Changes

In 1970, PAR director Steimel questioned why Louisiana voters "seem to have an unusually high tolerance for abuse of public office" as well as a proclivity toward [[gambling]]. He specifically criticized the existence of pinball machines which he claimed attract primarily the young and the poor: "Very few rich people ever play the pinball machine."<ref name=ejsmph>"Steimel Says State People Have Tolerance for Abuse," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' October 21, 1970, p. 1.</ref> At the time, Steimel found that Louisiana had an "inadequate supply of highly skilled labor." He questioned economic policies of the Louisiana legislature, which in 1970 raised [[sales tax]]es from 2 to 3 cents per dollar to fund increases in teacher pay.<ref name=ejsmph/>​

In 1970, PAR director Steimel questioned why Louisiana voters "seem to have an unusually high tolerance for abuse of public office" as well as a proclivity toward [[gambling]]. He specifically criticized the existence of pinball machines which he claimed attract primarily the young and the poor: "Very few rich people ever play the pinball machine."<ref name=ejsmph>"Steimel Says State People Have Tolerance for Abuse," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' October 21, 1970, p. 1.</ref> At the time, Steimel found that Louisiana had an "inadequate supply of highly skilled labor." He questioned economic policies of the Louisiana legislature, which in 1970 raised [[sales tax]]es from 2 to 3 cents per dollar to fund increases in teacher pay.<ref name=ejsmph/>​

In 1974, Steimel advanced arguments both pro and con in regard to the new Louisiana Constitution approved by voters. [[Governor]] [[Edwin Edwards]] took Steimel's negative points to mean that Steimel really opposed the Constitution. Edward termed Steimel "a carpetbagger from Arkansas."<ref>"PAR Director Here as Lions Speaker," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' April 10, 1974, p. 1.</ref>

In 1974, Steimel advanced arguments both pro and con in regard to the new Louisiana Constitution approved by voters. [[Governor]] [[Edwin Edwards]] took Steimel's negative points to mean that Steimel really opposed the Constitution. Edward termed Steimel "a carpetbagger from Arkansas."<ref>"PAR Director Here as Lions Speaker," ''[[Minden Press-Herald]],'' April 10, 1974, p. 1.</ref>

In 1986, Steimel declared Governor Edwin Edwards' proposal to legalize casino gambling, which was eventually enacted, "crazy" and likened the issue to a tax plan advanced in 1959 by then Governor [[Earl Long|Earl Kemp Long]], who was for a time confined to a mental institution when questions arose about his fitness to serve in office. Steimel said that gambling would never produce the 100,000 jobs and $250 million in state revenues that Edwards had forecast.<ref>"Steimel calls gambling 'crazy,'" ''Minden Press-Herald,'' January 21, 1986, p. 1.</ref>​

In 1986, Steimel declared Governor Edwin Edwards' proposal to legalize casino gambling, which was eventually enacted, "crazy" and likened the issue to a tax plan advanced in 1959 by then Governor [[Earl Long|Earl Kemp Long]], who was for a time confined to a mental institution when questions arose about his fitness to serve in office. Steimel said that gambling would never produce the 100,000 jobs and $250 million in state revenues that Edwards had forecast.<ref>"Steimel calls gambling 'crazy,'" ''Minden Press-Herald,'' January 21, 1986, p. 1.</ref>​