Election recommendations
30th September 2019 · 0 Comments
Apathy, a lethargy of the electorate which sentenced the United States to Donald Trump when everyone assumed Hillary Clinton would coast to victory in 2016.
Apathy, the ultimate author of policies which eventually come to undermine voter access — and even civil rights.
Apathy, the betrayal of the sacrifices of those who struggled — and in many cases paid the ultimate price — so that we could participate at the ballot box.
There are many definitions of the word “apathy” in an electoral context, but the political consequences remain dire no matter what the cause or reason.
There is never an excuse for a civically-minded voter to miss a chance to cast a ballot, particularly in such a critical year such as this. More particularly when African-Americans stay home, bad results come to pass. Early voting begins September 28 and lasts until October 5, with the formal Election Day on October 12. That provides plenty of opportunities to vote, and we hope our recommendations help in your decision-making. Regardless, Don’t give into the apathy that seems so ubiquitous this year. Go vote.
Governor of Louisiana: John Bel Edwards
If the incumbent Democratic Chief Executive had accomplished nothing else than to have given healthcare to 400,000 Louisianians, he would deserve re-election. But, Governor Edwards has done so much more since taking office.
He inherited a state from the Jindal Administration rendered into budgetary shambles. Edwards not only stabilized Louisiana’s finances, but restored—and boosted— university funding for the first time in almost a decade. He quite literally saved the Southern University System and other Louisiana HBCUs from near economic and structural collapse.
No one likes sales taxes, least of all Governor Edwards, yet his accomplishment of building a coalition to pass a seven-year sales tax increase has provided the state with a $500 million surplus in 2019. These monies currently replenish the rainy day fund, and may address long deferred maintenance and infrastructural needs, as well as providing a revenue source to help raise teacher pay once more to the southern average. Or, at least, that’s what John Bel Edwards seeks. Neither of his Republican opponents have a viable plan to fund a substantial teacher pay raise.
Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana: William “Billy” Nungesser
Very few Republicans focus on funding arts programs in rural and disadvantaged communities in time of extreme deficits. Nungesser offered up more than a quarter of his beleaguered tourism and museum budget to save arts programs around the state. Constitutionally, such a choice lay nowhere near Nungesser’s mandated responsibilities. Nevertheless, the Lt. Governor viewed the replenishing arts funding as a moral cause, and HIS fiscal responsibility, protecting programs which would have ceased to exist without his help.
Nungesser has already boosted European tourism to Louisiana, keeping alive direct flights to London and Frankfurt, and labored to increase visitation to the state’s smaller communities and parks. His “Staycation” Initiative has introduced thousands of Louisianians to the natural and historical treasures of the Pelican State for the first time, with their tourism dollars helping struggling rural restaurants and hotels stay alive.
Secretary of State: “Gwen” Collins-Greenup
There exists no more important issue than voter access. Given the history of the Pelican State, vigilance in this area is no vice. Collins-Greenup has predicated her campaign on making sure that all communities, in particular poor African-American voters, have access to the polls – and not just on election day. She seeks further expansion of early voting and other methods of casting a ballot, providing opportunities for those with work or transportation challenges to make sure they have an opportunity to vote.
Attorney General: “Ike” Jackson, Jr.
The current attorney general in office seeks to kill the Affordable Care Act, limit voter access, and champion every shibboleth of the partisan Right. The Attorney General should stand as advocate of the state’s constitution and laws, not an activist for an ideological agenda. Ike Jackson can be the Attorney General Louisiana needs.
Treasurer: Derrick Edwards
A community organizer who has overcome tremendous personal and physical challenges in his own life, Edwards believes that the current incumbent John Schroder has over-politicized the normally non-partisan effort to market Louisiana’s bonds and to convince Wall Street of our fiscal health. He would restore professionalism in the Treasurer’s office, and if elected, Derrick Edwards would become the first African-American to hold the seat.
Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry: Peter Williams
Few realize how much power this office truly yields. It regulates everything from grocery stores to gas stations. It is the gatekeeper to multiple industries, and the next Commissioner must understand the needs of inner city communities and struggling farmers, of food deserts and agricultural challenges. Peter Williams stands as such a contender, with a wide resume of experience, and if elected, like Edwards, would be the first Black Louisianian to hold the Commissionership.
Commissioner of Insurance: “Tim” Temple
Next to the Governor’s race, no vote made this election is more important than who shall control the Insurance Department for the next four years. Two words articulate the reason: “Auto Insurance.” There are only TWO underwriters for commercial auto in Louisiana. So few are the options that premiums have skyrocketed to the point that even many churches are selling their school buses because they cannot afford the insurance. Teamsters are leaving the state, and businesses are following.
The private auto insurance hardly appears healthier, as Louisiana’s drivers pay 50 percent more in premiums than the national average, thousands of dollars more than their peers in either Texas or Mississippi. This must change, and Tim Temple has multiple plans from attracting underwriters back to the Pelican State with the promise of flexible rate adjustment throughout the year. He seeks to institute more favorable reinsurance opportunities and to even consider an LWCC reform model–all to lower auto insurance rates. That alone should earn Temple election, yet he also advocates the institution of some of best practices conducted in states like Florida in order to lower property insurance, and keep homeowners along Louisiana’s coasts in their homes.
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, 1st Supreme Court District: Richard Ducote
Richard Ducote has won national recognition for his work on behalf of abused women and children. His work in court systems throughout the United States, advocating for the most vulnerable, has literally changed the understanding of how to handle these most sensitive cases. His writings are required reading in many law schools, and his case work in this area has set precedent in multiple states and on the federal bench. That three decades of experience deserves a chance to imprint jurisprudence in Louisiana.
BESE, District 1: No Recommendation
BESE, District 2: Shawon Bernard
It is the opinion of this newspaper that Act 91, which restored control of public schools to Orleans School Board did not go far enough in allowing the restoration of traditional neighborhood, directly run public schools. In our opinion, such a move in the legislation might have not only instituted best practices learned at the few successful Charters, but could have created more equitable economies scale – such as a single bus system. And, children would not have to be transported all over the city just to get an education.
For these reasons, Shawon Bernard has our enthusiastic support. Not only is she a veteran school administrator, who played a major role in attempting to save John McDonogh High, but the process so enraged her that Bernard went to law school to better fight for restoration of neighborhood public schools.
During that period, she returned to the classroom – in Jefferson Parish – giving her a wider educational experience than many of her Orleans educator colleagues. She is an expert in comparing what works in various public schools and what does not. She also wants most of the public schools in Orleans to return to the direct control of the Orleans Parish School Board, featuring certified teachers from the start, something that is an anethma to her principal opponent.
JEFFERSON PARISH ELECTIONS
President of Jefferson Parish: John Young
During his previous tenure in office, John Young, a former prosecutor, cleaned up a scandal-plagued parish government, restoring public faith in parish government. For African Americans in Jefferson, though, Young did far more.
He was first parish leader to actively employ and involve Black Jeffersonians in government. He effectively created the diversity and DBE programs in Jefferson, and had the novel idea—for that suburban parish at least—of actually hiring department heads who looked like the citizens whom they served.
Moreover, Young accomplished these major reforms while at the same time receiving honors for making the often corrupt machine-like governance of Jefferson Parish more transparent, though the creation of an Inspector General, as well as rolling back property tax rates just as he boosted social spending. It’s amazing how much money can be found if contracts are not limited to the politically-connected few.
Now, Jefferson again finds itself mired in scandal, and our Editors refer to something more substantial than Mike Yenni’s situation. A hydrogen cyanide plant, with a history of major leaks and environmental disasters, was set to expand its potential to poison the entire metro region. No member of the Jeff Council or Government even thought to object, except for Young. Out of office, he organized the opposition, killing the proposed cyanide tank farm expansion, while his opponent made excuses that little could be done to stop it.
That’s leadership. Young hopes to focus his next term as President on the challenge of not only beautifying the physical environment of Jefferson, by extending linear parks and walkways along canals and providing tax incentives to rehabilitate older suburban “ranch-style” homes, but he also seeks to more aptly integrate those efforts with Orleans and the other metro parishes, to improve quality of life the whole city.
Sheriff of Jefferson Parish: Joseph Lopinto
When he took office, the JPSO enjoyed a terrible reputation with African-Americans and other minority groups. Lopinto has engaged in a civic campaign to build bonds of trust amongst all of Jefferson‘s communities. His sensitivity training initiatives and internal promotion of Black cops to some of the most senior ranks in the Sheriff’s Office has gone a long way to engender a sense of confidence which previously did not exist.
Lopinto has achieved these reforms while facing many of the increasing urban problems of deteriorating older “ring” suburbs. Despite the campaign rhetoric, crime in Jefferson has not notably increased. Restructuring the JPSO while fighting crime successfully has earned Lopinto another, full term in office.
Councilman at Large Division B: Scott Walker
He was known as the most feared investigative reporter at WDSU, a background that has given Scott Walker a healthy skepticism of the inner machinations of Jefferson Parish Government. He knows the machine from the inside, and how to open its arcane machinations to light of public examination.
Councilman District 1: Marion Edwards
Experience is not a bad thing especially if it is from another area, and brings perspective to the job sought. Marion Edwards (no relation to the former or current governor) is well known in his own right, as a jurist. For 30 years, he sat on the bench, adjudicating many of the problems created by our society. It gave the long-time Jefferson leader a perspective on changes that no one had considered on the parish level, from redirection of outcome based public treatment programs to better administration from truancy to recidivism.
Councilman District 2: No Recommendation
We have decided to wait for the runoff to make a recommendation in this contest.
Councilman District 3: Jedidiah Jackson
A former Congressional staffer who also serves as an ordained minister, Jackson is a trained and certified social worker. He headed one of the most important agencies to help Jefferson’s struggling poor population, JeffCap, and pioneered landmark programs to get money and services to the parish’s most needy. He understands that Jefferson Parish has (in its building and infrastructural inventory) resources currently unavailable to the School System which could provide important partnership potential to help kids. He deserves a seat on the Jefferson Parish Council to advocate for them.
Councilman District 4: No Recommendation
Neither of the candidates sought our Endorsement.
PLAQUEMINES PARISH ELECTIONS
Sheriff of Plaquemines: Gerald “Jerry” Turlich, Jr.
The Sheriff’s Office was in economic turmoil when Jerry Turlich unseated the previous incumbent. Literally, not enough operating funds were left in the bank to make it through the first year. Morale declined, and administration proved laxidasical at best. In just a short term, Turlich turned all of that around. The PPSO runs a surplus, while keeping a lid on violent crime. It was a masterful turn-around effort that qualifies the incumbent for re-election.
LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS IN ORLEANS, JEFFERSON & ST BERNARD
State Senator 3rd Senatoral District: Joseph “Joe” Bouie
The former Chancellor of SUNO entered the State House and found himself almost immediately elected to head of the Legislative Black Caucus, so in awe of his public stature were his colleagues. Not surprising. He became the conscience of the House upon the day that he arrived. In nearly his first year, Bouie managed the passage of Act 91 which restored local control of Orleans Parish Public Schools. His opinion on practical educational reform was taken seriously even by many of his Charter School opponents. Bouie understands the needs, both in the classroom and without, of the potential student body of the New Orleans metro area–regardless of age. Such a font of wisdom must win election to the State Senate.
State Senator 5th Senatorial District: Karen Carter-Peterson
This district is privileged to have the Chairman of the State Democratic Party as its tribune. Carter-Peterson has kept the political opposition alive in Louisiana, and if John Bel Edwards wins re-election, especially without a runoff, the reasons may have come from the organizational work that Karen did years ago.
Interestingly, the incumbent Senator enjoys incredible bipartisan support in her re-election. Republicans in her district value her practicality just as Democrats honor her fire and integrity. Everyone remembers when Karen Carter-Peterson was the lone voice on reform issues, the only person in the well of the House to stand up issues now encoded in the statute books. She is a visionary, and manages–over time – to make those visions into legislative reality. Her proposed legislation to improve Mental Health Services could make the Pelican State into a national leader in this area, from its current perch of almost dead last. Louisiana would be a poorer place if Carter-Peterson lost re-election.
State Senator 9th Senatorial District: No Recommendation
Neither candidate sought our Endorsement
State Senator 10th Senatorial District: “Kirk” Talbot
The owner of “Lucky Dogs” is often called the other Representative from New Orleans, so much does he care for issues which affect the entire metro area. Not surprisingly, Talbot in his twelve years in the State House has become a champion for the consumer. As Chairman of the Insurance Committee, he fought to end unforeseen medical expenses, attempting to create an arbitration system that would keep patients from unplanned for charges, and let hospitals and insurance companies fight it out. Rep. Talbot created a tax credit system that has let thousands of poor kids attend high performing schools, without costing the state a dollar in general fund educational revenues. He has stood as a leader on transportation and quality of life issues, fought valiantly to lower auto insurance rates, and enjoys some of the strongest of bipartisan relationships. He deserves promotion to the State Senate.
State Representative 80th Representative District: “Polly” Thomas
The House’s leading early childhood educational advocate, Polly Thomas is the kind of legislator all should crave to stand for public office. Having spent a career helping kids and advocating for the public, only then did she choose to run. As an activist, she has lead reform efforts for decades, and consequently, made a major impact upon entering the legislature from the first day she assumed her seat. Elected to fill the unexpired term of Joe Lopinto, she quickly became one of the most respected leaders in the House, due to her breath of experience and her ability to work across party lines. Thomas deserves a second term.
State Representative 82nd Legislative District:
No Recommendation
Neither candidate sought our Endorsement
State Representative 83rd Legislative District: James Simmons
Born and raised on the West Bank, this three decade veteran of both the JPSO and Louisiana National Guard was one of the pioneer of introducing diversity in recruitment and administration of both institutions. He won national medals for his efforts in the latter, and ended up become a District Captain for the former. The Sheriff did not want to lose him to an election, so popular and effective was Simmons as a police commander.
The JPSO’s loss is the legislature’s potential gain. Blessed with an encyclopedic knowledge of public policy, this House candidate (who is just two credits shy of his doctorate in this area) would be a stark change amongst freshmen legislators. Simmons would know what to do from day one, an important requirement for his district with stretches from Marrero to Avondale, and faces a myriad of economic and urban problems.
State Representative 91st Representative District: “Pepper” Bowen Roussel
She is committed to long-term reforms needed to both protect our coasts and build a new ecologically-friendly economy in Louisiana. She also had some practical, cost-effective, and simple reforms to propose – such as lowering the threshold for lead testing – that would help children in poor neighborhoods immediately, at very little cost. We had never heard that idea before. Originality in practical improvement counts.
State Representative 94th Representative District:
No Recommendation
We have decided to wait for the runoff to make a recommendation in this race.
State Representative 97th Legislative District: Matthew Willard
He may have a famed political last name, but no candidate came into our offices this season with a better understanding of the economic challenges that the working middle class of Louisiana will soon face thanks to automation than Matthew Willard. His insights on how chemical plants and teamsters will soon be run by robots, putting thousands out of work, proved both insightful – and frightening. His solutions, from retraining, to free college programs for those in the 40s, were innovative – and more importantly, fiscally prudent.
State Representative 98th Legislative District: Kea Sherman
The founder of “Emerge Louisiana,” Sherman is mainly responsible for the recruitment of 23 women who are running for the legislature this year. She created LaFemme PAC to help underwrite the effort to make gender balance in the legislature look more like the public at large. She is a business owner who has played a large role in the transformation of the Freret Street corridor, as well as a lawyer with many pro bono clients.
Sherman’s efforts to guarantee more recurring revenue streams for Sewerage and Water Board, and to institute practical limits for property tax increases on homesteads could each do more to keep long-time Uptown residents in their homes than almost any other reform. Kea Sherman though has a multitude of reform ideas, too numerous to mention here that could serve as equally efficacious.
State Representative 99th Legislative District: No Recommendation
We have decided to wait for the runoff to make a recommendation in this race.
State Representative 100th Legislative District: Jason Hughes
This former aide to Gov. Kathleen Blanco speaks with the experience of a veteran legislator. He will enter the State House with strong bipartisan relationships. More importantly, Hughes has good and practical ideas. His concept of requiring Charter Schools to provide more disclosure, such as posting their board members on the internet, and not only displaying their budgets for public review – but also outlining at year’s end where the money was ultimately spent – would do much to satisfy many skeptics. This reform would also cost almost no money. The information exists already and could be displayed with a keystroke.
Moreover, his focus on normalizing Medicaid reimbursement rates would not only massively help New Orleans East’s new hospital, but could prove a lifeline for East and West Jefferson Hospitals as well as many rural health centers. It is the type of fiscal reform where Jason Hughes could build urban and rural coalitions to insure passage – as he was well aware.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
Amendment 1: VOTE YES
This would bring Louisiana into compliance with federal law, and would end several costly lawsuits. If passed, the amendment would prohibit local property taxes on raw materials, goods, commodities and articles stored for maintenance if those items are destined for the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). This proposed amendment is offered to clarify the law and avoid conflicting applications of local property taxes. Currently, there is almost no money collected due to the legal disputes. Supporters of the amendment argue that subjecting OCS-bound items to local taxes violates the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which bars states from taxing interstate commerce. They also argue that taxing those items hurts the state’s energy industry and puts Louisiana at a competitive disadvantage to states that do not tax such items.
Amendment 2: VOTE YES
Mainly, this amendment removes an outdated provision of the constitution that is no longer in force. It provides some legal flexibility, allowing the state’s Educational Excellence Fund to finance public TV and three additional schools. The fund is part of the Millennium Trust, which was created in 1999 to support excellence in educational practices. The state Department of Education oversees the fund and proceeds can be distributed only to elementary and secondary schools and special schools that meet certain criteria. Amendment 2 would add three deserving schools and the Louisiana Educational Television Authority to the list of authorized recipients.
Amendment 3: VOTE YES
Contesting state tax bills in Louisiana is a nightmare. This amendment would bring the appeals process under one roof. It would authorize the state Board of Tax Appeals to rule on whether certain taxes and fees are constitutional under Louisiana or U.S. law. The Board of Tax Appeals is a three-member quasi-judicial body that is part of the executive branch which hears appeals from rulings by the state Department of Revenue. (It does not rule on parish property tax issues.) Amendment 3 follows the example of other states that let taxpayers have their entire tax dispute heard in one forum, without having to mount separate constitutional challenges. The board’s decisions could still be appealed to state courts.
Amendment 4: VOTE YES.
We strongly editorialized in favor this amendment during the legislative session, and we strongly support it now. In years past, no publication was more forceful in its defense and advocacy of the “IQ” ticket and the movement a fairly assess properties in Orleans Parish. However, with the advent of homeshare services and the intensification of gentrification in the City, an unforeseen side effect has occurred. While the overall property tax rate fell in Orleans Parish, Homeowners in historic neighborhoods, often African-American families – who have lived in their houses for generations – found themselves with spiraling property tax bills through no fault of their own. As wealthy people bought the properties next-door, assessment on these homesteads went through the proverbial roof while incomes have remained stagnant.
This amendment empowers the New Orleans City Council to help keep people in their homes, allowing the City of New Orleans to create property tax exemptions for residential properties on an income basis. In other words, the City Council would have the power to give poorer people a property tax break, something prohibited by state law currently. Developments with more than 15 units and short-term rental properties would not be eligible. With New Orleans’ critical shortage of affordable housing, this amendment effectively establishes a pilot program that, if successful, could be replicated in other towns and cities across the state. The amendment gives New Orleans flexibility to make future adjustments without the need for additional constitutional amendments, and it contains appropriate safeguards.
This article originally published in the September 30, 2019 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.
