What’s in a name?
    With all the hullabaloo taking place in the Big Easy over Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s support of removing Confederate monuments comes a revealing study from the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC).
    The study found that there are at least 1,503 symbols of the Confederacy in public places across the country, mostly in the Deep South.
    In SPLC’s report, entitled “Whose Heritage?  Public Symbols of the Confederacy,” it notes that symbols that honor the Confederacy can be found on flags; city, county (parish) and school names; lakes, dams and other public works; and state holidays.

by Lou Gehrig Burnett, Publisher of Fax-Net

Presidential money
    If you think a lot of money is being spent on the 2016 presidential race, you ain’t seen nothing yet.  It’s just the primary season, and the serious spending will begin with the general election.

by Lou Gehrig Burnett, Publisher of Fax-Net 

Louisiana is considered a blood-red Republican state filled with conservative legislators.  Well, not as much now that Democrat John Bel Edwards was elected governor. But just how conservative are these Bayou State lawmakers?  We have the answer.

by Lou Gehrig Burnett, Publisher of Fax-Net

The money (U.S. Senate) race
    The race for the open Louisiana U.S. Senate seat will be an expensive one.  Incumbent U.S. Sen. David Vitter decided not to seek a third term.
    There will be a long list of candidates from both parties on the ballot this November, but presently the attention is centered around six, who are considered major candidates.

by Lou Gehrig Burett, Publisher of Fax-Net

‘Religious freedom’ bill up in House
    Bossier City state Rep. Mike Johnson’s so-called “religious freedom” legislation passed in the Civil Law and Procedure Committee and will be considered on the House floor on Tuesday, April 19.
    The controversial bill passed out of committee with all Republicans voting for it, including Johnson and state Rep. Alan Seabaugh, and the three Democrats on the committee voting against it, including Shreveport state Rep. Sam Jenkins.

JBE: Approval numbers on the rise
    Perhaps Louisiana citizens are pleased to have a governor who is concerned about the state rather than running for president.  Perhaps they appreciate honesty from the state’s leader despite how bad the news may be about the financial crisis.

by Lou Gehrig Burnett, Publisher of Fax-Net
Whew!
    That was probably the reaction from state higher education officials on the final round of budget cuts to balance the current year budget.
    When Gov. John Bel Edwards was campaigning  for the state’s highest office, he made sure everyone knew his wife, Donna, was a teacher and he was very supportive of education.

by Lou Gehrig Burnett, Publisher of Fax-Net

What is he thinking?
One has to wonder what Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards thinks about when he lays his head on his pillow at night in the Governor’s Mansion.

by Lou Gehrig Burnett, PUblisher of Fax-Net

Not-so-special session
    For the 29 new members of the House and the 11 new Senate members, it was a baptism by legislative fire.  The recent Special Session of the Louisiana Legislature was not a pleasant experience for the newcomers, nor was it a lot of fun for veteran lawmakers.

by Lou Gehrig Burnett, Publisher of Fax-Net

Interesting Senate poll

    There is a new poll on the Louisiana U.S. Senate race.  But a word of caution.  It is always prudent to determine who commissioned the poll