Legislators Louisiana

Rep. Jimmy Hayes of Louisiana on Friday became the seventh congressional Democrat to switch parties since Republicans won control of Congress a year ago. Hayes said he switched because he no longer felt welcome in the Democratic Party. "The national Democratic Party had no tolerance for everything I love about the independence and individuality of all Louisianians: Democrats, Republicans and independents," he said.

As a young criminal prosecutor in New Orleans, Bob Livingston sometimes celebrated his courtroom victories in the watering holes of the French Quarter. But one night he stayed out so late that when he got home, he discovered his wife had left his dinner out on the front stoop. Peace has long since returned to the Livingston house. Now it is the people's House that Rep. Livingston apparently has thrown into turmoil. On Friday, he announced plans to campaign to oust Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.

As a young criminal prosecutor in New Orleans, Bob Livingston sometimes celebrated his courtroom victories in the watering holes of the French Quarter. But one night he stayed out so late that when he got home, he discovered his wife had left his dinner out on the front stoop. Peace has long since returned to the Livingston house. Now it is the people's House that Rep. Livingston apparently has thrown into turmoil. On Friday, he announced plans to campaign to oust Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Bob Livingston represents the other LA. Louisiana--that down-home Southern state--is Livingston's home base. But you wouldn't know it from his travel schedule this election season. As part of an unorthodox quest for one of the most important jobs in Washington, this former New Orleans prosecutor will be campaigning in Southern California soon, along with numerous other spots far from the Big Easy.

Sen. J. Bennett Johnston (D-La.), one of the Senate's premier deal-makers who wielded enormous influence on energy and environmental issues, announced his intention to retire, after 22 years in Congress, when his term expires in two years. "There are rhythms and tides and seasons in life," Johnston, 62, said. "And now I believe that the season for a new beginning approaches." Louisiana political analysts were not surprised.

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Bob Livingston represents the other LA. Louisiana--that down-home Southern state--is Livingston's home base. But you wouldn't know it from his travel schedule this election season. As part of an unorthodox quest for one of the most important jobs in Washington, this former New Orleans prosecutor will be campaigning in Southern California soon, along with numerous other spots far from the Big Easy.

Rep. W.J. (Billy) Tauzin, a conservative Democrat serving his eighth term, announced Sunday that he is becoming a Republican. "You know it is time to move when you don't want your own leadership to come back into power," he said at a news conference in his district. Tauzin said he is switching because he is tired of being repressed by his own party. He said he was often locked out of the room when decisions were being made. "My views are not going to change. I'm still the same Billy Tauzin.

Louisiana Rep. W. J. (Billy) Tauzin, a conservative Democrat serving his eighth term in the House, is expected to switch to the Republican Party this weekend, congressional sources said Friday. Tauzin would join four other Democratic lawmakers who have made the move to the GOP since last fall's election, two in the House and two more in the Senate. Several lawmakers, speaking on condition of anonymity, said he had talked with them in recent days of his intentions to change parties.

Mike Foster, a little-known legislator until he switched to the Republican Party last month and launched an advertising blitz preaching conservatism, won a runoff spot in Saturday's primary to succeed Louisiana Gov. Edwin W. Edwards. Three other candidates, including former Republican Gov. Buddy Roemer and Rep. Cleo Fields (D-La.), the only black candidate, fought for the second spot in the likely runoff. No candidate was expected to get more than 50% of the vote and win outright.

As he was pondering whether to sign the nation's strictest abortion bill last week, Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer listened to his estranged wife, Patti, his 23-year-old daughter, Caroline, and the three women members of his Cabinet. All, Roemer said Monday, independently arrived at the same conclusion: "Veto." Then Roemer did just that.

Rep. Jimmy Hayes of Louisiana on Friday became the seventh congressional Democrat to switch parties since Republicans won control of Congress a year ago. Hayes said he switched because he no longer felt welcome in the Democratic Party. "The national Democratic Party had no tolerance for everything I love about the independence and individuality of all Louisianians: Democrats, Republicans and independents," he said.

Mike Foster, a little-known legislator until he switched to the Republican Party last month and launched an advertising blitz preaching conservatism, won a runoff spot in Saturday's primary to succeed Louisiana Gov. Edwin W. Edwards. Three other candidates, including former Republican Gov. Buddy Roemer and Rep. Cleo Fields (D-La.), the only black candidate, fought for the second spot in the likely runoff. No candidate was expected to get more than 50% of the vote and win outright.

Rep. W.J. (Billy) Tauzin, a conservative Democrat serving his eighth term, announced Sunday that he is becoming a Republican. "You know it is time to move when you don't want your own leadership to come back into power," he said at a news conference in his district. Tauzin said he is switching because he is tired of being repressed by his own party. He said he was often locked out of the room when decisions were being made. "My views are not going to change. I'm still the same Billy Tauzin.

Louisiana Rep. W. J. (Billy) Tauzin, a conservative Democrat serving his eighth term in the House, is expected to switch to the Republican Party this weekend, congressional sources said Friday. Tauzin would join four other Democratic lawmakers who have made the move to the GOP since last fall's election, two in the House and two more in the Senate. Several lawmakers, speaking on condition of anonymity, said he had talked with them in recent days of his intentions to change parties.

Sen. J. Bennett Johnston (D-La.), one of the Senate's premier deal-makers who wielded enormous influence on energy and environmental issues, announced his intention to retire, after 22 years in Congress, when his term expires in two years. "There are rhythms and tides and seasons in life," Johnston, 62, said. "And now I believe that the season for a new beginning approaches." Louisiana political analysts were not surprised.

As he was pondering whether to sign the nation's strictest abortion bill last week, Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer listened to his estranged wife, Patti, his 23-year-old daughter, Caroline, and the three women members of his Cabinet. All, Roemer said Monday, independently arrived at the same conclusion: "Veto." Then Roemer did just that.

The record industry has vowed swift legal and economic retaliation if a pending Louisiana bill becomes law requiring allegedly "offensive" recordings to carry government-mandated warning labels. The bill, which passed the Louisiana Senate on Friday and was approved by the House of Representatives on Saturday, is expected to reach Gov. Charles Roemer's desk today.

Louisiana lawmakers are trying a new approach to keeping sex offenders and child predators from using social networks to reach new victims. State Rep. Jeff Thompson sponsored a bill -- recently signed into law -- that will require convicted sex offenders and child predators to disclose their crimes on social networks they use. But the measure will have little effect on users of the biggest social network in the U.S, Facebook. The site already prohibits registered sex offenders from using the social network.

The record industry has vowed swift legal and economic retaliation if a pending Louisiana bill becomes law requiring allegedly "offensive" recordings to carry government-mandated warning labels. The bill, which passed the Louisiana Senate on Friday and was approved by the House of Representatives on Saturday, is expected to reach Gov. Charles Roemer's desk today.