[StBernard] Standing Together and Getting It Done

[Westley Annis]

Dear Fellow Citizens,

As the new year begins, let's move the state forward by standing together.
The last special session wasn't even a band-aid!  It didn't solve the two
major issues that has tied the hands of the citizens in this state.  It's
never too late to educate yourself on the issues, make your voices heard and
get involved in Louisiana - start today!

What should have happened:

A special session in November to deal specifically with two issues:

1)      To legislate relative to the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance
Corporation and to provide for making supplemental appropriations, including
the use of state surpluses, to eliminate the surcharge, to pay off bonds and
other indebtedness secured by the Corporation, and to provide solutions for
rates between pre-Katrina/Rita and post-Katrina/Rita levels.

2)      To legislate with regard to the Louisiana Recovery Authority.

What we got:

A December session that enacted the following:

Act 1 (HB 52 by Alario) - creates a $300 million fund in the state treasury
to provide incentives for a major durable goods manufacturer to locate a
plant in St. James Parish.  Louisiana is competing against Arkansas and
Alabama for the plant, and a decision is expected from the German firm by
early next year.

Act 2 (HB 57 by Thompson) - establishes the Interoperability Communications
Fund in the state treasury.  Provides for the investment of monies in the
fund and provides that monies in the fund shall be appropriated or dedicated
solely to establish, design, develop, acquire, construct, administer,
operate, and maintain an interoperability communications system within the
state.

Act 3 (HB 77 by Pinac) - provides for financing single premium insurance in
connection with residential mortgage loans under the "Residential Mortgage
Lending Act".  Expresses its purpose as remedial and curative provision that
is to be applied retroactively to August 15, 2006, as well as prospectively.

Act 4 (HB 120 by Townsend) - provides for a refundable tax credit amounting
to $239 million that homeowners can claim as an offset to surcharges from
their insurers. The money was charged to policyholders throughout the state
to help pay off $1 billion that the state borrowed to pay hurricane-related
claims to the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp.

What needs to happen:

Because the 2007 Regular Session beginning in April is a constitutionally
limited fiscal session, a special session should be called in order for the
legislature to come together to develop a comprehensive plan on insurance
and the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA).  Only in a well-planned and
well-led limited session will these issues be properly addressed. Join
together and Get It Done Louisiana - contact your officials now to ensure we
limit a special session to two main issues - insurance and the LRA.  Let's
demand better from our elected officials.   Contact the governor at (866)
366-1121 or online at http://www.gov.la.gov.  For information on how to
contact other elected officials, visit http://www.getitdonela.org.

Tell your friends, family and co-workers.  Together, let's move this state
forward.


Sincerely,

Walter J. Boasso
State Senator

Get It Done Louisiana
10935 Perkins Road, Suite D
Baton Rouge, LA  70810
(225) 757-8611  Baton Rouge
(888) 926-2776  Toll-Free
(225) 757-8612  Fax
www.getitdonela.org
citizens at getitdonela.org