Political Payback, future warnings or good government?
Specifically were Governor Jindal’s two line-item vetoes totally $500,000 for the Algiers Development District a message to House Speaker Jim Tucker and other legislators such as Rep. Jeff Arnold--a message not to cross the Governor or was Jindal's action "good government"?Based upon various anonymous sources in good positions to know the budget process, a conversation with Rep. Arnold and considering the language and circumstances behind the Jindal veto, there are facts that various officials believe strongly raise the probability that the Algiers veto was political “payback” or “future warnings” that you “don’t mess with Bobby”.Also, as a result, some believe the Algiers veto will hurt an important segment of the New Orleans area while satisfying Governor Jindal’s “pure political objectives”.
Among the items that were vetoed by Governor Bobby Jindal on Tuesday in House Bill No. 881 was $500,000 which line item vetoes items were $200,000 to the Algiers Development District for blight remediation and infrastructure improvements and for $300,000 for the Algiers Development District “Payable out of the State General Fund (Direct)”
Jindal’s veto message for both line items was:
“These savings will be applied to ensure a balanced budget. Therefore, I am vetoing this item.”
According to these sources, and according to Rep. Arnold who chairs the Algiers Development District, Jindal’s veto message for both of these requests were clear indications that the Governor was getting back at Tucker and him for opposing the Governor on various transparency legislation instruments especially one recent bill HB 278--that many in the media and good government groups felt would cloud the very transparency Bobby Jindal once claimed he was so eager to create.
According to these sources and Arnold, the budget was actually balanced and the veto language “These savings will be applied to ensure a balanced budget” was unnecessary and obvious that the lack of specificity could only mean “payback” or future notice not to cross the Governor.
In fact, Rep. Arnold told Bayoubuzz that prior to the veto being disclosed, the Governor’s office called Tucker who then called Arnold.Arnold tried to reach the administration including Chief of Staff, Timmy Teepell (on his cell), but the top Jindal aide did not returned Arnold’s phone call.
Arnold said he feels that the Governor’s action was targeted against him also since he is loyal to House Speaker Jim Tucker who also opposed Jindal on HB 278.Both Arnold and Tucker are Republicans as is Governor Jindal.Arnold said he also opposed the governor on other Administration transparency legislation that Arnold felt that if the bills had passed, it would have put much more sunshine upon the governor’s office.
Ironically, some believe that based upon the passing of HB 278, it will be very difficult, if not impossible to obtain more information from the Governor concerning the very budget deliberations by the Governor such as the reasons he vetoed the Algiers project.They also feel that the Administration transparency bill pushed by Jindal might also be a double-edge sword.Their argument is that since it is now very difficult to obtain documents showing reasons for such vetoes, it allows the public and legislators to speculate the worse about the Governor’s motives.
Separate from the transparency issue, there is the specific issue regarding the benefits of these specific budget items that were vetoed.The Development District is in close proximity to the well-sought “FederalCity” which is expected to be a boon for the New Orleans area, Jefferson Parish, Plaquesmines and for the state.Arnold said that there are specific buildings in the area that needs remediation and major improvements which would only enhance the area close to the economic development engine (Federal City) and would improve possible residential and commercial areas for the military and others living and doing business in this district .
Jindal could have allowed the line items to stay, or reduced one item and kept the other.Instead, he slashed both which one public official said is strong indication that the motive was punitive in nature.
Arnold and others involved in the process believe the budget was balanced and this cut was absolutely not necessary.Unfortunately, they feel “payback” and “future warnings” is the ultimate message the Governor sent to the public and when it is coupled with what they consider to be Administration tepid transparency, it will be easy to see the worse when the Governor fails to fully explains his actions to the public who want to use government money wisely and effectively.
No Mr. "I get paid from the state education budget", "fiscal conservatism" means not spending any more money than is absolutely necessary, period. No different than when you call out a plumber, do you want to pay for twenty plumbers to fix your leaky pipe? Probably not. Does that make you evil/short sighted/mean/stupid/cold hearted? No. You just don't want to spend a dime more than is necessary. Neither do we taxpayers. Fund what's necessary - to the level needed - NOT MORE THAN THAT - and ELIMINATE what is not needed. If not, we'll wind up like that liberal utopia, California, flat broke. Written by kpf
on 7/11/2009
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Academia went into high gear doing studies to justify their budgets and emphasize the value added for every dollar we present them. I'd like to see that economic model applied a different way. How much of a cut would the obscenely paid tenured professors have to take to provide the funding needed to restore the 3% cut to the rank and file employees, including those who barely make minimum wage. Just wondering. Written by
on 7/9/2009
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Typical liberal. I call it paying a fair tax for reasonable services that should be provided by a government. You call it giving the shaft to people who stand in the way. Written by
on 7/9/2009
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Nevertheless the basic point of fiscal conservative-ism boils down to "looking out for no. 1" and looking to come up with whatever justification that one can for giving the shaft to anyone who is less fortunate or who might somehow be standing in the way (faceless tenured faculty of large university may make for a convenient target but how about the hundreds and thousands who don't get to enjoy the privileges of rank or of the governor's special favor?) of one's ascent to the top of life's ladder. However, the higher that one flies, the harder that one often falls. Bobby Jindal seems to think he's Louis XVII but in fact he's already enjoyed his momentary time in the spotlight and all of the political machination and vindictiveness on his part is not going to make him into anything special now that we've all seen how not-so-special he really is. Written by speak truth to right wing speciousness
on 7/9/2009
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How would you feel at LSU if you were an administrative employee who works under much more supervision and direct responsibility than the tenured faculty, while they make 3 or 4 times your salary, any hours they choose, perks that would embarrass a politician, and get no furlough? Or a grad student who is doing all of the work, including teaching for the great and noble academicians who stride the hallowed halls. The reason for this arrogance is that those fat cats are what universities have selfishly decided to use as measuring sticks for quality. That and the fact that virtually every decision maker at the university is a tenured professor. Don't worry about the governor's staff when Lombardi forecast the end of the world at LSU, and now the fat cat professor are sailing along without a dime lost from their big bank accounts. Oh, they might lose their merit raises, let's see how many of them leave for greener pastures. I predict 0, unless they have outlived their reputations at LSU and need a fresh start somewhere else to continue their titled lifestyles. Written by
on 7/9/2009
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Yes, the Jindalistas and fiscal conservatives are having their way now but what it means is that the rank-and-file, i.e. non-tenured faculty and so on, are going to be the ones who have to feel the pain. Morale is bound to be low and tension is bound to high throughout all of these agencies and institutions, which is hardly likely to help productivity (for those believers in being able to do so much more with so much less). Meanwhile, where is the accountability in the governor's own office? How about the very well paid staff (the tier of the most highly paid state employees has grown by leaps and bounds during the Jindal administration while the ranks of the lesser paid have diminished in size) that he himself has brought in during his tenure as governor thus far? And this governor fights against greater transparency of his office. That's what's wrong. Written by speak truth to right wing humbuggery
on 7/9/2009
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I for once am enjoying having at least some of my way in the Louisiana legislature. They need to spend less, they need to tighten belts, they need to end vote-buying with tax dollars. None of the cuts I've seen bother me in the least, from a monetary standpoint. Sure the agency heads will try to deal with them in the most devastating manner to garner as much undeserved sympathy as they can, but that's the great state we live in. There should be many more cuts. I don't disagree with Jindal's line item vetoes. I wish he'd veto every one of the legislators' projects. But he's accepted that the Louisiana legislature is crony-filled sham and realizes that he'd end up with a nothing legacy like Dave Treen if he doesn't use his bullets wisely. We already know what it takes to be a popular politician in this state. And the popular ones have driven us down to third world status. We can't afford any more popular politicians. Written by
on 7/9/2009
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If the crooks and cronies in this state were responsible enough to deal with reality, then I'm sure that there is more than enough state and federal money to handle and even improve each and every one of the state's vital services. But responsible fiscal management means dwindling empires and powerbases, which they will fight to the death (our death). Take LSU for example, they will furlough staff and layoff staff and non-tenured faculty, with a priority of preserving "the student experience". Anyone knows that students are much more affected by department staff, and non-tenured faculty than they are by the high and might professors in their ivory towers with their six figure salaries and benefits. Typical doubletalk cover for milking taxpayers to build empires. Written by
on 7/9/2009
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Jindal is top dog now. The people who have been whining and pining for this agenda all this time are having their way now. The Stelly plan was repealed. The firm anti-tax stand taken, the budget cuts made with probably more on the way. So stop the whining. The Longs are not in control. Edwards is not in control. Alario is around, yes, but he's not the governor or even president of the state senate while OTOH the governor (who seems to have his base of allies in the state house rather than in the senate) does seem to be getting at least most of he wants. So stop the whining, conservatives. You are getting what you want. The ball's in your court, conservatives. The question is what results this produces for all of us, so now the onus is on the conservatives and Jindalistas to produce. If they do then Jindal perhaps can proceed with his national agenda. If not, he'll be stuck with the governor job that he doesn't really want in the place where he doesn't want to be. Or worse, perhaps he won't be re-elected. Perhaps. Written by speak truth to right wing whining
on 7/8/2009
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And I'll tell you who is thriving now. John Alario, Ray Nagin, Francis Thompson, Ann Duplessis, Rob Marioneaux, Joe MacPherson, Noble Ellington, Juan LaFonta, .... Do you want me to continue?? Written by
on 7/8/2009
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The nation cannot afford socialism and Louisiana, this poor a$$ populist backwater, cannot even afford the appearance of socialism. You want to forget Long and Edwards, but they created and perfected the endless cycle of doom that afflicts this state. The mindset that those two thrived on runs through almost every facet of the Louisiana population and prevents any real progress from even being dreamed about. You want to forget those guys along with the legislative clones they've spawned, and blame Jindal for all of Louisiana's problems. If Jindal had never been born, Louisiana would still be facing generations more of last place finishes in anything worth measuring. Written by
on 7/8/2009
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Who exactly is thriving now? At least Huey Long left a legacy of a state university and a medical school and roads and bridges for the people to use. Now there's a governor who seems to want to tear down what was established for the benefit of the people and not for a real reason other than his own political ambition. Anyway, the ball is now in the court of the adherents to the fiscal conservative anti-tax anti-education anti-health care contingent to show results where opportunities are more numerous and better than ever and quality of life is better than ever for more people thanks to this governor. But the time to castigate the Longs and Edwards and the less stringent fiscal conservatives is over; they are long gone and the Jindal's and the Tucker's are having their way. Some would contend that this governor, however, in spite of all promise, has yet to introduce real reform and lasting solutions that both cut the waste as necessary and provide for the real needs of the people, which is as necessary as cutting waste and reducing taxes. Written by speak truth to right wing baloney
on 7/8/2009
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The "ring of truth" goes to ....... (drumroll) .... "No Name" (Huzzah!) Written by kpf
on 7/8/2009
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No one has ever knocked down fences to come to this "utopia." Not during the tenure of Huey or Edwin or Big John McK or any governor. And they never will. And that's because the culture of this state is one of dependence and ignorance, nurtured in an endless cycle of flawed politicians ensuring and endless cycle of ignorant, flawed, misled, and manipulated voters. No system will ever be fixed if those responsible for fixing it are thriving under the current system. Written by
on 7/8/2009
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It's the conservatives who say that they want the state to be more "business-friendly." It IS a wise policy to be investing in education and health care and one which will pay off well in the long run for both economic vitality and quality of life. Those statements are the truth. Skimping on higher education all through most of the 1980's and 1990's has hardly worked out well for Louisiana, now has it? However, the right wing crowd should be very pleased. They have had their kind of governor for 8 years with Mike Foster and then they have their kind of governor again who made to pass an ethics reform package right away and has taken firm control of the legislature, letting them know in no uncertain terms who the boss is. They have still gotten to see taxes cut and the budgets of higher education and health care cut back. Now it's time to see results. Job growth and economic growth should be off the charts and people should be knocking fences down to come to live in this newly-utopian paradise here. Written by speak truth to right wing nonsense
on 7/8/2009
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Most states do not have charity hospitals either. Are they wrong and we're right?? Is that why the same liberals who want to end homestead exemption are also the ones who can't spend enough on charity hospitals and other uniquely Louisiana boondoggles? Written by
on 7/6/2009
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Is anyone idiotic enough to believe that the Louisiana legislature will not take every dime that they think they can get from any taxpayer or business in this state (without jeopardizing their royal status as elected officials)? Does anyone think that reducing homestead exemption will lower business taxes??? Does anyone think that the legislature will not continue to squeeze more money out of businesses regardless of the revenue confiscated from individuals? Do you think there is a limit to how much money our legislature and its rabble of dependents actually want to take from us? If you do believe any of these fantasies, then continue debating homestead exemption. But if you realize that the state's appetite for tax revenue is boundless, then continue trying to hold the line on their greed at every turn. Written by
on 7/6/2009
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I am neither championing Jindal nor the Homestead exemption. I stand by my assertion that having to pay government money each year or lose "your" property means it is in fact "not your property." As far as "the other states" ALL being wrong, answer this: were ALL the states wrong when women couldn't vote? Were ALL the states wrong when the Supreme Court ruled that blacks were two thirds of a person? Were all the states wrong when "the Japs" were rounded up and sent to camps? .... duh.. for someone who claims to refute silliness you do make rather silly arguments. The only way to "reform" our governmental spending mess is to make the majority PAY and therefore have a vested interest in fiscal sanity. As long as 60% or so of the population gets (or "think they get") more FROM government than they pay INTO government they do not have the same desire for reform as those who pay for their salaries, entitlements, subsidies, etc. have. They may cloak their desire to fleece the taxpayer in terms such as “business friendly” or “ investing in ..” (“the children” or "education" or “the future” or whatever lie is convenient at the moment) – but their credibility is starting to wear thin - the backlash is growing. 2010 will bring about the “change” this country needs. Written by kpf
on 7/6/2009
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Most states do not have the kind of homestead exemption in place that Louisiana does. Are they all wrong and Louisiana right? In order for there to be the reform which is needed and for a more business-friendly environment this is one sacred cow that has to go somehow. If this is not at least modified so that the tax burden does not fall so heavily on business as opposed to individuals then there's no meaningful reform and no increased fairness in the system. Yes, real reform is needed and would be welcome in this corner. What's in doubt is whether the people of the state will ever really be ready for it. When Roemer proposed making some changes he got shot down. Now, one does not see Jindal really pushing for anything beyond his sham ethics reform that did not really accomplish that much while what has stayed the same is a governor looking to reward and punish legislators just like an Earl Long or Edwin Edwards and apparently doing so for fairly petty reasons. Jindal does not represent change or reform at all and the people need to grasp that. Written by speak truth to right wing silliness
on 7/6/2009
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It's not a lack of reading comprehension, rather it's agreeing on the point that we need tax reform, but also believing that property taxes means government ownership of one's land. When one must money on something annually or lose it, that's "renting" not "owning" - as I understand the terms at least. No Name brought up several valid points (he's quit lucid when he takes his meds) that your arrogant "right wing silliness" dismissal failed to refute. Written by kpf
on 7/6/2009
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and the business community totally agrees that something needs to be done with the homestead exemption. The business community would like to see something done with the entire tax structure. You can't piecemeal tax reform. We pay sales, income, property (on both residential and business), franchise, capital gains, unemployment, and thats just the state taxes. No one can say that small business in Louisiana does not pay their fair share. They in fact pay a majority of the property taxes and at a higher rate than on residential properties. This is all very much a legacy of the Longs "dont tax you, dont tax me." Texas does have much larger property tax bills but has no income tax. Property taxes go straight to your local government and not to Baton Rouge for our leges to divide amongst themselves. I would gladly forego paying income tax and pay that in property taxes but this would be far less power in Baton Rouge. The Texas legislature meets every other year also. Why does Louisiana need sessions every year? Written by jane
on 7/6/2009
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There's apparently a lack of reading comprehension. Once again, business strenuously opposed increasing the homestead exemption and apparently for its own part does not quite share the same notion of what constitutes "business-friendliness" that others seem to have. Texas, supposedly the best "business-friendly" state around, property taxes are major generators of revenue for governments and does not have any king-size homestead exemption like Louisiana does. Texas also made a firm decision years ago that its higher education would not be taking a back seat to anyone else's and no one can argue that that has not paid off very well for them. Their state universities are very well respected and considered among the best in the nation and have also served well as solid economic activity generators. Louisiana relies too much on sales taxes which are unstable and can't possibly be in the best interest for promoting economic activity and has a death-grip sacred devotion to the homestead exemption that also engenders a situation obviously not exactly fair for business interests. Regardless of whether overall taxes are too high or not, Louisiana does not now have a structure where eveyone who should be paying is paying what they should be paying and that certainly cannot be very "business-friendly." This is of course a legacy of the Longs, not exactly "smaller government" fiscal conservative types, but ironically a cause in recent times taken up fiscal conservative populist types. If there's ever to be any actual business-friendly reform in this state that's one sacred cow that will have to be slaughtered. Written by speak truth to right-wing silliness
on 7/6/2009
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I assume the last three posts are by the same author - hear hear Sir! Spot on accurate descriptions of the problems that afflict our politics. Written by kpf
on 7/6/2009
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that educational funding and education not connected in Louisiana. Louisiana politicians rightfully fear education more than any other concept or threat. They are happy to promote increased education funding as long as the increase feeds the bureaucracy and the entrenched beneficiaries of the education budget. But they fight against any efforts to make education more effective. While business would love to see better education, they despise seeing educational funding substituted for education, because they know who has to pay the bill. And anyone who leaves out Louisiana's corrupt legal system as an impediment to business is not telling all of the real story. Written by The real story really is
on 7/6/2009
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Increasing taxes on individuals will not decrease taxes on businesses. In fact, businessmen should realize that once our greedy politicians increase taxes on the citizens, that they already have their plans in place to then increase taxes on business. Can't you hear it now -- "Personal property taxes have risen X percent while corporations have seen no increase!!!! - Business taxes must go up so they are paying their fair share!!!!" Both efforts feeding the insatiable vote buying machine that is the dysfunctional Louisiana legislature. In Louisiana, leveling the playing field means digging it deeper. Written by
on 7/6/2009
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Transparency is a pipe dream in Louisiana. The rare occurrence of the honest politician is the only one who will suffer. Out typical politicians are masters of lying and deceit and already have game plans and defenses in place to thwart any transparency legislation. Just as they have done with term limits, but jumping the aisle and passing their crowns to their family members. Just like any case of honor or honesty - only honorable people are bound to follow the spirit of such legislation, and honorable people are spectacularly rare in Louisiana politics. Our voters prefer liars, scoundrels and thieves who promise them undeserved benefits from unethical government. And honesty becomes political suicide when manipulated by evil adversaries for consumption by ignorant voters. Written by
on 7/6/2009
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I wasn't disagreeing, just venting. Assessment should be uniform as this leads to different taxes for property that is actually valued the same. I do think the assessing government should be required to purchase the property at 80% of assessed value, which will prevent inflated assessments. Although Federal taxes are skewed heavily in favor of those making less than the median income this is not true in our state. That said, I am against property taxes - except at the act of sale - as paying annual property taxes means one doesn't actually own any property, one simply rents it from government. Written by kpf
on 7/5/2009
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that what was meant was understood. Trying to twist the topic around is not going to work this time. Business people around the state were not keen on increasing the homestead exemption. To the contrary, if the state really does wish to be more "business-friendly" it probably needs to decrease the homestead exemption. It seems that business feels like it's pulling its fair share and then some while others who could be pulling the tax-paying load are not doing so, courtesy of both the exemption and friendly tax accessors. Written by The Real Story is
on 7/5/2009
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"Pulling their own load" should not only mean paying taxes but also working to take care of yourself and your children. There are severe legal penalties (including jail time, ask Al Capone) for failing to pay taxes, how about jailing those on the public dole who can - but do not - work? After all, we want everyone to do their "fair share", do we not? Written by kpf
on 7/5/2009
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that the state's business community beat back proposals sponsored by Republican members of the state legislature to increase the most sacred homestead exemption. Perhaps the business community's own idea of tax fairness and the state's friendliness to their interests is not what some seem to think. There's nothing wrong with everyone pulling their fair share of the load (which we do NOT have right now in this state) but rather a lot of things right with that. Written by The Real Story is
on 7/3/2009
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Just having read Stew's comments and his grammar, I think we should rest our case on how terrible our education system has become. Our state is being run by thousands of Stews and Stew Jindal is the head. "PI"uyish in the sky. God save us all. Written by Cajun Jack
on 7/3/2009
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TAX FAIRNESS. Whenever you hear "tax fairness" watch your back because you're getting ready to get rooked. It's called "wealth distribution". Tax Fairness, real story your a liberal and that's fine but the majority in this state are not.
We already have a good higher education system in Louisiana and their over funded. Students from all over the country come to college at our universities, but there's to much waste because the system's run inefficiently like everything else that government runs. In the past, the reason why more business hasn't come to Louisiana is because of our K-12 system that their kids would have to attend and possibly get shot, AND the other reason is Louisiana's tax system which is why Louisiana's Democratic Party now has zero support from Louisiana's business community.
Written by stew
on 7/3/2009
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that the most effective way to be "business friendly" is for a state to have quality education and higher education systems, solid infrastructure and a tax system that's fair and equitable. If, on the other hand, higher education is poor, that is hardly conducive to business investment and economic vitality. Also, how many of these same people who complain about taxes were supportive of increasing the homestead exemption, something that business definitely does not want? It's not just a matter of how high taxes are. It's a matter of both tax fairness and well-managed, high-quality service in such areas as education, that people do need and use, being provided by the state. Written by The Real Story is
on 7/3/2009
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Steve. Tucker is a Republican and he and Arnold are political allies, BUT, Arnold is very much a Democrat. They are also both very responsive to constituenty needs and helped my neighbor in Algiers find his wife after the last storm when emergency hospital staff sent them all over the country without telling their spouses where they were going. They helped track down my friend's very ill wife and helped with arrangements to get her back home. These are two of the good guys of the legislature and yes, I am prejudiced as I have been a constituent of both.
Charlie Written by
on 7/3/2009
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The majority of Louisiana citizens don't want more taxes, don' want to restore Stelly, and don't want their tax dollars wasted on all these inefficient governement programs no matter how good intentioned they are. The citizens want Louisiana to be friendly to private business investment so the private sector will grow and provide more jobs and services to the people. We don't want the government to keep taking our money and spending it on all this crap. We want to follow the ways of Texas and not bankrupt Califonia. You want big government, move to a blue state. Written by stew
on 7/3/2009
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It is my sorrow to have lived in a time of penury of leadership. Bob Dylan sang that we ain't got nothin' to look up to, and that's still true. When I opposed the Vietnam War and the ferocious war-mongering of the US, I thought that with the war's end would come a peaceful and intelligent governance in America. Was I wrong! Now in my Elder years, I have lived to see my city, my state, and my country being led by people whose primary interests are their own wealth and prestige. For me, that includes President Obama. I visit Europe, and for me those so-called European "commies" did much better to ignore our propagandists on "free enterprise", which has turned out to be the subservience of government to the wealthy and the corporations. If the wealthy paid the taxes they used to pay under a graduated system, our cuts in education and social services wouldn't be made. If the legislature just had the balls to pass the cigarette tax and restore the Stelly cuts, cuts wouldn't be made. I am not impressed with our leaders' hypocrisy, and I have given hope for better. Written by Robert Desmarais Sullivan
on 7/2/2009
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I don't disagree with a single thing you're saying. Cut waste, have a plan which prioritizes what can - and cannot - be funded. It takes more than just a governor to accomplish this. The legislators have to want it, as do the people. Jindal is a two faced jerk - so are most politicians. At least he is a two faced jerk who vetos some spending as opposed to being a two faced jerk who never saw an expendature he didn't like; for the unnecessary spending he approved or didn't veto, a pox upon him. Written by kpf
on 7/2/2009
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that His Excellency Jindal the Magnificent was indeed, as several editorials around the state pointed out, quite the picture of inconsistency. They say that they want reform but he and his allies apparently did not push hard enough to reform the state budgetary process so that if budgets have to be cut the cuts don't have to fall so heavily on the important areas of education and health care as the current structure mandates that they do as the proposals to change that seeming injustice failed. They threw money at a chicken plucking plant for pure political reasons. Even as they said that they did not want to use one-time funds to plug the budget gaps they still did that, too, while adamantly opposing a fairly modest increase in tobacco taxes that would have been very significant in plugging the budget gap for healthcare. And still, plenty of tax breaks were passed even in this time of budgetary crisis. And, finally, there is yet no long term overarching plan in place to address reforming the whole higher education structure, meaning that 1.) waste/duplication is not really being addressed and 2.) if there's to be another round of budget cutting then there be more pressure to cut that area with no one standing up to protect that which will need to be protected and saying "let's make sure that even if we must make cust that we can still be competitive with other states and continue to fully serve the needs of our own people." If one believes that there is plenty of waste in higher education, fine, but true, meaningful reform will require the expenditure of much political capital. If Jindal the Magnificent lacks the will to spend the political capital now, well, the job won't be any easier and probably will be harder down the road. Written by The Real Story is
on 7/2/2009
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If the house is on fire I grab what I can and abandon all else. I'd rather the house not be on fire of course. I wish government fully funded essential things and did not attempt to "be everything for everybody" - or have programs that are primarily in place to either aid the politicians' reelection chances or is simply political patronage to their supporters. Unfortunately, the wasteful spending rules in government at all levels. So .... since government doesn't want to be fiscally responsible ... I want to contribute as little as possible to it. It's not my ideal situation - not what I think is in the best interests of any of us (those of us who are not either politicians or their cronies that is) but I am trying to make the best of a situation I did not create. So I will assume that "less spending" by government is "mo' betta" for me. For those who recieve more from government then they pay and could care less about government waste .... don't waste your breath preaching to me about my attitude. Written by kpf
on 7/2/2009
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It is irronic that the Governor used programs that benefit the people to get back at legislators and he did indeed do that. He should have vetoed all of the so called pet projects and put the money into health care that is struggling but then he would have had no way to reward those who supported all of his so called transparancy bills and his others that should have not been top priority.
Jindal needs to get a plan devised real soon on how to face the tremendous deficits in the budget for the next 2 years or you will see LA in the same shape as some of his counterparts throughout the country without balanced budgets.
To the writer who thinks that taxes will be lower because of his vetoes think again. The taxpayers came out good due to the tax credits received last year and others credits like those related to Stelly. So don't think you get off with the vetoes whem programs you like to take your children to or those that benefit your area are shut down. Do you support financially those programs in your area because that's what Jindal keeps saying "can be supported locally"
Written by phs51ebr
on 7/2/2009
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I think the project was very important to the people of Algiers and to Louisiana just as money for Monroe and Farmersville and Shreveport. Building the infrastructure adjacent to Federal City which we are very lucky to have would reap hundreds of millions, if not billions. This was incredibly shortsightedness by our Governor who obviously does not even want to give us the details why he voted such a project. His reasons are pathetic. Nr. Transparency Goes In Hiding and hurts a critical community for his own political power. He is a joke and most of the legislature that voted for that transparency bill for the Governor should never complain considering what they wrought. I hope there is an override session so Jindal will have to explain some of his actions. We will then see how stupid he is. Then, based upon the transparency law, maybe he doesn't have to say anything. Written by John
on 7/2/2009
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that's something we can all be thankful for. Written by I agree
on 7/2/2009
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that His Excellency Jindal the Magnificent is still in power whether the legislature is in session right now or not. Written by The Real Story is
on 7/2/2009
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I've always preferred "not in session" to "divided government" - which is preferrable to the "GOP being in power" which is preferrable to the "Democrats being in power." That is, "no money"- "some money" - "more money" and "too much money." Written by kpf
on 7/2/2009
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Tucker, along with Arnold, are fake Republicans in some respects. Also, Tucker has some strange "Bedfellowes"! We also have some these in the Saint Mary Parish area also! Written by Driver
on 7/2/2009
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Or maybe the governor thought these items were not in the best interest of the taxpayers. One thing for sure it seems more true every session of any legislature whether it is state or federal. The taxpayers are safer when they are not in session. Written by Sharon
on 7/1/2009
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I so very sorry more legislators didn't tick off the governor, then our taxes would be even lower. Written by kpf
on 7/1/2009
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You are lying. Me no do such punitive things. You are so lying. Written by Bobby J
on 7/1/2009
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Political Payback, future warnings or good government?
