Louisiana About To Make It Illegal For Homeless People To Beg For Money

[n2doc]

If you are poor, live in Louisiana, and have the audacity ask someone else for help, be prepared to spend up to six months in jail.

A new bill to outlaw panhandling is quickly moving its way through the Louisiana legislature. HB 1158 would criminalize solicitation, making it a misdemeanor punishable with a maximum fine of $200 and up to six months in jail. The bill is targeted not just at panhandlers, but hitchhikers and those engaged in prostitution as well.

The bill passed the Louisiana House last week by a vote of 89-0. There was no floor debate. It is now being taken up by the Senate, where it will be acted on Tuesday.

The bill’s author, State Rep. Austin Badon (D), told Post TV that he hoped that banning begging will somehow lead to fewer poor people on the streets. He doubted that many were in actual need, saying, “they’re paying their cell phone bills, they’re paying their computer bills. It’s a racket.”

more
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2014/04/29/3432024/louisiana-panhandling-ban/

[KamaAina]

1. "those engaged in prostitution"?

In the state where Diaper Dave wants to be governor?!

[shraby]

2. Does that include politicians asking for "donations"? That's solicitation

and begging.

[MountainLaurel]

3. Ah, Austin Badon

I should have known. This is the same guy who gave Louisiana last week's "using brain-dead women as incubators against their wishes" bill.

[msongs]

4. churches beg for money every sunday. will that be illegal too? nt

[lpbk2713]

5. W W J D ?

What would Jindal do?


This reminds me of a GD OP I saw yesterday wherein
the PTB wanted their judges to be more "Biblical".


Every city in Biblical times had its share of needy
people begging for alms.

[upaloopa]

6. Oh my god people are begging to pay their bills

What they should do is give up looking for work on their computers and waiting for job interview phone calls.

[Drale]

7. Does this include Corporations begging the legislature for money or

politicians begging people for money?

[Jefferson23]

8. +1

[Jefferson23]

9. The bill's author is a Democrat:

Representative Austin J. Badon, Jr.
Democrat District 100

http://house.louisiana.gov/h_reps/members.asp?ID=100

*He doubted that many were in actual need, saying, “they’re paying their cell phone bills, they’re paying their computer bills. It’s a racket.”

[lpbk2713]

11. That's a poor analogy on his part.

Phones and internet access are vital to anyone looking for any kind of employment.

Maybe he just wouldn't know what it's like to have to look for gainfull employment.

[RandoLoodie]

12. "Sideshow Bob"

was a homeless guy I used to drink with.

He had a cellphone.

Not that it proves anything - if you get foodstamps, you can get a free phone.

We had plenty of good times until the Union Pacific bulls broke up his little camp.

Granted, he spent his panhandling money on more booze, but if you live outside, I wouldn't begrudge him that.

[Jefferson23]

14. Interesting. If a person lives outside, I would not begrudge them either. You sound like

a nice guy too...nice to meet you.

[mylye2222]

10. Just another RW digusting measure......

[ck4829]

13. What happens when you don't want to fight homelessness? Just get rid of the homeless! Problem solved

[Fumesucker]

15. No, you just mandate the homeless buy a house

[Gothmog]

16. This law is probably illegal

[RedCappedBandit]

17. Seems like a blatant violation of freedom of speech IMO