I am disappointed in the actions of the governor and select legislators of our state! I am a parent of a child with Special Needs and work in the social services field.  We are behind other states in serving the special needs population.  Even with the pro-activity of our parents and supporters, the state administration still feels the need to make significant cuts to vital services of the disabled and elderly. I see no "light at the end of the tunnel”. Do you?!  If I sound harsh, it's only because the needs of our special needs population are legitimate and valid and they are not being met! It seems that most of our legislators have our best interest at heart (they have proven this already...thanks to Nick Gautreaux, Mike Michot and countless others), however the facts speak for themselves that our state administration still feels compelled to shell out money for closed facilities and pay a fortune for the care of a few while thousands of other people with real needs have to suffer on the sidelines. It appears that there are legislators who own many of these closed facilities who use their position to pass laws protecting the existance of these facilities and ensuring them monetary security.  What about the issue of hurricane evacuation shelters for the disabled, not chronic, medically needy, but people who use wheelchairs, children with autism, adults with mental illness, etc. Other states provide facilities for these populations in times of crisis, why don't we? I spoke to someone at the Governor's office of emergency preparedness who assured me that there was a plan in place to help house these people and then I was referred to the individual parishes. When I contacted the officials at the parish level, I was told that there was nothing in place. Now, what happens when we are sitting in front of our TV screens tomorrow and see a hurricane headed our way? "Save your money for a hotel" the state officials tell me. What about people who live on fixed incomes and can't afford a hotel room (even if they can be found)? What about hotels that are accessible (they are virtually non-existent), should our people have to forgo personal hygiene for the duration of the crisis? What about the profound price gouging that takes place at these hotels? We are not asking for handouts or charity, people! We just think that we are people too and just because we have different needs doesn't mean that we should be penalized. I am sure that the team members of New Orleans Saints find proper housing in times of a hurricane crisis...why…. most of the players don't even reside in Louisiana, much less remain in this state when a hurricane is approaching! However, the state certainly validates pouring money into keeping them here. I support the team as much as anyone else does, however, my daughter's safety is more important than maintaining a "Box" at the superdome! When will this insanity end?! I assume I have “burned my bridges” by posting my feelings, however, I would not be able to sleep at night if I knew that I wasn't doing all that could to possibly change this injustice! All of this "bantering" seems to fall on deaf ears! If I have said it once, I've said it a thousand times, there should be a pre-requisite to holding public office: that anyone serving the public, should have a person with special needs in their immediate family. Then and only then would people find the empathy and compassion needed to address these issues! ~     There, I've had my say!   Lori Foreman

Louisiana Politics as Usual!