No sooner than we post our story about Public Service Commissioner MIKE FRANCIS lobbying for a return of the free lunch for PSC members than we get an anonymous tip about another of those furtive bills sneaked through on the final day of last year’s legislative session—a-la the infamous 2014 Edmonson Amendment—which apparently renders Francis’ effort moot.
Put another way, the most expensive free lunch in Louisiana history is now the order of the day.
An amendment tacked onto an otherwise innocuous bill goes much further than even Francis intended, however.
While the bill itself was not initially identified by our source, it was passed unanimously by both the House and Senate and signed into law by Gov. John Bel Edwards, we’re told. More specific information will be forthcoming as we learn more about the amendment.
Details are still sketchy at this point but all elected state officials, as well as appointed members of boards and commissions, will receive gourmet lunches catered by two of Baton Rouge’s most expensive restaurants whenever they convene in Baton Rouge. The menu will range from prime steaks to prime rib to lobster—and more, much more.
That includes not only the 144 members of the legislature for every day the legislature is in session and when members attend committee meetings throughout the year, but the LSU Board of Supervisors, the University of Louisiana System Board, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), the PSC, the Insurance Rating Commission, and hundreds of other boards and commissions as well.
The amendment also increased the cap on the amount that can be spent on meals by 70 percent, from $50 to $85. That does not include the cost of drinks, which also will be provided gratis for elected and appointed officials.
The new law, while exempting those officials from the $50 cap, leaves the limits in place for state employees.
The cost of this newest perk is expected to easily exceed $1 million per year just for legislators. The countless members of boards and commissions who meet throughout the year in Baton Rouge who also will be eligible for the new perk will increase that cost even more, though there is no way to calculate how much that will be.
But there apparently will be no cost to taxpayers since lobbyists will be responsible for payment of the cost of the meals and drinks. Various special interests will pick up the tabs on a rotating basis with Oil and Gas interests buying one day, banks the next, then private prisons, etc., for legislators.
For the individual boards and commissions, those interests with the most to gain from legislation will be participating. Utility, pipeline, cable TV and trucking companies, for example, will split the costs for PSC members with insurance companies sharing the cost for the Insurance Commissioner and the Insurance Rating Commission, private prisons will be treating members of the Pardon and Parole Board, and charter and voucher schools will strap on the feedbag with BESE members.
Opposition, albeit nearly a year too late, was nevertheless easy to find. Attorney General Jeff Landry blamed Gov. John Bel Edwards for letting the amendment slip through. “I am dedicated to protecting the interests of the voters on matters such as this and the governor obviously is not. That’s why when I’m elected governor, I will work diligently to repeal this amendment. I’m putting legislators on notice right now: if you sponge off lobbyists and take advantage of senior citizens, children, conservative, patriotic, anti-Islamic Republican voters, I’m coming after you.”
His words were echoed by U.S. Sen. John Kennedy, who said, “I supported Donald Trump from day one and you oughta carry a handgun. I have also always said we don’t have a revenue problem in Louisiana, we have a spending problem. This proves it. Legislators make between $32,000 and $66,000 a year, including their $159 per diem for each day they’re in Baton Rouge. When I’m governor, they’ll buy their own damn lunch. And they can drink weed killer.”
Legislators contacted by LouisianaVoice were surprisingly candid in their support of the amendment.
“Look, we have to eat, too,” said Rep. Carl Spackler of Shongaloo. “We come down here every year and in the past we’ve had to scramble to find lobbyists who will buy us dinner. Lunch is usually out of the question because we’re tied down at the Capitol during the day and we have to settle for the lousy food in the cafeteria. And a lot of evenings, it’s raining out and we get soaked running from our cars to the restaurant. And don’t even talk to me about the Baton Rouge traffic. It’s hardly worth the free steak and Merlot Cabernet Franc.”
Sen. William J. Le Petomane of Mamou agreed. “We come here and listen to all the whining from state agencies about budget cuts. I only get to see my girlfriend when I’m here in Baton Rouge and my constituents really cut into my time with her. I got her a job with the state but she’s pretty high-maintenance, so these meals will free up per diem money that I can spend on little gifts to keep her happy. In that regard, the amendment will be added incentive for us to do our jobs when we’re in town.”
Lobbyist Al Cverzik, who represents the Louisiana Nutria Preservation League, said the easing of restrictions on meals and drinks will give lobbyists greater access to legislators. “We have to compete with all these ordinary citizens to get our message across. Well, we have a right to be heard, too. Having a sit-down with them over a porterhouse steak and a glass or two of whatever will help us immensely.”
The bill goes into effect today—just in time for the upcoming legislative session which kicks off on April 10, a week from this Monday.
Louisiana Voice 
Right on the money, right on time. Great story, Tom. Can’t wait for reactions.
I do believe I detect an April Fools prank. Guv Le Petomane was the guv in Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles.
Oh, and about Al:
http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0010117/bio
And let’s not forget Carl Spackler, played by Bill Murray in that same Caddyshack movie.
LOL, I forgot about that one Buck.
Sadly, while this could be an April Fool’s prank, in Louisiana with the present crop of pigs feeding at the trough, it could be reality!
Today is April Fool’s Day. I’m always looking forward to a good prank every once in a while but ironically the prank is on Louisianeans every year during session when something crazy like this could get overlooked and passed through without a hitch.
Ugh.
The Nutria Preservation League? Ha ha must be April fool’s joke. Too close to reality though. I almost believed it. And just how close are these lobbyists anyway.?
Well done, lol!
Why do we as Louisiana citizens/voters struggle to go to work each day to make a decent living, while paying for representations to live it up. When attending sessions to speak on our behalf and make decisions that will benefit everyone. Sounds like they are there more for the benefits. Why are we paying for their food, travel and gifts for friends?
I’d like to know which legislators make $32k let alone those who make 60$k and above.this amt far exceeds what I have been told. Remember those who live far away also have to provide their own place to stay during session. Many are not independently wealthy & have to be absent from their businesses thus lose $$$$ that way. I believe cuts can be made in other areas. Now for those who volunteer to serve on boards let them buy their own meals. I have served on many boards in my lifetime and rarely was my meal paid for and certainly not by taxpayers.
Mary Ann Riddle Mary Ann & More 7915 Jefferson Place Blvd. # B Baton Rouge, LA 70809 318-372-1949
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They make $16,800 in flat salary (except for Speaker of the House and President of the Senate, who make a little more). They also get $159 per diem and that will vary, depending on whether it’s an 85- or 60-day session—which is an additional $9,540 to $13,515. They also receive the $159 per diem when they come to Baton Rouge for committee meetings, which go on year-round. Finally, they each get office expense allowances of about $1500 per month for their district offices—another $18,000. It adds up and it exceeds what you have been told because they really don’t want you to know how much they make.
I have yet to see a legislator resign for financial reasons.
For many years, legislators in Texas served for no salary and some of them traveled far further than any of ours do.
And not to be outdone, Carl Spackler, played by Bill Murray, played a freaky gopher hunter. Well done Tom. You really had me going.
Butch, quit joking around with your reputation! Don’t be such a fool as I got 2/3rds through the blog before . . . .
Then I did an inadequate job.
You should’ve gotten 3/4 the way through before you realized what was going on.
I do this every year. The first one was a story that LSU was going to begin paying its football players salaries comparable to the NFL so they would stay their full 4 years and so LSU could finally become competitive with ‘Bama.
Once a year won’t hurt. Besides, it gives me some sorely needed relief from the mental stress of constantly keeping tabs on the bad guys—sort of a battery re-charger.
Well played, Tom, well played. You got me for awhile. I am laughing.
This was the best April Fool I have ever witnessed! My blood pressure went up.
If approached Landry and Kennedy probably gave that answer.
BTW: Thumbs Up
🙂 You had me for a while. I was going to suggest the meals be provided by the nutria preservation league.
Is this satire, or have you finally lost it?
Well, while the jury is still out on whether I may have lost it, it is satire—as is the case of each of my annual April Fool’s stories.
Tom you had me until the Nutria,I was flashing back to 70’s when I learned at the Washington Mardi Gras that we have a “Fur” Queen. I wonder what she looks like now. love always ron
As someone with connections to the company designing the new medicaid system, I can tell you that they are amazed at the state’s willingness to set everything back by MILLIONS of dollars all just to buy trendy new and unproven products from short skirts no matter how technically unsound it is or how long it delays projects. Sometimes they are in Vegas on vacations paid for by the companies trying to curry favor!!!
It’s all about to come crashing down for state police anyway. their IT is getting so mismanaged now because its run by immature IT “execs” who are building their resumes and while getting their palms greased (among other things) by shady vendors. it’ll be worse than anything Edmonson did. from what i hear its a huge cluster f*$& but they don’t care so long as the vendors keep giving them awards and trips to Vegas.