The Associated Press

Following are some recent editorials in Louisiana newspapers:



Sept. 15

The Town Talk, Alexandria

On: Action, not talk on new jobs encouraging

Most news on the economic front in Louisiana seems to be gloomy, but there have certainly been some bright spots lately.

And the news of new companies bringing jobs to central Louisiana comes at a time when campaigns ranging from governor to police juror concentrate on the need for economic development.

Well, we have some economic development, and it is the product of some hard work and cooperation among local and state governments, not to mention from the private sector.

The announcement that StarTek Outsourcing Solutions will located a call center in Alexandria is extremely good news. The center's anticipated work force of hundreds is indeed an economic shot in the arm that this area needs.

Earlier, it was announced that Plastipak Packaging Inc. would put a new $45 million plant in Rapides Parish. One of its main reasons is to be close to the Proctor & Gamble plant in Pineville.

Plastipak produces plastic bottles for various P&G products. But it can expand into other areas, too.

The state has done its share in that enterprise by approving $1.5 million for site work.

In the StarTek venture, the city of Alexandria is playing a leading role by agreeing to pay $2.3 million for purchase and remodeling of a building in the Power Center. The state is also contributing to the tune of $1.2 million.

It's projected that StarTek will create between 400 and 600 new jobs.

While some may criticize the use of local and state government funds to help a company locate here, it is a fact of life that such incentives are offered. Those communities which do not make such offers lose out - it's that simple.

The upside in these ventures is creation of jobs, and that means increases in income, sales, property and other taxes by new workers.

We are hearing a lot about outmigration and the need for economic development.

Here, we've seen more than just talk, and that is good.



Sept. 13

The Times, Shreveport

On: Attack youth drinking

Underage drinking is everybody's business. So says the newest report by the National Research Council and the Institute of Medicine, which unveiled a broad plan to reduce the problem.

The report, requested by Congress, concludes that focusing on youth alone won't solve the problem. Instead it states what common sense indicates - that help must come from lawmakers, alcohol manufacturers, retail businesses, the entertainment industry and parents.

A key element is the need for a concerted societal attack on a problem whose magnitude and seriousness have not been sufficiently recognized. Alcohol consumption is far too often a factor in teenage deaths, suicides, violent crimes and academic failure.

It extends its ominous grip to other victims as well, the families and innocent bystanders whose lives are slam dunked by related tragedies.

In a state where the unofficial motto is "Let the Good Times Roll," the messages Louisiana young people receive and the examples set by the adults around them too often suggest drinking equates to those good times. Mothers Against Drunk Driving, meeting this month in New Orleans, is asking Congress to hold hearings on "the dangerous and deadly epidemic we have in underage drinking."

It also is sending two dozen youth volunteers into the city for a "shoulder-tap survey" to see if adults would be willing to buy alcohol for them. It is a sad but likely outcome that too many will report easily obtained liquor from the hands of so-called adults.

Louisiana citizens should join the nation in embracing the recommendations of the report from the two respected agencies of the National Academies.

Support is needed for federal and state increases in excise taxes on alcohol, particularly on beer, the most popular alcoholic beverage among young people. The same is true for other recommendations, including:

- Increasing the frequency of compliance checks to monitor whether businesses are adhering to drinking-age laws.

- Requiring state-approved training for all sellers and servers of alcohol as a condition of employment and for receiving federal funds.

- Preventing and detecting false IDs by issuing licenses and ID cards that can be scanned electronically.

- Getting the message to parents, via a federally financed national media campaign, that what they say and do can discourage underage drinking.

- Calling on the alcohol industry to stop placing commercial messages in venues where a large portion of the audience is under age.

- Obtaining the assistance of the music, television and film industries to reduce the number of alcohol consumption messages available to young listeners and viewers.

When underage drinking becomes everybody's business, all kinds of benefits accrue to individuals and society. The stakes are worth the effort.



Sept. 16

The Daily Advertiser, Lafayette

On: PSC should not be allowed to accept utility company gifts

In early May, the legislative auditor's office issued a stinging criticism of the operations of the Louisiana Public Service Commission. The auditors said the agency accepts thousands in free meals from a company it regulates, doesn't look closely at utilities finances, lacks crucial documents, and is inconsistent in its rate-setting. It suggests that consumers have been harmed.

After four months, the commission has finally responded, denying the claim that customers may be paying too much as a result of the cozy relationship with the utility companies. Commissioner Jimmy Field presented a series of charts, based on the commissions own research, suggesting rates are actually low in Louisiana, not high.

Improprieties in the conduct of the business of a regulatory agency - and we consider the acceptance of more than $50,000 worth of gratuities by commissioners and staff members improper - adds to the unfortunate perception of politics in Louisiana.

The perception is damaging economically. That it exists is evidenced by the fact that ethics watchdogs in other states have commented, in news reports, on the looseness of Louisiana's regulations.

The commission's newest member, Foster Campbell, is proposing a total ban on acceptance of gratuities by commissioners and staff members. He says the practice "diminishes public confidence in this body."

We wholeheartedly agree. Campbell's proposal should be adopted, by the PSC and all other government bodies.



Sept. 13

The News-Star, Monroe

On: Trouble may run its way to Grambling

Maurice Clarett is an exceptional college football player. He ran for more than 1,200 yards and 16 touchdowns last season as a freshman at Ohio State. He scored the touchdown that gave the Buckeyes the national championship.

Yes, Clarett can tote the ball with the best of them. He also carries a lot of baggage. That's why he's not playing for Ohio State this season and the NCAA suspended him for one year.

He can't elude trouble as well as he sidesteps opposing defenders.

That baggage is not light. Grambling State and coach Doug Williams must not overlook that fact if Clarett wants to transfer to the Division I-AA football program, one of the options on his short list that has been recommended by Clarett family adviser and NFL Hall of Famer Jim Brown.

Opening the Grambling locker room to Clarett also opens a potential can of worms. Grambling and Williams should think long and hard before rolling the dice. It puts Grambling's integrity at stake.

If any remaining NCAA or legal clouds hang over Clarett's head, Grambling should clearly say thanks, but no thanks.

Clarett was suspended by the NCAA this month after a lengthy series of issues and investigations that began not long after the title run. Ohio State's report to the NCAA stated Clarett was guilty of 14 violations of the ethical conduct bylaws and two violations of receiving preferential treatment.

Allegations include Clarett getting preferential treatment on tests, "borrowing' a car from a dealership, lying about stolen property and receiving gifts. He was charged with falsification of a police report.

Williams made light of the troubles with an ESPN reporter.

"I don't think a headache comes with the kid," he said. "He didn't shoot anybody. They didn't arrest him for drugs. He didn't rape anybody. Ain't no problem with the kid."

Murder, rape and drugs aren't on the list of allegations, but saying there is no problem is a bad case of tunnel vision - seeing Clarett running through defenses on the field but not seeing the issues off the field.

Maybe Clarett will have a clean slate from here on out. But maybe trouble will follow him to Grambling or anywhere else. If it does, the NCAA could call again, and not just on Clarett.

If Clarett wants to come to Grambling, Williams and the university will put its reputation and program's future on the line if they say yes.

The school should not jeopardize its reputation and the program's future.



Sept. 15

The Courier, Houma

On: Budget binds strangling state hospitals

Every year, we hear the same song - public hospitals are either in danger of budget cuts or must adapt to them.

This year, Chabert Medical Center must cut its budget by $2.4 million. So the hospital administration is eliminating 24 jobs and cutting 198 hospital admission days, 956 inpatient days and 9,649 outpatient visits.

That means fewer indigent and working-poor patients will receive medical treatment at the hospital.

Granted, it could be a lot worse. Chabert's cut is 3.7 percent of its $60-million budget - although that doesn't diminish the impact to those affected. And that doesn't include the other cost-saving measures the hospital must implement.

But the eight public hospitals in the LSU Health Care Services Division are collectively coping with $55.2 million in cuts. Overall, the system will be getting rid of more than 350 employees plus another 100 or so vacant positions; and reducing admissions by nearly 2,500 and outpatient visits by more than 88,000.

Louisiana is supposed to be a state that is committed to providing health care for its residents, but it doesn't seem so in the face of these numbers.

As always, the problem is the state's method of budgeting and the restrictions placed upon the budget by constitutional measures. So many of the state's funds are dedicated, meaning they cannot be touched when cuts must be made. For those in the health care realm, it's unfortunate that their budgets aren't one of the protected ones. It's also unfortunate that it is one of the few that can be cut - and therefore it, along with education (also unprotected) often bears scars from the budget knife.

Voters did loosen the restraints a bit last year, however, when they opted to give the governor and Legislature authority to cut those formerly untouchable funds - but by no more than 5 percent. That should help spread the cuts out a bit in the future.

That measure was a good start to what the state needs to do - which is overhaul the entire system. A constitutional convention is sorely needed to restructure the budget, remove dedications from most (if not all) of the funds and establish a more stable economic base in Louisiana.

Until that occurs, we can only anticipate more dread each year when state-funded departments wait on pins and needles to see how their budgets will be affected by declining revenues and lawmakers' ever-shifting priorities.