[StBernard] Governor's Week in Review: April 30-May 4, 2007

[Westley Annis]

Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco's Week In Review: April 30-May 4, 2007

News

5.4.07
EDITORIAL: Shreveport Times supports GM tax break in Governor's package 

If the state Legislature can OK $300 million to lure in a German steel mill to south Louisiana - and the governor is asking for $100 million more to match an Alabama bid - lawmakers shouldn't hesitate a moment to grant the local GM plant a $1.3 million tax break on new machinery. http://www.gov.state.la.us/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&articleID=2849 

5.3.07
EDITORIAL: Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Blanco targets education needs Kathleen Blanco, in probably the last speech she will make to the state Legislature as governor, summed up a critical Louisiana problem in a unique way. "Poverty is just too expensive," she said. Because Louisiana ranks consistently as one of the poorest states in the nation, the state is caught in a cycle of "have to" spending versus "want to" investing, according to the governor. http://www.gov.state.la.us/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&catID=27&articleID=2844 

5.3.07
Governor Blanco's remarks at the LFT Rally 

I have one simple message: enough is enough. Louisiana educators deserve a pay raise and they deserve one now! As a former high school teacher, I stood in the front of a classroom, where you stand every day, giving everything you have. I struggled to raise a family and make ends meet on a teacher's salary. That's why I won't back down until every Louisiana teacher in every Louisiana classroom is paid the fair wage they deserve. http://gov.la.gov/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&catID=4&articleID=2846 

4.30.07
Governor Blanco opens session focused on historic education agenda; Calls for "High-Five" investment for academic success 

BATON ROUGE - Calling on members of the Louisiana Legislature to chart a course for our future, Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco today outlined her priorities for the 2007 Regular Session of the Legislature. Topping her list is an historic education agenda designed to accelerate Louisiana's economic prosperity. http://gov.la.gov/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&catID=1&articleID=2838 

4.30.07
Governor Blanco's Opening Address to the Louisiana Legislature 

We have entered a period of robust recovery. Louisiana's economy has rebounded. New jobs are here. Tax revenues are up. The oil and gas industry is booming. Aggressive economic development and fiscal discipline have paid off. Our economic outlook is strong and growing steadily. This is a time of renewal. This is the time to make bold investments in our future. http://gov.la.gov/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&catID=4&articleID=2833 

4.30.07
Governor Blanco outraged by federal refusal to accept foreign aid following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita 

BATON ROUGE - More than 10,000 pages of cables, telegraphs and e-mails from U.S. diplomats around the globe obtained by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, D.C., under the Freedom of Information Act show that in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the federal government turned down multiple offers of aid and support from U.S. allies. Records show that allies offered $854 million in cash and contributions of oil that was to be sold for cash, but only $40 million has been used so far for disaster victims or reconstruction. Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco today expressed disappointment for the federal government's refusal to accept assistance to aid victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and support for U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu's call for hearings examining the situation through the Disaster Recovery Subcommittee of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. http://gov.la.gov/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&catID=3&articleID=2832 

4.30.07
Interpreter to translate Governor Blanco's opening address to legislators live for the deaf and hearing impaired 

BATON ROUGE - Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco's 2007 Legislative Session opening address will be translated live by an interpreter for the deaf and hearing impaired through a partnership with the Governor's Office of Disability Affairs and Louisiana Public Broadcasting (LPB). An interpreter will sign the Governor's remarks during the commencement of 2007 Legislative Session today at 1:00 p.m. for live broadcast on LPB stations throughout the state. 

http://gov.la.gov/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&catID=1&articleID=2830 

BLANCO TRACK: LEGISLATIVE SESSION UPDATES 

Session Update for May 3, 2007 http://gov.la.gov/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&catID=1&articleID=2847 

Session Update for May 1, 2007 http://gov.la.gov/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&catID=1&articleID=2841 

Governor's Column

Louisiana's historic opportunity 

The 2007 Regular Session of the legislature will be one of our state's most significant. With increased momentum due to our economic development efforts, smart fiscal management and progressing recovery, we have an unprecedented opportunity to ensure a strong future for Louisiana. http://gov.la.gov/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&catID=2&articleID=2836 

BLANCO'S BLOG 

Cynthia Bridges, Dept. of Revenue 4.30.07 The Legislative Session has begun and it promises to be a very busy one for the Department of Revenue. Many are aware that the regular session every other year is fiscal in nature meaning that any matters dealing with spending and revenue are handled in those sessions. It is such a year for us. http://www.gov.state.la.us/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&catID=35&articleID=2835 

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