Good afternoon and greetings from the LA GOP –

The House and Senate convened at 1pm today.  You can find a full list of committees meeting today here.

$118 MILLION TAX INCREASE: Yesterday, the Louisiana State Senate revived a proposed delay in promised tax relief – which is without a doubt a tax increase.  Individuals who itemize their federal income tax deductions will pay more this year and in subsequent years than they were supposed to pay.  No amount of clever spin will overcome the facts.  The bill raises revenue that otherwise would not exist.  That’s a tax increase.

We’d like to thank those Senators who stood up for taxpayers by voting against the amendment to increase taxes and now we need the House of Representatives to defeat this bill once and for all.  Call your Representative at 225-342-6945 and tell them to reject HB 689 and kill the tax increase language in conference committee because you’re taxed enough already.

The bill faces tough opposition from the 55 members of the House who pledged to refuse this proposal the first time around, but we cannot rest until this tax increase is defeated.  Call your Representative today.

DECEPTIVE MANEUVER GOING TO FULL SENATE: Rep. Avon Honey’s deceptive maneuver to accept federal stimulus dollars for unemployment insurance narrowly passed out of the Senate Finance committee yesterday and will be heard by the full Senate soon. We strongly encourage Senators to stand up for Louisiana’s small businesses and prevent the certain increase in taxes that will result from this bill.  Call your Senator at 225-342-2040 and tell him or her to reject HB 841.

CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATOR: The end of the 2009 Regular Session is quickly approaching and we encourage activists to contact their state representatives and state senators to make their voice heard on important issues.  Find contact information for your members here.

Stories we’re following…

Wages will average $40,000 at new Monroe-area auto plant

“The 1,400 jobs created by a new American auto manufacturer at the former Guide plant in Ouachita Parish will average $40,000 per year and create almost $20 billion in economic activity during the first 15 years of production, Louisiana’s top economic development official said… The new company will manufacture high-mileage gas-powered cars, not electric or hybrids as some reports have suggested.” – Alexandria Town Talk

Lawmakers vote to toughen penalty for refusing Breathalyzer test

“Louisiana’s lawmakers have agreed to stiffen the penalty for drivers who refuse to submit to a Breathalyzer test when they are stopped on suspicion of drunken driving. Under current law, a suspect who refuses to take the test loses his driver’s license for six months. The bill headed to Gov. Bobby Jindal’s desk — with a unanimous House vote on Wednesday — would increase the suspension to one year.” – Associated Press

Supriya Jindal touts math and science in Mandeville

“A tour of Louisiana schools brought Supriya Jindal to Pontchartrain Elementary and Tchefuncte Middle schools in Mandeville on Wednesday, where she told students that ‘math and science is everywhere.’… The visit was part of a tour of eight schools across the state to get students excited about careers in math and science, and to distribute over 500 books donated to her office by Scholastic. About 20 books were given to the schools’ shared library.” – Times-Picayune

Boustany presses Republican health-care plan

“U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany Jr. joined House Republican leaders Wednesday as they rolled out a congressional health care plan to counter Democratic proposals, which they criticized as costly and ineffective. ‘Today starts the beginning of an open and substantive debate on health care,’ Boustany, R-Lafayette, said.” – Lafayette Advertiser

Witness: US Rep’s bribes hidden as consulting fees

“A Kentucky businessman testified Wednesday he paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in ‘consulting fees’ to the wife of a former Louisiana congressman that were nothing but thinly veiled bribes. … [Vernon] Jackson is also one of the trial’s most important witnesses. Out of numerous bribery schemes that prosecutors allege Jefferson orchestrated, the one involving Jackson was the most advanced and involved the largest payments.” – Associated Press

Ulrich appointed to RNC redistricting committee

“Monroe’s Ruth Ulrich, Republican national committeewoman for Louisiana, has been appointed to serve as a member of the Republican National Committee’s Redistricting Team. The team will work with states across the country helping them prepare for the redistricting efforts following the 2010 national census.” – Monroe News-Star