By Ed Anderson @ Times-Picayune

BATON ROUGE — House members Friday began the months-long process of filing the proposals that could become new laws, including one by a New Orleans legislator that would allow individuals on probation or parole to pay their fees with credit or debit cards.

House Clerk Alfred “Butch” Speer said the first seven bills — House Bills 4 through 10 — were filed late Friday. The first three bill numbers are reserved for legislation dealing with the state’s operating and capital construction budgets, but they will not be filed for months.

The session opens at noon March 29 and must end June 21 by 6 p.m. The deadline to file bills in advance of the session is March 19. After that, legislators can file no more than five bills each before April 20 at 6 p.m.

• By MICHELLE MILLHOLLON @ The Advocate Capitol News Bureau

The program was aimed at delinquent taxpayers, but most of the collections were derived from negotiations over tax audits. Half the interest owed was waived if state taxpayers settled their accounts in full.

Part of the money will be used to help restore Louisiana’s coastline. Another $86 million will replenish the state’s “rainy day” fund. The governor wants to spend the rest of the money on health care, which is facing a huge budget shortfall.

• By MICHELLE MILLHOLLON @ The Advocate Capitol News Bureau

Gov. Bobby Jindal told business leaders Tuesday that colleges should have more control over tuition and fees.

Jindal’s comments at the Baton Rouge Business Report’s Power Breakfast echo a recommendation by the Louisiana Postsecondary Education Review Commission that could lead to a 25 percent tuition increase at LSU.

However, it is unclear exactly what the governor is pushing. He didn’t offer specifics during his speech and exited the Crowne Plaza Hotel without talking to news reporters. His office declined to provide much clarity later in the day.

The governor’s press secretary, Kyle Plotkin, said Jindal plans to offer a proposal that is consistent with the commission’s recommendation but goes further.

• By MARSHA SHULER @ Advocate Capitol News Bureau for The Advocate

Gov. Bobby Jindal is “leaning strongly” toward proposing a constitutional amendment that would scrap the job of lieutenant governor, the governor’s top aide said Tuesday.

Chief of Staff Timmy Teepell said the proposal — which would require a two-thirds vote of the Legislative and voter approval — would move the state’s second in command to the secretary of state.

Responsibilities of the office such as culture, recreation and tourism would be spread around various agencies, Teepell said.

The proposition could go to voters this fall at the same time there could be a special election to fill the remainder of the lieutenant governor’s term. The term ends in January 2012.

Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu, a Democrat, is running for mayor of New Orleans. The behind-the-scenes political jockeying over who would succeed Landrieu, should he win, has been described as intense.

With a Landrieu win, Jindal would nominate — subject to legislative confirmation — a temporary successor who would serve until someone is elected in the fall.

Teepell said the governor will likely appoint someone who would not run for the seat.

“That way everyone running would get a fair shot,” Teepell said. “We have not looked at anyone in particular. Obviously, a lot of people have called and wanted to talk about it.”

The potential vacancy in the No. 2 job — considered a heartbeat away from the governor’s office — is creating interest in a variety of political camps.

• By WILL SENTELL @ The Advocate Capitol News Bureau

Major changes for some public schoolteachers could begin later this year and be operating in East Baton Rouge Parish and 27 other districts by 2012, state officials said Monday.

The new rules would include:

• Linking teacher pay, promotion and retention to student performance.
• Requiring ineffective teachers to get professional assistance, or face removal if they fail to improve.
• Posting data for taxpayers that spells out the effectiveness of teachers and principals.

Other changes included in the state’s plan would:

• Hold principals accountable for student achievement through performance-based contracts.
• Offer stipends to effective teachers and those willing to work in high-need schools or areas of the state.
• Improve the process for hiring top-flight teachers.

All the changes are included in Louisiana’s bid, released on Monday, for $314 million in federal prize money.

The contest is called Race to the Top. Louisiana is considered one of the favorites.

Linking teacher pay to student achievement has been a key, controversial part of the state’s application for weeks.

However, the application shows teacher pay is just part of a sweeping overhaul of both teacher and principal practices.

Both are considered keys to improving student achievement, which is among the lowest in the nation.