Joseph Cao: Health Care's LONE Republican Supporter Is Rep. Anh "Joseph" Cao

One Republican lawmaker out of 177 crossed party lines to support the health care reform legislation offered by Democrats.

Rep. Anh “Joseph” Cao, the Louisiana Republican who hails from a decidedly Democratic New Orleans district, voted yea on the final passage of legislation. He joined 219 Democrats to make the final margin 220 to 215 in favor of reform’s passage.

Cao was a major (and possibly the lone) target for Democrats hoping to get even a semblance of bipartisan support for the bill. He said after the vote that he had obtained a “commitment from President Obama that he and I will work together to address the critical health care issues of Louisiana.”

In the past, Cao has been touted by House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) as “the future” of the GOP. Republicans clearly went the distance to keep him in the fold for the health care vote. House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.), who promised protesters at a Tea Party rally this week that “not one Republican will vote for this bill,” was standing beside Cao as the historic vote unfolded.

After the vote, Cao put out a long statement explaining his vote and emphasizing the fact that he also voted in favor of a key anti-abortion amendment, presumably to try to stave off the heavy incoming attacks from conservative activists.

Of his vote, Cao said: “Tonight, I voted to keep taxpayer dollars from funding abortion and to deliver access to affordable health care to the people of Louisiana.

Cao said: “I read the versions of the House [health reform] bill. I listened to the countless stories of Orleans and Jefferson Parish citizens whose health care costs are exploding - if they are able to obtain health care at all. Louisianans needs real options for primary care, for mental health care, and for expanded health care for seniors and children. […]

Cao said: “Today, I obtained a commitment from President Obama that he and I will work together to address the critical health care issues of Louisiana including the FMAP crisis and community disaster loan forgiveness, as well as issues related to Charity and Methodist Hospitals. And, I call on my constituents to support me as I work with him on these issues.

Cao said: “I have always said that I would put aside partisan wrangling to do the business of the people. My vote tonight was based on my priority of doing what is best for my constituents.

Ex-New Orleans tech chief, wife, vendor indicted

A federal grand jury on Friday indicted former New Orleans technology chief Greg Meffert, his wife and a one-time city vendor in an alleged kickback scheme involving contracts for the city’s crime surveillance program.

The indictments against Meffert, 44; his wife, Linda Meffert, 42; and businessman Mark St. Pierre, 46 include charges of bribery, money laundering conspiracy, wire fraud and conspiracy. The Mefferts also are charged with filing false tax returns and making a false statement to investigators.

The 63-count indictment came four days after a civil jury found Greg Meffert and companies owned by St. Pierre conspired with Dell Inc. to unfairly compete in the video surveillance business with two companies that once worked on the crime camera program. The jury also found Meffert and Imagine Software, a St. Pierre company that helped run the technology office and manage the camera program, interfered with the city contract the companies worked under.

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Acorn Offices in New Orleans Are Raided

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — State investigators raided Acorn’s offices here on Friday, taking hard drives and documents in an investigation into accusations of embezzlement and tax fraud when the group’s national headquarters was in New Orleans.

“This is an investigation of everything — Acorn, the national organization, the local organization and all of its affiliated entities,” said David Caldwell, an assistant attorney general.

A lawyer for Acorn said in a statement that the raid was prompted by accusations that former Acorn employees had removed or altered electronic documents and might do so in the future.

The lawyer, Pamela Marple, said investigators wanted “virtually every document in the possession of Acorn and any related entity.”

NYTimes

Rapper B.G. Arrested On Gun Charge In New Orleans

New Orleans rapper B.G., known mostly as a member of platinum hip-hop group the Hot Boys, was arrested on Tuesday evening (November 3) on a felony gun charge.

According to The Times-Picayune, the 29-year-old rapper (real name: Christopher Dorsey) was pulled over by New Orleans police for a routine traffic stop, while riding in a late-model Chevrolet Tahoe, but when police discovered three guns, two of which were reported stolen, he arrested the rapper, along with two others.

Loaded magazines and two extended magazine clips were also recovered.

B.G. was booked on an illegal carrying of weapons charge, same with one other individual, while the final person was hit with multiple drug charges two counts of illegal possession of stolen firearms, and a count of illegal carrying of a weapon.

He appeared in court on Thursday (November 5). However, his incarceration and bond information were unknown at press time.

B.G.’s camp has yet to comment on the arrest.

Ballerstatus.com

At Juneau penthouse. City hall support event. Great view of the city. Nice interiors. Exotic animals