Changes

Thereafter Scott and Edwards clashed often over political and spending issues regarding capital outlay, state budgeting and appropriations, tax issues, and other fiscal matters. Scott began introducing his own capital outlay and appropriations bills, normally the exclusive domain of the governor and legislative floor leaders. Scott's purpose, he declared at the time, was to demonstrate that millions could be saved if merit prevailed over political considerations in the budget process.

Thereafter Scott and Edwards clashed often over political and spending issues regarding capital outlay, state budgeting and appropriations, tax issues, and other fiscal matters. Scott began introducing his own capital outlay and appropriations bills, normally the exclusive domain of the governor and legislative floor leaders. Scott's purpose, he declared at the time, was to demonstrate that millions could be saved if merit prevailed over political considerations in the budget process.

Scott was reelected to his legislative seat as a Democrat. He polled 7,419 votes (76.9 percent) in the primary held on October 27, 1979. His intraparty opponent, former Alexandria Finance and Utilities Commissioner Arnold Jack Rosenthal (1923–2010), received 2,229 votes (23.1 percent). Rosenthal had been an unsuccessful candidate for state senator in the 1971 Democratic primary and for mayor of Alexandria in the 1977 nonpartisan blanket primary.[5] Rosenthal was a delegate to the 1960 [[Democratic National Convention]] in [[Los Angeles]], [[California]].[6] In 1976, however, Rosenthal supported Carter's opponent, [[Moderate Republican]] [[Gerald Ford]], while Jock Scott was organizing voters for Carter.

Scott was reelected to his legislative seat as a Democrat. He polled 7,419 votes (76.9 percent) in the primary held on October 27, 1979. His intraparty opponent, former Alexandria Finance and Utilities Commissioner [[Arnold Jack Rosenthal]], received 2,229 votes (23.1 percent). Rosenthal had been an unsuccessful candidate for state senator in the 1971 Democratic primary and for mayor of Alexandria in the 1977 nonpartisan blanket primary.[5] Rosenthal was a delegate to the 1960 [[Democratic National Convention]] in [[Los Angeles]], [[California]].[6] In 1976, however, Rosenthal supported Carter's opponent, [[Moderate Republican]] [[Gerald Ford]], while Jock Scott was organizing voters for Carter.

Scott became chairman of the House Governmental Affairs Committee during his second legislative term (1980–1984). He had helped his colleague John Hainkel of  New Orleans become Speaker of the House. Hainkel had the support of incoming Republican Governor  [[David C. Treen]]. Scott served on Hainkel's House Executive Committee and would also direct the procedure for state House and congressional [[reapportionment]]. Meanwhile, in an uprising of fiscal conservatives, Scott won a surprise victory in 1980 over the forces of Governor [[Edwin Edwards]] and U.S. Representative Gillis William Long in the Democratic State Central Committee by winning the post of national committeeman.

Scott became chairman of the House Governmental Affairs Committee during his second legislative term (1980–1984). He had helped his colleague John Hainkel of  New Orleans become Speaker of the House. Hainkel had the support of incoming Republican Governor  [[David C. Treen]]. Scott served on Hainkel's House Executive Committee and would also direct the procedure for state House and congressional [[reapportionment]]. Meanwhile, in an uprising of fiscal conservatives, Scott won a surprise victory in 1980 over the forces of Governor [[Edwin Edwards]] and U.S. Representative Gillis William Long in the Democratic State Central Committee by winning the post of national committeeman.