In an exclusive, Bayoubuzz.com has learned that a group of legislators, who voted in favor of the payraise, asked Gov. Bobby Jindal in the waning hours of the session to veto Senate Bill 672.
Jindal, according to highly placed sources, looked at the motley group of mainly Republicans and reportedly replied, If you publicly ask me to veto the bill, I will.
The Governor indicated that he would not take the proverbial heat for reversing his pledge to allow the pay hike to become law without a veto unless the legislators openly admitted they were wrong.
Many legislators privately admitted to this newspaper shock at the rising public anger over the pay increase.Several confessed to a belief that the ethics reforms passed in the special session matched with the repeal of the Stelly tax increase would show the public that the legislators were working what had essentially become in practice—if not in constitutional fact—a full time job.Hence, they could argue that they truly deserved a pay increase, especially when they noted that they had not seen an increase since 1980.
Far from grudgingly allowing the pay increase, several members of the electorate filed recall petitions against sitting legislators who voted for the pay hike.Within hours, the recall petition against Speaker Jim Tucker, the most outspoken defender of the pay raise had over 800 signatures.Algiers resident John Roberts, the organizer of the recall, paid a Florida Company, Cherry Communications, to do a poll of Tucker’s District, to measure the discontent.
The survey showed that 83 percent of those surveyed in Tucker’s district disapprove of the pay raise and 59 percent would be willing to sign a petition to force a recall vote on him.
Recall elections are extremely rare because of the high threshold that state law requires for them to be called.One third of the registered voters of a district must sign a petition.In California, by contrast, only ten percent of the number of voters who voted in the previous election must approve the recall.However, the Cherry Communications poll reveals that Tucker stands in real danger of recall.
Many other legislators have feared they could be next.State Representative John LaBruzzo represents one of the most conservative House districts in Louisiana.It produced David Vitter and David Duke, and demonstrative telephone calls from his constituents were pouring forth anger at his ‘yea’ vote for the pay hike.
Still, pressure had also reportedly come from several legislative supporters of the payraise to not take Jindal up on his demand.LaBruzzo, faced with a choice between his nervous colleagues and an angry electorate, chose to follow the will of his constituents, admitting that he had “made a mistake” in voting for the pay raise.
In a press release on Tuesday afternoon, the Metairie Republican wrote, "It has become obvious to me that we, the Legislature, grossly misjudged the issue of legislative pay during this past session.As a result, I am recommending that you veto [the bill] so that we can come together with our constituents to determine a more reasonable compensation plan for Legislators."
By Thursday, cracks began to emerge in the unified legislative front on the payraise.Speaker Tucker, in a public letter, essentially released the Governor from any commitment that he had to the legislators.In a letter dated the previous evening, Wednesday, June 25th, Tucker wrote, “I will respect whatever Governor Jindal elects to do with Senate Bill 672 and remain committed to working with him to bring about the positive changes that all citizens of Louisiana deserve.”
Speculation is rife in senior Republican circles as to whether Jindal will indeed veto the measure prior to it becoming law automatically on July 8th.A rally calling for a veto is being organized by Bayoubuzz.com publisher Steve Sabludowsky that day, and one highly placed Republican admitted to this newspaper, “Bobby [Jindal] doesn’t want that scene on the news.”
I just heard that Gov. Jindal will veto de raise today. I am so happy for his decision, although he kept saying he would not veto, he is doing it. Good for him. But I still believe that he will not get the vote of hundreds of people for reelection, at least he will not get my vote. I do not believe in liars. Written by Myriam Lopez
on 6/30/2008
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
Jindal is not the person he represented himself to be when he ran for the office of goveror.He ran as a reform candidate. Where is the reform?? Looks to me like the same old politics as in the past.
Jindal is just another hack politician who will say anything to get elected, but then ignores his own promises in his campaign literature and commercials once in office. I call people like this what they are--LIARS.
If i can find a recall petition for Jindal, I'll gladly sign.
May I suggest that Jindal is unfit to be governor of our state. I call on him to immediately resign since he cannot perform his duties, as he promised.
Jindal would have a promising future as an arthor . I can suggest the title of his first book," Profiles In Cowardice".
Maybe he'll have more luck writing books. Written by Richard Dees
on 6/29/2008
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
Jindal would rather protect his friends than fight for his voters like he promised.
Jindal has also out spent any other governor in our history after promising to cut spending. Notice the trend of Jindal breaking all of his promises to his own voters, in less than six months. Jindal also promised Transparency in the governors office and then he makes a backroom deal with his own man Tucker over these pay raises. Written by Diaperman
on 6/28/2008
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
Jindal has no choice but to veto the bill to save his friends in the Legislature. If he does not veto the bill, it will be time to recall Jindal. Written by David Quidd
on 6/28/2008
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
As I understand it, Governor Jindal is against the pay raise that the legislators have decided to give themselves. However, in order to keep the peace with the legislature so that he can get some other much needed bills passed, Governor Jindal has decided to neither pass or veto the bill. I do not believe that this action, or rather non-action warrants a recall of the Governor! Written by Ruth
on 6/27/2008
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
But now for some recognition...... Rep Gene Taylor. (D) dist. 4, Hattisburgh/Laurel MS..................... I am a registered republican, with voter registration in Louisiana, but I will tell y'all one thing, if I could vote in Mississippi that man would get my undivided attention on his issues..... He is an example of what a Congressional Representative is.... I would wonder, who amongst our Louisiana Ha-Ha crew is working with him on his topics???????? Because they impact us directly as well......................................... Written by
on 6/27/2008
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
Next you need to "B" slap that Ann Duplesiss back to where she came from....... Followed by Jefferson, and Tucker, and on and on and on and on........... And for Pi? Well, he needs to provide a little better outline on what we are to expect from him for the next 1000 days..................... Getting tired of this dancing around.................................. Written by
on 6/27/2008
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
Yeah, more sensastionalist fun ' n games...... Instead of just rolling up the shirt sleeves and doing what they should have been doing in the first place..... Isn't imagry and confusion just grand??????? "bu-bu-bu-bu-bu-bu-bu-bu-bu-bu-bu-bu-we jus wanted a raise................................................" Written by .............Wut a joke.......................
on 6/27/2008
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
