TUESDAY: Dave Holmes, John Bel Edwards, Michael Martin

March 10, 2015 Show Producer

HOUR ONE:

Dave Holmes promotes the American Canvas premiere tomorrow night on Ovation tv which seeks out the hottest art and cultural events, from galleries to hangouts. "I want them to get up off their couch and go to do something new." Ovation network is the only network fully devoted to the arts. Holmes shares an experience in street art paintings.

Representative John Bel Edwards joins us in studio to comment on his strong second place finish in the recent poles. He shares that it is encouraging to know that the race is shaping into a two man battle. A new poll on Louisiana's governor's race shows Republican US Senator David Vitter leading with 35% followed by Democratic Amite Representative John Bel Edwards at 33%.

Edwards supports taking money already paid in taxes to expand medicaid to reimburse the hospitals in the state for taking care of the working poor.

The representative also comments on the issues revolving the higher education budget cuts. "We have to fund education first in our budget, not as an afterthought as Bobby Jindal has been doing."

HOUR TWO:

Former LSU Chancellor Michael Martin on the sharing of state government funds from Louisiana universities. He left LSU in May 2012.

In the LSU Press release in 2012, Martin said: "We have been face with a lot of uncertainty lately, but know that despite all of the lingering economic concerns, LSU's place as the Flagship institution of Louisiana is more important than ever. I'm hoping and trusting that wise and committed leaders across this state will find solutions to alleviate budget concerns and help LSU to be the kind of place that the state of Louisiana needs."

"I can't think of a state that needs a good university more than Louisiana does," Martin says. He contends that higher education is the root from which to grow the future economy. He says that increasing fee bills drives a wedge from those lower income families to come to LSU.

Tuition and fees are 40% of the cost of attendance at LSU. LSU's average 4 year graduation rate is less than 40%. This is because if the rate was over 40%, the funding of the school by the students would suffer. Martin concludes, "The aim is to get them in and keep them."

Louisiana has the highest number of native residents than any other state in the union.

Martin supports Common Core as part of a systematic approach.

"I think TOPS needs to be rethought... sometimes it actually turns out to be detrimental."

He also comments on the recent SAE fraternity scandal involving racist chants and how this impacts the depiction of Greek life across the board.

MONDAY: Mike Anderson, Greg Langley, Brian Johnston, Ryan Beckwith, Chas Roemer

March 9, 2015 Show Producer

HOUR ONE:

FBI SAC Mike Anderson comments on terrorism investigations in Louisiana. There are counter terrorism investigation open in every state according to the Director of the FBI. He comments on the Homeland Security movement that encourages a role for the common citizen to play in keeping the community safe. "If You See Something, Say Something"

Anderson speaks about the amount of ground level fundraising for terrorist groups. It is very difficult to track the money once it leaves. Often times the fundraising comes from a tax evasion or from legitimate businesses as well as prostitution, black market gun sales, or drugs. "The homegrown violent extremist is the biggest concern of counter terrorism," Anderson says.

Greg Langley and Brian Johnston join us in studio from the Department of Environmental Quality to discuss air quality and jobs. Right now, there are 75 parts per billion. The EPA wants 65-70 parts per billion.

"Hot, stagnant air does contribute to ozone formation," Johnston says. You can find the air quality controls and limits here.

HOUR TWO:

Editor in DC for Time Magazine Ryan Beckwith shares his thoughts on his recent column "Bobby Jindal, America's Next Top Columnist." He calls the 47 opinion pieces a clever political move. "They're good in ways that make them good columns in ways that would make him a bad politician." Beckwith points out that the target audiences for the publications Jindal has used are conservative.

He comments briefly on Hillary Clinton's new tweeting instead of directly talking to reporters. "Whether they were willing to put their name at the top," says more than their originality Beckwith says.

Chairman of the BESE Board Chas Roemer comments on Common Core. Common Core has been adopted by 45 states and D.C. It calls for standards and content not curriculum.

"It's not that our students were capable, we just weren't making our standards high enough," Roemer continues, "It is in the best interest of every student to take the test."

"I think 99% of students in the state will take the test," he says, "Some districts are concerned that there may be more than normal <not taking the test>."

"In some ways, we've always taught for the test," he says.

FRIDAY: Laura Swan, C.B. Forgotston, Tony Guarisco, Julie Baxter and Neil Melancon

March 7, 2015 Show Producer

HOUR ONE:

Author Laura Swan discusses her book. Beguines were a European phenomenon around 1200 CE of women seeking independence, breaking norms, and celebrating intellect and art. A number of the Beguines were burned at the stake for alleged heresy.

Jim asks if the governor took the path of least resistance in his prescription for balancing the budget. Political Consultant C. B. Forgotston gives his opinion.

"I was really taken aback by Democrats, Republicans, and college presidents saying it was a good start... it was a sham," Forgotston says, "I think everyone must have been in a state of shock, or they weren't listening very carefully."

"They're already backpedalling," Forgotston points out, "what we heard on Friday isn't even what's happening."

Forgotston analyzes the Grover Norquist pledge among Republican members of Congress and how this affected the budget proposal. The budget proposal would raise the cigarette tax from 36 cents to 83 cents.

"I think the budget Bobby Jindal submitted will pretty much be what is adopted," he says.

"I've never seen a governor who spends so much time every day attending ribbon cuttings and things like that," he continues, "he's never been what you call a 'hands on governor. I've come to the conclusion that the more he's out of the state the less damage he does."

Forgotston also comments on the tension between David Vitter and Bobby Jindal.

HOUR TWO:

Former State Senator Tony Guarisco compares the Governor Jindal with previous two term governors of Louisiana: John McKeithen, Edwin Edwards, and Mike Foster.

"Edwin Edwards could have just been this prince that was governor all the time," he comments.

Jim calls Bobby Jindal's proposal for a cigarette tax "a considered heresy."

Guarisco calls Grover Norquist a "third party nitwit." He says they need to simply revoke the agreement because "a promise is not forever."

He says it is unbelievable that marijuana smokers are in prison.

Mike Danna, a staple in the agriculture broadcasting industry, died of cancer at the age of 54. He was the director of public relations for the Louisiana Farm Bureau and host of This Week in Louisiana Agriculture. He passed away peacefully in his sleep shortly before 9am this morning. Assistant Director of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Neil Melancon joins the show to remember him.

The board of the Mass Communication at LSU unanimously voted Mike Danna into the Manship Hall of Fame.

Neil says, "I got to see the soft side of him... the side that had the sardonic wit, the teasing nature of him." He talks about a virtual tour of Italy Danna took with his wife in the last 24 days of his life.

Here is Mike Danna's parting statement.

THURSDAY: Tim Parrish, Mike Wolf, Jason Decuir

March 5, 2015 Show Producer

HOUR ONE:

Author Tim Parrish shares his book. It is about Baton Rouge racism in the 50s and the 60s and Parrish's experience growing up in a staunch right wing Southern Baptist household. "Hearing about the love of Christ and forgiveness and coming home and hearing something very different about African Americans... it was confusing."

"I come back about every six months and it seems Baton Rouge is different every time," Parrish says. He describes the differences between his childhood Baton Rouge and how it is now.

"The North has all of the same issues as the South," Parrish says in terms of current segregation. "I think it's important for all of us to look inward," he continues, speaking of coming to terms with our own racism.

Attorney Mike Wolf will review the controversy over Hillary Clinton's emails when she was Secretary of State.

"Those who like her very much won't be deterred by this," Wolf says of Hillary Clinton. Wolf asserts that email should be private even for public officials. "Public officials should be able to get confidential advice."

The Clintons will soon celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary.

They discuss the release of the police report from the Ferguson shooting last year, which ruled the police officer not guilty of racial charges.

HOUR TWO:

Former Executive Counsel for the State Department of Revenue Jason Decuir remarks on Governor Jindal's budget proposal and the tax credits.

Decuir also comments on how the tax credits will or should affect the film industry in Louisiana. Particularly, he discusses Duck Dynasty. "At what point have you built a sustainable industry in Louisiana that people won't pack their bags when you begin to cut programs," Decuir says.

"It's difficult to introduce tax reform when you're in the midst of trying to plug the budget."

Decuir asserts that he will not be running for Mayor next year.

WEDNESDAY: Jerome Dee Richard, Barry Weinstein, Joan Borysenko

March 4, 2015 Show Producer

HOUR ONE:

State Representative Jerome Dee Richard is working to strip the governor's line out of veto. "Other states do it," Richard says, "call for automatic veto session. It would mainly be for bills that pass with 2/3 vote."

He comments on the budget proposal by Governor Jindal. He asserts, "We have a spending issue not a revenue issue."

Richard is an independent from Thibodaux, Louisiana. They discuss a bill the representative introduced last year to allow voters to be identified as independent.

He continues commenting on the effects of the budget cuts on higher education.

"That's something I can't be supportive of," Richard says of the inventory tax.

HOUR TWO:

Rabbi Barry Weinstein joins the show to comment on Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's recent speech on Iran. "I think our good President Obama is doing his best to minimize what could have been one of the most important statements about Iran." Jim comments, "I think he <Prime Minister Netanyahu> speaks better English than most members of Congress."

They discuss Nancy Pelosi's reaction to the speech.

"They do not particularly like each other, but I think Netanyahu gives important respect to the President," Weinstein comments. 72% of the people in Israel believe President Obama will not limit nuclear arms in Iran. "There is an existential threat to the viability of Israel should Iran become nuclear," Weinstein affirms. Israel would fit four times in the state of Louisiana.

"Israel is, in many respects, a theocracy," Rabbi Weinstein says in response to the question of separation of church and state in Israel. "One has to hope that there will eventually be peace in all the countries in the Middle East," Weinstein comments, citing that Israel's anthem means 'hope'.

Weinstein says that he thinks Prime Minister Netanyahu has a "pretty good shot" at reelection. "I think winning or losing, his speech in Congress will be faulted or credited.. but no doubt it will go down in history as one of the major moments in Israel."

A caller questions the motives of Netanyahu's visit to the United States. "My belief is, bottom line, he did it as a sincere man to stand up for Israel."

Dr. Joan Borysenko discusses the mind and body spiritual connection. 99% of human DNA is microbial DNA. She promotes her upcoming event Scholar in Residence: Spiritual Awakening Seminar.

TUESDAY: Mike Strain, Joe Delpit, and Ben Bagert

March 3, 2015 Show Producer

HOUR ONE:

Commissioner of Agriculture Mike Strain comments on the recent budget cuts. Statewide elected officials are claiming the mid-year budget cuts proposed by Governor Bobby Jindal are unfair. Departments managed by statewide elected officials are receiving much larger cuts than than almost all other state departments.
"Statewide elected officials budgets together are less than one percent of the overall state budget, yet they are 16.7% of the budget cuts," Strain says.

Strain says these cuts aren't fair across the board.

"Budget cuts to the Department of Ag and Forestry are effectively $2.6 million. If the cut were cut across the board, then our cut would have been $340,000," Strain continues, "We protect a 20 billion dollar industry... there is no alternative to our protection."

The Department of Agriculture has received mid-year cuts equivalent to $2.6 million dollars and the Tourism Department has taken a $3.6 million hit, while the governor's office has proposed a $10,000 cut to its budget. Jindal spokesman Mike Reed says the governor's office reduction is in line with other offices. Strain says it's obvious that statewide elected officials are taking the brunt of the cuts.

"In order to feed the rest of the world, we have to increase productivity," Strain concludes, asserting the importance of the Ag Center. "At the end of the day, we have to put the people above our politics... from there we will begin again."

HOUR TWO:

Republican Benny Bagert calls for Governor Jindal's resignation. He is joined by his former Democratic colleague Joe Delpit.

"If we don't watch ourselves, we are going to have people dying here in the streets here in Louisiana," Delpit says of the closing hospitals. "On the route we're going on, we're going to be on the same route as the terrorists." Bagert also affirms that the governor does not have his priorities in order.

They continue, discussing Governor Jindal's proposal for tax credits and the exemptions. "I don't think you should have an exemption for this and that because once you get that log rolling everyone gets an exemption," Bagert says.

Delpit and Bagert speculate who else might run for the upcoming governor's race and who the next governor will be.

Jim says, "For the most part, it seems campaigns now are run on television," in Louisiana.

Joe Delpit calls Jay Dardene a "credible candidate."