© 2005 Eddie Lambert.
Paid for by the
Eddie Lambert Campaign.
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Lambert Releases Statement on The Baton Rouge Loop Proposal Opposes Location in East Ascension Parish March 18, 2008--State Representative Eddie Lambert released the following statement regarding the proposals regarding the Baton Rouge Loop: "I am not in favor of the Baton Rouge loop running through the East Bank of Ascension Parish as it has been proposed. I have stated publicly from the inception of the proposed loop that traffic should be diverted off I-10 in Port Allen down the west bank of the Mississippi River to the Sunshine Bridge. We should convert La. Hwy 1 into an interstate with limited access to service roads. La. 1 is currently a four lane highway with the exception of approximately 10 miles between White Castle and Donaldsonville. The diversion of the traffic down the West Bank would help alleviate traffic into Baton Rouge without building another Mississippi River bridge. The loop that is being proposed would only shift the traffic on the east bank from one area to another without alleviating congestion. For less than half of the cost of the proposed loop we could expand I-10 and I-12 to 3-4 lanes, add capacity lanes to Airline Highway, four lane La. Highway 30, four lane La. Highway 42, and extend La. Highway 44 north to I-12. Furthermore, it is my understanding that the public-private partnerships that this plan is modeled after would more than likely contain a "no-compete" clause, which would mean the state could not build any capacity roads that would compete with the loop."
Lambert Named to Important Committee Posts in House March 1, 2008--State Rep. Eddie Lambert of Prairieville has been named by House Speaker Jim Tucker to be the Vice Chairman of the powerful House Committee on Appropriations. The Appropriations Committee is responsible for writing the state's annual $30 billion budget. Seats on the Appropriations Committee are among the most sought-after committee assignments in the House. Additionally, Lambert was named Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Education, which is responsible for reviewing the budgets and conducting oversight over all levels of education in Louisiana, including higher education and the Louisiana State University System. Lambert was also named Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Louisiana Homeland Security. His other committee assignments include the House Committee on Natural Resources and the Environment; the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget; and the Joint Legislative Committee on Homeland Security. Lambert remains a member of the Republican Caucus, the Louisiana Legislative Delegation from Acadiana, and the Rural Caucus.
Eddie Lambert Re-elected Without Opposition to 2nd Term Named to House Orientation Committee August 10, 2007--After the close of qualifying for the 2007 elections, State Rep. Eddie Lambert was re-elected to a second term representing House District 59 without opposition. Lambert will be sworn in for his second term in the House of Representatives on January 14, 2008. Lambert has been appointed by outgoing House Speaker Joe R. Salter to serve on the Special Committee on Term Limits, which is to prepare the House of Representatives and its new freshmen members for the onset of term limits that were approved by voters by referendum in 1995. When the new Legislature is sworn in on January 14, more than half of the members of the House will be freshmen. Lambert has been asked to help organize the House's Orientation Program for its large freshmen class. Rep. Lambert's Top Piece of Legislation signed by the Governor Bill would designate more money for non-federal & rural roads July 13, 2006--House bill 728 by Rep. Lambert establishes a special fund in the state treasury, the State Highway Improvement Fund, which will initially collect a portion of all truck and trailer registration license fees and taxes. The monies in the fund will be used exclusively to finance improvements to state highways that are ineligible for federal money. Roads that are ineligible for federal matching funds are frequently given the lowest priority by DOTD for improvements. "This bill is the first step in adequately funding our highways, which are instrumental in economic development. Better upkeep of our roads reduces wear and tear on vehicles and improves our quality of life," Lambert said. "It's incredible that this money wasn't going to roads. This bill is long overdue," Lambert said. Lambert's bill will help bring more attention and funding for non-federal and rural roads. The bill’s requirement to designate all truck and trailer registration fees in the special fund will be phased in over four years. Beginning in Fiscal Year 2007-2008, 25% of all fees will be deposited in the fund; 50% in Fiscal Year 2008-2009; 75% in Fiscal Year 2009-2010; and finally, 100% of all fees are to be deposited in the fund by Fiscal Year 2010-2011. The Legislative Fiscal Office projects that in Fiscal Year 2007-2008, $10.3 million will be deposited in the fund; that amount is projected to rise to $21.2 million in Fiscal Year - 2008-2009; $32.5 million in Fiscal Year 2009-2010; and $44.3 million in Fiscal Year 2010-2011. Over a five year period, Lambert’s legislation will set aside $108.3 million for non-federal road improvements. Rep. Lambert appointed to special committee House special committee to prepare for 2008 transition June 15, 2006--Rep. Eddie Lambert has been appointed to the Special Committee on 2008 House of Representatives by House Speaker Joe R. Salter. The special committee's job is to review the magnitude of changes facing the House of Representatives following the implementation of term limits in the 2007 election cycle. More than half of the members of the Louisiana House of Representatives will be barred from seeking another term in 2007. The committee is to make recommendations to the Speaker and to the House in order to secure an orderly and educated transition in 2008. The special committee is to be co-chaired by Democratic Representative Don Cazayoux and Republican Representative Jim Tucker. Eight other members of the House will serve with Rep. Lambert on the special committee.
Rep. Lambert & Legislators Kick off 2006 Session Rep. Lambert has several bills to provide more highway money Rep. Lambert Opposes Changes to TOPS Program March 31, 2006--Rep. Eddie Lambert has filed several pieces of proposed legislation in the 2006 Regular Legislative Session, including bills to secure more funding for highway and road projects, bills to reduce government expenditures on printed publications, and a bill to require separate pieces of legislation for the different branches and major departments of government. All of Rep. Lambert's proposed bills can be views by clicking on the "Legislative" button on the top of the page or by clicking here. "My top priority is to secure more money for road projects in Ascension Parish and to protect and direct revenues streams within the budget to road projects," Rep. Lambert said. "I have proposed legislation that would direct extra money from the state's Rainy Day Fund into a new fund, the Highway Improvement Program Fund, which would increase the amount of money we spend improving our roads," Lambert commented. Additionally, Rep. Lambert has made protecting the TOPS Program a top priority, in addition to securing more money for roads projects. There is a bill in the current session that would make TOPS a loan program, rather than a scholarship program (Senate Bill 330) which Rep. Lambert opposes. "I am completely committed to protecting and fully funding the TOPS Program in this year's budget," Rep. Lambert said. "The TOPS Program has benefited many of Louisiana's brightest students, keeping them in-state close to their families and friends. The program is a success and should not be drastically changed," Lambert continued.
Rep. Lambert authors law to quicken transportation projects House Bill 132 signed by the governor December 5, 2005--Rep. Eddie Lambert is pleased that House Bill 132, co-authored by Rep. Roy Quezaire and House Speaker Joe R. Salter has been signed by the governor and has taken effect. The bill authorizes the DOTD to use the "design-build" method for construction projects in areas that were affected by Hurricane Katrina and in parishes that have experienced population increases following Hurricane Katrina. The new "design-build" authorization should make reconstruction projects in parishes affected by Katrina easier and faster. In addition, in parishes like Ascension that have experienced increased population and traffic following the hurricane, the new "design-build" method would allow for quicker construction projects to increase road capacity and alleviate traffic congestion. Rep. Lambert receives high marks from business group November 20, 2005--Rep. Eddie Lambert has received high marks from the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) for voting to improve Louisiana's business economy and tax structure. Lambert voted with LABI 86% of the time during the 2005 Regular Legislative Session, and has compiled an 80% pro-business voting record in his two years of service in the Louisiana House of Representatives. La. Highway 939 Project Completed November 14, 2005--Rep. Eddie Lambert is pleased to announce the completion of work on La. Hwy 939, the intersection of Worthy Road and Airline Hwy. Work was also completed on the the Purpera Road Intersection.
Rep. Lambert announces Legislative Survey results May 26, 2005--Rep. Eddie Lambert announced the results of his Legislative Survey sent out to more than 11,000 households in District 59 this month. According to the Survey, 50% of respondents opposed new taxes to fund teacher pay raises, 46% supported new taxes, and 4% were undecided; 48% supported laws to prevent price cutting at gas stations, 44% opposed, and 8% were undecided; 92% supported a bill to dedicate trucking fees to road construction, 6% were opposed, and 2% were undecided; 66% would prefer to cut higher education funds over health care, and 25% chose health care over higher education, 9% were undecided. Click Here to See Rep. Lambert's Legislative Survey Rep. Lambert announces Highway Projects for District 59 District 59 slated to receive $9 million in highway money May 5, 2005--Gonzales, La.—Rep. Eddie Lambert (R-Gonzales) announced today that House District 59 in Ascension Parish would receive more than $9 million in highway funds for projects in the upcoming 2005-2006 Fiscal Year, as prioritized by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. "Still, this sum is not nearly enough money to meet our needs in Ascension parish," Rep. Lambert said. "I favor five-laning Hwy 44 to U.S. 61, and we will try to secure funding and support for that project in the future," Lambert added. The projects in the priority list announced today by Rep. Lambert include the overlay of La. Hwy 933 from La. 44 to La. 42 at a cost of $1,074,000; U.S. 61 from La. Hwy 42 to La. Hwy 74 for $3,000,000; signal improvements on La. Hwy 44 for $170,000; improvements on La. Hwy 427 from La. Hwy 73 to the East Baton Rouge Parish Line together with improvements to the Bluff Road intersection for $1,750,000; and interstate improvements at La. Hwy 621, La. Hwy 73, and Interstate 10 for $3,750,000, which are being planned in conjunction with the Metropolitan Planning Organization. Also, La. Hwy 74, which is in poor shape, is in the design and development phase and Rep. Lambert hopes to have the project funded for construction next fiscal year. Rep. Lambert said he was pleased with the allocation of highway funds for Ascension Parish in his first full year in office, but stated: “I will continue to push for capacity projects for the northern part of Ascension Parish. Ascension is one of the fastest growing parishes in the state and our infrastructure needs to be updated to keep pace with the increasing demands of our expanding population.” “I have been pushing for the three laning of Hwy 73 since my election and I have been notified by DOTD that the project is set for fiscal years 2008-2009. The need for the project is tremendous. Traffic on La. 73 has reached nearly 20,000 vehicles per day,” Rep. Lambert said. “We also need to five lane La. Hwy 42 from La. Hwy 44 to Airline Hwy. This project is long overdue and needs to be funded,” Lambert continued. “I am also pushing for an additional interstate exchange at La. Hwy 74 and I-10. I am currently working with DOTD officials and our U.S. Congressional delegation to get this project going,” Lambert said. “In order to increase state funding for our roads, I have filed House Bill 186, which would dedicate commercial trucking registration fees to fund rural, non-federal aid roads. H.B. 186 moves these fees to a special fund in DOTD for these roads, many of which are in Ascension Parish, such as Bluff Road and Cornerview Road. When this bill is fully implemented, it will likely increase rural road funding by $36 million,” Lambert commented. Ascension gets $22,000 grant from Ascension Legislators April 28, 2005--The Ascension Parish Council received a check for $22,000 in the form of a grant from Ascension Parish legislators, including Rep. Eddie Lambert (R-Prairieville.) The grant from the Governor's Office of Rural Development is for roof repairs at the Ascension Civic Center in Reynolds Lambert Park in Sorrento. Rep. Lambert issues statement on controversial Stelly Tax March 2, 2005--Rep. Eddie
Lambert has received several inquiries concerning his position on
the so-named "Stelly Tax" passed by the previous Legislature.
Rep. Lambert is opposed to the provisions of the "Stelly Tax Plan"
that resulted in crippling income tax increases on Louisiana
citizens, especially the middle class. Furthermore, the "Stelly Tax Plan" stripped away
itemized deductions for charitable contributions and home ownership.
Rep. Lambert is committed to helping his fellow legislators repeal
these provisions of the "Stelly Tax." Rep. Lambert receives award from Louisiana Family Forum ----------------------------------------------- Named "Outstanding Family Advocate" February 22, 2005--"Eleven state
legislators have been selected to receive “Outstanding Family
Advocate” Awards from Louisiana Family Forum Action, the advocacy
arm of Louisiana Family Forum, in recognition of their outstanding
pro-family voting records during the 2004 Legislative Sessions.
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