baton
THURSDAY, December 10, 2009
Tax Amnesty Program Nets $466 Million
BATON ROUGE,— Estimates of $150 million in collections from a recent tax amnesty program were far too frugal. The governor’s office is saying the program instead raised nearly $466 million for Louisiana’s coffers. That tally, released Monday, is good news for a state facing midyear budget shortfalls and a nearly $1 billion budget hole next year. The amnesty numbers aren’t final yet. The Department of Revenue still is processing applications and doesn’t expect to have a final figure of the money raised until later this month. Under the law, a $176 million slice of the money is required to go into the state’s “rainy day” fund and to pay for coastal protection projects. The rest of the spending will be decided by Jindal and lawmakers.
Board Votes to Move New Schools Forward B ATO N R O U G E — Baton Rouge could will be getting two new public charter schools, after approval Thursday night from the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board. The technology-based schools will be a first in the state, taking students from their regular classroom, to the working world. With the green light, Helix Group gives 250 ninth graders two new schools in the Shaw center. “One of the schools focus on arts and digital media. While the other will be focused on science, technology, engineering and math,” says Bryan Jones. Jones says the schools are following the technology trend that is moving the Capitol City. He says seeing businesses like E. A. move here, is a definite sign that the arts need to be part of school curriculum. And that could also lead to more students staying here to take jobs. So far, Jones believes the idea is catching on. “Have said this is something Baton Rouge has needed for a long time,” Jones points out. Instead of having students at desks, watching a teacher at the board, these schools will group students with local businesses and non-profit groups, so they understand real world working knowledge. See Board, on page 2
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Obama Lays Out Strategy for Jobs
President Barack Obama speaks on the economy at the Brookings Institution in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009.
President Obama outlined a response to the nation’s intensifying job crisis Tuesday that encourages businesses to hire new workers by easing the flow of credit and implementing a series of tax cuts, but leaves important details -- including the
Vol. 34 • No. 34
a people’s publication
cost of the plan -- to be hashed out by Congress. Obama’s job-creation ideas build largely on elements of the $787 billion economic stimulus package passed this year, including tax cuts for small businesses, incentives to hire new workers
and a fresh round of infrastructure spending. The president also recommended that Congress pass a “cash for caulkers” plan that would offer financial incentives See obama, on page 2
Southern Fires Coach Pete Richardson
BATON ROUGE— Southern University fired longtime head football coach Pete Richardson on Monday. He led the Jags for 17 seasons. Athletic Director Greg LaFleur said Richardson was informed of the decision at 3 p.m. According to LaFleur, he fired Richardson because he wanted to see the program taken in a “different direction.” “We sat down and did what was in the best interest of Southern University,” LaFleur said. “I really enjoyed working with Coach Richardson over the past five years. I worked with a lot of good coaches and I have to say he was one of the best to work with.” Damon Nivens, offensive line coach, will serve as interim coach until a replacement is named. Defensive backs coach Jackie Mitchell said Richardson called a staff meeting Monday afternoon to inform the personnel he had been terminated. No timetable was set for bringing in a new coach, but LaFleur added the process would begin immediately. Some of Richardson’s players said they, just like everyone else, heard rumors flying in the last few weeks about the coach and the university at odds over keeping him around for the final year of his contract. “Yeah, you gotta realize that he’s not gonna be there anymore,” senior wide re-
Pete Richardson
ceiver Juamorris Stewart said. “He’s been coaching for like, 17 years. So, in a way, you’re shocked. The past three seasons have been tough. At some point, they’re gonna make some changes.” “Don’t know how everybody’s gonna feel about it,” said junior running back Gary Hollimon. “But I can speak for myself, though, and I’m kind of hurt, devastated that Coach is gone.” After the team lost the Bayou Classic to Grambling 31-13, Richardson told reporters there were other opportunities out there for him and suddenly, there was a snowball effect. The university gave him permission to pursue those opportunities and then relieved him of his duties as head coach. Hours after his firing, See Richardson, on page 3
SU Honors College Inducts New Freshmen New Report Profiles
Child-Well-Being in Each of Louisiana’s Parishes
Left to Right: (First Row) Osenda Sadler, Daiziah Stapleton, Cierra Stapleton, and Cierra Fogan Left to Right: (Second Row) Demetrius Sumner, Sophomore Student Senator, Southern University; Dr. Dolores Spikes, SU System President Emerita; Dalvayja Robinson and Ms. Margaret Ambrose, SU Special Assistant to the Chancellor
The 16th Annual Pinning Ceremony of the Southern University Honors College took place on Friday, November 6th in the Cotillion Ballroom of the Smith-Brown Memorial Student Union on the campus of Southern University. The College inducted 89 new members.
NATIONAL/state & Community watch
Dr. Dolores Margaret Richard Spikes, Southern University System President Emerita delivered the “Honors Charge.” The “Charge” addressed “integrity” and a challenge to the inductees to continue to strive for excellence and to make good choices in life
STATE & LOCAL NEWS
in every way. To all students, parents, and the academic and general community-at-large, she encouraged total involvement in the plight of education in our State, the plight of Southern University in particular. At See freshman, on page 7
business NEWS
NEW ORLEANS , LA — A new report released today finds that race and place are two of the most important predictors of child well-being in Louisiana . The 2009 KIDS COUNT Data Book on Louisiana ’s Children, produced by Agenda for Children, presents and analyzes information on over fifty different measures of child well-being in each of Louisiana ’s 64 parishes. The report documents critical statistics related to children’s health, demographics, education, child care, child welfare, and juvenile justice. The Data Book focuses on the roles that both race and place play in child well-being in Louisiana . The quality and availability of housing, schools, job opportunities, and health care all combine to define a child’s environment, for better or worse. As the report reveals, children of color
other news
are more likely to grow up in distressed neighborhoods that can limit opportunities available to young people and their families. The data show that African American children in Louisiana are more likely than their white peers to experience a host of negative outcomes ranging from being born preterm to dropping out of high school. “Despite the victories of Civil Rights legislation more than four decades ago, we continue to see shocking racial disparities in some of our most basic measures of child well-being, including infant mortality rates and child poverty,” said Judy Watts , President/CEO of Agenda for Children. “As a society that values equity, it is imperative that Louisiana actively pursue policies and practices that lift up all our See report, on page 7
Health news
Black and Hispanic children have suffered higher proportional death rates from the H1N1 virus (swine flu) than their White counterparts.... See Page 7
INDEX
Wireless web at Library High fashion, hip entertainment, holiday cheer: you’ll find it all at the “Beautiful, Radiant Gems and Jewels” Fashion Show. The event, sponsored by local non-profit Beautiful Black Girls, Inc., will be held Sunday, Dec. 13 from 4 to 6 p.m. in Southern University’s Smith-Brown Memorial Union (Cotillion Ballroom)....Page 2
Free wireless Internet access is now available at the East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, 7711 Goodwood Blvd., and at Eden Park Branch Library, 5131 Greenwell Springs Rd. Installation of wireless access is scheduled for all branches....See Page 3
MONEY FOR Military Families
Walmart gives an early Christmas to more than 10,000 military children and families who will receive free toys, books, Walmart gift cards and gift packages. The initiative will benefit families in all branches of the military...See Page 5
Guardsmen vs NO Saints
Louisiana National Guardsmen participated in a video game competition against the undefeated New Orleans Saints. The Guardsmen and players were part of the “Pro vs. G.I. Joe” event.. See Page 8
Local & State............................2 Commentary.............................4 Business....................................5 Religion....................................6 Health.......................................7 Other........................................8
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