Same-sex marriage petition After the liberal group Moveon.org named Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-New Orleans, as one of only 17 House Democrats not to endorse same-sex marriage, the congressman issued a statement expressing his opposition to discrimination. "I am a firm proponent of equal rights and support efforts to end prejudice against all human beings," Richmond said. "A person's decision...
Same-sex marriage petition
After the liberal group Moveon.org named Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-New Orleans, as one of only 17 House Democrats not to endorse same-sex marriage, the congressman issued a statement expressing his opposition to discrimination.
"I am a firm proponent of equal rights and support efforts to end prejudice against all human beings," Richmond said. "A person's decision concerning who they commit their life to should be respected regardless of gender, race, or sexual preference. Our collective goal as Americans should be to strive to treat all people with decency and fairness."
That wasn't enough for Kimberly Pratt, a PhD candidate at the University of New Orleans, who delivered petitions to Richmond's office on Friday on behalf of Move.on urging him to support same-sex marriage.
"If he can't take a clear position, it doesn't go any good," Pratt said. She said politicians need to stop being afraid of "offending people," and be willing to take the consequences by taking the right and definitive stance on "moral issues."
Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., is one of only three Democratic senators not to endorse same-sex marriage, saying recently: "While my personal views have evolved, I will support the outcome of Louisiana's recent (2004) vote" banning marriage between same-sex couples.
Pratt said she is disappointed with both Richmond and Landrieu, though she "admires" them on other issues. "My life has been enriched by my many gay friends and I just think our leaders should take a position in support of American values -- that people who pay taxes, work, own homes and raise children should have the right to be married."
To tax or not to tax?
Louisiana's senators split Thursday on whether to allow a vote next month on legislation that enable states to collect sales tax for Internet purchases made by their residents. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., voted to allow the vote, and David Vitter, R-La., voted no. The measure got 63 votes, three more than needed to block a filibuster.
Landrieu said that small retailers "are being put at a disadvantage against large, online businesses because of the nature of our tax code." She and other supporters say it's unfair that a local store owner, who employs local residents and is required to charge state and local sales taxes, is competing against an internet business that can offer its products free of sales taxes.
Vitter didn't explain his no vote, but he generally opposes tax increases.
Andre Rubenstein, co-owner of Rubenstein's men's clothing store in New Orleans, says it is a real disadvantage for retailers like him. He said it happens a lot that customers step up to the cash register, ready to pay their bill, when they notice the 9 percent combined city-state sales tax.
"They roll their eyes," Rubenstein said recently. "They are used to shopping online without paying any sales tax at all."
In Louisiana, an estimated $800 million in potential sales tax from online purchases go uncollected, according to congressional estimates. Gov. Bobby Jindal opposes the Senate sales tax bill. "The governor does not support any net tax increases on Louisiana citizens," spokesman Sean Lansing said.
Indispensable? GOP says no.
Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., is getting push back from Republicans for suggesting in an interview that because of her seniority and influence she is "indispensable" for getting Louisiana the resources it needs to restore its coast.
"The only person Mary Landrieu is indispensable to is Barack Obama," Louisiana Republican Party Chairman Roger Villere said. "She votes with him 97% of the time and cast the deciding vote for Obamacare."
Villere said Landrieu should take a lesson from former Secretary of State Madeline Albright, who served President Bill Clinton.
"Madeline Albright, the first woman to become the United States Secretary of State, once said, 'I think that there is never an indispensable leader, you know? I think that there is a time with dignity that one needs to leave.'"
Still, it wasn't a bad week for Landrieu. With the announced retirement of Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., Landrieu, if she wins re-election, is in line to be Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee chairwoman. It would give her the kind of clout the state used to have with Sen. J. Bennett Johnson, D-La., who simultaneously served as chairman of the Energy Committee, and a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. That's the combination Landrieu likely will have if re-elected.
No second thoughts for Fleming
Rep. John Fleming, R-Minden, says he's not giving any second thoughts to his decision not to run for the U.S. Senate next year. After talking to Sen. David Vitter, R-La., Fleming, who had hired a well-known campaign consultant, decided to let House GOP colleague and fellow physician Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, be the only GOP House incumbent challenging incumbent Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., in 2014.
Fleming said he knows there will be another opportunity to run for higher office. In fact, it might happen fairly soon if Sen. David Vitter, R-La., runs for governor in 2015, and he is successful. Does that mean, Fleming was asked, that he is encouraging Vitter to run for governor?
Fleming was diplomatic. Vitter would make an excellent gubernatorial candidate, but he's also a great senator, Fleming said. "I'll be happy with whatever Sen. Vitter decides to do," Fleming said.