Session limps to early finish, Bulk of Blanco agenda stalls in House

The special session of the Louisiana Legislature called by Gov. Kathleen Blanco to disburse some $2 billion in additional state revenue limped to a conclusion early Friday evening with only a few small victories for the governor as a Republican bloc of votes thwarted her bigger plans for spending the cash.

In a weeks’ time, Blanco was unable to convince enough legislators to raise a constitutional cap on state spending to allow for her agenda of pay raises for teachers, state employees and first responders as well as road improvements and some tax breaks to move through the state House of Representatives.

After four days of negotiations, the House Republican caucus was able to hold firm and deny Blanco a two thirds majority necessary for raising the spending cap. Many legislators noted that the session was hastily called and no input on the items in the session call were discussed with legislators beforehand. Indeed, even Blanco’s handpicked Senate president urged the governor to back away from calling the session because of a lack of legislative input on the topics to be considered.

Blanco only came away with minor victories including passage of a $239 million tax break for homeowners who were charged a surcharge earlier in the year to compensate for losses in the state run Citizens insurance program.

Also passed was a $300 million infrastructure incentives package set aside should a German steel mill decide to locate in St. James Parish.

Although Republicans in the House spoke in terms of hoping to reach a compromise with the administration in the way money is budgeted and spent, it was clear that philosophical differences were at the heart of the impasse. “Independent minds stood up to the governor and said that the surplus should be spent only after proper thought and consultation,” said State Rep. Loulan Pitre Jr. (R- Cut Off). “Hopefully this can happen in the upcoming regular session.”

Across the Capitol building, the Senate only began consideration on the tax break measures sent to it by the House on Thursday.

“Very little will come out of this session,” said state Sen. Reggie Dupre (D- Bourg). “There appeared to be a lack of communication with legislators before the start of the special session and most people expected some difficulty in several measures passing the Senate but most of them never made it this far.”

Although a tax credit passed for homeowners as reimbursement for the Citizens surcharge on their home insurance bills, Dupre said it may be time to call a special session just to deal with the impending insurance crisis in the state.

“My district has the lowest unemployment rate in the state but many people are having trouble or are unable to purchase homes because of unavailability of affordable property insurance,” he said. “It’s getting to be a significant problem.”

State Sen. Butch Gautreaux (D-Morgan City), in a letter to editors of various local newspapers, called it “a failed legislative session.” He noted that while the governor attempted to move her agenda forward, she was thwarted at every turn. He said “no one person or group of people is exclusively to blame for the failed session.”

Gautreaux concluded by noting that the legislative branch should have ample time to deliberate and consider the proposal brought to it and he was confident that such would take place in the upcoming regular session set to begin in late April.

In comments made after the session adjourned, Blanco blamed House Republicans for “Washington gridlock” style politics. However, both sides agreed that the difference came down to philosophy. Although significant differences remain, both sides have pledged to try to work together to resolve their budget differences prior to the beginning of the regular legislative session on April 30.