School Road. The four lanes between Kaliste Saloom and Verot School Road will be completed in March.

     Rising transportation costs have forced Lafayette Parish schools to a three bell schedule. The cost, $7 million per year in 2000, has grown to $17 million annually.

     Among first-time area legislators are: Bobby Badon, Taylor Barras, Simone Champagne,Page Cortez, Rickey Hardy, Fred Mills, Jack Montoucet and Jonathan Perry.

     The former Commissioner of Administration, Jerry Luke LeBlanc, will become the presidential transition coordinator at UL. He will assist President-elect Dr. E. Joseph Savoie.

     Lafayette Medical Center will have to pay $1.9 million in defense of a suit. A doctor allegedly was performing unnecessary heart procedure and the hospital did not act.

     City worker are ready to lay fiber-optic cable. They will also hang tags on doors of future customers. For more information on “LUS fiber” go to www.lusfiber.com.”