State Representative, 94th Representative District - Runoff

"Jeb" Bruneau.  Nicholas J. "Nick" Lorusso - Winner.

"Jeb" Bruneau

NAME: James Emile "Jeb" Bruneau
CAMPAIGN WEB ADDRESS: http://www.jebbruneau.com
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR PUBLICATION:
Address: 145 Robert E. Lee Blvd., Suite 206, New Orleans, LA 70124-2585
Phone: 504-288-1200
FAX:
E-mail: jebbruneau@hotmail.com
PARTY AFFILIATION: Republican
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE AND POLITICAL ORGANIZATION MEMBERSHIPS: Republican Executive Committee (elected member-Vice Chairman for past 2 years); Greater New Orleans Republicans (active member and past President)
PROFESSION: Sales/Marketing Executive, Republic Beverage Company
PRESENT EMPLOYER/POSITION
Republic Beverage Company, Sales/Marketing Executive
HIGHEST LEVEL OF EDUCATION (include graduation date):
Louisiana State University (BA Political Science 1992)
Loyola University (Fellow of Institute of Politics approx. 1998)
APPLICABLE TRAINING:
Legislative aide to the late Sen. John Hainkel
CIVIC EXPERIENCE:
Young Leadership Council; Alliance for Good Government;
Lakeview Civic Improvement Association (Board Member/past President - 2005/2006)

1. What are your top three priorities for this office?
Recovery & Rebuilding Dist. 94
Reform of the LRA
Insurance Reform

2. What will you do to implement your priorities?
Pressure federal & state government for category 5 levee protection and demand an independent analysis of the work the Corp of Engineers is doing regarding flood and levee protection.
Reforming the LRA by specifically auditing ICF and insuring that pre-disaster property values take precedent over post-disaster values.
Propose legislation to abolish the Insurance Rating Commission. Promote incentives to make it more desirable for insurance companies to do business in the state rather than leaving citizens with little or no alternatives.

3. What kind of legislation would you propose to promote economic recovery in the 94th District?
I believe that tax incentives should be created for special areas within the district that were devastated as a result of Hurricanes Katrina. I support a plan that would revitalize the Harrison Avenue, Robert E. Lee Blvd., Paris Avenue, UNO area, and the City Park/Mid-City/Bayou St. John business corridor.

I intend to introduce legislation to provide for "insurance savings accounts" for both businesses and individuals so that amounts placed in a savings account, devoted to be used to pay property and casualty insurance, can grow tax free. The Stelley Plan should be repealed in its entirety since it has extracted money from the private sector to provide an increased amount of funding on the state level that in all probability will continue to be used for wasteful "pork" in special interest projects rather than well planned and needed capital outlay. In summation, the capitalist system works. Arduous governmental regulation and high taxes impede rather than increase economic development. My general philosophy is that less governmental interference in business, lower taxes and abolition of unnecessary rules and regulations that impede business provide a climate that encourages economic development., and I intend to vote that way.

Nicholas J. "Nick" Lorusso - Winner

NAME: Nicholas Joseph Lorusso
CAMPAIGN WEB ADDRESS: http://www.nicklorusso.com
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR PUBLICATION:
Address: P.O. Box 13683, New Orleans, LA 70185
Phone: 504-722-1047
FAX:
Email: nick@nicklorusso.com
PARTY AFFILIATION: Republican
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE AND POLITICAL ORGANIZATION MEMBERSHIPS:
Candidate for New Orleans City Council 2000
Former Member of Alliance for Good Government, Executive Session
PROFESSION:
Attorney
U.S. Army Reserves, Judge Advocate General's Corps
PRESENT EMPLOYER/POSITION (if self-employed, what type of business)
Johnson, Johnson, Barrios and Yacoubian law firm
HIGHEST LEVEL OF EDUCATION (include graduation date):
Graduate of LSU Law School, 1992
APPLICABLE TRAINING:
Military and legal background; political experience; civic involvement
CIVIC EXPERIENCE:
Founder, St. Pius X Men's Club wrestling program
Coach, St. Pius X Men's Club sports program
Coach, Lakeview Playground
Member, Lake Vista Property Owners Association, Employer Support of the Guard, St. Pius X Men's Club, Mayor's Military Advisory Committee, Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion
Hosted Fundraisers and served as guest lecturer for National World War II Museum

1. What are your top three priorities for this office?
Levee Reconstruction and Flood Protection--Our district needs a representative who will closely monitor the work of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and make sure this area is adequately protected from floods and hurricanes. For too long, flood protection has been neglected in favor of political shenanigans; Nick will make it one of his top priorities.

Crime--Since Katrina, the increase in crime has been unacceptable. District 94 needs additional police presence from both the NOPD and the State Police. Our citizens are afraid to walk the streets of the district and it is time that our State Representative took action on this serious problem. Without public safety, our district and our city will never be able to attract new citizens and businesses.

Affordable Insurance--We need more options for the consumers. Insurance companies continue to leave the state, leading to higher rates for long suffering policy holders. We need to make Louisiana more competitive, give consumers more choice so that businesses and homeowners can stay in Louisiana.

2. What will you do to implement your priorities?
Represent the distr! ict as an independent voice for reform. It is time to end the good old boy, politics as usual system in Louisiana. Political dynasties are not good for Louisiana or District 94. Therefore, it is time for a change, for a fresh face that can represent the district with vigor and offer new solutions to our longstanding problems.

3. What kind of legislation would you propose to promote economic recovery in the 94th District?
I will introduce legislation to eliminate the following taxes which have caused economic harm to the people of District 94:

Stelly Tax Plan that has increased the income tax load on District 94 citizens
Corporate Franchise Tax
Corporate Income Tax
State Sales Tax on Business Equipment Purchases
State 3.8% Tax on Business Utilities
Reduce State Sales Tax to 2 cents

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