LaPolitics by Maginnis: Parish plans to take mental hospital

The announced closure of Southeast Louisiana Hospital sent shockwaves through Mandeville, where the state mental facility has been a vital health care provider and major employer for 60 years in the area. But now, local government, business and civic leaders are working on a plan to purchase the facility, once it is closed by the state, and to provide mental-health services for local needs and possibly to contract with the state to treat some of its patients. "We're going to do something, we can't just let that go," pledged Parish President Pat Brister, who says a small working group will meet next week to begin organizing. A larger group of officials and business and community leaders met Tuesday with DHH Secretary Bruce Greenstein, who offered encouragement. "I think the idea may have legs," he tells LaPolitics. Praising the local initiative, he says he sees it as a potential model for other communities in the face of downsizing the LSU-run charity hospital system.

—When Legislative Fiscal Officer Gordon Monk recently announced he would retire, many legislators assumed that chief economist Greg Albrecht or another current LFO staffer would move into the job. But Senate President John Alario says the legislative leadership, after initial interviews, has decided to take its time and perhaps broaden the search before recommending a new director, who ultimately must be voted on by the full Legislature. He says the leadership likely would tap an interim director who would not be eligible for the permanent position. The delay and possibility of going outside the present staff have caused some concern among legislators that the governor would influence the recommendation by the leadership. Alario dispels that notion. “They realize this is a legislative decision,” he says.

They said it: "It's not broke, it's bought." —Former Gov. Buddy Roemer, testifying to Congress on Super PACs

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