LA; The Next Generation

August 29, 2005 changed Louisiana forever. Katrina showed us the devastating results of complacency. All levels of government from Parish to the Federal Government were taxed to the fullest extent and they were not up to the task. We've learned a valuable lesson, a lesson that we can build on.

We must now look forward. Where does Louisiana go from here? Largely that depends on you and me, the voters of Louisiana. We can make a change for a more positive future for Louisiana.

The following is my plan for the advancement of Louisiana. My plan is government working for the people. As Governor I would hold everyone including myself accountable for their actions. If someone is not meeting expectations, it will need to be brought to light. Government has to work for the people. I promise to bring a new approach to Baton Rouge. I will work hard to earn the respect of the people in this state. There's a quote from one of the greatest presidents this country has ever had, Franklin Roosevelt. "There isn't a day that passes that I don't forget that I live in a house bought and paid for by the American people." The citizens of Louisiana deserve that the man in the Governor's Mansion is fighting for them

Path Forward

First thing we have to ask ourselves does the current governmental
philosophy coincide with our belief on the way a state government should
operate. The first article of the Louisiana Constitution of 1974 states;

ARTICLE I. DECLARATION OF RIGHTS

§1. Origin and Purpose of Government

Section 1. All government, of right, originates with the people, is
founded on their will alone, and is instituted to protect the rights of
the individual and for the good of the whole. Its only legitimate ends are
to secure justice for all, preserve peace, protect the rights, and promote
the happiness and general welfare of the people. The rights enumerated in
this Article are inalienable by the state and shall be preserved inviolate
by the state.

This means that as Governor, I will be there to serve and protect you, the
people of this state. Not to be an instrument of enrichment for the few.
Furthermore, I believe as did one of our great Presidents, Thomas
Jefferson that the government that governs best, governs least. For as
much as possible government should stay out of the lives of our citizens,
existing only to protect and to serve.

Changing the Image of the State:

We have to change the way others view us. I believe the way to do this is
with a
Tough, new approach. The sins of past administrations continue to haunt us
It will take a great effort but a fresh start with new leadership and
innovative
ideas will demonstrate we're serious in our convictions. With consistent
management we can change the image that plagues us and gain the respect
Louisiana deserves.

State Government - As Governor my main goal will be focused on the
advancement of the state and its citizens. I will work
hard to change the culture that exists in state
government. I believe there are many State Reps and
State Senators that want a change in philosophy but need
a leader to lead the way. I will push bipartism, Louisiana
now more than ever needs all it's elected officials pulling on
the same side of the rope. Right now our problems outweigh party politics .

Political Appointments- I believe that to be successful you have to surround
yourself with the best people. People that are qualified,
strive for excellence, and are willing to accept
the philosophy that government should serve the
people will be appointed. Political appointments made by
the Governor would be a reflection on myself. I would be
directly responsible. Therefore I will appoint and hold
accountable all that serve.

Fiscal Responsibility- As Governor it is my responsibility to submit an
operating
budget and a capital budget to the legislature. I feel this task
will requires a third party accounting firm working with our
accountants to ensure the budget's are accurate with minimal
waste. This will enhance our ability to attract new businesses
and investors to help build a strong economy. We have to
make Louisiana a level playing field when it comes to our
finances and our approach to business and enterprise.

Education - Although we've shown some minor improvement over the last couple
of years, Louisiana Public Schools continue to be ranked in the bottom
ten percent. This is a major challenge for Louisiana. We must pay
educators fairly. We must bring their salaries up to the national
average. Our teachers are educating our children and aligning
them for the future. I will work with the Legislature to find aid and
funding. However this will not come without expectations. Educators
will be accountable for the product they turn out. As Governor I
will lead a delegation to visit top performing states. We will develop a
program that we can effectively implement their philosophies with
ours. Improving our schools and education system will benefit
the children and will signal to the rest of the country that we can
and will make a difference. New industry is vital to improving our
educational standards and will open new business opportunities
for Louisiana and give our kids a chance to stay here in Louisiana.
I will make it clear to the BESE Board that the Louisiana schools
being continually ranked in the bottom ten percent year after year
is unacceptable. If it was up to me the BESE Board would be eliminated
however the Governor does not have that power alone. They'll have a
choice, either to fall in line and embrace a new philosophy, or tender
their resignations. The children today are the adults of tomorrow. I
wont allow our futures to be jepordized.

Economic Development

Changing the way we are perceived here in Louisiana will open new
horizons. New industries are vital to our citizens and the economy.
Our colleges and universities are producing high tech scholars and must
provide
jobs here for them. I see this state as needing three distinct economic
regions.
We have the northern region Alexandria north from Shreveport to Monroe,
southwest region, south of Alexandria from Baton Rouge to Lake Charles, and
the southeast region Baton Rouge to New Orleans metropolitan area south to
Grand Isle. Each region has its own specific needs and challenges. I will
assemble a team. This team consisting of Real Estate professionals and
business
developers from each region. Each individual team will meet four times a year
and develop a consensus of needs for their region. Twice a year I will
meet with
two representatives from each team to discuss the issues and opportunities to
develop a path forward.

Initial steps- As your Governor, I can visualize us accomplishing the
following
together. Levee Protection for Southeast Louisiana. We must to protect
our state from future disasters. The Port of New Orleans, the
refineries, the tourism industry, and the service industries are all great
assets to the state. CATEGORY FIVE PROTECTION IS A
MUST. As Governor I will work with local parish government and
the Army Corp of Engineers to achieve this. We must provide business a
safe and secure atmosphere for their companies and employees.

Northern Louisiana is primed for expansion. As Governor I will work
diligently to bring new businesses to the region. Dallas is continuing to
be a boomtown. I feel we can attract some of their business to Louisiana!
Working with the team of assembled professionals we will produce a
sells pitch that prospects will not refuse. We're going to bring new jobs
home to Louisiana.

Southern Louisiana, bears the same possibility of fate New Orleans
encountered. As Governor I will work closely with the Federal
Government on coastal restoration and maintenance. Fixing the damage
is not enough. We have to maintain the repairs to preserve our wetlands.
We have to make businesses old and new, feel assured that when a storm
hits the gulf their investments will be safe.

Central Louisiana I have a unique plan! Working with energy, oil and
gas, Louisiana Colleges and Universities we will build a pilot plant
for the development of synthetic or alternative fuels. Utilizing the greatest
minds in Louisiana and the strongest industries in the world in quest for
energy independence will put Louisiana in the forefront! Being
that this progressive idea originated in Louisiana we will ensure that the
lion share of tax revenue generated will stay in Louisiana. We will be the
negotiators!

The opportunities are endless here in Louisiana! As your Governor I will
work hard to keep the jobs we have and to attract new businesses here.

Tax Code Reform- Depending on which side of the fence you're standing on the
view of our tax code varies. My main concern of the Stelly
Plan is that all Louisianan's are not taxed equally. We all receive the
same services and taxed at different rates. My feeling is that
the percentage should be broadened and lowered to benefit
all citizens. Eliminate State Tax Filing, payroll taxes to be in the
amount specified in bracket. No exemptions.

Personal income tax on a broad base- Under 10K 1.5% 10.001k to 150K 1.75%,
150.001K on up 2.00%

Good state tax systems levy low, flat rates on the broadest bases
possible, and they treat all taxpayers the same. Variation in the tax
treatment of different industries favors one economic activity or decision
over another. The more riddled a tax system is with these politically
motivated preferences the less likely it is that business decisions will
be made in response to market forces

Tax relief for the elderly. On my Progressive Vision for Louisiana I
outline a plan to relieve the tax burden on the elderly. These people
carried us when we were young, let's return the favor.

The Battle against crime

Crime in our state is on the rise. Our Law Enforcement Officiers are doing
all they can to curb this unwelcomed statistic. Illegal drugs threaten the
futures and lives of our young adults and teenagers. I look at this as
direct threat to the well being of our state and it's citizens. As
Governor of Louisiana I will declare war against illegal drugs, it's
distributors, and it's users. Our law enforcement officers in Louisiana
need to be paid like our lives depend upon it. I will work endlessly until
I get a better salary for these men and women. We also need to arm them
with the tools to combat these criminals. If we need more prison space we
will build it. We need to let these criminals know Louisiana has only one
place for them, Angola State Penitentiary. I would ask that every citizen
join me in this effort. Ask yourself, how much would it take for me to
chase down a crimnal, how much to be shot at! I think each and everyone of
us would name a price higher than what these men and women receive.

We cannot forget our firefighters and first reponders. I have had the
unauspicious experience of fighting a fire. It's no fun, the hoses are
heavy and the fire is HOT. Hollywood does not do the firefighters justice.
Here too I work will endlessly to get these me ans women a better salary.
Our lives depend on these people in an emrgency situation. Let's pay them
accordingly. Here too I would ask that every citizen get involved and join
me in this effort. Ask yourself how much it would take for you to go into
a burning building and save someone you don't even know.

Government Effectiveness

Louisiana employs around eighty-thousand people. Biggest employer of the
state! The effectiveness of government should not be measured by its size
but the quality of services it provides.
Two key items here I want to eliminate, WASTE and BEAURACY! As a taxpayer
you deserve to have your tax dollars spent wisely. The money collected in
the State Coiffeurs is your money. My job is to make sure it is spent
wisely with zero to minimum waste! Downsizing of state government has been
talked about and one day may be a reality. I feel the fairest way to
downsize is by attrition. Many of our state employees have invested a good
deal of their life working for Louisiana. I promise to protect that
investment. A state employee meeting the required expectations of their
job duties will have a job as long as they continue to do so.
People need to be empowered to do a good job. Nobody wakes up in the
morning planning on doing a bad job! Employees everywhere need to feel
valued and appreciated for the service they provide. Empowered to make
decisions and take ownership of their service. Beauracy slows down state
services. I will work hard to eliminate the bottlenecks to speed up
services. I will encourage and demand cooperation between departments. The
citizens of Louisiana are our customers and we aim to please.

The Environment

My training and related work experiences in the oil industry have made me
very sensitive to our environmental needs.
Each industry in the state a list of chemicals or toxins that can be
harmful to humans and or the surrounding environment. The Federal
Government and State Government have set tight guidelines for these
industries to operate in.
There will be ZERO tolerance for the willful violations of these
guidelines. The safety of our citizen's and environment will run high on
my list.

The political ways of the past have taken a toll on Louisiana.
Unfortunately in light of all the confusion it continues today.
I have had the opportunity to meet many of our State Senators and State
Legislatures. There are some ready for a change. They need to know that
the person in the Governor's office is up to the task of leading the way.
The time for change is now. We can't afford to wait another four years. We
have to look at politics a little differently. We have to accept where we
are and how we got here.
Only you have the power to point Louisiana in another direction.
It's time to start over! A new beginning, Louisiana; The Next Generation!

Anthony "Tony G" Gentile for Governor

"You deserve to have the man living in the Governor's mansion fighting for
you!"