Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret was peppered with questions by members of the Senate Finance Committee last week and offered them a mini-preview of several business issues to be debated in what will be his final session working for the governor.
But Moret was not questioned about who might replace him when he steps down next month for a new job leading the LSU Foundation as its president and CEO. When asked via email by LaPolitics, Moret deferred to the administration.
“We’re still in the process of working with Secretary Moret to identify a replacement,” said Jindal spokesperson Shannon Bates Dirmann.
It’s unknown if there’s a national search underway, or if the position will only be filled by an interim secretary. A full appointment, if made during the ongoing session, would require hearings before the House and Senate governmental affairs committees.
Considering the position’s current $320,000 salary, lawmakers with oversight may pose interesting questions in contrast to the $1.6 billion shortfall.
With only months remaining in Jindal’s term, and the possibility that the next governor may have an appointment in mind already, the Jindal hire may not require a huge rollout.
It’s also unknown whether the administration and Moret will look internally. If so, and there has been no such indication, the top three on staff at LED under Moret are Deputy Secretary Steven Grissom, Assistant Secretary Quentin Messer and Undersecretary Anne Villa.
For now, Moret is still steering the ship.Back at the Capitol last week, when he was asked about proposed legislation to limit the movie tax credit program, Moret said lawmakers should be open to change but willing to protect an important economic engine.
“The program is so big that it is now in competition with other state priorities,” he said.
More predictability for the state and industry is critical, Moret added, and bills to cap the program and add new oversight could provide a pathway to a middle ground for the Legislature.
The Enterprise Zone program, which offers taxpayer-funded incentives to businesses willing to relocate to depressed areas, in on the session agenda too. There have been complaints in the past about large retailers benefitting from the program for moving into tony neighborhoods, although Moret’s office has sorted out those challenges. Moret said lawmakers might want to think about restricting eligibility, which would make Louisiana’s program, the most generous in the region, more comparable to what other states are offering.
Legal settlements could help with budget
Sources tell LaPolitics that lawmakers could get a bit of help on the budget from Attorney General Buddy Caldwell. His office is said to be approaching a settlement on a group of cases involving underground storage tanks. Estimates for the settlements are $40 million to $50 million.
“But $10 million is probably what we’re looking at in the short-term,” said the source, “as far as what could come in while they’re in session.”
Pro-Vitter PAC also pro-Edwards
In what amounted to an opening salvo earlier this month from the Fund For Louisiana’s Future super PAC, which is supporting U.S. Sen. David Vitter’s gubernatorial run, it sent an email out to followers telling them “what you need to know about each contender.”
It slammed Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle and Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne, offering only negatives in the bullets listed. And, predictably, it fully championed Vitter.
But the email also put a positive spotlight on Rep. John Bel Edwards, the lone Democrat in the race. While it noted his support of the president’s controversial health care law, it also credited Edwards, an Amite native, with opposing the governor’s cuts to higher ed, pushing through K-12 funding increases and putting “all options on the table” to address transportation issues.
It’s yet another sign that Vitter boosters are eager to face Edwards in a runoff. That, or the super PAC will be supporting two candidates in the race for governor this year.
By law super PACs cannot coordinate their activities with the campaigns and candidates they support.
Candidates tout pro-life creds
With the exception of Rep. John Bel Edwards, D-Amite, who is pro-life and was unable to attend, the candidates for governor addressed abortion issues recently before a group of pastors assembled by the Louisiana Family Forum.
The big laugh line came from Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle when he was asked by LFF President Gene Mills for his stance. “When you come from a family of nine kids and you have five yourself, and those five kids came in the first eight years of marriage, there’s a whole lot of pro-life going on,” he said.
Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne spoke about his faith as well, but it was U.S. Sen. David Vitter who was preaching to the choir. “I’m going to take a bunch of cues from you, from Gene, from the forum,” Vitter told the pastors.
Vitter also promised to have a “full, robust life agenda” as a candidate and as a governor. Within the next four weeks he said his campaign will release a plan that will address abortion issues as well as proposals related to foster parents and adoption.
They Said It
”It’s smoke. Mirrors require light.”— Rep. Julie Stokes, R-Kenner, when another lawmaker suggested the executive budget proposal was smoke and mirrors
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