La La Land

Wednesday’s Blogs from the Bog

Do you think there will be budget news in here today?

JR on JBE

Would the real John Bel Edwards please stand up? JR Ball argues that JBE has an honesty problem. But, even he admits that tax hikes are the only way out (coupled with cuts). However, he calls out JBE on what he sees as taxes with no end date, saying that he wanted to up taxes - and keep them up - before getting elected - you know, just for the giggles of it. He also asserts that JBE is not really in love with cutting spending. Edwards, however, is trying to convince you otherwise. Look, I am not one to stand up for politicians. They lie, they cheat, they steal. It's in the rule book. And, I am pretty ticked about the whole raising salaries deal. But, what sane person would come into office looking to hike taxes and cut spending (TOPS of all things, the one programs conservatives love)? Is this is the case - keeping taxes up after our situation is repaired - JBE doesn't need to bother changing his address: he's heading back to Amite in four years.

Just Fade Away, Fade Away

I guess this is what we get for making fun of Obama's Baton Rouge/New Orleans gaffe. The president is urging a repeal of the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act that would give Louisiana the bulk of $500 million in coastal funds generated from offshore drilling. According to this Advocate piece, the White House says it should be repealed because it is “unnecessary and costly” and only benefits a “handful of states.” Wow. The budget is a disaster, our coast is fading and now our aid is "unnecessary." Thanks, Obama, you are the best.

AdBusted

After the Louisiana Republican party created a commercial urging against John Bel Edwards raising taxes - citing campaign trail promises - Lamar White, Jr. is calling them suicide bombers. They - he says - are willing to blow up the state in exchange for the dogma of "No new taxes!". The commercial is interesting: they do realize he is in office and won't be up for reelection for four years, right? And, if anything, his tax hikes guarantee him being a one-term governor. Seriously, stop making home movies and do your job!

How many steaks can JBE Eat?

Bayou Buzz uses an analogy involving eating two steaks to dissect the commercial calling John Bel Edwards a liar. Uhm, who told you we could afford two steaks? This state is on a Manwich Meal diet.

Sweet ... Caroline

In slightly distracting news, Caroline Fayard is the first "major" Democrat to announce a run for David Vitter's Senate seat. Yeah, not distracting enough.

Just Be Quiet and We Won't Do Our Jobs

Here's a case of who are you going to believe - higher education officials or the legislators that put us in this mess? Two senators - Conrad Appel, R-Metarie, and Mike Walsworth, R-West Monroe - lashed out at higher education officials for reacting to the budget cuts in a way that they say dominates the news cycle. They shrugged it off, noting it was only day one of the special session. Officials from Nicholls have said maybe - just maybe - the schools will have to shut down for two weeks in light of the cuts. These two legislators have a point: we should just trust in them and have faith they will work this all out. Hmmm, isn't that how we got in this mess? Here's a clue you don't even have to buy: stop worrying about the news cycle and do your job!

More Budget SNAFUs

Just make it stop already! Bobby Jindal's administration used some fuzzy accounting and payment plans to keep the budget can kicked down the road. Not to mix metaphors, but the chickens have come home to roost and they aren't laying eggs. This debacle pushes our budget situation up another $231 million. Oh, and if that is not enough, FEMA is now saying it will not be sending us $17 million for reimbursements we spent during Hurricane Gustav. That money pushes up the deficit again. Sometimes, I feel like this show called Louisiana is in its last season and the writers are just piling on the cliffhangers and disasters to shake us up and get ratings.