Section2 ’s Contemporary Governors

As you read, look for: • the governors of the period, and • vocabulary terms and Tuition Opportunity Program for Students.

These political trends are reflected in the governors chosen by the voters. Electing a woman as Louisiana’s first twenty-first-century gov- ernor made an even stronger statement of political change. David Treen Above: In 1979, David Treen By 1979, Louisiana’s Republican Party was strong enough to elect a gover- of Jefferson Parish was the nor. David Treen won that election and became the state’s first Republican first Republican elected in the twentieth century. governor of Louisiana Treen had first run for governor in 1971 but was defeated by . in the twentieth century. After serving two consecutive terms, Edwards could not run in 1979. This opened the door for a new governor. At the beginning of Treen’s term, the state was still receiving major rev- enues from oil severance taxes. Because of this, the governor encouraged the legislature to cut the state’s income tax as a benefit for voters. At the same time, the governor and the legislature increased the budget and added new programs. When the price of oil—and the severance taxes collected by the state—dropped, funding the budget became much more difficult. To raise additional money, Governor Treen favored a special tax on compa- nies that operated in the wetlands. Called the Coastal Wetlands Environmental Levy (CWEL), the tax would not only raise money for the state but also help protect the fragile environment. However, the governor could not get enough support to pass his tax plan. Without the money from the proposed tax, the governor struggled to meet the state’s basic financial needs. Governor Treen had a difficult term. The economic problems made those years hard for Louisiana. He was criticized for using state money to help pay for the 1984 World’s Fair in . Also, Treen’s leadership style was described as too low-key. Critics said he was not available to the people. Louisiana expected its governor to be a public figure, seen frequently around the state.

520 Chapter 16 Louisiana’s Contemporary Era: Problems and Prospects Edwin Edwards Lagniappe Because of these prob- lems, the voters chose to re- turn Edwin Edwards to the More than 600 people went governor’s office in 1983. For on the trip, which cost the beginning of his third contributors $10,000 each. term, Edwards arranged quite a show. Versailles, the palace  of King Louis XIV of , heard talk about Louisiana in the eighteenth century, when it was a French colony. In the twentieth century, conversation about Louisi- ana again filled Versailles for one unusual night. The state’s Cajun gov- ernor took his supporters on an extravagant fund-raiser to the elegant palace outside Paris, where they had dinner. Attention soon shifted from the excitement of the trip to new prob- lems. By February 1985, the U.S. attorney had indicted (formally ac- cused) Edwards and seven others for wrongdoing regarding hospital and nursing home permits. The first trial resulted in a hung jury; that is, the jurors could not agree on a verdict. In the second trial, Edwards was acquitted (found not guilty). Edwards also faced serious economic problems in this third term. The low price Above: Controversial Gover- of oil meant the state’s economy still struggled. Edwards’s style seemed more nor Edwin Edwards answers suited to the easy years than to this time of crisis. It was hard to give the people reporters’ questions outside what they wanted from government without taxing them directly. The sever- the federal courthouse on ance tax on oil could not support big government programs as it had in the past. the first day of his 1985 trial, which ended in a hung Charles “Buddy” Roemer jury. Edwards was acquitted Edwards’s problems brought out a long list of opponents in the 1987 elec- following a second trial. tion. In the first primary, Edwards did not win the most votes. The list was headed by Charles E. “Buddy” Roemer III. Because he had lost support, Edwards dropped out of the race entirely. That meant that Roemer became the governor without a runoff election. had been considered an unlikely winner because the other can- didates began with more statewide name recognition. Roemer had served Loui- siana as a congressman from the Shreveport district. Roemer had campaigned as an outsider who would bring reform. Although he is a Harvard graduate, he talked more about his boyhood on a Bossier Par- ish farm. He received a big boost when most of the major newspapers of the state endorsed (supported) him. As governor, Roemer faced major budget problems. The state did not have enough money to operate and faced a huge budget deficit. The governor and the legislature established a new system that allowed the state to borrow money. This plan was praised by some as a way to save the state’s finances and criti- cized by others as poor management.

Section 2 Louisiana’s Contemporary Governors 521 Above: When he was Governor Roemer also proposed a change in state taxes. He wanted to reduce inaugurated governor in taxes on business by increasing other taxes, including personal income taxes. 1988, Charles “Buddy” His plan would have also lowered the amount allowed for the homestead exemp- Roemer of Bossier Parish tion from property taxes. This would have given the state more money from prop- faced serious problems erty taxes. The tax reform plan failed. Louisiana residents preferred to keep their with the state budget. property taxes low and the homestead exemption untouched. Another Roemer program focused on education. The governor believed that evaluating teachers would improve education. He increased teacher pay and developed a plan for intense teacher evaluation. One of Governor Roemer’s actions surprised the state. He had been a long- time Democrat who spoke of his admiration for President Kennedy. During his term, he announced that he was changing to the Republican Party. Some of his supporters criticized this action. The Return of Edwin Edwards In the next , Edwin Edwards receive the highest number of votes; was second, and Governor Roemer was third. The runoff election was a race between Edwards and Duke. The election attracted media attention from around the world. Duke was known as a former leader in the . By 1989, he had toned down his speeches and was elected to the state legislature from Jefferson Parish. During Duke’s campaign against Edwards, reporters uncovered more information about his past. They reported his earlier statements of support for the beliefs of Hitler and Nazi Germany.

522 Chapter 16 Louisiana’s Contemporary Era: Problems and Prospects Business people were concerned about economic losses if the state elected Duke. Some national groups said they would cancel conventions scheduled for New Orleans if Duke became the governor. People throughout the had strong feelings against Duke’s ideas. Even though Edwards had lost some of his earlier support, many people urged his election. The idea of David Duke as governor fright- ened many Louisiana citizens, both black and white. Because of this reaction to Duke, Edwin Edwards became governor for the fourth time in 1992. No one else has ever been elected so many times. The huge increase in Medicaid spending became an important is- sue during this term. Medicaid is a program that provides health care for the poor, partly funded by the federal government and partly by the state. This program became the target of federal investigators because some people were submitting improper Medicaid charges. In addition, concern about state-sponsored gambling increased. Edwards’s attention was focused on a land-based casino in New Or- leans. The proposed casino faced strong opposition. The governor sur- prised the state when he announced he would not run for office again. Murphy J. “Mike” Foster In 1896, Louisiana voters elected Murphy Foster as governor. One hundred years later, in 1996, his grandson took the governor’s . This Murphy Foster, who prefers to be called “Mike,” is a Re- publican. He had announced his change to the Republican Party before he Above: Republican Murphy entered the race. (Mike) Foster, a motorcycle Mike Foster described himself as a conservative businessman and promised and outdoor enthusiast, was to run the state the same way. His opponent, , was the first African elected governor in 1995 American candidate to reach the runoff election in the twentieth century. Fields and again in 1999. had been a member of Congress before he ran for governor. Both candidates promised not to campaign on race but to debate the issues. As governor, Foster benefited from a stronger economy. The national economy and the oil industry had improved since the 1980s, and growth in other indus- tries had helped move Louisiana away from its total dependence on oil. Louisiana’s economic growth provided a good climate for Foster’s programs. Governor Foster appointed 24-year-old to head the important Department of Health and Hospitals. Jindal faced a budget crisis that threat- ened health care and Medicaid funds. The governor credited him with heading the program in the right direction. Governor Foster also directed his attention to other insurance programs. Voters were concerned about the high cost of insurance and demanded reforms. The 1997 legislature voted to raise the driving age from fifteen to sixteen to help bring down the insurance rates. Education also received Governor Foster’s attention. One popular new state program pays tuition for qualified students at state universities and at com-

Section 2 Louisiana’s Contemporary Governors 523 73737373737373737373737373 73737373737373737373737373 73737373737373737373737373Connecting with U.S. HistoryHistory 737373737373737373737373737373737373 73737373737373737373737373 73737373737373737373737373SeptemberSeptember 11,11, 20012001 “Today our nation saw evil” President Bush said on 73737373737373737373737373the day that shocked America. Terrorists hijacked two airplanes and crashed them into the twin tow- ers of the World Trade Center in . A short 73737373737373737373737373time later, another hijacked jet hit the Pentagon outside Washington, D.C. 73737373737373737373737373A fourth hijacked plane crashed because passen- gers rushed the terrorists to prevent them from hit- 73737373737373737373737373ting their target. We know what happened on this flight because passengers were able to make cell 73737373737373737373737373phone calls before the crash. The plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania. The intended target may have been the United States Capitol Building or the White 73737373737373737373737373House. Above: The terrorist attacks of 9/11 brought down the No one knew what was happening to the United World Trade Center in New York City. 73737373737373737373737373States as people watched the live television cover- age in horror. Americans learned later that about As the rescue efforts began in New York and Wash- 737373737373737373737373733,000 people died in these attacks by terrorists. A ington, lines formed at blood donor centers around militant Islamic extremist group planned and car- the state. People wanted to help the victims. Groups 73737373737373737373737373ried out the attacks. of Louisiana citizens headed to New York with huge Confusion was quickly replaced by action. All air- trailers filled with food and supplies. Rescue work- planes were grounded and all flights were canceled ers at the World Trade Center site were served hot 73737373737373737373737373across the United States. In Louisiana, security was meals of Louisiana gumbo and jambalaya. Flags were immediately increased at airports, ports, chemical soon sold out in every store because people wanted 73737373737373737373737373plants, and the nuclear power plant near St. to show their support for their country. Francisville. The Louisiana Offshore Oil Port sus- Governor Foster and the Louisiana State Fireman’s 73737373737373737373737373pended operations, and security was increased at Association later raised enough money to buy three the Louisiana Strategic Petroleum Reserve Facilities. fire trucks to donate to the city of New York. These These underground reservoirs hold oil stored by the fire trucks were manufactured in Holden in Livingston 73737373737373737373737373U.S. government to be used in emergencies. Parish. They are now in firehouses in New York, a Throughout the days ahead, people in Louisiana symbol of the generosity and concern of the people 73737373737373737373737373followed the news reports of the search for those of Louisiana. New York firefighters came to New Or- wounded or killed in the attacks. Many people won- leans as first responders after to 73737373737373737373737373dered if more attacks might come, even in Louisiana. show their thanks for Louisiana’s generosity. 73737373737373737373737373524 Chapter 16 Louisiana’s Contemporary Era: Problems and Prospects 73737373737373737373737373 munity colleges and technical schools. Tuition Opportunity Program for Stu- Above: In December 2001, dents (TOPS) pays tuition for all Louisiana high school graduates who meet Governor Mike Foster the requirements. To qualify for TOPS, students must take required high school (second from right) brought courses, earn a specified grade point average, and make the minimum required the "Spirit of Louisiana" fire ACT score. TOPS awards are based on achievement and not income. truck to the White House. Governor Foster was re-elected in 1999, winning in the first primary with The state donated the fire 61 percent of the vote. His closest opponent, Congressman William Jefferson, truck to the city of New received 30 percent of the vote. The second-term governor considered this vote York to replace one of those strong support for his programs. destroyed in the 9/11 However, debate continued about attack. The New York City LagniappeLagniappe the best way to fund these programs. firefighters returned to Critics have long said Louisiana’s tax Louisiana with the fire Murphy Foster had led the structure is not fair and hurts the truck to help in the wake conservative Democrats economy. People have paid low prop- of Hurricane Katrina. against the challenge of the erty taxes and high sales taxes. The Republicans and the governor and the legislature proposed Populists. He might be a change in state taxes, the Stelly surprised at the party of his Plan, named for the legislator who de- grandson, but he would veloped it. Voters agreed to amend the not disapprove of his state constitution to remove the sales conservative views. taxes on food and utilities and to in- crease rates.

Section 2 Louisiana’s Contemporary Governors 525 The Foster administration also left a visible change in the capital city. The state replaced buildings that did not meet current fire and safety codes and stopped renting expensive office space. New office buildings join the Capitol as the headquarters for government business. The new buildings complement the Art Deco design of the Capitol. The LaSalle Building opened in 2001, more than three hundred years after that explorer claimed the River for France. The names of the other buildings—Iberville, Bienville, Galvez, Livingston, Claiborne, and Poydras—honor important people from Louisiana history. A new visitors’ center and a new state museum will complete the changes in Capitol Park. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco In 2003, Louisiana elected the state’s first woman governor, Democrat . Her Republican opponent, Bobby Jindal, served in the Foster administration and then worked for President George Bush as a health care specialist. Their run-off campaign brought positive attention. The national media described Louisiana as progressive for choosing a woman and the son of immi- grants as their candidates. Jindal’s parents had come to Louisiana from . Blanco had served two terms as the lieutenant governor and had earlier been elected to the Louisiana house of representatives and the Public Service Commission. She is proud of her Cajun heritage and took the oath of office in English and French, surrounded by her large family. Above: Governor Kathleen Governor Blanco promised to continue Governor Foster’s education programs. Blanco waved to the crowd She tied these reforms to her economic plan, saying Louisiana needs educated after her inaugural address people to create a strong economy. on January 12, 2004. Another issue tied to economic improvement is business taxes. The new governor heard from business people who said the state’s taxes keep new busi- nesses from coming to Louisiana. One of the first actions of Governor Blanco and the legislature was to begin changing these taxes. Another reason businesses give for not coming to Louisiana is the reputa- tion for corruption in government. Political scientist Wayne Parent says that Louisiana’s oil economy in the twentieth century helped create this atmosphere. When much of the money to pay for state programs came from taxes on the oil industry, people did not view corruption as costing them money. These views are beginning to change because the tax burden is shifting to the citizens. Also, the dependence on this one industry to support the economy and the government gave that group tremendous power and influence. Governor Blanco emphasized the need to change Louisiana’s image. She en- couraged the legislature to improve ethics laws to show Louisiana wants good government. Ethics laws regulate the way government officials conduct their business. For example, a new ethics law says that campaign contributions can- not be accepted during the legislative session. This need to improve the state’s political image became crucial after the hurricanes. The governor and Louisiana’s members of Congress struggled

526 Chapter 16 Louisiana’s Contemporary Era: Problems and Prospects with this negative perception as the state sought federal funds to help in the Above: President George W. recovery process. Bush walks with U.S. Army Governor Blanco and other political leaders faced tremendous difficulties Lt. General Russel L. Honore after the disastrous hurricanes. In addition to the loss of infrastructure, busi- (left), Homeland Security nesses, hospitals, and schools, more than 300,000 homes were flooded by Katrina Secretary Michael Chertoff, and Rita. A shift in the state’s population required adjustments by state and and Governor Kathleen local government. The storms added a layer of complex problems to the other Blanco in New Orleans after critical issues affecting the state. Hurricane Katrina.

CheckCheck forfor Understanding ✓

1. Why did Governor Treen cut income taxes? What happened? 2. How did budget problems hurt Governor Edwards? 3. Why did Governor Roemer create a new way for the state to borrow money? 4. How did Governor Foster describe himself? 5. Why did some people think state taxes should be changed? 6. What are two areas receiving attention from Governor Blanco?

Section 2 Louisiana’s Contemporary Governors 527