Reader: Bill would allow needed sunshine into Governor’s Office affairs

Dear Editor:

The League of Women Voters believes that open and accountable government is the cornerstone of a healthy democracy. For decades, the League has worked to ensure openness by monitoring local government; advocating for a public policy on transparency; promoting freedom of information; and conducting public document audits. No public official should be above the state’s open records law. Louisiana’s citizens deserves no less from the governor and his office for they are public servants, who serve the citizens of this state. Unfortunately over the years, too many exceptions have been made to this model legislation.

We commend Sen. Robert Adley of Shreveport for sponsoring Senate Bill 593 to put some transparency into the Louisiana Governor’s Office.

In SB 593, “The legislature recognizes that it is essential to the maintenance of a democratic society that the public business be performed in an open and public manner, and that citizens be advised of and aware of the performance of public officials and the deliberations and decisions that go into the making of public policy.”

Today, the Senate and Governmental Committee will take up SB 593. Chairman Sen. Bob Kostelka (Monroe) and committee members – Sens. John Smith (Leesville), “Jody” Amadee (Gonzales), Dan Claitor (Baton Rouge), Jack Donahue (Mandeville), Lydia Jackson (Shreveport), “Rob Marionneaux (Livonia), Edwin Murray (New Orleans), Mike Walsworth (W. Monroe), Norby Chabert (Houma) and David Heitmeyer (New Orleans) – will decide whether to allow this bill out of committee for the full Senate to consider.

We ask all citizens to call the Governor’s Office at (225) 342-7015 and tell him that the people have a right to know how the people’s business is being conducted in developing public policy and spending our tax dollars. In his administration, he has put sunshine in the state Legislature and now it is time to put sunshine in the Governor’s Office.

Also, call the Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee at (225) 342-2040 and your own senator ask for support of Senate Bill 593.

Jean Armstrong,

1st Vice President,

League of WoMen Voters of Louisiana

Reader: Smoke-free casino law lauded by organization

Dear Editor:

I would like to thank the members of the Louisiana Senate who voted in favor of making bars and casinos in Louisiana smoke-free. I’m so pleased that they put Louisianans first and stood up to protect the health of hard-working employees across our state and didn’t listen to the baseless fear mongering of the tobacco and gaming lobbyists!

It’s about time that we in Louisiana got our priorities in line and our facts straight: Secondhand smoke is a proven carcinogen, smoke-free air laws are good for business and, most importantly, ALL Louisiana employees deserve a healthy, smoke-free workplace.

In Louisiana, nonsmokers represent 80 percent of the population, so any fear of a substantial revenue loss is unfounded. One need look no further for proof of this than the positive impact The Louisiana Smoke-Free Air Act had on restaurants in 2007 – an increase in revenue of $2.6 million!

Senate members saw that the real issue is protecting the health of Louisiana employees – the bartenders, bar wait staff, card dealers, and incredible musicians who perform in smoke-filled venues and bring millions of dollars of revenue into our state each year. These are our friends, brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers and they are slowly killing themselves to earn paychecks at jobs they consider precious during tough economic times.

The simple truth is that everyone who works hard in Louisiana to earn a living deserves to do so in a healthy, smoke-free workplace. My hope now is that Louisiana House members are paying attention to the facts and not the fears. I urge you to listen to the voices of the majority and make bars and casinos smoke-free. It’s time for all employees to be protected in all workplaces! It’s just the right thing to do.

Nakisha Singleton, MPH,

Regional Coordinator, Region III

The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living (TFL)

Thibodaux