Ballot 2016

Trump - no number but he is 4th on the presidential list

#13 Kennedy
#51 Jenkins
#67 Cox

Amendments
1 - YES
2 - NO
3 - NO
4 - YES
5 - YES
6 - NO

The Ballot-- short version

The Ballot

Trump- no number but he is 4th on the presidential list
#13 Kennedy
#51 Jenkins
#67 Cox
Amendments
1- yes
2-no
3-no
4-yes
5-yes
6-no

Bossier: Tax renewals-- our health unit and roads and bridges are in dire need

YES-  PW Health Units - .82 Mills - PJ - 10 Yrs.
YES- PW Roads & Bridges - 1.99 Mills - PJ - 10 Yrs.

2016 Election: Most Important Election of the Decade

Each year I blog to help predict the races in our area.  Many of you stop me to state your agreement or disagreement and I appreciate that.  As long as we have freedom of expression of ideas, I will do my best to exercise mine so you can exercise yours. 

View your ballot here:  https://voterportal.sos.la.gov/SampleBallot

US Congressional Race:

To me this is the most important race, even more important than the presidency because it will be the Congress that gives the president the power to go to war. Who we elect for Congress will determine how Barksdale and Fort Polk are treated for decades.  Republican Lt. Col. Oliver Jenkins received many endorsements, including the endorsement of Ret. Brig. General Peyton Cole and the Fraternal Order of Police. His wife Anne Selber Jenkins and he have been married 18 years and have two children.  After retiring from the Marines, he ran an Oil and Gas business and served at Chairman of the Shreveport City Council. 

 Lt. Col. Oliver Jenkins served twenty years in the Marine Corp as an F-18 Fighter pilot. He served under Admiral McRaven, who is rumored to be next Secretary of Defense.  This is an important connection for our area.  This decorated war veteran will most likely be falsely attacked in the last few weeks because the establishment does not want veterans in Congress.  Less that 20% of Congress is war veterans.

You can review Oliver's stances here www.electoliver.com.  You can also watch my endorsement speech of Lt. Col. Oliver Jenkins at   https://youtu.be/peUA8dSmUds 

https://www.electoliver.com/videos/

OLIVER JENKINS #51 will serve us well. 

BALLOT: 

President:  Trump wins Louisiana 56%

Senate:  Kennedy/Campbell Runoff

US CONGRESS:  OLIVER JENKINS #51

2nd CIRCUIT COURT:  JEFF COX  #67

AMENDMENTS: 

1-yes
2-no
3-no
4-yes
5-yes
6-no

October 24: Sample Ballot

The following are on all ballots in Bossier, Webster, Claiborne and Bienville Parishes.  These are most likely winners based on polling and pealing through the negative ads.  Each year, we filter the candidates and issues and determine based on our opinion, who is most suited for the job and who has the highest likelihood of winning.  I simply look at each race and determine who is best suited for the needs of that office at that time.  For instance some candidates are great for a state that runs a surplus, but that same person in a state running deficits is a disaster.  Currently, we are a poor state that runs deficits and we need people who will be different than the last eight years.  If you like were we are going financially running billion dollar deficits, then this panel will not suit your tastes. 

I disclose I am biased about state senate race. 

Governor: 
Edwards
or
Angelle
Lt. Gov.:
Nungesser
Secretary of State
Tom SchedlerAttorney GeneralCaldwell
State Treasurer
John Kennedy
Commissioner of Insurance
Jim Donelon
BESE
Mary Johnson Harris 
State Senate 36
Gatti
Constitutional Amendments: 
Number 1- NO
Number 2- NO
Number 3- NO
Number 4- YES 

Bossier Parish Only: 

Clerk of Court:  Sessions

Tax Assessor:  Edminston

October 24 Election

 

Early Voting Starts tomorrow.  If you are in Senate District 36, then please vote for Ryan Gatti. 

For the last 15 years, Ryan Gatti has served Northwest Louisiana as a Bossier based attorney and small business owner. He has helped countless families and landowners going through their toughest times, including families dealing with situations resulting in traumatic brain injuries. He serves as President of the Bossier Bar Association and in 2013, he was selected to receive a Crystal Gavel Award for his commendable efforts in aiding the administration of justice by gathering and reviewing a significant numbers of cases on behalf of the 26th Judicial District Court. Ryan also sat as District 1W Judge in Shreveport from 2007-2009, presiding over Workers’ Compensation trials. District 1W serves Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Claiborne, Bienville, Red River and Desoto Parishes. Ryan attended and completed training at the National Judicial College in Reno, Nevada. Ryan serves the Louisiana State Bar Association as a Member of the House of Delegates.

He owns Instant Shade Trees, LLC a company that transplants live oak trees from their farm in Plain Dealing.

A lifelong conservative, Ryan is the Vice President of the Republican Party of Bossier Parish. An active member of First Baptist Church of Bossier, he is both a deacon and teacher for kids and youth, and has participated in mission trips to impoverished parts of the world such as Haiti, El Salvador and Mexico. Ryan serves as Louisiana Trustee on the Ethics and Religious Liberties Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention since 2012. He has also served as volunteer coach of Dixie League Softball and Upwards Soccer. He served as a Duke in the Krewe of Justinian.

Ryan was co-valedictorian of his graduating class of Airline High School. Ryan attended LSU Baton Rouge and graduated in 3 years. Ryan was president of Kappa Sigma Fraternity at LSU. Ryan graduated from LSU Law School and was elected repeatedly to serve as president to his fellow law students. Ryan worked as a Law Clerk in the Louisiana Senate Office during law school. Ryan was selected to serve a one year term on the Louisiana Board of Regents by the Louisiana Council of Student Body Presidents.
Susan Lockhart Gatti is a graduate of Airline High School. She earned her undergraduate, masters and PhD in Psychology with a specialty in School Psychology from LSU Baton Rouge. Ryan has been married to Susan Gatti, Ph.D. for over 19 years. Susan most recently was employed as an Assistant Professor at Louisiana State University- Health Science Center in Shreveport at the Children’s Center from 2003-2007 and recently served as the assistant headmaster at Providence Classical Academy in Bossier City until 2014. Together they have created their greatest accomplishments – their four daughters Katherine (15), Elizabeth (12), Rebecca (8) and Charlotte (5).  

 

This blog typically covers all elections that will be on most ballots. The following is an analysis of the races to help you in making your decisions. 

Governor’s Race:  Three Republicans and One Democrat

Scott Angelle – R  #1

Jay Dardenne- R  #3

John Bel Edwards –D #5

David Vitter – R #9

Vitter has over 10 million dollars at his disposal from his war chest and Political Action Committees that are loyal to him.  PAC’s do not have donor limits.  So a person can only give a candidate for governor up to $5,000.00 in the governor’s race, but that same person can give unlimited amounts to a PAC.  The PAC cannot have communication with the candidate. But we see that they never say anything negative about their candidate. 

Vitter will spend millions over the next 14 days to secure his place in the runoff.  Angelle is creeping up in the polls.  Dardenne also is moving up.  Edwards remains strong with veterans and women because he is a West Pointe Graduate and was commanded a rifle company of the 82^nd Airborne Rangers.    He is strong among teachers because he is married to a teacher and has taken strong stances against Jindal and common core. 

I predict a Vitter – Edwards’s runoff.  Vitter and his PAC have attacked Angelle and Dardenne and they simply do not have the funds to respond.  Edwards has been given a pass, but he will be attacked with the remainder of the war chest between October 10 and the run off. 

Lt. Governor

Billy Nungesser will have most votes on October 24.  He is a hard worker and conservative. 

Secretary of State

Tom Schedler   #14

Tom should get reelected.  He has done a great job at Secretary of State. 

Attorney General

James “Buddy” Caldwell will get reelected.  He has served honorably and battled for the citizens.  He has strong prosecutor experience at every level.  Most notably he battled BP after the spill and secured billions for the state to begin restoring the coast.  His challengers were put up because he would not back down in the BP fight and stood up for the citizens. 

State Treasurer

We have the finest most bull dogged State Treasurer around in John Kennedy.  You can be proud to vote for him. 

Commissioner of Insurance

Jim Donelon has served honorably and should be re elected. 

BESE

Mary Johnson Harris should win- she is against common core and an educator by profession. 

Constitutional Amendments: 

As you know I am against these because the Constitution was not designed to be amended every year.  Many agree you should vote against all four because they are not germane constitutional amendments. 

Number 1- NO

Number 2- NO

Number 3- NO

Number 4- yes or no; this is the only amendment that should pass. 

 

Thanks for checking in share this on FB and twitter. 

 

2 Chronicles 7:14

2015 Elections and Issues....

Many have asked for our 2015 Edition before early voting starts Saturday.  We will be posting our suggestions and explanations Friday at noon. 

Please email us if you have a particular race or ballot item that you would like us to address. 

email ryan@ryangatti.com

As you know, I am running for Senate District 36 and have two opponents.  Please follow us at
https://www.facebook.com/ryangattistatesenate
or
www.ryangatti.com

For Caddo- 11/04/14 ballot

Senate: Cassidy
Congress: Fleming
Public Service: Campbell

Mayor: Patrick Williams- intelligent, honest

If on your ballot:

District Judge: Charles Tutt

District Judge: Erin Lee Waddell-Garrett

Amendments:

CA1-  NO           CA8-  NO

CA2-  NO           CA9-  YES
CA3-  NO           CA10-  NO
CA4-  NO           CA11-  NO
CA5-  NO           CA12-  NO
CA6-  NO           CA13-  YES
CA7-  YES         CA14-  NO

Auto Insurance: UMBI Coverage ~ Don't get caught without it

The most important insurance a safe driver can purchase in Louisiana is UMBI coverage. Typically an insurance provider has a driver sign a waiver that legally allows the company to not provide UMBI coverage.  This results in a driver having insurance to provide coverage for the harms and losses he might cause, but no coverage if he is the victim of a crash and the other driver lacks sufficient insurance. 

By law, your policy will include UMBI coverage at the same limits as your Bodily Injury Coverage unless you request otherwise.

UM coverage is important because many drivers that cause crashes do not carry enough insurance to cover all the harms and losses that a family can suffer in a car crash. UM coverage provides coverage when the person causing the crash is either underinsured or uninsured.

Each month our office is retained to help families deal with a crash. In most cases the families do not have UMBI coverage.  In one case a  nurse was hit by a drunk driver. Her injuries were serious and required her to receive numerous stitches to her face. Although she had a Liability Policy to cover any losses she caused anyone else, she did not have UMBI coverage because she had signed a waiver with her agent to "save money".    The drunk driver had no insurance. Since the drunk driver had no insurance and because she had signed a UM waiver- there was no insurance to help cover her harms and losses.

As a rule of thumb if you are being serviced by a company that did not sell you UMBI coverage at the same limits as your liability coverage- you should change companies and immediately add UMBI coverage to your coverage. 

Also if your agent requests that you buy UMEO (economic only) insurance to "save money" then you should find a new agent. 

This is a copy of a UM  waiver. Never sign these.

It is important that you call your agent and make sure that you have UMBI at the same limits as your liability policy.  Simply ask, "Do I have UMBI?"  and "Are the limits the same as my liability coverage?" These are important questions to ask to protect your family. 




Ryan E. Gatti, LLC is providing this update for informational purposes only. This article should not be construed as legal advice or a legal opinion as to any specific facts or circumstances. You should consult your own attorney concerning your particular situation and any specific legal questions you may have.

Quick Ballot for Bossier Parish
(See previous post for more information)

U. S. Senator:  Cassidy #3

US Representative:  Fleming #23

PCS District 5:  Campbell #55
District Attorney:  Marvin #60
City Marshall:  Whitman #64

CA1-  NO           CA8-  NO

CA2-  NO           CA9-  YES
CA3-  NO           CA10-  NO
CA4-  NO           CA11-  NO
CA5-  NO           CA12-  NO
CA6-  NO           CA13-  YES
CA7-  YES         CA14-  NO

TAXES:  Vote No on all taxes

PW Millage Renewal –
PW Council on Aging –
PW Shreveport-Bossier Conv. & Tour. Bur.
Cypress-Black Bayou Rec. & Wtr. Dist.

School Board (if on your ballot)

Tammy Smith (Benton)
Eric Newman (Parkway)

2014 Election Ballot- Read Ahead, Vote Early

 

Gatti Voter Guide for 2014

Many of you have texted or emailed about a voter guide for the amendments and a breakdown of Bossier Elections.  Here is a breakdown of the ballot for Bossier Parish.  I strongly suggest that you print and view a sample ballot by putting in your precinct at the following website:

http://www.sos.la.gov/ElectionsAndVoting/GetElectionInformation/ReviewSampleBallots/Pages/default.aspx

This is a full ballot on a Tuesday, so please have your cheat sheet ready.  Expect long lines because as most will not have read ahead of time.  You should be in an out of the ballot in less than a minute if you are prepared.  The only race not listed below is justice of the peace in your area.   A one page vote sheet is provided below.  Thanks in advance for forwarding this link to your friends. 

THE BALLOT

I.                   Candidates

US Senate:  This is a tough race.  Landrieu is a senior senator running for re-election. Cassidy and Maness are providing opposition.  This will be a close race, but Landrieu will most likely win in a three way race. 

US Representative:  John Fleming (R) should easily win re election. 

Public Service Commission:  Foster Campbell (D) should win this easily. 

District Attorney:  Schuyler Marvin is running for re-election.  He has served the district well and should win easily. 

City Marshall:  This is an open seat vacated because Lynn Austin is not running for re-election.  This position was held by Johnny Wyatt for many years.  Jim Whitman will win not only because he has been with the Marshall’s office but mainly because his wife cooks all the ribs, brisket and turkey at Silver Star. 

II.                Amendments: 

Many people think the legislators are trying to make the State Constitution so convoluted and confusing through the amendment process that one day soon a Constitutional Committee will have to be called and rewrite it.  As such, all amendments should receive a NO vote.  Only three of this year’s amendments correct issues that should rise to the level of a change or amendment to the constitution.  Full breakdown of amendments here: 

 http://www.parlouisiana.org/dynaengine/loadDocument.cfm?site=1002087&doc=par2014amends1stedition.pdf

Constitutional Amendment 1:  Trust fund.  Vote NO.  This law is an admission that we cannot budget as a state.  We have to tell legislators not to raid Medicaid as a way to pay for festivals.  We should not have to tell the legislature that the elderly and disabled are a top priority.  This is much like Pontius Pilate letting the crowd decide.  A no vote should send a message that the legislature needs to fix our budget process and not use the constitution amendment system as a vehicle to do so.

Constitutional Amendment 2:  Trust fund.  Vote NO .  This is a not proper for a constitutional amendment.  This would fund some providers but not all providers. 

Constitutional Amendment 3:  Privatizing tax collections.  Vote NO.  This is an area of government that should not be privatized.  Motive for profit could interfere with due process rights. 

Constitutional Amendment 4:  Creating a State Bank.  Vote NO.  Last thing we need in our state is a state run bank.  If state cannot budget and get it financing through regular channels, then it sure as heck should not be allowed to create its own bank. 

Constitutional Amendment 5:  Change mandatory retirement age.  Vote NO.  70 is the current limit.  The law wants to eliminate the retirement age meaning a judge can serve until death.  There are no term limits on judges, the 70 year rule is the only restriction and it is a fair restriction. 

Constitutional Amendment 6:  Orleans Parish Millage Rates.  Vote NO.  If this passes everyone that pays taxes will suffer in New Orleans. 

Constitutional Amendment 7:  Homestead Exemption for Veterans Clarification.  Vote YES. This is proper and should pass.    

Constitutional Amendment 8:  Artificial Reef Fund.  Vote NO.  This would elevate another part of the budget to constitutionally protected status.  Vote no. 

Constitutional Amendment 9:  Disabled and Taxes.  Vote YES.  This is a clarification of the tax code to protect the disabled. 

Constitutional Amendment 10:  Steal your home act.   Vote NO.    This would reduce your chance to redeem your property from three years to 18 months.  This is being pushed by those that want to steal family land to get the mineral rights. If this passes, it means your could lose title to family land before you even know that you owe the taxes.  Currently if you or your heirs don’t pay for local and parish property taxes for three years, then you could lose TITLE to that property.  This law would shorten that period to 18 months. 

Constitutional Amendment 11:  Increase size of Government.  Vote NO.  We don’t need a Department of Elderly Affairs with 100 bureaucrats running it to take care of the elderly.  The elderly in our state would be better off if we just took that money we are going to waste on a agency and divide by the number of elderly and give it to them.  We just need the state to do the job with what it has.  No creation of a new government agency. 

Constitutional Amendment 12:  Wildlife Commission Membership.  Vote NO.  This should not be in the constitution in the first place. 

Constitutional Amendment 13:  Ninth Ward Property. Vote YES.  State must sell this devastated property.  Private investors can make it work. 

Constitutional Amendment 14:  Tax Issues.  Vote NO. 

III.            LOCAL TAXES: 

Vote NO on all Parish Taxes

PW Millage Renewal - 7.57 Mills - PJ - 10 Yrs.

PW Council on Aging - 1 Mill - PJ - 10 Yrs.

PW Shreveport-Bossier Conv. & Tour. Bur. - 2% Tax - BOD - 24 1/2 Yrs.

Cypress-Black Bayou Rec. & Wtr. Dist. - 1.54 Mills - BOC - 10 Yrs. 

IV.            School Board

 

          Tammy Smith (Benton Area)

          Eric Newman (Parkway Area)

Gatti vs. State of Louisiana through the Commissioner of Conservation

A January 2014 court ruling revived a landmark case on Louisiana Mineral Law and landowner rights. Follow the link to read the full opinion.  (Gatti vs. State of Louisiana through the Commissioner of Conservation, et al).

Please contact our office if you have any questions.

Gatti v. Commissioner of Conservation, et al

The Amendments

  Thanks for those who have asked for help with the amendments.  As you recall, I usually frown upon amendments to the state constitution.  The document was intended to give us general principles and consistency, but it is changed more times than a baby's diaper.  In fact, it has been amended over 160 times in its 38 year history. 

   Real change will come when we apply 2 Chronicles 7:14. 

    At every opportunity amendments are offered to help "get the vote out" when we have a major election.  To energize the base, so to speak.  So if you have been living under a rock and aren't enthusiastic about voting for president, maybe gun rights, veterans or term limits will get you to the polls.

This year there are Nine Amendments and one Local Option Vote

Amendment 1: Protect Medicaid Trust Fund for Elderly -  YES

Passage would keep the legislature from raiding the Medicaid Trust Fund for the Elderly to help balance the budget.  This really reveals a lot about our leaders if we think it through.  Many of our elderly rely on this funding for real and personal needs. 

The current House and Senate members need us to pass a Constitutional Amendment that tells them not to raid the Medicaid Trust Fund for the Elderly to balance their out of control spending--we should oblige them.   More than likely, this is on the ballot to make sure seniors vote early and in high numbers in the presidential election. 

Amendment 2: Right to Keep and Bear Arms -  YES

   It is highly unlikely that any member of Louisiana's judicial, legislative or executive branches would infringe upon the right to keep and bear arms.  It is often opined that the largest army in the world at any given time is the American Hunter.  Gun rights are more sacred in America than the rights of the unborn.  This would make Louisiana the best place for a law abiding citizen to own a gun. 
  On the other hand, the passage of this amendment will change the way courts interpret certain restrictions on gun laws under the criminal code.  For instance, It may be tougher to pass gun laws against criminals because the government must prove a compelling interest and show that the law is narrowly tailored under a strict scrutiny analysis.  This is a high burden. 
   Make no mistake, this is on the ballot to make sure that everyone interested in gun rights shows up to vote in the presidential election. 

Amendment 3: Extended Notice for Prefiling of Retirement Bills- NO
  This increases the number of days that that bill affecting Public Retirement would be prefiled.  Among other changes, publication of the bill would change from 30 days before the bill is introduced to 45 days before the session.  This bill may affect public retirement reform.  Not a good bill. 
   This bill assumes that if everyone had more time to discuss the bills, then an informed vote would be taken.  Not likely.  This just adds more deadlines and prefiling requirements. 

Amendment 4: Exemptions for Spouses of Veterans-  YES
This is a good law that allows the spouse or surviving spouse of a disabled veteran to claim the $150,000.00 homestead exemption.  Clears up a previous amendment and might be the only germane Constitutional amendment on the ballot.  ( Side note:  Don't you agree that this special group of men and women who meet the criteria, should be given a transferable lifetime FULL exemption from the property tax dealing with their home.)

Amendment 5: Public Officials Convicted of Felony Lose Part of Retirement- YES
  Once again, the fact that this is on the ballot reveals much about the state we are in.  Any person participating in the retirement system who is convicted of a felony that is related to their office or job could lose a significant portion of their retirement benefits.  The issue is whether this would apply only to elected officials or if it could apply to teachers.  For instance a teacher who has an inappropriate relationship with a student and is later convicted of a felony could lose some retirement benefits under this law. 
  The retirement systems are in dire straits so I anticipate it will pass and be aggressively enforced. 

Amendment 6: New Iberia Tax Issue-  NO

   This idea should be applied to the entire state or not at all.  If it passes, then every city in the state will be on the amendment list next time to garner exemption power. 

Amendment 7: Service on Commissions- YES

  The population has changed and we dropped from 7 congressional districts to 6.  The selections process for State Boards is based on Congressional Districts.  So with the change from 7 to 6, the process must be changed. 

Amendment 8: Non-Manufacturing Tax Exemption-  YES

   Anything that will help a business locate in our state should be supported.  Not a complete exemption of all taxes and really doesn't go far enough-- but might help someone relocate or start a business here.  

Amendment 9:  Notice for creating a Crime Prevention District- NO

   This deals with an idea that is only popular in New Orleans and Baton Rouge. The formation of these districts allowed a fee to be assessed to a homeowner whether they want to pay it or not.  The current notification process is not adequate for some, so they need more notice.  Not proper issue for a constitutional amendment. 


Local Option 1:  Term Limits for School Board Members-YES
  
   States that school board members would be term limited to three four year terms.  This is a significant change.  But the law would not become law until January 1, 2014.  So no immediate change would occur. 
  The idea of term limits was started by the great Pres. George Washington.  If he could limit himself to eight years, then we can limit our current leaders to twelve.  He used a quill pen not a computer.