Scalise vs. Stelly
Lake Charles State Rep. Vic Stelly has been touring the state promoting
the passage of constitutional amendment No. 2, also known as the Stelly Plan,
ever since it passed the Louisiana Legislature. Stelly has spoken to more than
130 groups and organizations about his plan. Opposing Stelly at many of the
debates and forums across the state has been Jefferson State Rep. Steve Scalise.
Both Stelly and Scalise are Republicans; however, they differ greatly in respect
to this important measure.
If passed on Tuesday, the Stelly Plan would
remove the state sales tax on food and utilities and increase income taxes.
The idea of the plan is to provide tax relief for lower income residents who
are particularly hurt by sales taxes and to provide the state a more stable
and progressive source of revenue, namely income taxes. Scalise believes, however,
that this plan would increase taxes on all Louisiana taxpayers making more than
$35,000 per year. "These are the people making the decision to stay in Louisiana
or go somewhere else," Scalise says, "and this doesn't help them make the decision
to stay in Louisiana."
Stelly and other advocates call the plan a
fiscal reform measure, but Scalise disagrees, noting that the plan will generate
more than $100 million in additional revenue for the state in the first five
years of implementation. "Any fiscal reform plan should include reductions in
the size of government and not an increase in the size of government," Scalise
says. The plan raises revenue by removing the ability of taxpayers to make deductions
on their state taxes for home mortgages or charitable contributions. Scalise
believes that this change will be especially harmful for first-time homebuyers
and act as another disincentive to buying a home in Louisiana.
Sneed on Term Limits
On Tuesday, four charter amendments will be on the ballot in Jefferson Parish.
Amendments No. 2 and No. 4 are the most controversial and have received organized
opposition, headed by Metairie State Rep. Jennifer Sneed.
Amendment No. 2 would change the composition
of the Parish Council to include 5 district members and 2 at-large members,
with one of the at-large members elected by the Council to serve as chairman.
Amendment No. 4 would allow an incumbent member to waive the two-term limit
by garnering the signatures of 20 percent of the voters in his or her district.
To oppose these amendments, Sneed's group
has placed more than 500 yard signs in the parish, sent mailings to parish residents
and developed a Web site. In a letter to Jefferson Parish residents, Sneed issues
this warning: "The importance and power of your vote is in danger! On Election
Day, November 5, 2002, we must vote to stop an effort by some politicians to
take the government of Jefferson Parish back to the politics of the past." Sneed
does not name the politicians in favor of the charter changes, but incumbent
Nick Giambelluca has expressed support for these amendments. Sneed admits
to being interested in running for Giambelluca's council seat, regardless of
whether Giambelluca is allowed to run for re-election or not.
Running for Governor?
Even though
the Senate race is not yet over, many political observers are already looking
ahead to 2003. Of course, the major race next year will be the election of a
new governor. Mike Foster must step down after two terms in office.
Already, Claude Leach of Lake Charles,
a former Democratic state representative, has begun airing slick television
commercials produced by media consultant Roy Fletcher. Leach is said
to be able to spend at least $10 million in his quest for the top position in
the state; if Leach spends that type of money, he may outspend his major opponents
by a margin of 3 to 1. Other potential Democratic candidates for governor include
Lt. Governor Kathleen Blanco, Attorney General Richard Ieyoub,
State Treasurer John Kennedy and former State Senate President Randy
Ewing.
On the Republican side, the race is wide open.
Former Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives Hunt Downer
of Houma is making plans to run. In addition, three metropolitan New Orleans
Republicans may join the race. Former Gov. Dave Treen is telling friends
and supporters that he will run. State Sen. Ken Hollis of Metairie has
already assembled his campaign team and has begun the process of holding fundraisers
and making speeches around the state; Hollis billboards have already begun appearing
on roadways across the state. In the latest development, key advisers of Public
Service Commissioner Jay Blossman are encouraging the newly elected official
to consider the race as well. Blossman would not have to give up his current
seat and has established significant name recognition during the last year in
his reelection campaign and his aborted run for the U.S. Senate.
