How is Bobby Jindal doing since becoming Governor?How did his special session fare?
Much can be determined by what other newsmakers and news reporters are saying.Here is just a few clippings from around the state that discuss his special session but which also look at the larger picture of his performance:
Public Affairs Research Council
The second special session of the 2008 Legislature reinforced the momentum begun with last month’s ethics session. Louisiana, under its new leadership, is making headway on several priorities that aim to make the state more attractive to investors: making business taxes more competitive, refurbishing transportation infrastructure and investing in regional economic development opportunities.
Roads, bridges and ports were appropriately targeted as spending priorities for the 2007 surplus funds, which can only be used for certain constitutionally authorized expenses. The Legislature appropriated around half of the $1.1 billion surplus for transportation infrastructure projects, $300 million for hurricane protection and restoration, $75 million for deferred maintenance on higher education facilities, $50 million for the PenningtonBiomedicalResearchCenter in Baton Rouge and $60 million for the state’s retirement debt. In addition, $73 million was deposited in the rainy day fund.
The funding for Pennington and $57 million of the transportation funding for the CyberInnovationCenter at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City represent a willingness to resist the political temptation to spread around those millions by giving something to every district. Also passed were a one-cent decrease in the sales tax on business utilities and an acceleration of the phase-out of taxes on manufacturing machinery and equipment and corporate debt. Combined, these investments and tax breaks have great potential to spur the state’s economic development.…
Both of the special legislative sessions this year have set the stage for greater investment in Louisiana by reforming the ethics code, making business taxes more competitive and funding the upgrade of infrastructure and facilities. If successful, these enticements will challenge the state to take the next step by developing a dynamic workforce that is prepared to fill the new jobs that are created.
“It's hard to overstate the importance of the business tax cuts and spending priorities that Gov. Bobby Jindal and the Legislature delivered in their second special session.
With the legislative equivalent of lightning speed, lawmakers went along with the governor's plans to speed up the phase-out of business taxes on machinery and debt and to begin eliminating taxes on utility bills.
The votes reflect a realization that businesses in Louisiana are not captive and those elsewhere have had more tax-friendly choices to expand and relocate.” Times Picayune
“Lawmakers agreed to spend a $1 billion state surplus, give tax breaks to businesses and parents of school-aged children and then wrapped up their work Friday, handing Gov. Bobby Jindal almost everything he wanted for his second special session.
The Legislature spent only six days speeding through the governor's 13-item agenda and approving the bills overwhelmingly - despite some complaints that the proposals were moving too fast and with too little discussion.”Leesville Daily Ledger
The biggest news for Lafayette to come out of the special session of the state legislature that ended Friday is $20 million for widening a section of U.S. Route 90, area legislators said Monday.
The legislature on Friday wrapped up a weeklong special session deciding how to spend a more than $1 billion one-time surplus. Lawmakers, more than half of them freshmen, approved Gov. Bobby Jindal's spending package and eliminated taxes that the new governor said made it difficult for businesses in the state. Daily Advertiser
