[StBernard] GOVERNOR BLANCO TO CALL SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION TO PROVIDE INSURANCE RATE RELIEF

[Westley Annis]

GOVERNOR BLANCO TO CALL SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION TO PROVIDE INSURANCE RATE RELIEF 

BATON ROUGE - November 17, 2006 - Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco announces she will call a special session to meet the urgent needs of Louisiana's working families and communities.

"As promised, I am calling the Legislature into a special session December 8 for ten days to provide immediate insurance rate relief caused by the Citizens insurance crisis.

"Because our economy is coming back strong and we continue to be fiscally responsible and accountable to taxpayers, Louisiana will have an $827 million budget surplus from last fiscal year. Additionally, I believe we can anticipate significant new revenue for the current fiscal year. These funds will aid our recovery and allow us to address ongoing challenges facing Louisiana. 

"First, I insist on tax cuts for families and businesses. This is a must.

"Our roads are crumbling and I want a significant investment in statewide road improvements.

"As additional revenue is recognized I will continue my investment in education by raising the pay for our teachers, faculty and support workers. Pay raises are overdue to hardworking state employees, corrections officers, probation and parole officers, police and fire fighters. I recommend priority consideration be given to this public service workforce.

"I'll also put funding aside for new economic development projects we are aggressively pursuing.

"I want to reduce the state's retirement system debt and address the problem of deferred maintenance on state buildings, especially on our higher education campuses.

"This is all good news for our people and our communities.

"Immediately upon the Revenue Estimating Conference's certification of the state's projected revenue increase, I will call for swift action to resolve these issues. 

"I look forward to working with our lawmakers as we move forward with our recovery and address our critical needs."

The governor addresses the Louisiana Association of Educators at 10:00am Monday and will elaborate on further details of the Special Session call. This event will be held at the Marriott Hotel, 5500 Hilton Avenue, Baton Rouge.

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The Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation
Louisiana's Fund for Louisiana's People
www.louisianahelp.org