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.

PROPOSAL TO PUT TAX ON INTERNET USAGE DEFERRED: “The Senate’s commerce committee voted without objection to defer the bill, preventing a full Senate vote… Internet providers opposed the idea, as did anti-tax advocacy groups and the state Republican Party. The vote came after lengthy debate over whether the 10-cent charge would be considered a fee or a new tax hike in disguise.” – Associated Press

LOUISIANIAN APPOINTED TO RNC REDISTICTING COMMITTEE: Ruth Ulrich, 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.  Ulrich is also a member of the Republican State Central Committee, the Ouachita Parish PEC, the Ouachita Parish Republican Women’s Club, and the Louisiana Judicial Coalition.

NEW AMERICAN CAR COMPANY COMING TO LA: Today, Governor Bobby Jindal announced that San Diege-based V-Vehicle Co. will create 1,400 new jobs in the Monroe area to assemble a new fuel-efficient vehicle.  At the announcement, Governor Jindal said ““Today, we are here to announce that through quick, aggressive action to pursue a transformative opportunity, we have a chance here in Louisiana to reenergize the entire U.S. auto industry. Indeed, this project also has the potential to transform the entire Monroe area and this project could be a game changer for the economy of Northeast Louisiana.  Read the Governor’s full remarks here.

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…

Supriya Jindal tour emphasizes math, science

“Supriya Jindal, the wife of Gov. Bobby Jindal, emphasized the importance of math and science to a group of Southfield School students Tuesday. Jindal’s Shreveport stop was the second of a three-leg tour, which started in Monroe and ended in Alexandria. In addition to promoting science and math, Jindal helped Sci-Port: Louisiana Science Center’s staff with science projects and distributed math, science and other books donated by Scholastic, a children’s literature publishing company.” – Shreveport Times

Ex-Rep. Jefferson’s Ethics Not on Trial, Defense Says

“‘It is a startling and often disheartening account of public corruption at the highest level of our government,’ said prosecutor Mark Lytle, who asked, ‘How did we get to the point where a sitting U.S. congressman had $90,000 hidden and concealed in his freezer?’ Trout told the jury that the money in the freezer had received so much publicity that he contemplated opening his statement with ‘a joke about the cold cash.’ Instead, he offered this explanation: ‘He was looking to hide the cash . . . so it would not be found by the housekeeper or an intruder.’” – Washington Post

BR economy rated among best in U.S.

“The Brookings Institution, among the nation’s most-influential policy groups, ranks Baton Rouge No. 8 among the 100 largest U.S. metropolitan areas for economic performance during the recession.” – Advocate

Dardenne featured speaker for Squire Creek Peach Festival luncheon

“Secretary of State Jay Dardenne will be the featured guest speaker for the annual Peach Festival Luncheon at Squire Creek Country Club on June 26.” – Monroe News-Star