Louisiana Voice

The 2014 legislative session is less than a month away (March 10) and as always, we can expect the unexpected, the unusual, the downright bizarre and of course, controversy.

Under the law, sessions during even-number years—this year, for instance—consists of 85 calendar days during which the legislature may meet on no more than 60 days, though lawmakers receive per diem payments for all 85 days.

During odd-number years, the session is 60 calendar days and legislators are restricted to no more than 45 legislative days—again with full pay for all 60 days.

Gov. Bobby Jindal has two more regular sessions in which to push through his full ALEC-sponsored agenda so it is quite likely that we will see more controversial bills from the administration as well as the re-introduction of past bills that failed the first time around.

In the past we’ve been treated to a senator (Mike Walsworth, R-West Monroe) asking a high school science teacher during a committee hearing if cultures her students were growing in her classeroom could produce a human being.

We’ve had a House member (Nancy Landry) attempt to change a rule to force teachers in Baton Rouge to testify about controversial education bills to declare if they were on sick leave or otherwise authorized to miss a day of school (her precedent-setting rule failed).

There was even a strange question from then Rep. Mert Smiley (R-Port Vincent) who asked if there was some rule or regulation that could be invoked to prevent employees of the Office of Risk Management from leaving the agency for employment elsewhere (no such rule has existed since Jan. 1, 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation).

And then there was Rep. Valerie Hodges (R-Denham Springs) who voted in favor of state funding for church-affiliated charter schools—until an Islamic school in New Orleans applied for a charter. That’s when the fecal matter hit the Westinghouse oscillating air circulation device. Apparently her vote was restricted to her interpretation of what constitutes a non-secular school.

Despite the far too frequent lapses into idiocy such as exhibited by these three, there are important issues which come before the House and Senate and many times the forgotten citizens back home would like to make their voices heard but don’t always know the best way to get through to their legislators.

Well, we didn’t name this blog LouisianaVoice for nothing.

A regular reader in Lafayette inspired us with the solution.

We have decided to post the names of all 144 legislators (105 representatives and 39 senators) along the corresponding telephone numbers and email addresses.

By doing this, we are not necessarily soliciting a telephone or email campaign because we don’t even know what legislation will be introduced this year. This is simply an informational guide so that readers will have the information if and when it becomes necessary.

We also do this with full knowledge that some legislators simply do not return calls. We’re still waiting for a return call from Sen. Neil Riser (R-Columbia) from more than a year ago—well before his crash-and-burn congressional campaign.

We suggest you print this post and post it somewhere—or save it to a shortcut on your computer. If you do not know the name of your senator and representative, shame on you but here are the links that will help you find them:

House of Representatives

Senate

And here are the alphabetical lists of both the House and Senate:

Members of the House (to reach your representative during the session dial the House clerk at 225-342-7259):

• Neil Abramson (R-New Orleans)—(504) 275-8051, abramson@legis.la.gov
• Bryan Adams (R-Gretna)—(504) 361-6013, adamsb@legis.la.gov
• John “Andy” Anders (D-Vidalia)—(318) 336-5865, larep021@legis.la.gov
• James Armes, III (D-Leesville)—(337) 238-7004, armesj@legis.la.gov
• Jeffery “Jeff” Arnold (D-New Orleans)—(504) 361-6600, larep102@legis.la.gov
• Austin Badon, Jr. (D-New Orleans)—(504) 243-7783, larep100@legis.la.gov
• Taylor Barras (R-New Iberia)—(337) 373-4051, barrast@legis.la.gov
• Regina Barrow (D-Baton Rouge)—(225) 359-9400, larep029@legis.la.gov
• John Berthelot (R-Gonzales)—(225) 647-5646, berthelotj@legis.la.gov
• Robert Billiot (D-Westwego)—(504) 436-8929, billiotr@legis.la.gov
• Stuart Bishop (R-Lafayette)—(337) 981-7409, bishops@legis.la.gov
• Wesley Bishop (D-New Orleans)—(504) 242-4198, bishopw@legis.la.gov
• Chris Broadwater (R-Hammond)—(985) 543-4900, broadwaterc@legis.la.gov
• Jared Brossett (D-New Orleans)—(504) 286-1033, brossettj@legis.la.gov
• Terry Brown (I-Colfax)—(855) 261-6566, browntr@legis.la.gov
• Richard Burford (R-Stonewall)—(318) 925-9588, burfordr@legis.la.gov
• Henry Burns (R-Haughton)—(318) 949-2463, burnsh@legis.la.gov
• Timothy “Tim” Burns (R-Mandeville)—(985) 624-4492, larep089@legis.la.gov
• Roy Burrell (D-Shreveport)—(318) 676-7137, larep002@legis.la.gov
• Thomas Carmody, Jr. (R-Shreveport)—(318) 862-9956, carmodyt@legis.la.gov
• Stephen Carter (R-Baton Rouge)—(225) 362-5305, carters@legis.la.gov
• Simone Champagne (R-Erath)—(337) 937-8827, champags@legis.la.gov
• Charles Chaney (R-Rayville)—(318) 728-5875, chaneyb@legis.la.gov
• Patrick Connick (R-Marrero)—(504) 371-0240, connickp@legis.la.gov
• Kenny Cox (D-Natchitoches)—(855) 844-8583, coxk@legis.la.gov
• Gregory Cromer (R-Slidell)—(985) 645-3592, cromerg@legis.la.gov
• Michael Danahay (D-Sulphur)—(337) 527-5581, danahaym@legis.la.gov
• Herbert Dixon (D-Alexandria)–(318) 487-5661, dixonh@legis.la.gov
• Gordon Dove (R-Houma)—(985) 876-8823, larep052@legis.la.gov
• John Bel Edwards (D-Amie)—(985) 748-2245, edwardsj@legis.la.gov
• James “Jim” Fannin (R-Jonesboro)—(318) 259-6620, larep013@legis.la.gov
• Franklin Foil (R-Baton Rouge)—(225) 342-6777, foilf@legis.la.gov
• A.B. Franklin (D-Lake Charles)—(337) 491-2320, franklina@legis.la.gov
• Randal Gaines (D-LaPlace)—(985) 652-1228, gainesr@legis.la.gov
• Raymond Garofalo, Jr. (R-Chalmette)—(504) 277-4729, garofalor@legis.la.gov
• Brett Geymann (R-Lake Charles)—(337) 491-2315, larep035@legis.la.gov
• Jerry Gisclair (D-Larose)—(985) 798-7707, gisclairj@legis.la.gov
• Hunter Greene (R-Baton Rouge)—(225) 362-5900, larep066@legis.la.gov
• Mickey Guillory (D-Eunice)—(337) 457-0194, larep041@legis.la.gov
• John Guinn (R-Jennings)—(337) 824-0376, guinnj@legis.la.gov
• Lance Harris (R-Alexandria)—(318) 767-6095, harrisl@legis.la.gov
• Joe Harrison (R-Gray)—(800) 935-2081, harrisoj@legis.la.gov
• Kenneth Havard (R-Jackson)—(225) 634-7470, havardk@legis.la.gov
• Lowell Hazel (R-Pineville)—(318) 767-6082, hazelc@legis.la.gov
• Cameron Henry (R-Metairie)—(504) 838-5433, henryc@legis.la.gov
• Bob Hensgens (R-Abbeville)—(337) 893-5035, hensgensb@legis.la.gov
• Dorothy Sue Hill (D-Dry Creek)—(337) 259-2118, hilld@legis.la.gov
• Valerie Hodges (R-Denham Springs)—(225) 791-2199 hodgesv@legis.la.gov
• Frank Hoffman (R-West Monroe)—(318) 362-4130, hoffmanf@legis.la.gov
• Paul Hollis (R-Covington)—(985) 871-4680, hollisp@legis.la.gov
• Dalton Honoré (D-Baton Rouge)—(225) 771-5674, honored@legis.la.gov
• Frank Howard (R-Many)—(318) 256-4135, howardf@legis.la.gov
• Marcus Hunter (D-Monroe)—(318) 362-3440, hunterm@legis.la.gov
• Mike Huval (R-Breaux Bridge)—(337) 332-3331, huvalm@legis.la.gov
• Barry Ivey (R-Baton Rouge)—(225) 261-5739, iveyb@legis.la.gov
• Katrina Jackson (D-Monroe)—(318) 362-5123, jacksonk@legis.la.gov
• Edward “Ted” James, II (D-Baton Rouge)—(225) 925-4859, james.ted@legis.la.gov
• Patrick Jefferson (D-Homer)—(318) 927-2519, jeffersonpo@legis.la.gov
• Robert Johnson (D-Marksville)—(318) 253-8891, johnsoro@legis.la.gov
• Sam Jones (D-Franklin)—(337) 828-7778, joness@legis.la.gov
• Charles “Chuck” Kleckley, House Speaker (R-Lake Charles)—(337) 475-3016, larep036@legis.la.gov
• Eddie Lambert (R-Gonzales)—(225) 673-5048, larep059@legis.la.gov
• Nancy Landry (R-Lafayette)—(337) 262-2252, landryn@legis.la.gov
• Terry Landry (D-New Iberia)—(337) 373-9380, landryt@legis.la.gov
• Bernard LeBas (D-Ville Platte)—(337) 363-0152, lebasb@legis.la.gov
• Walt Leger, III, Speaker Pro Tempore (D-New Orleans)—(504) 556-9970, legerw@legis.la.gov
• Christopher Leopold (R-Belle Chasse)—(504) 393-5649, leopoldc@legis.la.gov
• Joseph Lopinto, III (R-Metairie)—(504) 838-5430, lopintoj@legis.la.gov
• Nick Lorusso (R-New Orleans)—(504) 483-4711, larep094@legis.la.gov
• Sherman Mack (R-Livingston)—(225) 686-3887, macks@legis.la.gov
• Gregory Miller (R-Norco)—(985) 764-9991, millerg@legis.la.gov
• Jack Montoucet (D-Crowley)—(337) 783-2999, montoucj@legis.la.gov
• Helena Moreno (D-New Orleans)—(504) 568-2740, morenoh@legis.la.gov
• James “Jim” Morris (R-Oil City)—(318) 995-6852, larep001@legis.la.gov
• John “Jay” Morris (R-Monroe)—(318) 362-4270, morrisjc@legis.la.gov
• Barbara Norton (D-Shreveport)—(318) 632-5887, nortonb@legis.la.gov
• Stephen Ortego (D-Carencro)—(337) 886-4687, ortegos@legis.la.gov
• Kevin Pearson (R-Slidell)—(985) 646-6487, pearsonk@legis.la.gov
• Vincent Pierre (D-Lafayette)—(337) 262-2330, pierrev@legis.la.gov
• Eric Ponti (R-Baton Rouge)—(225) 362-5301, pontie@legis.la.gov
• Rogers Pope (R-Denham Springs)—(225) 667-3588, poper@legis.la.gov
• Edward Price (D-Gonzales)—(225) 644-6738, pricee@legis.la.gov
• Stephen Pugh (R-Ponchatoula)—(985) 386-7844, pughs@legis.la.gov
• Steve Pylant (R-Winnsboro)—(318) 435-7313, pylants@legis.la.gov
• Eugene Reynolds (D-Minden)—(318) 371-3092, reynoldsg@legis.la.gov
• Jerome Richard (I-Thibodaux)—(985) 447-0999, richardj@legis.la.gov
• Harold Richie (D-Bogalusa)—(985) 730-2147, larep075@legis.la.gov
• Joel Robideaux (R-Lafayette)—(337) 984-1091, larep045@legis.la.gov
• Clay Schexnayder (R-Gonzales)—(225) 473-6016, schexnayderc@legis.la.gov
• John Schroder (R-Covington)—(985) 893-6262, schrodej@legis.la.gov
• Alan Seabaugh (R-Shreveport)—(318) 676-7990, seabaugha@legis.la.gov
• Robert Shadoin (R-Ruston)—(318) 251-5039, shadoinr@legis.la.gov
• Scott Simon (R-Abita Springs)—(985) 893-6246, simons@legis.la.gov
• Patricia Smith (D-Baton Rouge)—(225) 342-7106, smithp@legis.la.gov
• Karen St. Germain (D-Plaquemine)—(225) 687-2410, larep060@legis.la.gov
• Julie Stokes (R-Kenner)—(504) 468-8603, stokesj@legis.la.gov
• Kirk Talbot (R-River Ridge)—(504) 736-7299, talbotk@legis.la.gov
• Major Thibaut (D-New Roads)—(225) 638-3811, thibautm@legis.la.gov
• Ledricka Thierry (D-Opelousas)—(337) 948-0369, thierryl@legis.la.gov
• Jeff Thompson (R-Bossier City)—(318) 741-2850, thompsonj@legis.la.gov
• Lenar Whitney (R-Houma)—(985) 858-2970, whitneyl@legis.la.gov
• Alfred Williams (D-Baton Rouge)—(225) 382-3243, williamsa@legis.la.gov
• Patrick Williams (D-Shreveport)—(318) 676-5990, larep004@legis.la.gov
• Thomas Willmott (R-Kenner)—(504) 465-3479, willmott@legis.la.gov
• Ebony Woodruff (D-Harvey)—(504) 361-6972, woodruffe@legis.la.gov

Members of the Senate (to call senators in Baton Rouge, the main switchboard number is 225-342-2040):

• Robert Adley (R-Benton)—(318) 965-1755, adleyr@legis.la.gov
• John Alario, Senate President (R-Westwego)—(504) 340-2221, alarioj@legis.la.gov
• Brett Allain, II (R-Franklin)—(337) 828-9107, allainb@legis.la.gov
• Jody Amedee (R-Gonzales)—(225) 644-1526, amedeej@legis.la.gov
• Conrad Appel (R-Metairie)—(504) 838-5550, appelc@legis.la.gov
• Sharon Weston Broome (D-Baton Rouge)—(225) 359-9352, lasen15@legis.la.gov
• Troy Brown (D-Napoleonville)—(985) 369-3333, brownte@legis.la.gov
• Sherri Smith Buffington (R-Keithville)—(318) 687-4820, smithbuffington@legis.la.gov
• Norby Chabert (R-Houma)—(985) 858-2927, chabertn@legis.la.gov
• Dan Claitor (R-Baton Rouge)—(225) 765-0206, claitord@legis.la.gov
• Yvonne Dorsey Colomb (D-Baton Rouge)—(225) 342-9700, dorseyy@legis.la.gov
• Page Cortez (R-Lafayette)—(337) 993-7430, cortezp@legis.la.gov
• A.G. Crowe (R-Slidell)—(985) 643-3600, crowea@legis.la.gov
• Jack Donahue (R-Mandeville)—(985) 727-7949, donahuej@legis.la.gov
• Dale Erdy (R-Livingston)—(225) 686-2881, erdeyd@legis.la.gov
• Rick Gallot (D-Ruston)—(318) 251-5019, gallotr@legis.la.gov
• Elbert Guillory (R-Opelousas)—(337) 943-2457, guillorye@legis.la.gov
• David Heitmeier (D-New Orleans)—(504) 361-6356, HeitmeierD@legis.la.gov
• Ronny Johns (R-Lake Charles)—(337) 491-2016, johnsr@legis.la.gov
• Robert Kostelka (R-Monroe)—(318) 362-3474, kostelka@legis.la.gov
• Eric Lafleur (D-Ville Platte)—(337) 363-5019, lafleure@legis.la.gov
• Gerald Long (R-Natchitoches)—(800) 265-2437, longg@legis.la.gov
• Danny Martiny (R-Metairie)—(504) 834-7676, martinyd@legis.la.gov
• Fred Mills (R-New Iberia)—(337) 365-8484, millsf@legis.la.gov
• Jean-Paul Morrell (D-New Orleans)—(504) 284-4794, morrelljp@legis.la.gov
• Dan “Blade” Morrish (R-Jennings)—(337) 824-3979, morrishd@legis.la.gov
• Edwin Murray (D-New Orleans)—(504) 945-0042, murraye@legis.la.gov
• Ben Nevers (D-Bogalusa)—(985) 732-6863 neversb@legis.la.gov
• Barrow Peacock (R-Bossier City)—(318) 741-7180, peacockb@legis.la.gov
• Jonathan “J.P.” Perry (R-Kaplan)—(337) 643-6425,  perryj@legis.la.gov
• Karen Carter Peterson (D-New Orleans)—(504) 568-8346, petersonk@legis.la.gov
• Neil Riser (R-Columbia)—(318) 649-0977, risern@legis.la.gov
• Gary Smith, Jr. (D-Norco)—(985) 764-9122, smithgl@legis.la.gov
• John Smith (R-Leesville)—(337) 238-2709, smithj@legis.la.gov
• Gregory Tarver (D-Shreveport)—(318) 227-1499, tarverg@legis.la.gov
• Francis Thompson (D-Delhi)—(318) 878-9408, thompsof@legis.la.gov
• Mike Walsworth (R-West Monroe)—(318) 340-6453, walsworthm@legis.la.gov
• Rick Ward (R-Port Allen)—(225) 246-8838, wardr@legis.la.gov
• Mack “Bodi” White (R-Central)—(225) 272-1324, whitem@legis.la.gov

You now have the contact information to make your opinion(s) known to your elected officials.

Oh, wait. We almost forgot:

• Gov. Bobby Jindal: 225-342-7015 http://www.gov.la.gov/index.cfm?md=form&tmp=email_governor (He has one of those special email forms you are required to fill out because he doesn’t want to give out his email address which we believe to be bobby.jindal@la.gov)