Reply #5: News and views from the Louisiana Capitol [View All]

[MelissaB]

BRIEFING BOOK
News and views from the Louisiana Capitol
Sunday, April 03, 2005

>>>snip

Rookie raises hand

Newly elected Rep. Juan LaFonta, D-New Orleans, sat quietly as members of the House Committee on House and Governmental Affairs, especially longtime Rep. Peppi Bruneau, R-New Orleans, pummeled Orleans Parish Criminal Court Clerk Kimberly Williamson Butler with questions about the foul-ups in the Sept. 19 citywide election. That's when 90 precincts received voting machines late, some hours after the polls opened. LaFonta, who replaced Rep. Edwin Murray, D-New Orleans, when Murray was elected to fill a vacant seat in the Senate, pushed his button to signal to committee Chairman Rep. Charles Lancaster, R-Metairie, he wanted to be recognized to ask a question about long lines of voters at various precincts in New Orleans during the presidential election in November. Lancaster announced that the newly minted lawmaker wanted to ask his first question, and added: "We're hoping you'll be another Peppi Bruneau," a reference to the sometimes pointed, caustic questions posed by the veteran House member from Lakeview. "I don't know how to respond to that," LaFonta said with a smile.


Link: http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/capital/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1112511495194040.xml