Louisiana cash goes to the dogs, cows and goats
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In it's hour of need, the folks of Louisiana can count on seeing their politicians waste money on just about anything and everything except their needs.
What? You want proof? Details and all that jazz. Well read on. The proof is in the article and the documented stupidity of the "fine folks" that run the "great state" of Louisiana.
Louisiana cash goes to the dogs, cows and goats
By Audrey Hudson
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
November 7, 2005
Louisiana will spend $45 million on sports and livestock facilities and other new projects in spite of a looming deficit, frustrating some officials who say the frivolity reinforces the state's history of political patronage.
"We're in Washington with our hands out asking for $2 billion plus, and rather than holding on to the money to see what the needs are, they're spending it on local projects financing goat shows and lawn-mower races," says state Sen. Robert Barham, Oak Ridge Republican.
Supporters of the $4 million Morehouse Parish Equine Center say it will give a much-needed boost to the economy.
Jimmy Christmas, center chairman, says it will be used for horse, cow, dog, goat and art shows; rodeos; auctions; crawfish festivals; lawn-mower races; religious functions; an animal shelter; and a community center.
"I like a good goat roping as much as anyone, but come on," Mr. Barham said. "It's funny, but it's sad. At a time when Louisiana needs so much to enhance its public image, the taxpayers are just shaking their heads and wondering."
The Louisiana state Legislature yesterday began a special two-week session to deal with record-setting budget shortfalls, but this spending, approved by the state's bond commission and headed by Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, will go unchallenged.
Also up for discussion during the special session is a bill that would allow lawmakers and their family members to obtain Federal Emergency Management Agency contracts, and proposals to restructure the state's levee boards. The president of the Orleans Levee Board resigned last month after accusations he awarded contracts to family members.
Sen. David Vitter, Louisiana Republican, says the spending is not helping his efforts in Washington to secure emergency funding for the state to deal with the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
It's not just Republicans who are critical of the spending. State Treasurer John Kennedy, who was Mr. Vitter's Democratic opponent in the 2004 Senate race, is leading the charge in the state to block spending on projects not related to the hurricanes.
"I argued unsuccessfully that dollars are scarce and our cash flow has been severely impacted," Mr. Kennedy said. "These projects may be needed in a particular area, but the question is, are they needed now at a time when the state budget has been impacted by $1.5 billion and 250,000 people are out of work, and many more lost their homes, their cars, and in some cases, members of their family?"
... more at linked article
Bringing complete new meaning to the term "animal lovers," the great politicians from Louisiana are up to the same old tricks of wasting money wherever and whenever possible.
Again, there may be some need for the items that are listed (yeah, like the need for the bridge that Senator Stevens of Alaska wants to have built), but at a time when every dollar should be counted and counting, spending money on such limited use items seems ignorant and excessive.
Hopefully the spotlight of the national press will shine a little on this stupidity and get some action towards cost savings, rather than wasted dollars spent on such frivolous projects.
What? You want proof? Details and all that jazz. Well read on. The proof is in the article and the documented stupidity of the "fine folks" that run the "great state" of Louisiana.
Louisiana cash goes to the dogs, cows and goats
By Audrey Hudson
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
November 7, 2005
Louisiana will spend $45 million on sports and livestock facilities and other new projects in spite of a looming deficit, frustrating some officials who say the frivolity reinforces the state's history of political patronage.
"We're in Washington with our hands out asking for $2 billion plus, and rather than holding on to the money to see what the needs are, they're spending it on local projects financing goat shows and lawn-mower races," says state Sen. Robert Barham, Oak Ridge Republican.
Supporters of the $4 million Morehouse Parish Equine Center say it will give a much-needed boost to the economy.
Jimmy Christmas, center chairman, says it will be used for horse, cow, dog, goat and art shows; rodeos; auctions; crawfish festivals; lawn-mower races; religious functions; an animal shelter; and a community center.
"I like a good goat roping as much as anyone, but come on," Mr. Barham said. "It's funny, but it's sad. At a time when Louisiana needs so much to enhance its public image, the taxpayers are just shaking their heads and wondering."
The Louisiana state Legislature yesterday began a special two-week session to deal with record-setting budget shortfalls, but this spending, approved by the state's bond commission and headed by Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, will go unchallenged.
Also up for discussion during the special session is a bill that would allow lawmakers and their family members to obtain Federal Emergency Management Agency contracts, and proposals to restructure the state's levee boards. The president of the Orleans Levee Board resigned last month after accusations he awarded contracts to family members.
Sen. David Vitter, Louisiana Republican, says the spending is not helping his efforts in Washington to secure emergency funding for the state to deal with the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
It's not just Republicans who are critical of the spending. State Treasurer John Kennedy, who was Mr. Vitter's Democratic opponent in the 2004 Senate race, is leading the charge in the state to block spending on projects not related to the hurricanes.
"I argued unsuccessfully that dollars are scarce and our cash flow has been severely impacted," Mr. Kennedy said. "These projects may be needed in a particular area, but the question is, are they needed now at a time when the state budget has been impacted by $1.5 billion and 250,000 people are out of work, and many more lost their homes, their cars, and in some cases, members of their family?"
... more at linked article
Bringing complete new meaning to the term "animal lovers," the great politicians from Louisiana are up to the same old tricks of wasting money wherever and whenever possible.
Again, there may be some need for the items that are listed (yeah, like the need for the bridge that Senator Stevens of Alaska wants to have built), but at a time when every dollar should be counted and counting, spending money on such limited use items seems ignorant and excessive.
Hopefully the spotlight of the national press will shine a little on this stupidity and get some action towards cost savings, rather than wasted dollars spent on such frivolous projects.
