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JA’VANTA SHAVON RIDEAUX

Thu, 05/20/2021 - 9:33am

Ja’Vanta Shavon Rideaux, 19, a resident of Lafayette, La. and native of Franklin, La., passed away peacefully on Sunday May 9, 2021 at 3 a.m.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday May 22, 2021 at Jones Funeral Home 1101 Main Street Franklin, La. at 2 p.m. All visitors are asked to adhere to the CDC-local regulations by wearing masks and practicing social distancing.
Services will be accessible by viewing the Jones Funeral Home, Inc. Facebook Page at 2 p.m. on Saturday May 22, 2021. Ja’Vanta will be interred in the St. John Cemetery - Pecot Street in Franklin, La.
Memories of Ja’Vanta will forever remain in the hearts of his father, Darren Rideaux Sr., of Sioux City, IA; mother, Melva B. Rideaux of Lafayette, La.; siblings, Terrance Brumfield, Tyondria Brumfield, Ronisha Brumfield, Teaireius Brumfield, Darilyn Rideaux and Darren Rideaux, Jr.; paternal grandfather, Lester Rideaux Sr.; a bonus-mom who helped to rear him, Ernestine Gable and her children, Equanna Gable, Graceland Gable, Rickey Gable and Wibray Dauntain and a host of aunts, uncles, other relatives and friends.
Ja’Vanta was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Gwendolyn Brumfield and Melvin Scott Sr. and his paternal grandmother, Treasure Ann Rideaux.
Arrangements entrusted to Jones Funeral Home of Morgan City-Franklin-Jeanerette and Houma. Visit www.jones-funeral-home.com to send condolences to family.

For whom the bell grows: A brief history of the Cajun holy trinity

Thu, 05/20/2021 - 8:50am
By V. TODD MILLER, LSU AgCenter

BATON ROUGE — The Cajun “holy trinity” is at the heart of Louisiana cuisine. The union of onions, celery and green bell peppers create the base flavors of gumbo, jambalaya, etouffee and numerous other hearty dishes that have come to define our state.
But from where did the term holy trinity derive, and how does it differ from other regional soup, sauce and stew bases? The key is the bell pepper.
The trinity is similar to the French mirepoix and Italian soffrito — not to be confused with the Spanish sofrito — in that it is a mixture of aromatic vegetables lightly cooked with butter or oil at the onset of various traditional comfort foods before additional ingredients are incorporated. Both the mirepoix and soffrito use carrots in place of bell peppers, with the Italian version often adding garlic, leeks and parsley to the mix.
The term holy trinity is based on the Roman Catholic faith of some of Louisiana’s earliest settlers. It is believed that the term was popularized relatively recently by the Opelousas-born Chef Paul Prudhomme in the early 1980s. Prudhomme died in 2015.
So why did the bell pepper supplant the carrot in Louisiana’s version of this culinary triumvirate? Were they cheaper or easier for earlier settlers to grow? LSU AgCenter plant and soil science expert Kiki Fontenot casts doubt on that theory.
“Carrots are a cool-season crop and grow easily in Louisiana. They do better in sandy soils. Conversely, bell peppers are a warm-season crop. So they are both grown here, just at different times of the year,” Fontenot said. “If anything, I would say carrots are cheaper to grow, but both do well here.”
Another reason to grow carrots in your garden is because they are rich in beta carotene, which human bodies convert to vitamin A, promoting eye health. They are also high in fiber and antioxidants. Bell peppers are also a good source of fiber in addition to vitamin C and folate.
St. James Parish native John Folse, a noted Louisiana chef, has a theory on why bell peppers became part of the trinity and why carrots failed to make the cut.
“The unprecedented exchange of plants and animals between the Old and New Worlds, dubbed ‘the Columbian exchange’ by historian Alfred W. Crosby Jr., suggests that bell peppers originated in the Americas (New World),” Folse said. “However, carrots originated in Persia (Old World) and may have first been cultivated in America by the English settlers in Jamestown, Virginia, in 1609.”
As Louisiana was not settled until the early 1700s, Folse asserts it is likely bell peppers could have been more readily available than carrots at the time. And because much of regional cooking is about tradition, the bell pepper simply maintained its place in the hierarchy over the centuries.
“Louisiana’s original settlers were French and Spanish, so it seems likely that the Cajun holy trinity emerged from that which they knew: onions and celery,” Folse said. “Because carrots were not readily available, bell pepper was a great substitute.”
Today, one can hardly imagine carrots in gumbos or jambalayas any more than one could imagine broccoli or cauliflower. AgCenter extension agent Quincy Vidrine, who specializes in nutrition and studied under Folse at his culinary institute at Nicholls State University, thinks the bell pepper has stood the test of time in the trinity simply because it appeals more to our regional taste buds.
“My education in Louisiana cooking started in my Maw Maw Julia’s kitchen in rural Avoyelles Parish,” Vidrine said. “I think it’s because bell peppers taste better and are more ‘worthy’ of our Louisiana food treasures. But carrots have their place in Louisiana cooking too — in a souffle or as copper pennies.”

Doctor husband is a poor patient for nurse wife

Thu, 05/20/2021 - 8:48am
By Jeanne Phillips, ©United Features Syndicate

DEAR ABBY: My physician husband recently had a total hip replacement. (Orthopedics is not his specialty.) I’m a board-certified registered nurse with 40 years of experience who used to work inpatient orthopedics. He refuses to follow the surgeon’s directions or mine, which are the same. He believes he knows more than all of us combined.
However, when the home health nurse and physical therapist came, he accepted everything they told him. When I told him he doesn’t respect my professional opinion, he didn’t respond. Then I told him he’d insulted my integrity, and he blew up and accused me of being crazy.
History will soon repeat itself because he has to have his other hip done in a few months. I am to the point of letting the chips fall where they may and letting his outcomes (good or bad) be his sole responsibility. However, this is difficult to do as a wife and nurse. Plus, I will have to live with the fallout of any suboptimal outcomes.
Your advice?
HIP SERVICE IN FLORIDA

DEAR HIP SERVICE: Whether caused by a painful recovery or the drugs he has been prescribed, your husband’s behavior is self-defeating. Because he ignores your and his surgeon’s advice, you have no choice but to let the chips fall where they may.
You can suggest and warn until you’re hoarse, and your husband will continue to tune you out. The person who will have to live with the consequences is your noncompliant husband.
Allow me to offer a suggestion: Hire a nurse to tend to him after the second hip replacement and stay safely out of the line of fire.
The peace of mind will be worth the money.

DEAR ABBY: I have a niece who is bipolar. She was put into rehab at the age of 20 and has been clean and sober for the last three years.
We have always been close, but on a family visit, she asked my opinion about a job choice, and I was honest with her. Because it wasn’t what she wanted to hear, she is extremely distant now. I am no longer “Auntie.” She calls me by my first name only. Weekly calls have ceased.
I have championed my niece, supported her emotionally when she had problems and helped her out financially.
Her mother says if you don’t agree with her (even though she solicits your opinion), you are then “against” her.
What’s the best way to reach out to her? Due to extreme drug abuse for many years, she seems emotionally stuck at age 14.
AUNTIE NO MORE IN CALIFORNIA

DEAR AUNTIE: With the clear understanding that I am not a psychotherapist, may I point out that some individuals who suffer from mental illness find it necessary to place people into two categories: friends and enemies.
Disagreeing with your niece has landed you in the latter. Her mother has explained this to you, so try not to take it personally.
I don’t think this troubled young woman will be receptive to a reconciliation until she has found another target.
In the meantime, remain open, stay cordial and fill your life with activities that bring you joy rather than pain. I’m sure her mother will update you on your niece’s progress.
***
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Driver, toddler killed in U.S. 90 crash

Wed, 05/19/2021 - 6:57pm

State troopers believe rainy weather may have played a role in a Wednesday crash that killed the driver and an improperly restrained toddler on U.S. 90 between Morgan City and Amelia.

State Police Troop I is withholding identification of the victims until family members are notified.

According to Troop I, the troop responded the crash about 8:15 a.m. Wednesday.

The preliminary investigation revealed a passenger car was traveling west on U.S. 90 when the driver lost control and ran off the roadway before striking a tree. It was raining at the time of the crash.

The driver, who was not restrained, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The toddler, who was improperly restrained in a booster seat, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, state police said.

A toxicology sample was obtained from the driver and will be submitted for analysis, Troop I said. Driving too fast for weather conditions is suspected to be a factor and the crash remains under investigation.

Louisiana state law requires motor vehicle occupants to be properly restrained in all seating posi-tions, day or night. For assistance with proper child seat installation, please vis-it www.facebook.com/BuckleUpLouisiana/ or contact your nearest LSP Public Information Officer. Contact information is available at lsp.org/public.html. State police encourage parents to take advantage of this free service to ensure the safety of your child.

Troop I has investigated 24 fatal crashes resulting in 31 deaths in 2021.

Insurance commissioner wants competition in flood coverage

Wed, 05/19/2021 - 4:06pm
BILL DECKER
bdecker@daily-review.com

Despite hurricanes, floods and the treacherous currents of international finance, Louisiana has managed to build a stable property coverage market over the last five years, Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon told a St. Mary Chamber of Commerce audience Wednesday.

Donelon, speaking at Chamber luncheon at the Petroleum Club of Morgan City, talked about two bills in the current legislative session that he hopes will further improve the state’s insurance market.

One bill, HB 577 by state Rep. Scott McKnight, R-Baton Rouge, would follow Florida’s example and make it easier for insurers to offer private flood insurance as an alternative to the federal coverage offered under the National Flood Insurance Program.

The bill would allow companies offering private insurance to file their premium rates with state authorities and begin writing insurance immediately rather than waiting for state approval of premiums as with other kinds of insurance.

The authority would last until 2027 unless the Legislature extends it.

The idea isn’t to replace NFIP coverage but to give people a competitive alternative, Donelon said.

The second bill, SB29 by state Sen. Mark Abraham, R-Lake Charles, would enact language to clarify a power Donelon has already used five times under three governors. SB29 would give the insurance commissioner emergency power to protect policyholders without a direct delegation of that power by a governor.

The power in question is the ability to suspend insurance cancellations and non-renewals for 90 days during emergencies declared by the governor and in the parishes covered by disaster declarations.

Companies often cancel or decide not to renew policies immediately after disasters because they’ve sustained losses. Donelon said the 90 days can protect property owners and provide stability in the market.

Donelon invoked the power five times: after hurricanes Gustav, Isaac and Laura, and during the 2016 floods and the coronavirus pandemic. His use of the power has twice been challenged legally and has been upheld once in the courts and once in the administrative law system.

The use of the power would be subject to legislative oversight.

“It is, truthfully, very, very important,” Donelon said.

Home insurance premiums have risen an average of only 1% in each of the last five years in Louisiana, he said.

In Lake Charles, which was hammered by hurricanes Laura and Delta last fall, 82% of insurances claims have been closed, and 62% have been closed with a payment, Donelon said. But he believes few of the 82% will actually prove to be settled.

Many will result in secondary claims because of a spike in the cost of lumber and the price of labor needed for repairs, he said.

The first-quarter 2021 increase in homeowner premiums is larger than in recent years, Donelon said. That’s partly because of last year’s record-breaking hurricane season, but also because the international reinsurance market has also been battered by California wildfires, the inland hurricane in the Midwest last year, an earthquake in the Philippines and other disaster.

Reinsurance is a sort of insurance for companies that sell coverage directly to consumers. Reinsurance protects them against losses from unexpectedly large claims, as is often the case after a natural disaster.

“That reinsurance market is vital to us,” Donelon said. “There’s just not enough rest-of-Louisiana to spread the risk.”

Chamber
honorees
The Chamber named Jackie Romero of the Bayou Vista Community Center as the May Administrative Assistant of the Month.
Chairman Raymond Price also recognized Live Saving Equipment Repair Co. of Morgan City, represented at the luncheon by Jerry Gaddis. The company is celebrating 60 years in business in 2021.

Berwick High names honorees for graduation

Wed, 05/19/2021 - 2:43pm

Thirteen 4.0 students will lead their classmates into Berwick High’s Class of 2021 graduation ceremony Thursday.
The Berwick graduation will be at 7 p.m. Thursday at Geisler Stadium.
The Class of 2021’s 4.0 students are:
Carly Nicole Borne
Carly Nicole Borne is the daughter of Tennille Borne and Joshua Borne. School activities that she has been involved with include BETA, Drama Club, Book Club and talented drama. In talented drama, she has participated in such projects as video diaries and film projects. She has been an honor student, taking several dual enrollment and honors level classes. She has also been recognized as an 8th degree WiseCat and a 6th degree PowerCat. Borne plans to attend LSU beginning fall semester 2021. She will be majoring in psychology and law.
Matthew Broussard
Matthew Broussard is the son of Monessa and Dwight Broussard. He is a one-year member of the basketball team and a four-year member of the football and baseball teams. He was recognized as part of the 2021 All-Academic Football Team and the 2021 Baseball All-Academic Composite Team. In addition, he received All-District recognition for both baseball and football his senior year. In the fall of 2021, he plans on attending Nicholls State University where he will major in kinesiology and pursue a career in physical therapy.
Mary Katherine Conrad
Mary Katherine Conrad is the daughter of Rosalyn and Ken Conrad. She has participated in volleyball, BETA, FBLA, and ARK for four years, along with cheer, track, Key Club, and Insight for three years. Conrad has volunteered for St. Stephen Vacation Bible School and taught Catechism for one year. This year, Conrad volunteered for the Special Olympics. She also donates blood to our local blood bank and invites everyone to save a life by doing the same. She has been awarded the M C Bank Hometown Spirit scholarship, Nicholls academic honor scholarship and Valedictorian scholarship. She is a 6th degree WiseCat and was named PowerCat of the month. She was named part of the LHSAA Academic Allstate Volleyball Team. After high school, she plans to attend Nicholls to major in nursing and hopes to one day become a nurse anesthetist.
Darby Frickey
Darby Frickey is the son of Tally Sons, and his stepfather is Daniel Sons. He is a four-year member of both the cross country and track teams, for which he has performed well at many state meets and holds multiple school records. He is also the BETA president and Quiz Bowl captain. Frickey plans to attend Louisiana State University in the fall as a member of the Honors College, pursuing a degree in environmental engineering.
Jordan Ann Gallegos
Jordan Ann Gallegos is the daughter of Jose and Dallas Gallegos. She is a four-year member of the Berwick High School cheer squad and a two-year All-American Cheerleader. This year she participated in the Varsity Spectacular event at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. She is also a four-year member of Sound of Pride, a three-year member of the Student Leadership Team, and received various awards such as Most Outstanding Freshman, 1st chair St. Mary Parish Honor Band, Most Outstanding Woodwind, and Most Outstanding Bandsmen. She has also received the Citizenship award. She participated in Student Council, Key Club, and BETA. In addition to having a 4.0 since first grade, she has been in St. Mary Parish School Board’s Gifted and Talented program since elementary school. Outside of school, she is a member of Higher Ground Family Church and participates in the youth group and the praise team. She has volunteered at food banks and local nursing homes. She will attend Nicholls to major in psychology and later attend graduate school to become a mental health counselor.
Chase Gaudet
Chase Gaudet is the son of Trish and Howard Gaudet. In school, he was a member of the Sound of Pride band program. Throughout his time in the band, he has received many accolades including the John Phillip Sousa Award and Most Outstanding Woodwind. In addition, he has participated in the District VII Honor Band for a maximum of seven years and placed into the LMEA All-State Honor Bands for the past two. After high school, he plans to attend Stetson University in DeLand, Florida, to pursue a degree in music composition.
Lindsie Giroir
Lindsie Giroir is the daughter of Brian and Janea Giroir. She is a four-year member of the tennis and cheer teams and a three-year member of the volleyball team. Throughout her years in high school, she had involvements in the BETA, Key Club, ARK, and HOSA clubs. After graduation, she plans to attend Nicholls and major in biology pre-med.
Grant Hebert
Grant Hebert is the son of Kevin and Dawn Hebert. He was actively involved in sports in high school. He played football for two years, baseball for four years, and was a member of the powerlifting team for one year. He also participated in the Beta and ARK clubs and volunteered with the Special Olympics, Tour of Homes, and as an usher at St. Stephen Catholic Church. His academic awards include 8th-degree WiseCat, 6th-degree PowerCat, first place at District Literary Rally in geography, 30’s Club, highest GPA in physical science, highest GPA in American history, and LHSSA All-Academic team. He plans to attend Louisiana Tech in the fall and has been admitted to the Honors Program. He will major in kinesiology with a minor in exercise science. He plans to pursue a doctoral degree to become a physical therapist.
Yasmin Ladday
Yasmin Ladday is the daughter of Miriam Ladday and Earnest Ladday III. She has participated in the Sound of Pride band program all four years of high school. She has made the St. Mary Parish Honor Band all four years along with the District VII Honor Band her senior year. She has been a part of Berwick’s gifted, talented art and talented music programs. After high school, she is going to LSU to get a degree in business.
Anna Leleux
Anna Leleux is the daughter of Jeffery and Angelique Leleux. She is a one-year member of the tennis team, a two-year member of the swim team, and a four-year member of the cheerleading team. She also participated in BETA club all four years of high school. Additionally, she earned multiple highest GPA awards. In the fall, she plans to attend LSU to major in biology with hopes of pursuing a career in dermatology.
Giuliana
Grace Spitale
Giuliana Grace Spitale is the daughter of Louis and Stacy Spitale. She has been involved in many extracurricular activities throughout high school. This year, she was part of the volleyball, tennis and softball teams. She is class secretary and is in the BETA, Student Council, Key Club, FBLA and Insight clubs. She has served at AARP meetings and has always tried to help in any way she can wherever it is needed. She will attend LSU in the fall and major in biology. She plans to further her education at LSU in New Orleans to become a pediatric dentist.
Trevor Wiggins
Trevor Wiggins is the son of Thomas and Julie Wiggins. He has been a member of Berwick’s football team for four years, baseball team for three years, and track team for two years. After high school, he plans to attend Louisiana Tech where he plans to major in professional aviation. After college, Wiggins has hopes of becoming a fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force or Air National Guard.
Abby Williams
Abby Williams is the daughter of Kenneth and Lisa Williams. She is a member of the track and swim teams, and serves as student council president. She has volunteered at events such as Relay for Life and AARP meetings. She is the BHS and St. Mary Parish student of the year. She plans to attend the LSU Honor’s College in the fall with hopes of becoming a cardiologist.

Meteorologists warn of more threat from storms

Wed, 05/19/2021 - 2:26pm

Staff Report
Despite the blue skies and fluffy white clouds that appeared over the Tri-City area Wednesday, people across the region continued to watch the weather Wednesday during what is turning into a weeklong rain event.
The National Weather Service in Lake Charles is warning of up to 4 more inches of rain across portions of south Louisiana.
St. Martin Parish President Chester Cedars declared an emergency Tuesday and a no-wake zone for lower St. Martin. The parish announced do-it-yourself sandbags at Stephensville Park, 3257 La. 70.
Also Tuesday, Gov. John Bel Edwards said the storm claimed at least one life in Baton Rouge and may be responsible for three others either because of flooding or utility-related accidents.
The storms that dumped up to 15 inches of rain from Lake Charles to Baton Rouge also knocked out power to many customers in those areas, including 25,000 in Baton Rouge alone. The poweroutage.us website reported no blackouts in Louisiana Wednesday morning.
The forecast for St. Mary is for an 80% chance of heavy rain Wednesday, diminishing slightly Wednesday night and 80% again Thursday.
Three weather advisories are in effect here:
—A flash flood watch through Thursday. The combination of swollen streams and ditches and heavy rain on already saturated ground could lead to street flooding. Drivers are cautioned not to drive into standing water unless they’re absolutely sure how deep it is.
—A wind advisory until 7 p.m. Wednesday. Southeast winds of 15-25 mph with gusts to 30 mph are in the forecast. The wind will be strong enough to bring down some limbs and cause power outages.
—A coastal flood advisory until 7 p.m. Tuesday. Tides are expected to run 1.5 to 2 feet higher than normal.
The Atchafalaya River at Morgan City, which tends to be affected more by high water in the Mississippi and Red river systems than on local precipitation, was at 5.3 feet at 7:15 a.m. Wednesday. That’s well below the 6.0 stage that causes minor flooding between the Morgan City and Berwick flood walls.
The river is expected to go no higher than 5.6 feet through Monday.
The confirmed weather-related fatality was a man whose body was found in a flooded vehicle on Bluebonnet Boulevard in Baton Rouge, the governor said at his press conference Tuesday.
In addition to the three other deaths suspected of being caused by the weather, one person was injured and another was missing, Edwards said.
The National Guard has been called in to help with rescue and recovery efforts. Dozens of people in Lake Charles and Baton Rouge were pulled from homes or cars Monday by emergency responders.
Edwards declared an emergency Monday in response to flooding in south Louisiana.
On Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., made a pitch for aid on the floor of the Senate.
“The number of homes and businesses that flooded in both Lake Charles and Baton Rouge is not known at the moment,” Cassidy said. “We will continue to hear distressing and saddening stories about the loss of both life and property throughout south Louisiana in the coming days. … But Americans are at our best when we help those in need. And folks in Louisiana are resilient.”
Cassidy asked for a disaster supplement, legislation to help Louisiana communities recover from last year’s natural disasters including a record year for hurricanes.
“While some outside of our state have already forgotten about the natural disasters of 2020, Louisiana has not, many have yet to return to their homes,” Cassidy said. “We cannot afford to allow the impact of an entire years’ worth of natural disasters to go unaddressed.”
The Roads Department of the St. Mary Parish Government has informed the SMPSO that Duhon By-Pass Road off La. 182 in Amelia is now closed and will remain closed for the next couple of days.

Larry Doiron, former police juror, dies at age 92

Wed, 05/19/2021 - 2:23pm
Staff Report

Larry Doiron, a longtime public official, businessman and land developer, died Monday. He was 92.
Doiron, a Patterson native and Stephensville resident, served on the St. Mary Parish Police Jury where he served as president, according to his obituary. He also served on the Morgan City Council and worked for 27 years on the Morgan City Harbor and Terminal District, mainly as the port board’s president. During his time in public office, he lobbied the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to work on area water issues.
In his private life, he owned Doiron’s Plumbing and Doiron Construction & Development. His company installed the first water line connecting Leeville and Grand Isle, according to his obituary.
His last project was the development of Oak Harbor Subdivision in Stephensville.
Visitation will be held Thursday from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Morgan City with a service following at 11 a.m. He will be buried in the Morgan City Cemetery.

State finds another $320M in revenue

Wed, 05/19/2021 - 2:22pm
DAVID JACOBS, The Center Square

The Louisiana panel that decides how much money lawmakers can spend raised the state’s revenue forecast Tuesday, giving the Legislature more money to work with during the last few weeks of their session.
The Revenue Estimating Conference raised the official estimate for the current budget year by $357 million and increased by $320 million in general fund money for the fiscal year that begins July 1. State economists said the higher forecasts reflect how cautious they had been previously amid the pandemic-related uncertainty, not a booming economy.
“I had cold feet,” Legislative Fiscal Office Chief Economist Greg Albrecht said. “My feet are very hot now. In just a few months, things have turned pretty dramatically.”
Albrecht and Manfred Dix, the chief economist for the executive branch, said their new projections still might be fairly conservative and were more likely to turn out to be lower than actual collections than higher.
“I don’t think there will be any shortage of suggestions about how we spend the money,” Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne, who represents Gov. John Bel Edwards on the REC and is the administration’s top budget official, said after Tuesday’s meeting.
The current version of the state’s K-12 education formula calls for $800 raises for teachers and $400 for support workers. Dardenne said he expected “broad consensus” in favor of increasing the salary bumps to $1,000 and $500, respectively.
The Democratic governor and Republican legislative leaders agree the state should shore up the fund that pays for unemployment benefits, which was tapped out during the pandemic. How much they will put into the fund remains to be decided.
Another big-ticket item Senate President Page Cortez pointed to is the state’s cost share for a multibillion-dollar flood and hurricane protection system in southeast Louisiana. State officials may borrow money to make a $400 million payment due in September but could save money by paying for at least some of the debt in cash.
Lawmakers already are relatively flush with cash compared with prior years thanks in large part to federal aid, which might help explain why the main spending bills are moving faster than usual. The federal American Rescue Plan will send a little more than $3 billion to the state, which lawmakers plan to use for one-time expenses.
Senators began discussing the state budget Monday. Cortez said he tried to move up the schedule so that lawmakers will have more time to work out any differences between the chambers before the session deadline of 6 p.m. June 10.
“It’s funny how when you have less money, you have more issues,” he said. “When you have more money, you have less issues.”

Not with a bong, but a whimper: Pot bill dies

Wed, 05/19/2021 - 2:21pm
DAVID JACOBS, The Center Square

Legalizing marijuana in Louisiana died for the year Tuesday after lawmakers shot down a bill that called for taxing the product if it became legal.
Though House Bill 699 by Mandeville Republican Rep. Richard Nelson called for full legalization, House Bill 434, the tax bill, was the heavier lift because new taxes require the support of at least two-thirds of the members in each chamber.
HB 434 fell on a 47-48 vote, not even reaching a 53-vote simple majority, indicating HB 699 likely wouldn't pass either. Nelson tabled the latter bill after the first vote.
Next year’s regular session is nonfiscal, so creating a new tax is off the table next year unless there is a special session.
Nelson was calling for a 15% retail tax on legal cannabis. Revenue would be split evenly between the state and local entities, with 20% dedicated to local law enforcement.
Rep. Bryan Fontenot, R-Thibodaux, criticized Nelson for attempting to legalize marijuana despite the opposition of the state sheriff’s association. He questioned whether 20% was the right number to give to law enforcement and said a study group should be put together to help determine whether dedications for education, roads or other needs should be considered.
Nelson said excessive dedications make crafting a state budget more difficult, suggesting letting lawmakers choose how to appropriate the money during a session based on current priorities is the better way to go. He added, however, he would be willing to consider additional dedications if Fontenot wanted to propose an amendment.
When Nelson argued for HB 699 during his committee hearing, part of his reasoning was that people are going to use marijuana regardless, so the state should tax and regulate its use.
“Right now, all this money goes to drug dealers,” Nelson said Tuesday.
Medical cannabis products are legal in Louisiana, though smoking the raw plant still is illegal even for therapeutic reasons. House bills 391 and 514 by Rep. Tanner Magee, R-Houma, which would make smokeable marijuana part of the state’s medical program, are pending in the Senate.
A Senate Judiciary committee is set to consider House Bill 652 by Rep. Cedric Glover, R-Shreveport. It calls for greatly reducing the potential penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana. Possession of 14 grams or less only would be punishable with a $100 fine. Under current law, penalties increase with subsequent convictions and could lead to a felony and jail time.

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