Declarations

No long-term negatives
“Fortunately lawmakers did not pass legislation that will have negative long-term consequences for consumers and the insurance market.”

— Greg LaCost, assistant vice president and regional manager for Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI), commenting on the brief, mid-December special session of the Louisiana Legislature. According to PCI, while insurance-related legislation was limited to a measure that will provide consumers with a tax credit for the assessment levied by the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, the session did provide a preview of issues that will resurface in the next few months.

But setting a sour tone
“Unfortunately for Louisiana, at the very beginning of this session, House Republicans set a sour tone and decided that party politics was more important than our people. They voted three times, three times, against the people who … teach our children, keep our communities safe, and serve our people.”

— Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, Democratic governor of Louisiana, commenting on Republican lawmakers’ rejection of her agenda during the December 2006 special legislative session. In refuting her budget proposals, which included pay raises for teachers, fire fighters, law enforcement and state employees, Blanco said the Republicans put their political agenda above the people of her state. Before the session began, many lawmakers criticized Blanco for calling it without their input. They also said there was not enough time in the short session to adequately deal with long-term problems.

Be a good neighbor
“Good neighbors do not foster fear and engage in divisive appeals, they seek solutions. Washington needs to seek real solutions that protect our economy, that take migrant workers out of the shadows by giving them an ID and allowing them to cross freely, and that at the same time recognizes the rule of law and the importance of not rewarding those who break our laws.”

–Texas Gov. Rick Perry, addressing the Texas Border Coalition annual legislative conference, where he emphasized the need for the federal government to play a more effective role in border relations and border security. Perry said the state is continuing to explore solutions to the problems of border security at the state-level.

Underage drinking, smoking not allowed
“The vertical license will provide merchants and law enforcement with an instant visual cue in order to verify a license holder’s age. This will go a long way to keeping alcohol and tobacco out of the hands of anyone under the legal age.”

–Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, announcing the release in his state of a new “vertical” driver’s license for Arkansans 21 and under, which is designed to help to prevent minors from purchasing cigarettes or alcohol illegally. The new vertical license will only be issued to new licensees and for duplicates under 21 years of age. Those licensees who are currently under 21 will not be required to obtain a new vertical formatted license.

Topics Legislation Louisiana