Discussion for article #236669
Louisiana currently outpaces Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York in film productions (“12 Years A Slave”, “The Butler”, etc.). The state gives generous subsidies to encourage movie producers to come there, about $150 million a year and so far it’s worked very well for the industry. Jindal’s a shortsighted ass if he doesn’t realize the impact bigotry will have on tourism
http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/04/religious_freedom_new_orleans.html
http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/04/film_tax_credit_could_face_res.html
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Not to mention, Nola also has a gay population that brings in lots of $. Landrieu can’t afford to be a total ass in New Orleans; outside of Nola, it’s essential.
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Bobby Jindal is a real live “Watermelon Man”.
“The executive action was the latest move by Jindal to highlight his support for religious freedom legislation as he’s moved toward running for president, including creating a presidential exploratory committee.”
Summary of the committee’s report: “Ha, ha, good one…wait, you were joking, right Bobby?”
I disagree that this order only applies to the Executive Branch in Louisiana. Jindal makes it quite clear in the order:
SECTION 1: All departments, commissions, boards, agencies, and political subdivisions of the state [Emphasis added.] are authorized and directed to take cognizance of the definition of “person” contained in La. R.S. 1:10 when complying with the Preservation of Religious Freedom Act (La. R.S. 13:5230-5242), the interpretation of the virtually identical federal law definition contained in 1 USC 1 by the United States Supreme Court in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby in its holding that the federal government is prohibited from requiring a “person” to act in contravention of a sincerely held religious belief, and that the definition of “person” includes individuals, non-profit, or for-profit corporations.
SECTION 2: All departments, commissions, boards, agencies, and political subdivisions of the state [Emphasis added.] are authorized and directed to comply with the restrictions placed upon government action in the Preservation of Religious Freedom Act and, including more specifically, on the basis that such person acts in accordance with his religious belief that marriage is or should be recognized as the union of one man and one woman, shall take no adverse action to:
A.Deny or revoke an exemption from taxation pursuant to La. R.S. 47:287.501 of the person who is acting in accordance with his religious belief.
B.Disallow a deduction for state tax purposes of any charitable contribution made to or by such person.
C.Deny or exclude such person from receiving any state grant, contract, cooperative agreement, loan, professional license, certification, accreditation, employment, or other similar position or status.
D.Deny or withhold from such person any benefit under a state benefit program.
E.Deny, revoke, or suspend the accreditation, licensing, or certification of any person that would be accredited, licensed, or certified for purposes of Louisiana law but-for a determination against such person on the basis that the person acts in accordance with his own religious belief.
SECTION 3: All departments, commissions, boards, agencies, and political subdivisions of the state [Emphasis added.] are authorized and directed to cooperate with the implementations of the provisions of this Order.
He specifically makes the point that a “person” is defined as an individual or corporation (both for-profits and not-for-profit).
So, Dictator Jindal is saying that, despite what NOLA’s mayor has said, New Orleans, as a “political subdivision of the state,” must abide by this order. While the order lamely tries to state " that this principle not be construed to authorize any act of discrimination" it is quite clear that, if the City of New Orleans tried to enforce its anti-discrimination ordinance and, say, fine a business for discrimination, the business doing the discriminating could claim that NOLA is in violation of this Executive Order because the City has no right due to Section 1 of the Executive Order where it states that government “is prohibited from requiring a “person” to act in contravention of a sincerely held religious belief, and that the definition of “person” includes individuals, non-profit, or for-profit corporations.” This quote is from Hobby Lobby – but Dictator Jindal has, by fiat, broaden the interpretation of what SCOTUS set out in both Hobby Lobby and Wheaton College.
Sorry, Mayor Landrieu, your Executive Order is well-intentioned. But it is trumped by the Governor’s.
Let the boycott’s begin.
This isn’t over. This may not have passed this time. But, it looks like David “I-Frequented-Callgirls-Even-Though-I-Say-Marriage-Is-Sacred” Vitter is likely to be the next Governor. If that happens, I have a feeling the law will pass that time (mostly because the presidential election will be over and the LA GOP won’t be in fear of losing votes for passing an odious law).
Tax free religious freedom don’t forget. Religion wants in on the political game completely but doesn’t want to pay any dues at all.
This is government sponsored tax evasion.