[StBernard] Big wins this week for Louisiana

[Westley Annis]

Dear Friends,

	The Saints' victory in the Super Bowl was certainly a wonderful
diversion from politics in Washington, but during these past two weeks, I've
been back at work, trying to expand access to health care, recommend
qualified judges to our courts, provide opportunities for our young people,
and raise awareness for orphans and others often overlooked in our society.
Read on to find out more about what I've been doing.


Medicaid Provision Stays in Bill


Louisiana scored an important victory this week when President Barack Obama
unveiled his health care proposal that left intact a Medicaid correction
<http://landrieu.enews.senate.gov/mail/util.cfm?mailaction=clickthru&gpiv=21
00054723.5645.358&gen=1&mailing_linkid=7259>  that would prevent Louisiana
from being unfairly penalized for recovery money received following the 2005
hurricanes.

 
<http://landrieu.enews.senate.gov/mail/util.cfm?mailaction=clickthru&gpiv=21
00054723.5645.358&gen=1&mailing_linkid=7260> The entire Louisiana delegation
lobbied for the money, and Senator Landrieu was instrumental in having the
provision added to the health care legislation. Today's Times-Picayune
penned an editorial
<http://landrieu.enews.senate.gov/mail/util.cfm?mailaction=clickthru&gpiv=21
00054723.5645.358&gen=1&mailing_linkid=7261>  lauding Sen. Landrieu for
"pressing the state's case," and reiterated that the fix was not a special
deal, saying, "residents shouldn't continue to suffer simply because of a
funding formula that fails to take a disaster of this magnitude into
account."

Click here
<http://landrieu.enews.senate.gov/mail/util.cfm?mailaction=clickthru&gpiv=21
00054723.5645.358&gen=1&mailing_linkid=7260>  for a Medicaid provision Fact
Check, which provides a documented time line of how the Medicaid fix came to
be.


Landrieu Introduces Foote, Jackson


This week, Sen. Landrieu had the pleasure of introducing two outstanding
judicial nominees
<http://landrieu.enews.senate.gov/mail/util.cfm?mailaction=clickthru&gpiv=21
00054723.5645.358&gen=1&mailing_linkid=7262>  during their confirmation
hearings on Capitol Hill. 

 
<http://landrieu.enews.senate.gov/mail/util.cfm?mailaction=clickthru&gpiv=21
00054723.5645.358&gen=1&mailing_linkid=7263> Former Assistant US Attorney
Brian Jackson has been nominated for the position of US district judge in
the Middle District of Louisiana-a post that's been vacant for three years.
Jackson, a graduate of Southern Law School, is currently a partner at a New
Orleans law firm where he heads the law firm's government investigations and
white-collar crime groups.

Elizabeth Erny Foote has been nominated for a federal district judgeship in
the Western District of Louisiana. She is a past president of, and the
second woman elected president of, the Louisiana Bar Association. Foote
currently practices law in Alexandria, specializing in commercial business
litigation, insurance and medical malpractice defense, and is a graduate of
the Louisiana State University law school.

To watch Sen. Landrieu's statement of support, click here
<http://landrieu.enews.senate.gov/mail/util.cfm?mailaction=clickthru&gpiv=21
00054723.5645.358&gen=1&mailing_linkid=7263> .


Tax Resources Available


 
<http://landrieu.enews.senate.gov/mail/util.cfm?mailaction=clickthru&gpiv=21
00054723.5645.358&gen=1&mailing_linkid=7264> As February winds down, the
deadline to file taxes looms. Fortunately, President Obama has passed a
number of tax incentives to help out the middle class in these difficult
times. On Sen. Landrieu's website
<http://landrieu.enews.senate.gov/mail/util.cfm?mailaction=clickthru&gpiv=21
00054723.5645.358&gen=1&mailing_linkid=7265> , readers will find a list of
resources to help them get the most out of their tax return.

Click here
<http://landrieu.enews.senate.gov/mail/util.cfm?mailaction=clickthru&gpiv=21
00054723.5645.358&gen=1&mailing_linkid=7264>  to find out more.


Landrieu Honors 'Youth ChalleNGe Program'


Sen. Landrieu has been a lifelong advocate of innovative approaches to
education. It is for this reason that she was proud to honor and support
<http://landrieu.enews.senate.gov/mail/util.cfm?mailaction=clickthru&gpiv=21
00054723.5645.358&gen=1&mailing_linkid=7266>  the National Guard's "Youth
ChalleNGe Program" Tuesday on the floor of the Senate. The program seeks to
offer a second chance to those who struggle in normal educational settings,
or have dropped out of high school. To watch her statement, click here
<http://landrieu.enews.senate.gov/mail/util.cfm?mailaction=clickthru&gpiv=21
00054723.5645.358&gen=1&mailing_linkid=7267> .

 
<http://landrieu.enews.senate.gov/mail/util.cfm?mailaction=clickthru&gpiv=21
00054723.5645.358&gen=1&mailing_linkid=7267> There are three successful
Youth ChalleNGe programs in Louisiana
<http://landrieu.enews.senate.gov/mail/util.cfm?mailaction=clickthru&gpiv=21
00054723.5645.358&gen=1&mailing_linkid=7268> , which together graduate 1,050
youths each year. National statistics show that more than 74 percent of
program graduates have earned their high school diploma or equivalency, 30
percent have gone on to college, 25 percent have entered the military and
the remaining graduates have gained career focused employment.


Landrieu Presses Needs of Orphans


 
<http://landrieu.enews.senate.gov/mail/util.cfm?mailaction=clickthru&gpiv=21
00054723.5645.358&gen=1&mailing_linkid=7269> The situation in Haiti has
brought into stark relief the challenges facing orphaned children in poor
and developing countries. Sen. Landrieu, a leading voice for foster children
and orphans, took the opportunity Tuesday to press the Department of State
<http://landrieu.enews.senate.gov/mail/util.cfm?mailaction=clickthru&gpiv=21
00054723.5645.358&gen=1&mailing_linkid=7269>  on its orphaned children and
international adoption policies.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton appeared before the Appropriations
Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, and fielded questions from Sen.
Landrieu. To watch Sen. Landrieu's questioning, click here
<http://landrieu.enews.senate.gov/mail/util.cfm?mailaction=clickthru&gpiv=21
00054723.5645.358&gen=1&mailing_linkid=7269> .


Bayh Brings The Popcorn


Indiana senator Evan Bayh made good on the wager
<http://landrieu.enews.senate.gov/mail/util.cfm?mailaction=clickthru&gpiv=21
00054723.5645.358&gen=1&mailing_linkid=7270>  he and Sen. Landrieu struck
prior to the Super Bowl. Had the Saints lost, Sen. Landrieu would have had
to bring Sen. Bayh a pot of red beans and rice. Thankfully, the Saints
prevailed, and Sen. Bayh brought by a tub of "Indiana popcorn." New Orleans
mayor elect Mitch Landrieu was on hand to share in the spoils.