Good Morning, The three finalists wanting to take the reins at LSU during a troubled time are spending Monday through Wednesday visiting with faculty, students, and alumni. The LSU Board of Supervisors is planning to meet sometime this week, perhaps as early as Thursday, and could make a decision on the next LSU System President/LSU A&M campus Chancellor. President Joe Biden is coming to New Orleans and Lake Charles on Thursday to promote his plan to rebuild the nation’s bridges, highways, ports, and other infrastructure projects. Meanwhile, in the 2021 general session of the Louisiana Legislature, which passed the halfway mark last week, efforts to revamp the state’s tax system may get sidetracked over the hubbub surrounding House Education Committee Chair Ray Garofalo, a Chalmette Republican. Angered at an LSU panel discussion earlier this year entitled “White Rage,” which was the title of an academic study into the sources of racism, Garofalo sponsored a bill that would limit the teaching of racism in what he hoped would compel schools to present what he called a more balanced approach. House leadership prevailed on him not to pursue the bill. But as chair of the education committee, Garofalo held three-hour hearing on legislation that was not going to get a vote. During his presentation Garofalo said children should be taught the good and bad about slavery. He was interrupted by another legislator questioning what was good about slavery. Garofalo said he misspoke. But Garofalo’s comments went viral on the Internet prompting condemnation from national figures and national media. LaLege Democrats have been demanding Garofalo’s removal as committee chair. Garofalo’s Republican colleagues have rallied around to protect him. But the GOP leadership needs at least some Democrats to make the two-thirds majorities needed to pass most of the tax system revamp. Though a long way from the finish line, legislation that allows smoking marijuana is finding surprising success in the Legislature. The full House approved smoking marijuana for medical purposes. And a House committee advanced legislation to legalize the recreational use of weed. The full House may vote – its first chance ever – Tuesday evening on the bill to legalize marijuana. As always, check throughout the day for the latest Louisiana political news at theadvocate.com/politics or NOLA.com/politics and on Twitter at @MarkBallardCNB, @tegbridges, @samkarlin, @blakepater, @WillSentell. Here are a dozen articles, commentaries and editorials that will catch you up for the week to come. The Advocate is conducting a reader survey to learn more about how we can meet your needs and interests. Visit www.theadvocate.com/survey to fill out the survey and share your thoughts. The first 1,500 respondents will be entered for a chance to win one of three $100 gift cards to local merchants. One last item: Thank you to our subscribers. Your support means a great deal to us. If you're not yet a subscriber, we’ve got a special offer you can check out here. – Mark Ballard |