L’Observateur / November 4, 1998

In an unusual move on Capitol Hill, Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) has teamedwith Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) on a piece of legislation which, in theseturbulent times for partisan politics, seems a sure winner and an example of however bitter political foes can find common ground and purpose toward positive accomplishments.

The bill is Landrieu’s Fair Share bill, aimed at re-directing oil and gas revenues from offshore drilling back to where it belongs – the states which support that drilling activity. The bill affects two-thirds of thestates and should draw wide support for that reason alone.

The other reason the bill should succeed is that it’s simply the right thing to do. In Louisiana, many communities support offshore drilling withmanpower, ancillary companies and refineries which process what is produced. However, the federal tax money derived from that drilling has,for decades, been sent directly to Washington with little, if any, returning to the states.

Landrieu, during a particularly difficult time in partisan politics, harnessed an issue, gathered valuable allies and gave the issue a long- overdue push. The result should be a windfall for both state and localgovernments across America.

America’s government can work together, setting aside petty differences, and achieve much with cooperative effort.

Copyright © 1998, Wick Communications, Inc.

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