Legislators ready for new session

As legislators head to Baton Rouge on Sunday to begin the regular legislative session, lawmakers will have more than 1,600 plus bills to debate during the session.

Jeanerette legislators are ready to face some controversial issues, but are confident  the session will end on a positive note to continue to move the state forward.

With two  successful special sessions that addressed ethics reform, surplus spending and the slashing of state tax on business utilities to make Louisiana more attractive  for new business and industry to locate in the state, State Senator Troy Hebert, D-Jeanerette, and State Rep. Simone Champagne, D-Jeanerette, are ready to tackle other issues.

“There will be a wide range of  different bills to debate,” said Hebert.

As Governor Bobby Jindal makes a push for work force development through training programs, Hebert said there will be other factors to consider if the state is to increase its work force.

“We have to do away with the incentives that make it easy for people not to work,” said Hebert.

“You can have a lot of training programs, but if people don’t want to work it is not going to help. We need to change attitudes to have good work ethics, not only in Louisiana but throughout the country.”

Hebert said he will be working along with other area representatives to make sure smaller communities have a say in the new economic development programs so they can have the same opportunity to diversify and grow.

Hebert said he was pleased with the accomplishments made in the last two special sessions and impressed by the new members of the Legislatures sent to Baton Rouge by the people from the Acadiana area, as well  as other parts of the state.

“They are very bright individuals who hit the ground running. They will be bringing some new ideas to the Legislature,” said Hebert.

“It was an honor for Rep. Champagne, as a freshman legislator, to be elected by her peers to serve on the Appropriations Committee. This says a lot and means she is well respected by her peers.”

Hebert will be introducing a bill during the upcoming session of the Louisiana Legislature which would restrict waste disposal landfills close to airports throughout Louisiana. In its current form, the bill stipulates landfills cannot be located within 10,000 feet of an airport.

Champagne also plans to introduce a similar bill in the House of Representatives.

Champagne will re-introduce a bill on retirement benefits during the regular session. The bill requires forfeiture of public retirement benefits by certain persons convicted of certain state or federal felony acts associated with public service. Rep. Anthony V. Ligi Jr. and Rep. Cameron Henry are co-authors of the bill.

Champagne will also introduce another bill on behalf of the 16th Judicial Court  which would authorize fees for off-duty law enforcement officers to be paid from any excess funds. The current bill authorizes the fees be paid from the juror compensation fund.

Champagne will introduce an additional bill that will exclude persons convicted of armed robbery from being eligible for parole.

Champagne said there will be controversy over the 2008-09 budget, especially with a  proposed mega fund that would dedicate $300 million to draw large industry to the state.

“Some feel that we need to take care of the businesses and industry that is currently located here and has already invested in our state for economic development,” said Champagne.

“Workforce development will be a top priority in this session.”

A $70 million pay increase for teachers is expected to gain approval, but there are some concerns voiced over the proposed $20 million allocated for merit pay for teachers, she said.

“Some are concerned that the merit pay will be unfairly distributed,” said Champagne.

The session is scheduled to end on June 23.