Louisiana cash goes to the dogs, cows, goats, and lawnmower racesLouisiana will spend $45 million on sports and livestock facilities and other new projects in spite of a looming deficit, frustrating some officials who say the frivolity reinforces the state's history of political patronage.
"We're in Washington with our hands out asking for $2 billion plus, and rather than holding on to the money to see what the needs are, they're spending it on local projects financing goat shows and lawn-mower races," says state Sen. Robert Barham, Oak Ridge Republican.
Lawn-mower races?
Supporters of the $4 million Morehouse Parish Equine Center say it will give a much-needed boost to the economy.
Jimmy Christmas, center chairman, says it will be used for horse, cow, dog, goat and art shows; rodeos; auctions; crawfish festivals; lawn-mower races; religious functions; an animal shelter; and a community center.
Yep, lawn-mower races.
"I like a good goat roping as much as anyone, but come on," Mr. Barham said. "It's funny, but it's sad. At a time when Louisiana needs so much to enhance its public image, the taxpayers are just shaking their heads and wondering."
More goat rodeo fun by following the link including the state legislature working on a "bill that would allow lawmakers and their family members to obtain Federal Emergency Management Agency contracts." Off hand, I'd say Katrina wasn't a disaster, it was a pot-o-gold!
