Louisiana Jindal Vetoes Gambling, School Legislation

Today, Governor Bobby Jindal vetoed legislation which he said expanded gambling and the state construction and renovations of schools. Here are his veto letters:

Today, Governor Bobby Jindal vetoed HB 937, SB 398, and SB 386 and issued the following veto letters:

The Honorable Alfred W. Speer

Clerk of the House of Representatives

State Capitol

Baton Rouge, LA 70802

Re: House Bill No. 937 by Representative St. Germain

Veto Message

Dear Mr. Speer:

House Bill 937 would require a referendum election to permit a live horse racing facility and slot machine gaming at a facility in Iberville Parish. I am opposed to this legislation because it contemplates the expansion of gaming.

For this reason, I have vetoed House Bill No. 937 and hereby return it to the House of

Representatives.

Very truly yours,

Bobby Jindal

Governor

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The Honorable Glenn Koepp

Secretary of the Senate

State Capitol

Baton Rouge, LA 70802

Re: Senate Bill No. 398 by Senator Marionneaux

Veto Message

Dear Mr. Koepp:

Senate Bill No. 398 is contingent upon the passage of House Bill 937, which I have vetoed because it contemplates the expansion of gaming. For this reason, I have vetoed SB 398, and hereby return it to the Senate.

Very truly yours,

Bobby Jindal

Governor

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The Honorable Glenn Koepp

Secretary of the Senate

State Capitol

Baton Rouge, LA 70802

Re: Senate Bill No. 386 by Senator Hebert

Dear Mr. Koepp:

Senate Bill 386 lowers the legal age for gaming from twenty-one to eighteen for active and honorably discharged members of the military and National Guard. I am opposed to this legislation because it expands gaming. For this reason, I have vetoed SB 386 and hereby return it to the Senate.

Very truly yours,

Bobby Jindal

Governor

Also, today, Governor Bobby Jindal vetoed SB 632 and HB 962 and issued the following veto letters:

The Honorable Glenn Koepp

Secretary of the Senate

State Capitol

Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70804

Re: Senate Bill No. 632 by Senator Gray

Establishes Louisiana Statewide Educational Facilities Authority

Dear Mr. Koepp:

Senate Bill No. 632, along with companion House Bill No. 962 by Representative Peterson, opens the door to future state funding of construction and renovation of local public school facilities.

While this appears to be a worthwhile goal, it represents a fundamental shift in the planning and financing of school facilities and would open the door to a very costly state-funded school facilities program. This has traditionally been a local responsibility driven by the needs and wishes of citizens in each school district. Funding is provided through the approval of local efforts and limited discretionary monies received by the school systems from the state’s Minimum Foundation Program (MFP). In addition to funding from the enrollment-based MFP formula, increased revenues raised through local efforts are eligible for reward funding in which the state contributes a match, thereby providing school systems with even more discretionary money.

The state currently has unmet obligations such as the unfunded accrued liability of the statewide retirement systems, the backlog of deferred maintenance on roads, and an estimated $2 billion in deferred maintenance on state buildings. Senate Bill No. 632 establishes the Louisiana Statewide Education Facilities Authority and grants this body with the authority to sell bonds backed by the full faith and credit of the state. If the Authority were to sell bonds, this could have a negative impact on the 6% constitutional net state supported debt limit and hamper the state’s ability to fund normal capital outlay.

For these reasons, I have vetoed Senate Bill No. 632 and hereby return it to the Senate.

Very truly yours,

Bobby Jindal

Governor

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The Honorable Alfred W. Speer

Clerk of the House of Representatives

State Capitol

Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70804

Re: House Bill No. 962 by Representative Peterson

Creates the Educational Facilities Fund

Dear Mr. Speer:

House Bill No. 962 creates an Educational Facilities Fund in the State Treasury, opening the door for state funding of local school buildings. The funding of public school facilities has traditionally been a local responsibility driven by the needs and wishes of citizens in each school district.

Funding is provided through the approval of local efforts and limited discretionary monies received by the school systems from the state’s Minimum Foundation Program (MFP). In addition to funding from the enrollment-based MFP formula, increased revenues raised through local efforts are eligible for reward funding in which the state contributes a match, thereby providing school systems with even more discretionary money.

The state currently has existing documented needs and obligations that are not being met, such as the unfunded accrued liability of statewide retirement systems, the deferred maintenance of roads, and outstanding deferred maintenance of state buildings. While I support giving local school systems greater flexibility in securing financing for educational facilities, including the ability to partner with businesses and community organizations that seek to invest in local public schools, this bill would represent a fundamental shift and would open the door to a very costly state-funded school facilities program.

Because of the outstanding needs of this state and the constitutional limit on net state tax supported debt, I have vetoed House Bill No. 962 and hereby return it to the House of

Representatives.

Very truly yours,

Bobby Jindal

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