People look forward to a new year because it brings
hope and promise -- hope that things will get better and promises not to repeat
the mistakes of the past.
This year brings an extra dose of each for Louisiana because
we'll soon choose a new governor. All statewide elected officials and legislators
as well as scores of local officials likewise face re-election this year. That
offers hope that things will get better.
But will we avoid the mistakes of the past?
Right now all across the state, candidates and potential candidates
are assessing their chances and lining up support. Most if not all are following
the time-honored methods of winning elections in Louisiana. To be sure, certain
campaign mechanics cannot be avoided, but too often candidates (and the media)
are so focused on the mechanics of a campaign that they lose sight of its substance,
if there is any substance in the first place.
Lest I be guilty of that myself, I've drafted a New Year's
list of issues (each with a set of questions to be answered) for all persons
running for governor, lieutenant governor, state senator or state representative.
I hope readers will use this list (and add to it) when candidates come a-calling
later this year.
1. Economic Development. If you don't
think this is the number one issue, stop right now and find something else to
do for the rest of the year. Otherwise, what specifically can and should
the state do to promote economic development? What programs would you institute?
Which would you change or eliminate? What specifically are your economic development
plans and goals? What specifically would you do to reverse the "out-migration"
of our best and brightest young people? What specific industries would you seek
to attract, and how would you do it? How would you keep existing industries
from leaving or closing? Which states would you emulate and why?
2. Education. What specifically
do you think is wrong with public education in Louisiana, and how exactly would
you fix it? What should be the state's role in public education, from policymaking
to funding? Should teachers be allowed to strike? Do we have too many colleges
and universities? If so, which would you combine or eliminate? Which states
would you emulate and why?
3. Environment. Do you think Louisiana
has adequate laws but not enough enforcement/funding? Which laws, if any, would
you change? What new laws, if any, do we need? Do you support "self-reporting"
by industries that pollute? What would you do about coastal erosion, and how
would you pay for it? Which states would you emulate and why?
4. Taxation. What is your definition
of fiscal reform? Have we had enough already, or do we need more? Is Louisiana
over-taxed or under-taxed, and what evidence do you have in support of your
answer? Which taxes -- and exemptions -- would you increase, decrease, or eliminate
-- and why? Which states would you emulate and why?
5. Spending. What specifically
are your spending priorities? In which areas should the state stop spending?
What new areas, if any, would you add? Should we keep the legislative "slush
funds?" What states would you emulate and why?
6. Gambling Regulation. What forms
of gambling do you support/oppose? Does Louisiana have enough gambling, too
much, or about what we need? What new laws, if any, would you push? Which, if
any, would you repeal? What states would you emulate and why?
7. Transportation. How would you get
our highway construction program back on track? How would you pay for it? Which
states would you emulate and why?
8. Political and Legal Reform. Do you
think our ethics laws are adequate? Which would you keep, change or eliminate
and why? Should judges be appointed or elected? What specific changes, if any,
would you propose in that regard? Which states, if any, would you emulate and
why?
As you can see from my questions about emulating
other states, I'm a firm believer in the notion that we don't need to re-invent
the wheel. We just need to find one that works.
