Housing Authority chooses new director
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The
Homer Housing Authority has chosen its new executive director.
On
Wednesday, September 26, Debra S. Sarpy, the former treasurer for the Town of
Homer, was picked after months of pouring over resumes to find the most
qualified person. She is expected to begin on Monday, October 10.
The
Rev. Ray Jiles, housing authority board chairman, and staff has worked
diligently since the termination of the former executive director, Michelle
Green.
The
housing authority has come under fire recently after the Louisiana Legislative
Auditor’s office found several discrepancies in the books. Green was terminated
at the suggestion of the auditor’s office because, according to Jiles, she was
caught engaging in fraudulent acts and embezzlement.
However,
since her termination, the Homer Housing Authority has received help from
Minden Housing Authority Executive Director Reese Hood to help them get back on
track. Bills are now getting paid and some bills are actually getting caught
up. Rent payments are being posted, and the housing authority has implemented a
“no cash” policy to help deter any potential theft of funds.
Even
though they’ve chosen a new executive director, the contract has not yet been
signed. There was also an issue as to whether the town council had to approve
the board’s choice or not. According to law, the town council has no authority
over the board. However, the mayor has the authority to appoint commissioners.
Law also says the mayor can remove commissioners for “neglect of duty,
misconduct in office, or conviction of any felony,” according to Louisiana
Revised Statute 40:537.
In
other news, the town received some good news from Jim Hagan, of Balar
Engineers. Homer now stands a good chance of getting $150,000 in capital outlay
funds, which comes from the appropriations bill in the state budget. The
project the funds will be used for are the roofs over City Hall and the Homer
Police Station. For those who have been through the building, water stains in
the ceiling and outright deterioration can be seen.
Hagan
said he and a certified roofer actually climbed on top of the buildings
recently to see which ones were in worse repair.
He
explained that the buildings have four separate roofs, one on the main city
hall, one over the auditorium, one over the former fire station and one over
the police station. The worst one, he said, is over the main city hall, with
the police station’s following.
The
roof over the auditorium was just recently repaired with a $35,000 grant the
town received.
After
some study, Hagan said to fix the remaining three roofs will cost approximately
$260,000, which includes $60,000 to $65,000 for the roof over the police
station, which is in very bad shape. When it rains, the roof leaks where the
council chambers used to be and in the patrol room on the front wall. Repairs
to the roof over the main city hall will cost approximately $110,000 to do it
properly. The roof over the old fire station portion would cost about $30,000
to $35,000 to fix what Hagan called a “sag” in the roof. Other than the sag, he
said, the roof is in good shape -- it just holds water.
“There’s
no money in hand, but there’s a good chance we will,” he said. “It’ll have to
go before the bond commission. It will be a big project, which will include a
public bid, a review of specs and all that goes with it.”
Hagan
said the state was asking the town to prioritize which roofs will need repair
first, because the $150,000 would not cover the repairs to all four. The
council chose the main city hall as the worst and the police station right
after that.
In
other news, a proposed ordinance was tabled until the November meeting because
council members had questions regarding the proposal to increase garbage rates
by $1, which would provide a cushion for the increases made by Allied Waste,
the disposal company used by the Town of Homer. Proposed Ordinance 11-907,
according to Town Attorney Jim Colvin, would increase the rate by $1
automatically every year to coincide with increases made by Allied.
During
the public hearing on the proposal, District 4 Councilwoman Carlette Sanford
adamantly opposed the idea, saying she didn’t mind passing on any increases
Allied made to the customers, but did not want to charge any more than that.
“Times
are hard for everybody right now,” she said.
District
1 Councilwoman Linda Mozeke said the increases just weren’t fair business
practice. The contract between the town and Allied Waste Services is tied in
with the Claiborne Parish Police Jury’s contract, and the disposal company has
increased rates twice this year already.
Also,
the council introduced several proposed ordinances dealing with different
issues. One proposal, Ordinance 11-908, dealing with animal control code
revisions, was introduced by title. The code revision stems from an incident
that occurred several months ago when the Claiborne Animal Clinic became the
“caretakers” of a dog that was brought to them for biting someone. The issue is
the dog owner has not retrieved the dog, and Claiborne Animal Clinic is still
caring for it. Also, because of this, the town is only liable for so much of
the dog’s care, and the revision would clarify what the town is responsible for
and what they’re not.
In
other council news, the introduction of Proposed Ordinance 11-910 died on the
table. The proposed ordinance, had it gone through the steps to final council
approval, would have released the town’s right of road easement on property
where Top Dollar Scrap is located. Originally, the road easements were for a
subdivision many years ago, but the roads for those easements do not exist.
However, a motion was made, but it never got a second.
Recreation
Director Fred Young also updated the public on several things going on with
recreation. Some work continues on Mayfield Pool and officials hope the pool
will be ready to open for next summer. Also, several things have been done to
the area parks, including painting, fencing and replacement of restroom facilities
at the park and the pool area.
District
5 Councilwoman Patricia Jenkins wanted the public to know that volleyballs are
now available at both parks.
However,
other matters needed to be discussed as well -- mainly concerning vandalism at
Mayfield Park. Due to that vandalism, the restroom facilities are being locked
unless an event is being held at the park. Jenkins made it clear that security
cameras will soon be installed in an attempt to deter criminal behavior in the
parks.
Young
proudly announced that flag football is now available for children ages 5-12.
They have three teams established and the fourth team is growing, he said. He
said the town has provided the funds to do this, and now it’s up to the
community to provide volunteers, especially male volunteers. There just simply
aren’t enough male volunteers, he said. Young is also working with others to
establish a cheerleading group as well.
In the
mayor’s report, she said the Shreveport City Council approved the donation of
their police department’s cars to the Homer Police Department. The Homer Police
Department will now have another four cars added to their fleet, which
according to Homer Officer Scott Glen and Police Chief Russell Mills, will help
cut down on car maintenance. With the addition of the cars, all patrol units
will have a chance to rest for at least 12 hours.
In
other news in the mayor’s report, sales tax collection for the month of
September was approximately $83,000, with utility billing showing approximately
$102,000.
A
public hearing for Proposed Ordinances 11-908 (Animal Code Revision) and
Ordinance 11-909 (Allowing Homer Hospital to borrow $900,000 for the completion
of the ICU project and to purchase three pieces of hospital equipment) will be
held at 5:30 p.m. Monday, November 7 in council chambers. Following the public
hearing, the regular monthly meeting will follow at 6 p.m.
Fair set for October 9-15
Sunday, October 9
1-4 p.m.
School and Club Poster Displays set up in North End
General Exhibit Entries Accepted
(No bakery or vegetable items accepted, only canned
foods)
Art Exhibit Entries Accepted
1 p.m.
Livestock to begin arriving
4 p.m.
Start weighing goats, lambs and swine
6 p.m.
Deadline for goat, lamb, swine and commercial heifer
weigh-in
Monday, October 10
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
General Exhibit Entries
(No bakery or vegetable items accepted, only canned
foods)
9a.m. - 12 p.m.
Art Exhibit Entries Accepted
School and Club Poster Displays set up
6 p.m.
4-H Poultry and Egg
Cookery Contest
All Dairy and Beef Cattle
must be in Barn (Exception - Dairy Cows in milk must
arrive morning of Dairy Show)
All entries must be in the Barn
Tuesday, October 11
9-10 a.m.
Bakery items accepted and Fresh Vegetable Accepted
10 a.m.
Judging of all entries and poultry
(except livestock)
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
General Exhibit Judging
4 p.m.
Claiborne Parish Fair Parade
5 p.m.
Judge Goats and Lambs
Judge Market and Breeding Swine
6 p.m. until
Carnival Opens
Arm Bands Accepted
Wednesday, October 12
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
School Group Day
Day Care, Pre-K through 4th grades
1 - 4 p.m.
Senior Citizens Day
2 - 4 p.m.
Bingo at South End of Fair Building
2 p.m. Claiborne Parish Rabbit Show
(livestock barn)
6 p.m. until
Carnival Opens
Dairy and Beef Cattle Judging
Judge Fred Smith Memorial - Premier Livestock Exhibitor
Thursday, October 13
6 p.m. until
Carnival Opens
6 p.m.
Buyer’s Supper for all Sale Supporters
7 p.m.
Junior Livestock Sale
Friday, October 14
9 - 11 a.m.
Remove all Exhibits and Displays
6 p.m. until
Carnival Opens
Saturday, October 15
7 a.m.
Chili cook-off Registration
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Antique and vintage Tractor and Equipment Show
(Registration 8-9 a.m.)
10 a.m.
4-H Pet Show
Cloverbuds Pet Show
(After 4-H pet show)
11 a.m.
Chili Cook-off Judging
12 p.m.
Chili Cook-Off winners awarded
6 p.m. until
Carnival Opens
(Arm Bands accepted 1-5 p.m.)
6 p.m.
Claiborne Parish Fair Pageant
Fugitive surrenders to police
The Guardian-Journal
One of
two fugitives wanted in a shooting incident in the Buck Bottom area of Homer
has turned himself in.
According
to Captain Donald Malray, of the Homer Police Department, Nathan W. White, of
Homer, turned himself into police last Tuesday. Officer Steve Risner arrested
White and charged him accessory after the fact with bond to be set and
aggravated escape with bond set at $50,000.
In last
week’s edition of The Guardian-Journal, it was reported that White was wanted
for accessory after the fact because several witnesses identified White at the
scene at the time of the incident. According to police, they were dispatched to
a North 4th Street residence in reference to a shooting on Wednesday, September
24. Witnesses at the scene told officers that someone, later identified as
Jasmine Curry, aka “J.J.”, was seen aiming a gun at a car belonging to
Dominique Willis and firing several shots at the car, striking the hood and
radiator area.
Bullets
found at the scene are consistent with ones normally used in an AK-47 rifle,
Malray said.
White
was arrested on Friday, September 23, and while interviewing him at the police
station, he reportedly escaped after officers left the room for a moment.
Malray said he was locked in the room but was not cuffed or shackled inside.
Warrant issued for Logan
In a
separate incident, a warrant was issued last week for the arrest of a
Haynesville man by Homer Police in reference to a drive-by shooting that took
place in May.
Dre
Logan, 18, is wanted for obstruction of justice. According to Malray, Logan
recanted his story about what happened in the incident that left Jarmarcion
Hardwell with bullet wounds in his leg.
In May,
Malray said, witnesses say an altercation took place in the 900 block of Hudd
Drive between a group of Homer boys and a group of Haynesville boys. Officers
responded to the call, and the investigation revealed that a group of teens
left from Haynesville and came back to Homer. Malray said that Hardwell had
nothing to do with the previous altercation between the two groups, but was
shot as they drove down West 3rd Street ending on South 3rd Street.
Logan,
18, was arrested at the time of the incident and charged with conspiracy to
commit aggravated second degree battery and conspiracy to commit illegal use of
dangerous weapons or instrumentalities.
The
obstruction of justice charge comes in because while incarcerated at the
Claiborne Parish Detention Center, Logan reportedly wrote a letter to the
assistant district attorney recanting his account of what happened.
“He
gave statements on what happened in May and he’s recanting his story,” Malray
said. “He wrote a letter to the Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office. He
gave three different statements, two written and one video. Then he came back
later in August and recanted his statement.”
The
incident is being investigated by district attorney’s office, the CPDC, and
Malray.
Malray
said the CPDC is investigating because he’d received several letters from other
suspects in the case while incarcerated. There are other suspects in the case
that are currently being held at the detention center in Farmerville in Union
Parish.
“We
know that he wrote a letter,” Malray said. “We’ve
received and accepted several letters from other co-defendants also, and
they’re being analyzed right now.”
If
anyone has any information on the whereabouts of JJ Curry or Dre Logan, please
contact the Homer Police Department at 318-927-4000, the Claiborne Parish
Sheriff’s Office at 318-927-2011 or 927-9800. Remember, authorities do not want
any names, just information.
Police Jury hosts annual region meeting
The Guardian-Journal photos/Michelle
Bates
The Claiborne Parish Police Jury hosted
the Police Jury Association of Louisiana’s annual regional meeting Thursday at
Homer City Hall. With door prizes abound and police jurors from several area
parishes coming together, the meeting was a fun way to meet other jurors and
take care of a few business items. A special thanks goes to all who donated
door prizes, those who donated to help make the meeting a success and Rand and
Nancy Killgore for a wonderful meal. Above, CPPJ President Scott Davidson
welcomes those in attendance. Right, Roland Dartez, of Acadia Parish, handles
the business of the meeting. He is the PJAL Executive Director.
Elected
and appointed officials from ten parishes gathered on Thursday, September 29,
2011, for a meeting at the Historic Homer Town Hall in Homer, LA. Claiborne
Parish hosted the meeting for members of the Police Jury Association. In
addition to Claiborne Parish, Region IV includes Bienville, Bossier, Caddo,
DeSoto, Lincoln, Natchitoches, Red River, Sabine and Webster.
David
Cox of Caddo Parish was elected Region IV President for the upcoming year,
along with Gerald Langolais of Natchitoches Parish as Region IV Vice
President. In addition, Caddo’s Woodie Wilson was elected
Secretary/Treasurer. Glen Benton of Bossier Parish was elected to serve as
Region IV’s State Executive Board Member.
Current
Region IV President Scott Davidson from Claiborne Parish presided over the
meeting. Doyle Robinson, Office of the Governor (Delta Regional
Authority/Renewal Communities), was the guest speaker. He emphasized the
importance of working together with local government. He also told members of
the audience to continue their active role in government and vowed his office’s
continued support to local government.
Bill Altimus,
current Region IV Executive Board Member and Bossier Parish Police Juror
thanked those he has served with for 14 great years. This will be his last
term as a Bossier Parish Police Juror and PJAL Executive Board Member. He
vowed to continue to work hard for Caddo Parish and continue his support to
local government. Altimus will be greatly missed. PJAL Executive Director,
Roland J. Dartez, also addressed those in attendance for their continued
support to the Police Jury Association and their constituents.
Swamp Gravy Conference coming October
14-15
On
October 14 and 15, area citizens will have the opportunity to spend two days
with three internationally known leaders in the field of building creative
communities through the Art of Social Change.
At this
conference, they will experience hands-on ways to impact your communities
through a spirited and creative process, “Swamp Gravy.” Many will remember when
their representatives visited two years ago. Others will want to know, “Just
what is ‘Swamp Gravy’?”
“Swamp
Gravy” is a project of the Colquitt-Miller County Arts Council (CMAC) which has
transformed the spirit and economy of that rural part of southwest Georgia. It
is a building creative communities process in which the leaders are willing to
share with other parts of the country, and northwest Louisiana is fortunate to
be next.
The
conference will take place at First Presbyterian Church in Homer. It will begin
Friday, with registration at 9 a.m., and will include two different
performances Friday and Saturday nights at 7 p.m. For more information, contact
Cynthia Steele at 318-927-2566. Tickets are available at the Claiborne Chamber
of Commerce and the Ford Museum. Cost for the entire conference, both days, is
$25, which also includes tickets to the performances both nights.
Fundraiser set for baby in need
Emilee Evangeline Holloway
Emilee
Evangeline Holloway is the 10-month-old daughter of Jennifer and Brad “Teddy
Bear” Holloway of Athens. She was recently diagnosed with epileptic seizures or
infantile spasms, which has caused developmental delays.
The
first step of treatment was for Emilee to be placed on oral medications which
entailed a five-day stay at St. Francis Medical Center in Monroe for
observation. This treatment decreased the seizures but did not stop them as the
doctors had hoped. During her first stay at the hospital, she underwent several
tests, including an MRI, EEG and multiple blood tests.
After
little improvement on the oral medication, doctors were ready to approach a new
line of treatment. This included another six-day stay at the hospital and
twice-daily injections of ACTH, which costs $25,000 per vial, with one vial
lasting only five days. If no major side effects occur, the injections will be
given for a total of six weeks.
During
the course of the treatment, Emilee will be required to travel to her
pediatrician in Shreveport every other day to check her vital signs, a weekly
blood test and to her neurologist in Monroe once a week.
There
is absolutely no guarantee of these injections being effective, although hope
for improvement is great. At this time, there is no confirmation that Emilee’s
insurance will pay for the treatment.
When
the six-week treatment is complete, Emilee will undergo another EEG, a
chromosome test and will be seeing three different therapists, speech, physical
and occupational.
Emilee
is the granddaughter of Jerry and Pam Hightower of Homer and Larry and Debby
Wallace of Athens. Debby is a former employee of Minden Family Care Center,
where she worked as a nurse for 15 years. Emilee’s father, Brad, is a former
employee of Reynolds Industrial Contractors, Inc. in Minden.
Due to
the seriousness of Emilee’s illness, Brad has taken a six-week medical leave of
absence with no income to help Jennifer care for their daughter. An account has
been set up to help the family offset the numerous medical costs of Emilee’s
treatment. The account is in the name of Emilee Holloway at Gibsland Bank and
Trust.
A
benefit for Emilee is also being planned for October 22 at Mt. Olive Christian
School in Athens. The benefit will feature a concert, bake sale and silent
auction. Barbecue plates will be available and raffle tickets are also being
sold for several large items. Any donations would be greatly appreciated.
Please plan to attend and help this family. If you cannot attend, please pray
for the success of the benefit and for Emilee’s healing.
For
more information, please contact April Smith at 318-245-0080.
Local author to be featured
A local
retired teacher is now a published author.
First
time author Linda Knox, a retired school teacher from Haynesville, will be at the Claiborne Parish Fair Complex
on Tuesday, October 11, from 4:30 until 6:30 p.m. Haynesville socialite Maxie
Garrett will be signing autographs of her biography.
Entitled,
“A Rose in Bloom: Biography of Maxie Billingsly Garrett,” Knox paints a telling
prose around rare photographs, retelling the fascinating adventures in the life
of Mrs. Garrett, a Delta Kappa Gamma sister, local mentor and an avid
adventurer.
The
narrative begins, quite naturally, with her humble childhood as an only child,
then leads readers through youth and to the present.
Knox, a
native of Emerson, Arkansas, now lives in Haynesville with her husband, Larry.
They have one daughter, Shea Kinkade, and two grandchildren, Kassie and Seth. Linda is a retired school teacher, but
is still involved in education as a tutor and a school board member,
representing District #3.
A
portion from each sale will be donated to the Haynesville Beautification
Committee.
The
book is published by Ritz Publications of Shreveport.
October is Domestic Abuse Awareness
Month
Since
the late 1980’s the National Coalition Against Domestic Abuse has designated
October as “Domestic Abuse Awareness Month.” Every year domestic abuse programs
across the United States observe this month to bring awareness about domestic
abuse to their communities and to remember those who have lost their lives at
the hand of a loved one.
Claiborne
Parish will once again be a part of this event. The last week of October the
red silhouettes of murdered domestic violence victims will be displayed on the
Claiborne Parish Courthouse Square. A vigil will be held on Wednesday, October
26 at noon in the Claiborne Parish Police Jury meeting room in Homer. The
public will be invited to attend this ceremony where we remember these victims.
Domestic
abuse continues to be one of the most underreported crimes in our nation.
Statistics show that every 9 to 12 seconds a woman is being abused by her
husband or boyfriend. We are also becoming more and more aware of abuse of men
by their female partners. This particular crime is very unreported so the
statistics related to that are probably very inaccurate.
The
true facts of domestic abuse are that it can happen to anyone. While women are
more likely to be targeted as the victim, we know that some men are victimized,
too. Children who are in homes where there is domestic violence are more likely
to grow up to become abusers. Also, children who are in abusive homes are very
likely to be injured or worse during an abusive episode. Domestic abuse occurs
across all racial, socio-economic and cultural lines.
Education
about domestic abuse is one of the best ways to combat it. If you know someone
who is being abused or if you are a victim, there is help. Please call
Claiborne Parish DART at 927-2818 or the Domestic Abuse 24 Hour Crisis Line at
1-888-411-1333. Mary Ellen Gamble, Rural Advocate for DART in Claiborne Parish
is available to speak to church, civic or school groups about this growing
crime. If you would like to speak to her about domestic abuse or about a date
for her to speak to your group, please call her at the above number. For
victims of domestic abuse, all calls are confidential and services are free.
Here’s a look at Propositions 3 and 4
The Guardian-Journal
Editor’s
Note: From now until election day on October 22, The Guardian-Journal will
break down the five proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot. Along
with several parish-wide and state-wide seats up for grabs will be a tax
renewal for the Claiborne Parish Library system. Look for future editions to
get all five proposed amendments. This week we’ll take a closer look at Proposition
3 and 4. (Information and explanations gathered from the Public Affairs
Research Council.)
Proposed Amendment No. 3
Act No. 421 -- House Bill No. 341, Regular Session 2011
To
authorize the legislature to establish a private custodial fund, designated as
the Patient’s Compensation Fund, for the use, benefit, and protection of
medical malpractice claimants and private health care provider members; to
provide that assets of the fund shall not be state property (Adds Article XII,
Section 16)
According
to PAR, the Patient’s Compensation Fund was created by statute in 1975 for the
purpose of ensuring that affordable medical malpractice coverage is available
to private healthcare providers while also providing a reliable source of
compensation for legitimate claims of injury due to medical malpractice. The
fund is managed by the Patient’s Compensation Fund Oversight Board. The board
members represent doctors and other healthcare providers in Louisiana who pay
annual surcharges to the program. Currently, the fund covers approximately
17,000 health care providers and contains approximately $676 million.
The
fund is sustained by self-generated revenue instead of tax dollars and the
Legislature is not required to appropriate money to assist the fund.
Under
Louisiana’s Medical Malpractice Act, persons who are injured by physicians,
dentists, hospital staff, nursing homes or other health care providers may sue
those providers for damages in a court of law once the claim has been reviewed
by a medical review panel. Awards for medical expenses are not limited but
awards for other types of damages, such as pain and suffering, are capped at
$500,000, plus interest and certain costs.
If the
amendment is passed by the voters, it would make clear in the Constitution that
monies deposited into the Patient’s Compensation Fund are not public dollars
and are not available for appropriation by the Legislature. The amendment would
protect the fund as self-generated, private monies to be used only for the
benefit and protection of medical malpractice claimants and qualified health
care providers. It would also clarify that the fund is exempt from
participation in guaranty funds such as the Louisiana Insurance Guaranty
Association (LIGA).
To
note, this amendment would not change how malpractice suits are handled or the
way assets of the fund are utilized currently.
Proponents
of the amendment argue that the dollars in the Patient’s Compensation Fund are
paid by private health care providers and should remain dedicated to their
private, originally intended purpose -- the protection of medical malpractice
claimants. If the fund is established only in statute, it is not defined as a
private fund within the Constitution, the Legislature could change the
statutory language at any time and use the dollars in the fund for other budget
purposes, which could also raise the cost of medical malpractice coverage in
Louisiana.
Also,
as a protection for the public, the amendment ensures that the state is not
responsible for payment of any of the fund’s legal obligations.
Opponents
of the proposal argue that the current fund is already covered in the statutes
and this would only add another special section to our “cluttered”
Constitution. The Legislature has not even threatened to raid the fund to balance
the general budget; by proposing this amendment the Legislature is fixing
something that it hasn’t yet broken.
Also,
opponents say, inserting appropriation restrictions into the Constitution
limits the Legislature’s flexibility. Although the proposal prohibits
legislative withdrawals from the fund, it allows lawmakers to deposit money
into the fund, creating a private entity with an option for a public bailout in
the event of financial distress.
Proposed Amendment No. 4
Act No. 424 -- Senate Bill No. 147, Regular Session 2011
To
provide that if at any time mineral revenues exceed the base provided by law
and monies are withdrawn from the Budget Stabilization Fund, no deposit of
mineral revenues shall be made to the Budget Stabilization Fund in the same or
ensuing fiscal year in which monies in the fund are appropriated or
incorporated into the official forecast, except by specific legislative
appropriation, and thereafter deposits of mineral revenues into the fund shall
resume except in an annual amount not to exceed one-third of the most recent
amount appropriated or incorporated into the official forecast. (Adds Article
VII, Section 10.3(C)(5))
The
Budget Stabilization Fund is better known as Louisiana’s “Rainy Day” Fund and
was created in 1991 to help stabilize the state budget over time. When the
state receives a large budget surplus or other windfall, some of that revenue
is directed into the fund to prevent the money from being spent on ongoing
operations and inflating the state operating budget. It also serves as a “sort
of” savings account for the state; in certain downturns, some of the fund money
can be spent on state operations.
It is
generally supported by three potential revenue sources: money in the state
general fund that exceeds the expenditure limit for the fiscal year, one-fourth
of any nonrecurring revenue as designated by the Revenue Estimating Conference,
and mineral revenues received by the state that exceed a base threshold of $850
million.
There
are restrictions on the fund, which means it cannot be appropriated unless the
official forecast of recurring revenue for the upcoming fiscal year is less
than the official forecast of recurring revenue for the current fiscal year; or
a deficit is projected for the current fiscal year due to a decrease in the
official forecast of recurring money.
Right
now, there is a problem with the current law in that the law contradicts
itself. According to the PAR, near the end of the 2010 fiscal year, forecasted
revenue dropped radically. The Legislature responded by pulling money from the
“Rainy Day” fund to stabilize the budget. Because mineral revenues that year
were well above the $850 million threshold, the law provided that mineral
revenues had to be automatically deposited into the fund to compensate for the
recent withdrawal. However, those mineral revenues already had been obligated
to support the 2010 general fund appropriations.
This
created a circular problem: if monies were taken from the fund to help plug a
hole in the budget, the state would have to replenish the fund immediately from
the budget that had just been stabilized.
The
Legislature already had attempted to solve the problem by enacting a statutory
fix in 2009. That law provides that no deposit should be made to the Budget
Stabilization Fund in the same fiscal year as a withdrawal is made from the
fund. Deposits to replenish the fund do not have to be made until the state’s
revenue forecast increases to the level of revenue reached in 2008, a peak year
for Louisiana.
Critics
of that legislative move responded by filing a lawsuit that challenged its
constitutionality -- that suit currently is on hold.
Proponents
of the proposed amendment say it attempts to strike a balance between the
“circular hole in the budget” scenario and current statutory language, which
some believe to be too loose in terms of when the money taken from the fund
should be paid back. The amendment would prohibit the automatic flow of mineral
revenue into the Budget Stabilization Fund during the fiscal year that the fund
was used and the following fiscal year. It also provides that mineral revenue
would resume flowing into the fund thereafter.
Deposits
would be limited to one-third of the last withdrawal amount, until the
withdrawal is replenished or until the fund balance reaches its cap.
The key
difference in the proposed amendment and the 2009 statutory fix is in the
repayment schedule. The proposed amendment would set a more specific schedule
for replenishing the “Rainy Day” fund with mineral revenue.
Proponents
argue that it would force the Legislature to replenish withdrawals made from
the fund in a timely manner, which would be more fiscally responsible than
current law. It would also structure repayments to the fund so that the
Legislature can spread out the expense and better plan for future budgets. It
would also negate the debate of whether the 2009 statutory fix was
constitutional.
Opponents
contend that allowing the Legislature two years to begin repaying withdrawals
from the fund is not good practice. They say that withdrawals taken from the
fund should be repaid sooner so that legislators do not routinely raid the fund
for issues that are not true emergencies. Critics say one of the purposes of
the fund was to help reduce the state’s dependency on inconsistent mineral
revenues, and this amendment is contrary to that goal.
See
next week’s edition of The Guardian-Journal for Proposed Amendment No. 5
and the Claiborne Parish Library tax renewal.
Blood Drive set for October 13
On
Thursday, October 13, from noon until 5 p.m., LifeShare Blood Centers will host
a community blood drive at Homer Memorial Hospital.
To be
held in the hospital conference room, the Homer community is encouraged to come
out and donate.
LifeShare
Blood Centers is proud to be associated with Homer Memorial Hospital.
Drinks
and snacks will be provided and photo ID will be required at registration. For
more information, please call the hospital at 927-2024, or Mary Jo Henderson at
318-673-1485.
