State and Local Reporter - 10/05/2007 (Plain Text Version)

Thomas Woods, Chair
Independence, Missouri

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In this issue:
Register for SLGA Conference Online Until Oct. 14
Austin Mayor Will Wynn to address NAHB’s Annual State & Local Government Affairs Conference
Why Vote in November? To Protect Your Business
Governors Say States Stressed by Absence of Unifom Immigration Policy
NAHB Member Resources Available on Immigration Law
NAHB promotes Green Building Standards Among Local Associations
Election Update: Kentucky, Louisianna, Mississippi, New Jersey, Virginia
Build PAC Introduces Peer to Peer Initiative
Congress Tackles States' Agenda
State of Maryland Calls for Licensure of Builder Sales Agents
NAHB's BuilderLink Update: In-District Congressional Visits
Community Service Award Entries Due by Nov. 12

Election Update: Kentucky, Louisianna, Mississippi, New Jersey, Virginia

Kentucky will hold a general election on Nov. 6. The offices of Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General are among the offices up for election. No legislative offices or ballot initiatives will be considered.

Incumbent Gov. Ernie Fletcher (R) is trailing challenger Steve Beshear (D) by a significant margin in the polls.

Incumbent Lieutenant Governor Steve Pence (R) is not seeking reelection. Executive Cabinet Secretary Robbie Rudolph (R) is running on Gov. Fletcher's ticket. State Senator Dan Mongiardo (D) is running with Beshear.

Incumbent Attorney General Greg Stumbo (D) lost the primary for Lieutenant Gov. and will not be seeking reelection to his current post. The candidates for the open seat are former Deputy State Cabinet Secretary Jack Conway (D) and State House Minority Whip Stan Lee (R). The Lexington Herald-Leader poll shows Jack Conway (D) leading Stan Lee (R) 43% to 26% — with 31% still undecided.

Louisiana holds their open primary elections Oct. 20. Statewide elections in Louisiana follows an election system whereby all candidates are listed on one ballot. Unless one candidate takes more than 50% of the vote in the first round Oct. 20 election, a run-off election will be held Nov. 17 between the top two candidates, regardless of party.

Among the statewide elected offices up for election are Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General. In addition, all 39 State Senate seats and 105 seats in the State House of Representatives are up for election.

Incumbent Gov. Kathleen Blanco (D) announced in March that she would not seek reelection. A total of thirteen candidates have qualified for the primary ballot for the gubernatorial election. The most notable candidates include former New Orleans Port Authority Chairman and former Republican State Senator Walter Boasso (D), Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell (D), 1st District U.S. Rep. Bobby Jindal (R) and businessman John Georges (I). Boasso and Rep. Jindal have polled as the two major candidates the entire campaign. However, strategists from both parties have stated that a runoff is still very possible, despite the poll numbers.

In the Lieutenant Governor's race, incumbent Lieutenant Gov. Mitch Landrieu (D) will face State Rep. Gary Beard (R) and country music singer Sammy Kershaw (R). Running for the office of Attorney General are incumbent Attorney General Charles Foti (D), District Attorney James "Buddy" Caldwell (D) and attorney Royal Alexander (R).

In the State Legislature, Democrats control the State Senate 25 seats to 14 seats and the State House 60 seats to 43 seats, with 1 Independent and 1 vacancy. Fifteen State Senators and 44 State Representatives have reached their term limits and will not be eligible to run for reelection for their seats in their respective chambers.

Mississippi will hold a General Election Nov. 6 for major statewide constitutional offices and all seats of the State Legislature. In the Governor's race, challenger John Arthur Eaves Jr. (D) will face an uphill battle to unseat incumbent Gov. Haley Barbour (R).

Incumbent Lieutenant Gov. Amy Tuck (R) is retiring in 2007. Candidates for the open seat are State Auditor Phil Bryant (R) and State Representative Jamie Franks (D), both of whom won their primaries with little opposition. Incumbent Attorney General Jim Hood (D) faces Al Hopkins (R).

All seats in both chambers of the State Legislature (52 seats in the State Senate and 122 seats in the State House of Representatives) are up for election. The Democrats currently control the House by with a split of 76-46. The Senate is currently tied with 26 Republican seats and 26 Democratic seats, but the Republicans have a majority with the Republican Lieutenant Governor's tie-breaking vote.

The major issues that are shaping the gubernatorial and legislative elections are the grocery tax, cigarette tax, health care and the economy. The grocery tax and cigarette tax are hot button issues because Mississippi has the highest tax rate for basic food items.

New Jersey will hold a General Election Nov. 6. All 120 seats in the State Legislature, which includes 80 seats in the State Assembly and 40 seats in the State Senate, are up for election.

The Democratic Party holds the majority in both chambers, and though Republicans are not expected to secure the required additional 11 seats in the Assembly to alter the partisan balance, sources indicate that they may be able to pick up the three seats necessary to take the Senate.

Voters will also have the opportunity to vote on a ballot initiative that would dedicate all money generated from last year's 1% sales tax increase towards property tax relief.

Virginia will hold a General Election Nov. 6. All 40 State Senators and 100 members of the House of Delegates are up for election. Republicans currently control both chambers of the General Assembly; however, strategists believe that Democrats have a good chance to overtake the Senate and to pick up at least three seats in the House of Delegates.

Democrats need to gain four seats to take the Senate and 11 to take the House.

For more information, contact Alex Strong at 800-368-5242 x8279.