Louisiana Independent Legislator Elected to Number Two Position in State House

On March 29, Louisiana state representative Joel Robideaux was elected Speaker Pro Tempore of the State House. Robideaux is an independent. He defeated Noble Ellington, a Democrat, by a vote of 53-48. Speaker Pro Tempore is the second most powerful position in the Louisiana House, after Speaker. Thanks to Randall Hayes for this news.

Journalist Says California Hospital Association Gave $500,000 to Prop. 14 Campaign

John Wildermuth, a California journalist, has looked into financing for the campaign to pass Proposition 14, the “top-two” measure. He says that the California Hospital Association actually donated $500,000 to the campaign in favor of the measure. The CHA gave $250,000 directly, and another $250,000 to Governor Schwarzenegger’s fund for ballot measures. Then that second payment was funneled into the pro-14 campaign. See this story. The story has a link to the “stop top two” web page set up by Christina Tobin, and says this web page is just about the only organized activity against Prop. 14.