Bodi White vs. Mike Mannino in Senate District 6

CENTRAL — State Rep. Bodi White and Mike Mannino, both of Central, are candidates for State Senator in new Senate District 6 in the Oct. 22 primary election.  The district includes southeast East Baton Rouge Parish, Central, southern St. Helena Parish, one precinct in Livingston and portions of Tangipahoa Parish from Independence to Hammond to Ponchatoula.

Bodi White

State Rep. Mack “Bodi” White (R-Central), cites his experience as an effective legislator who has led efforts to lower taxes, create jobs, invest in infrastructure, strengthen laws against criminals, and improve education during his tenure in the Louisiana House  as his qualifications for the new post.

“I will continue to work hard to get the job done for the people I represent,” White said.  “I look forward to putting my experience in state government to work in the State Senate, and continuing to accomplish positive, forward-moving changes for my district and for the state as a whole.”

White said he has been a champion of fiscal conservative policies by consistently voting to lower taxes and reduce the size of government.  He said that, over the last six years, the State Legislature has reduced more than $1 billion in state and personal taxes, including a reduction in the Stelly Tax.

At the same time, he said he secured $400 million worth of funding for infrastructure projects in the Baton Rouge Metro Area, including the widening of I-12 and I-10 and repairing local bridges.

“Investing in our infrastructure, creating an environment for more jobs, and improving education for our children are important ways the state can support our local economy,” White said.

White serves on the Appropriations, Judiciary, and Criminal Justice, and is chairman of the Homeland Security.  He said he pushed for ethics reform in this current administration by authoring the first ethics bill to be approved.  His bill provided protection for government whistleblowers who reported illegal or unfair activities in their office.  He also supported and lobbied for legislators to disclose information on their financial dealings.

White is an active member of his community.  He’s involved in local civic, community and youth recreation organizations, and he is a member of the chambers of commerce throughout the district.  He is also an active, long-time member of Blackwater Methodist Church.

White and his wife, Robin Wunstel White, will celebrate their 29th anniversary this fall.  They are the parents of three children and a son-in-law: Kimberly, Kristen, Mackie and Ivan McKnight; grandparents to Sydney Elizabeth; and best friends of a six-year-old Boxer named Izzi.

White holds a B.A. degree in criminal justice from Southeastern, and did post-graduate work at Loyola.  He served as an EBR Parish Sheriff’s detective for six years, and worked as a supervisor at ExxonMobil for 17 years.  He currently works as a commercial and property real estate agent with Rogillio Real Estate Company in Baton Rouge and owns a small private security company.

White has been named the City of Central’s “Man of the Year.”

Central resident Mike Mannino is a 33-year resident of Central who is married to Vanda Withers Mannino.  They have five children — three boys and two girls — Chris, Brad, Jason, Christy, and Vallen. Mannino is a  proud granddad of Christian, Kaylee, and Edyn Mannino.

Mannino said he wants to encourage job growth by cutting taxes.  He favors following Texas and Florida’s lead by repealing the state income tax.  “This is absolutely essential, if we are to bring retirees to live in Louisiana and major corporations to relocate here.”

Mannino said he opposes tax increases during the next four years and will actively work to cut taxes and unnecessary spending.

He cites his experience as a manager at Exxon, the world’s largest corporation, and as a leader in  Taxbusters, the predecessor of the Tea Party in Louisiana. “I have worked at Exxon for the last 32 years and am currently in middle management. My wife Vanda is a high school teacher in the Livingston Parish system. My mother and father are both from Tangipahoa Parish where I have strong family ties to this day.

Central Issues.

Mannino said he opposes the Loop but will work to get a new bridge over the Amite River at Hooper Road.  “Construction will begin on the new bridge within the next four years.  It will not be a toll bridge but a bridge paid for with our gasoline tax dollars. I will not support a toll bridge.  It’s unnecessary.”

Mannino said he will sponsor legislation to create the Central Recreation District.  “It is a tragedy for our young people when we allow BREC to collect more than $1.5 million a year in Central and then do so little in Central with that money.  I will sponsor legislation to take Central out of  BREC and create our own park system.  In that way, we will be able to keep $1.5 million in property taxes here in Central working for us.

“I disagree with my opponent, Rep. Bodi White, on many key issues.  I favor repealing the state income tax, while Bodi White voted against repealing it.  He supports taxing the internet, while I am adamantly against it.  He introduced a bill to build a toll bridge over the Amite.  I favor a free bridge over the Amite.  He dropped his bill to pull Central out of BREC.  I’ll introduce the same bill, and we’ll pass it and keep 100 percent of our recreation tax dollars here in Central.”

“I am a lifelong conservative and was one of the original 15 members of Taxbusters. I will never vote for increasing taxes, firmly believing that government doesn’t have a revenue problem, it has a spending problem caused by being involved in many functions that they should not be a part of. As Federal money to the states begins to be reduced, we will be faced with financial challenges in Louisiana that we have never seen before, and it will take a new way of thinking to get through these budget challenges.

“We are hardworking people in this State and are up to the task. I believe our state government must change.

Government must NOT

1- Continue to raise taxes to finance government functions that our founders never intended government to be involved in

2- Increase regulations that burden us with needless bureaucracy

3- Continue operating under the “Good Ole Boys” system where projects and funding are not approved on Merit but by who is asking or who needs a favor.

4- Collect money at the State level to send back to the local municipalities after skimming off the top to fund a huge State Government.

“If you believe in less government, and honest and ethical government, I would appreciate your consideration for Senate.”

“If you do your homework, you will find that I am the only true Conservative in this race.  I’m not an imposter; I am the real deal who can affect change in the State!  Phone 225-278-6087.”